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“Upgraded” to X-T5: Great Spec, But Lacks Build Quality!

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Dr88man

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X-T5’s build quality doesn’t inspire confidence. I just sold my X-T3, and bought a X-T5 for IBS and 40MP.

X-T5’s build quality feels very inadequate in my hands. The top panel feels like plastic and weak, the doors are paper thin. I can’t believe that Fuji cut so many corners. The materials seem less robust than my former X-T3. I don’t think this new body is going to last… The X-T3 felt so much more robust in my hands. The body is so light that even the 10-24 lens feels unbalanced. I wish the body was 50g heavier and better fortified.

Sadly, I don’t think this camera system is going to be as fun as the X-T3 was in my hands.

How is your experience with the build quality of the X-T5 for landscapes and outdoor use?

Thanks!
 
nope, I like the build less weight and controls up top are better IMO...ZERO issues
 
I use 2 X-T5 for landscapes and trekking, in the last year in Oman (think rugged mountains, deserts, and coastlines), with no issues.

Build quality is fine. I have used X-T2 and X-T3 before.
 
Dr88man said:
X-T5’s build quality doesn’t inspire confidence. I just sold my X-T3, and bought a X-T5 for IBS and 40MP.

X-T5’s build quality feels very inadequate in my hands. The top panel feels like plastic and weak, the doors are paper thin. I can’t believe that Fuji cut so many corners. The materials seem less robust than my former X-T3. I don’t think this new body is going to last… The X-T3 felt so much more robust in my hands. The body is so light that even the 10-24 lens feels unbalanced. I wish the body was 50g heavier and better fortified.

Sadly, I don’t think this camera system is going to be as fun as the X-T3 was in my hands.

How is your experience with the build quality of the X-T5 for landscapes and outdoor use?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Did you ever hold the x-t3 and X-T5 together side by side? I have for a week before I sold my x-t3 and the difference between them is negligible. There are something's I don't like about the X-T5 but build quality doesn't come that high on my list after previously loving my x-t3.
 
Dr88man said:
X-T5’s build quality doesn’t inspire confidence. I just sold my X-T3, and bought a X-T5 for IBS and 40MP.

X-T5’s build quality feels very inadequate in my hands. The top panel feels like plastic and weak, the doors are paper thin. I can’t believe that Fuji cut so many corners. The materials seem less robust than my former X-T3. I don’t think this new body is going to last… The X-T3 felt so much more robust in my hands. The body is so light that even the 10-24 lens feels unbalanced. I wish the body was 50g heavier and better fortified.

Sadly, I don’t think this camera system is going to be as fun as the X-T3 was in my hands.

How is your experience with the build quality of the X-T5 for landscapes and outdoor use?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I don't have an X-T-5 so I can't speak to its build quality, but I do have the Fujinon 10-24 WR which handles very well on my smaller and lighter X-S10 without a problem.

I think you need to get a grip.
 
biza43 said:
I use 2 X-T5 for landscapes and trekking, in the last year in Oman (think rugged mountains, deserts, and coastlines), with no issues.

Build quality is fine. I have used X-T2 and X-T3 before.
Click to expand...
Bar one aspect, I agree. I had a XT3 and then a XT4 before the XT5 and find the five just fine for general use, sports and hiking.

The only element that I wish was better quality and more robust is the tilting screen mechanism. On my XT5, when it is flush against the body in the stowed position, it has a little bit play. It's not really an issue, more of an irritation.

--
J.
http://jules7.smugmug.com/
 
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I think I understand what you mean. Coming from an X-Pro2, I had my hands on an XT-5 the other day and it felt very cheap while holding it.

I'm not saying that the build quality is bad or that it won't last as long, for me it was about the cheap material feeling when you hold it.
 
I suspect you dont really mean 'build quality' as that means, does the battery door fit snuggly to its opening, for example (like the shutlines in a cars body panels) - but the type of materials used for the body which gives weight advantage but perhaps "feels" (perception not reality) less tactile.

You may be interested in this topic:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4698488

--
Fuji XT-3 + Fuji 16-55, 50-140, 100-400
 
Last edited:
Dr88man said:
X-T5’s build quality doesn’t inspire confidence. I just sold my X-T3, and bought a X-T5 for IBS and 40MP.

X-T5’s build quality feels very inadequate in my hands. The top panel feels like plastic and weak, the doors are paper thin. I can’t believe that Fuji cut so many corners. The materials seem less robust than my former X-T3. I don’t think this new body is going to last… The X-T3 felt so much more robust in my hands. The body is so light that even the 10-24 lens feels unbalanced. I wish the body was 50g heavier and better fortified.

Sadly, I don’t think this camera system is going to be as fun as the X-T3 was in my hands.

How is your experience with the build quality of the X-T5 for landscapes and outdoor use?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The X-T5 was never intended to be tog dog in the lineup, X-T3 was.

The two XH are now clearly top dog, the X-T5 is too nerfed for my liking.
 
Dr88man said:
X-T5’s build quality doesn’t inspire confidence. I just sold my X-T3, and bought a X-T5 for IBS and 40MP.

X-T5’s build quality feels very inadequate in my hands. The top panel feels like plastic and weak, the doors are paper thin. I can’t believe that Fuji cut so many corners. The materials seem less robust than my former X-T3. I don’t think this new body is going to last… The X-T3 felt so much more robust in my hands. The body is so light that even the 10-24 lens feels unbalanced. I wish the body was 50g heavier and better fortified.

Sadly, I don’t think this camera system is going to be as fun as the X-T3 was in my hands.

How is your experience with the build quality of the X-T5 for landscapes and outdoor use?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Experience so far has been good and it's going on a year and six months + now. Plenty of days out in light rain and heavy wind with some days it being driving rain along the coast. I'm always careful with my gear so I don't let it get soaked but no problems to speak off. Cold(ish) temperatures too, minus 5 to minus 15 hasn't been a problem.

I never had an XT-3 so can't draw a comparison but it feels pretty solidly built to me, even when it's only got the 27mm pancake on it. Yeah the doors feel a little delicate but I rarely have them open and am careful when changing the battery.

I ordered mine to be a family travel camera and wondered if it would sit on the shelf while I use my main system which is an R5. Happy to report that hasn't been the case and it's used a lot more than I expected, mainly because it's fun to use.

Hope you do enjoy yours and all the best.
 
Very happy with mine and it hadn’t occurred, before this thread, to think about build quality or robustness. Always feels solid enough. The X-H2S on the other hand is built like a tank and that is a noticeable comparison.
 
I can assure you that the doors are NOT "paper thin" as implied. I have used much beefier, heavier, and all metal bodies, and also ones with more plastic. The debate of plastic composites versus metal goes on and on, but the X-T5 is an awesome balance of build quality.

It is going to break, if you want it to. If you rip the doors or back panel open, or toss the body in a a bag of rocks, and carry it dangling in the wind like a scarf, then maybe you should have looked elsewhere.
 
I have an X-H2, and rented an X-T5 thinking a smaller / lighter body would be a nice addition. I’d owned an X-T3 and loved it. I took the 5 out of the box and had the same reaction as did you. Flimsy feeling. The H2 by comparison is a brick. I also thought the lower resolution EVF a real disappointment by comparison. I had the 5 rented for a week, but was so disappointed I sent it back after 2 days.

I’m sure that the 5 is adequately built. But it sure does not feel like it.

Rand
 
jonikon said:
Dr88man said:
X-T5’s build quality doesn’t inspire confidence. I just sold my X-T3, and bought a X-T5 for IBS and 40MP.

X-T5’s build quality feels very inadequate in my hands. The top panel feels like plastic and weak, the doors are paper thin. I can’t believe that Fuji cut so many corners. The materials seem less robust than my former X-T3. I don’t think this new body is going to last… The X-T3 felt so much more robust in my hands. The body is so light that even the 10-24 lens feels unbalanced. I wish the body was 50g heavier and better fortified.

Sadly, I don’t think this camera system is going to be as fun as the X-T3 was in my hands.

How is your experience with the build quality of the X-T5 for landscapes and outdoor use?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I don't have an X-T-5 so I can't speak to its build quality, but I do have the Fujinon 10-24 WR which handles very well on my smaller and lighter X-S10 without a problem.

I think you need to get a grip.
Click to expand...
There is no grip available for this camera.
 
Last edited:
JNK 100 said:
jonikon said:
Dr88man said:
X-T5’s build quality doesn’t inspire confidence. I just sold my X-T3, and bought a X-T5 for IBS and 40MP.

X-T5’s build quality feels very inadequate in my hands. The top panel feels like plastic and weak, the doors are paper thin. I can’t believe that Fuji cut so many corners. The materials seem less robust than my former X-T3. I don’t think this new body is going to last… The X-T3 felt so much more robust in my hands. The body is so light that even the 10-24 lens feels unbalanced. I wish the body was 50g heavier and better fortified.

Sadly, I don’t think this camera system is going to be as fun as the X-T3 was in my hands.

How is your experience with the build quality of the X-T5 for landscapes and outdoor use?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I don't have an X-T-5 so I can't speak to its build quality, but I do have the Fujinon 10-24 WR which handles very well on my smaller and lighter X-S10 without a problem.

I think you need to get a grip.
Click to expand...
There is no grip available for this camera.
Click to expand...
There are lots of grips available for the X-T5, just not ones of the battery variety.
 
If coming from an X-H2(S) then it will feel very different. Difficult to put your finger on it, but the X-H2(s) had less in the way of obvious dials and buttons and a higher percentage of solid. I like using my X-H2S with the flippy screen tucked inward so that it is not exposed. I don’t like it being out. Similarly, if carrying the X-T5 then the rear screen feels exposed (though I do have a protector on it). I think it is small points such as these that make the X-H2(s) feel more like something that can be thrown around. In reality they are not that different.

You get a similar experience with the X100V. Put it in its leather case and it feels bulletproof. Carry it without any case and it feels more finessed.
 
And if you are coming from an X-T5 to a X-H2(S), it will feel like a brick, or a heavy monster.

They are completely different builds, styles, and ergonomic tools too...
 
Thank you everyone for the wonderful responses!

No, I’m not looking for a hammer. I’ve owned Leica, Contax, and Mamiya MF Rangefinders, and one of the great joys of these cameras is the way it feels in your hands. Fuji could’ve at least made it feel the new camera as good as an X-T3.

But, if the functionality is not affected as most people are saying, I’m relieved and can move forward in keeping the camera.

Thank you!
 
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