Fujifilm X-M5 price expectations rise as leaked selfie display adds complexity to the formerly affordable camera line

Fujifilm fans were recently very excited at the prospect of the X-T50, since it presented a relaunch of the budget-oriented Fujifilm X-T30 II that had become quite popular in the sub-$1,000 APS-C category. Unfortunately, as the Fujifilm X-T50's launch drew nearer, it became clear that the former-affordable X-T## range would see a substantial price hike, eventually launching at $1,399. A similar story seems to be playing out with the Fujifilm X-M5 that's slated to launch sometime this year.

Although we have no real indication on price just yet, a recent post from FujiRumors claims to confirm that the X-M5 will have a fully-articulating touchscreen with selfie functionality. While certainly not a premium feature these days, this is bound to drive up the price of the X-M5. The original Fujifilm X-M1 was conceived as a sort of stripped-back version of Fujifilm's higher-end cameras of the time. 

The rest of the previously leaked X-M5 spec sheet also suggests it might not be as affordable as the community had hoped, since it will likely launch with the same hardware configuration as the Fujifilm X-S20, with IBIS, to boot. That being the case, it seems reasonable to speculate that the Fujifilm X-M5 will launch at somewhere around the same price as the X-S20, which currently sells for $1,299.95 at Best Buy without a lens.