Fujifilm X-E5 vs X100VI: which one is right for you?
Disclosure: I’m an X100VI lover. I’ve used every X100 since the original and, as a former Fujifilm ambassador, I’ve had small bits of input over the years on design decisions. That relationship matters. It also means I know exactly why this camera is so adored.
With that said, if you asked me what most people should buy, the answer might surprise you. For a lot of photographers, the Fujifilm X-E5 with a small prime will be the smarter, more versatile choice.
TL;DR
My pick for me: X100VI. I love the fixed 23mm F2, the hybrid viewfinder, and the way it encourages simple, honest photography.
My pick for most people: X-E5 with a compact prime (XF 23mm F2, 27mm F2.8, or 35mm F2). Same sensor and IBIS, more flexibility, and better value if you want different focal lengths.
Image quality: Essentially identical. Both use the latest 40MP X-Trans sensor. Lenses and how you shoot will make the bigger difference.
Street and everyday carry: X100VI has a lot of character and keeps you in the moment.
Travel, family, “do-everything” kit: X-E5 wins on adaptability and price.
Links to real-world images & Reviews:
Why this matters
The questions I get most often now are some version of: “Should I get the X100VI or the X-E5?”
On paper, they share a lot. In the hand, I think they feel like very different tools.
If you shoot family life one day, a bit of travel the next, and maybe portraits at the weekend, you’ll likely want options. The X-E5 gives you those options without fuss.
If you want the joy of a single, beautifully sorted camera that becomes part of your daily routine, the X100VI is hard to beat.
This guide is not a spec sheet. It’s what I’ve learned using both, with practical pointers so you can pick once and get on with making photographs.
Key differences at a glance
| Feature | Fujifilm X100VI | Fujifilm X-E5 |
|---|---|---|
| Lens | Fixed 23mm F2 (35mm equivalent) | Interchangeable X-Mount |
| Sensor | 40MP X-Trans 5 | 40MP X-Trans 5 |
| Stabilisation | In-body image stabilisation | In-body image stabilisation |
| Viewfinder | Hybrid OVF/EVF | EVF |
| Body idea | All-in-one, street-first | Small, modular, do-everything |
| Weight | About half a kilo with battery | Lighter body only; varies with lens |
| Video | Capable for casual use | Same ballpark, more lens choice |
| Price reality | Higher up front, lens included | Lower body price, lenses extra |
Plain English translation: the X100VI is a complete package with a very particular way of seeing. The X-E5 is a more versatile. Only you can really decide which idea fits your life.
Fujifilm X100VI
Fujifilm X-E5
How they feel to use
X100VI: one view, fewer decisions
I reach for the X100VI when I want to be a photographer rather than a “camera operator”. One focal length, tactile dials, a hybrid finder that keeps me connected to what I’m seeing. The camera gets out of the way and pushes me toward patience. If you like the 35mm field of view, it becomes second nature.
My Fuji X100VI Review on YouTube.
“Limitation can be useful. With the Fuji X100VI I stop wondering about cameras and lenses and start noticing more.”
X-E5: light, discreet, adaptable
The X-E5 is the camera I would throw in a small bag with one or two compact primes. 23mm for a general day. 27mm if I want a touch more subject separation. 18mm when I really want to keep the kit tiny. Sensors are the same, IBIS is there, and autofocus is modern & quick. It just quietly gets on with it.
Image quality and the role of lenses
Both deliver the same core image quality. That’s worth understanding - it’s important. Colour science, dynamic range, detail — it all sits at the same level.
Where things diverge is in the glass and the way you work.
X100VI lens rendering: The fixed 23mm F2 has a lovely balance of sharpness and character. Close-focus behaviour, flare resistance, and the way it draws backgrounds feel familiar to anyone who has used the series since the X100S or T. Subtle changes over the generations, but the ethos is consistent.
X-E5 flexibility: Want that classic reportage 35mm look? Pop on the XF 23mm F2. Prefer a tiny kit that slips in a coat pocket? The XF 27mm F2.8 pancake does the job. If portraits are your thing, the XF 56mm F1.2 II is sublime. I also use the XF 18mm F1.4 a lot for wide, layered frames.
If you’re new to Fujifilm, this is a key decision. Do you enjoy one lens teaching you “seeing discipline”, or do you enjoy picking the right brush for the job?
Autofocus, stabilisation and speed
Both cameras are fast enough for everyday life, street, documentary family work, documentary wedding photography and travel. Subject detection has matured to a point, but I very rarely use it.
Stabilisation is more than a side note now. It lets you drag the shutter a stop or two slower than you might otherwise, which is handy in low light. For my style — people moving, small gestures — I still try to keep shutter times honest, but IBIS does give you wiggle room.
The X100VI is limited by its fixed lens, and in practice, this means the autofocus acquisition is marginally (and I mean hardly noticeably) slower.
Viewfinders and the “feel” of framing
This is where the X100VI earns its brownie points. The hybrid viewfinder lets you choose optical or electronic with a flick. Optical gives you that wider, through-the-glass view with frame lines, so you can see a moment entering the frame before it happens. Electronic gives you accuracy, exposure preview, and the ability to work quietly in tricky light.
The X-E5’s EVF is crisp and practical. No additional tech here, just clarity. If you live in the EVF anyway (like most people do), you won’t miss the hybrid.
Ergonomics and carry
Both are small. The difference is in how they’re small.
X100VI: proportioned like a classic compact. It hangs off a strap beautifully. With a wrist strap, it feels very comfortable.
X-E5: slightly slimmer and lighter body. With a small prime, it is genuinely pocketable in a decent coat. Add a 56mm F1.2 and it becomes a different proposition. Not heavy, but not pocketable.
If you know you will always take one lens, the X100VI is lovely to live with. If your lenses change per day, the X-E5 is probably easier to adapt.
Video in a sentence or two
Both are more than fine for casual clips, B-roll for family films, or short maker videos. If video is mission-critical, you probably already have the Fujifilm X-T5 or X-H2 in mind.
I use the X100VI & X-E5 primarily for stills, where they excel.
Price and value in the real world
X100VI: usually costs more up front (though deals can be found), but the lens is included. Zero decisions to make after purchase.
X-E5: can be a lower entry price (depending on where you shop). Spend what you save on one or two small primes, and you have a tiny system that covers a lot of ground.
If you already own Fuji lenses, the X-E5 is perhaps the more obvious choice. If you don’t and you love 35mm, the X100VI can actually be the simple, cost-contained choice.
Use-case cheat sheet
| Scenario | My recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Street photography day | X100VI | Hybrid finder, fixed 35mm mindset, stays out of your head |
| Family weekend, museums, cafés | X-E5 + 23mm F2 | Flexible, discreet, light. Switch to 35mm F2 if you like tighter frames |
| Travel carry-on only | X-E5 + 27mm F2.8 | Smallest physical footprint with modern IQ |
| Environmental portraits | X-E5 + 56mm F1.2 | Subject separation and flattering perspective |
| One-camera challenge to sharpen your eye | X100VI | Embraces limitation, simplifies choices |
Who each camera suits best
X100VI suits you if…
You like the 35mm field of view and want to lean into that classic look.
You enjoy tactile controls and the hybrid finder experience.
You prefer to walk and watch, letting scenes come to you.
You want a single, coherent tool that becomes familiar quickly.
X-E5 suits you if…
You want the same image quality but with lens choices.
You shoot a mix of people, places, and portraits and want to adapt per day.
You value small size and low weight above all else.
You prefer to buy a body today and build lenses over time (or you already have a collection of Fuji Lenses).
A word on restraint and overshooting
This is a stance I keep returning to in my workshops. Whatever you choose, the camera is only half the equation. The other half is how you behave around people. I’d rather shoot fewer frames with intent than fire through a moment and change it by my presence.
Both cameras are quiet, both are small, and both will help you remain respectful. Your choices should matter more than their spec sheets.
My verdict
Personally, I would pick the Fujifilm X100VI. It aligns with how I like to work. One focal length, head up and enjoying the world around me. It’s a camera that invites photographs rather than demands them.
I know it, I trust it, and I enjoy the way it makes me see. That’s probably the most important bit. If you enjoy a camera, you use it more.
For most people, though, the X-E5 with a compact prime or two is the better buy. Same image quality, slightly less money, and you can adapt it to whatever you’re shooting that week.
Start with the XF 23mm F2, add the 35mm F2 later, and you’ve got two classic looks covered with very little weight.
Whichever way you go, you are not compromising on image quality; you’re choosing a way of working.
FAQ
-
Yes. They share the same current-generation sensor and processing. Your choice of lens and how you expose will influence rendering more than the body.
-
If you love the 35mm field of view and want an all-in-one camera, I think so. The experience is part of the value. If you want flexibility, the X-E5 makes better financial sense.
-
If you pack light and like a tiny kit, the X-E5 with the 27mm pancake is hard to beat. If you prefer a single camera that is always ready, the X100VI keeps things simple.
-
Absolutely. Pair it with the 56mm F1.2 II for classic head-and-shoulders work or the 50mm F2 for a lighter option.
-
Both are capable for casual work. If video is your main focus, look higher up the range or at a body built specifically for that job.
-
Yes, if you want that single-lens experience and the hybrid finder. But if you already have lenses you love, the X-E5 will give you continuity at a lower cost.
Practical next steps
Try a one-week “single focal length” challenge with your current camera. If you enjoy it, you’ll enjoy the X100VI.
If you crave variety, list the three focal lengths you actually use. Use your existing Lightroom Catalog to identify this. If that list is longer than one, the X-E5 makes more sense.
Browse real frames rather than choosing based on spec sheets:
If you want more help with my Wedding Photography shooting approach, my course The Art of Documentary Wedding Photography leans into the same way of seeing. It is not just for weddings. It is about people.
Edited with my Lightroom Presets
Every image in this article (and linked articles) was edited with my Film Lightroom Presets. I build these for speed and consistency, but also for a natural look that doesn’t get in the way of the story. If you’ve followed my work for a while, you’ll recognise the gentle contrast, honest skin tones, and a monochrome that feels like it belongs.
Why people use them:
Fast, repeatable results for real-world work.
Natural colour and believable black-and-white.
Built around the way I actually shoot: people, moments, available light.
Try them on your files:
Head to my Presets page to see the full range and sample before/after frames.
If you’re picking up more than one pack, the shop automatically applies Buy 2 Get 1 Free at checkout when you add three items. If you’re only after a single pack, there’s also a 10% code available: 100XE.
