The Fujifilm X-H2 gives us a tantalizing glimpse of the imminent X-T5

The Fujifilm X-H2 camera setting on a white table
(Image credit: Future)

There’s no doubt what the camera theme of 2022 has been – it’ll go down as the year of the crop-sensor comeback. After the arrival of full-frame beasts like the Nikon Z9 last year, smaller sensors have fought back – and none more fiercely than Fujifilm’s X-Series.

In the last four months, we’ve seen the launch of the Fujifilm X-H2S (a stacked sensor speedster built for sports and action) and, more recently, the Fujifilm X-H2, the world's first 40MP APS-C camera. These followed the arrival of the Canon EOS R7 and Canon EOS R10, which both show Canon's commitment to the format.

For the first time in a few years, full-frame is no longer the camera buzzword. Seven out of the nine major camera releases this year have been crop sensor models, and as a photographer who still prizes the benefits of APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras – along with a variety of choice in cameras – this makes me very happy indeed.

A diagram of two Fujifilm sensors

(Image credit: Fujifilm)

But despite this pleasing development, the crop sensor trend hasn’t been the win for affordability that you might have traditionally expected. The OM System OM-1 and Panasonic Lumix GH6, for example, are both flagships with asking prices north of $2,000 / £2,000. 

And as much as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed testing both the Fujifilm X-H2S and X-H2 recently, both carry similarly weighty price tags. Which is why I’m particularly excited to see which elements from both make it into the now heavily-rumored Fujifilm X-T5

High five

For hobbyist shooters, the Fujifilm X-T5 could be the most exciting camera of the year. And yes, maybe this year – there are growing rumors, including from the usually reliable Fuji Rumors, that the mid-range mirrorless camera will arrive in 2022. 

That would see it launch pretty close to the Fujifilm X-H2, a camera that won’t ship until the end of September. But it does look increasingly like that’ll be the case. The current Fujfilm X-T4, which we still rate as one of the best cameras you can buy, has now been discontinued in several major Japanese stores. And even Fujifilm product managers are already dropping hints about another launch “very soon”.

The Fujifilm X-H2 camera setting on a white table

(Image credit: Future)

But having spent some quality time with the X-H2 (above) at Fujifilm’s X-Summit, the imminent launch of an X-T5 makes increasing sense to me, too. Like its X-H2S sibling, the X-H2 is a premium hybrid camera for stills and video. But it’s also one that’s distinguished by a particular shooting experience – namely, the PASM (Program, Aperture, Shutter, Manual) control approach favored by most other manufacturers.

Fujifilm has made a big splash for professional shooters with the X-H2S and X-H2. Both have next-gen sensors and processors, alongside the deep grips and controls favored by most pro photographers. Now it’s time to bring some of that power to a more focused, retro-flavored camera: the X-T5. But what features will it inherit?

Old school

There are two possibilities for the X-T5. It could either inherit a similar 26MP BSI CMOS sensor to the current Fujifilm X-T4, and pair that with the new X-Processor 5 for Fuji’s new subject-tracking autofocus. Or it could instead become a more affordable X-H2, pairing the latter with Fuji’s new 40MP X-Trans 5 BSI sensor.

The latest rumors suggest the X-T5 will take the 40MP route, but with some significant twists to help differentiate it from the X-H2. Most obviously, it’ll likely retain the dedicated dials for settings like ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation that have seen Fujifilm cameras retain their cult following in contrast to their more functional rivals.

Fujifilm X-T4

(Image credit: Fujifilm)

But it seems the X-T5 could also become more focused, and perhaps also more mid-range, compared to the X-T4 (above). Back when the X-T4 launched, the lack of a real flagship model in Fuji’s range saw it take on the ‘hybrid’ mantel for stills and video shooters. Now the X-H2S and X-H2 are here, the X-T5 is free to again become more of a photographer’s purist camera.

While no-one at the X Summit would talk about the X-T5 explicitly, my feeling from various briefings was that this would likely be Fuji’s approach for the rest of its camera range. With two impressive flagship models in place at the top of its tree for hybrid shooters, the next X-series bodies (an X-T5, but perhaps also an X-Pro4 and X-T40) could become the specialist models that Fuji’s built its reputation on.

As someone who leans more towards photography than video, I hope this means features like the return of the X-T3’s tilting screen, but also the inclusion of the X-H2’s ‘Pixel Shift Multi Shot’ mode. According to rumors, this differentiation from the X-H2 could also mean the absence of a battery grip option for the X-T5. Fuji says this grip is only used by a small minority of X-T shooters anyway, so it wouldn't be a huge deal  even if it might irk some fans.

Bumper crop

Whatever the minutiae of the X-T5’s spec sheet, it’s likely to be a big launch for what's known in marketing speak as the ‘enthusiast’ market. Before this year, I had concerns that the buzz around full-frame systems might (unfairly) squeeze their crop-sensor rivals too far into the margins for them to survive.

This year has shown those fears to be unfounded. The X-H2S and X-H2 are the creations of a confident system that knows who its audience is. And my time with the X-H2 in particular has got me excited for what could possibly be coming around the corner in the X-T5. It won't be as fast as the X-H2S, nor handle as well as the X-H2, but it could be the sweet spot for hobbyists.

The Fujifilm X-H2 camera setting on a white table

(Image credit: Future)

Not that the X-H2 is overpriced for what it offers. In fact, at $1,999 / £1,899 / AU$3,399, it’s comparatively good value when you consider it’s possible to buy two of them for the price of a Canon EOS R5. But in these financially-trying times, it’s time to see some of this tech filter down into its non-professional bodies.

This pricing also leaves a gap for a Fujifilm X-T5 to drop into the lineup, Tetris-style, with a similar launch price to the X-T4 ($1,699 / £1,549 / AU$2,999). If it manages to do that while offering most of the X-H2’s photographic power, and does indeed launch later this year, the X-T5 could well find its way into many-a-Christmas stocking. And a new Fujifilm smartphone app would be the icing on the cake.

TOPICS
Mark Wilson
Senior news editor

Mark is TechRadar's Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he's contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph's Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile. 

Read more
The Fujifilm X-E4 camera sitting outside on a bag
The rumored Fujifilm X-E5 is the camera I'm most excited about in 2025 – here's why
Sony, Canon, Nikon, GoPro, Fujifilm, Ricoh and Pentax cameras in two rows on a blue and pink background with radar graphic
The 12 most exciting cameras of 2025, from the iPhone 17 to the Sony A7 V
Hasselblad X2D 100C camera in user's hand, their blue jacket in background
My dream Hasselblad camera is getting a sequel soon, according to new leaks – here are 5 upgrades I’m hoping for
Photo triptych from left to right: the Canon EOS R5 Mark II in the hand, closeup of the Pentax 17 lens, the Fujifilm X100VI in Tokyo street held up to photographer's eye
My 7 favorite camera moments in 2024 – from innovative in-camera AI editing to film making a comeback
Lead image for TechRadar's guide to the best Fujifilm cameras, featuring the X-T5
Best Fujifilm camera 2025: top mirrorless and compact cameras, retro and otherwise
Powershot G7 X in the hand
It's time for point-and-shoot digital cameras to make a comeback in 2025 – here's what I want to see
Latest in Mirrorless Cameras
Hasselblad X2D 100C camera in user's hand, their blue jacket in background
My dream Hasselblad camera is getting a sequel soon, according to new leaks – here are 5 upgrades I’m hoping for
Sigma BF silver camera in the hand at The Photography Show, UK
I tried the Sigma BF camera everyone is talking about – it's truly stunning, but has one fundamental flaw
Nikon Z5 mirrorless camera on green background with lowest price text overlay
These record-low Nikon Z5 prices suggest the cheap full-frame camera’s Z5 II upgrade could land soon
Panasonic Lumix S1R II alongside Panasonic Lumix S5 II on a split green / orange background
Panasonic Lumix S1R II vs Lumix S5 II: time to upgrade?
Panasonic LUMIX S1RII
Preorder the Panasonic Lumix S1RII and get a free memory card or solid state drive
Panasonic Lumix S1R II mirrorless camera held up to user's eye, 24-70mm lens attached
Flagship Panasonic Lumix S1R II unveiled: here's why the 8K hybrid beats its Sony, Canon and Nikon rivals for video
Latest in Features
Close up of PS5 DualSense controller leaning on a PS5
5 reasons your PS5 needs a VPN
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
With discounts of up to 95%, these are the biggest deals I've managed to find in the Steam Spring Sale
The cast of The Parenting
The Parenting is Max's #1 most-watched movie but it has frightening reviews – here are 3 better horror films with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes
Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line
Why AI commonization is so important for business intelligent transformation and what Huawei’s data storage has to offer
Samsung, Roku, and Hisense TV screens
I review TVs for a living, and here are the 3 best budget TVs you can buy today
Sterling K. Brown as Agent Xavier Collins in Paradise
Hulu's #1 show Paradise has got everyone talking – here are 3 more political thrillers with over 85% on Rotten Tomatoes to watch next