Fujifilm X-T50 launches as compact APS-C camera with gobs of attitude and painful price jump

The Fujifilm X-T50 was previously leaked and rumoured, with the controversial film simulation dial featuring in many of the reports about the latest camera in Fujifilm's entry-level line-up. While the hardware looks promising, the substantial price hike over the $899.99 Fujifilm X-T30 II is bound to ruffle some feathers.

As previously leaked, the Fujifilm X-T50 is equipped with the same 40 MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR APS-C sensor and X-Processor 5 as the $1699.95 Fujifilm X-T5. When it comes to differences between the two cameras, the biggest changes come from changes to the X-T50's ergonomics and redundancy.

Where the Fujifilm X-T5 has dual SD card slots, the X-T50 only has a single card slot. The X-T50 also shirks both X-T30 II's drive dial and X-T5's ISO dial in favour of a film simulation dial, which broadcasts the camera's true intentions.

With the X-T50's film simulation dial, it like Fujifilm is trying to capture some of the magic from the ridiculously popular X100VI. Instead of having to navigate the on-screen menu or sacrifice a customisable button or dial, the film simulation dial bakes 13 film simulations (eight pre-set, three selectable, and one completely custom recipe) right into the camera hardware. It's easy to see the film simulation dial being particularly handy for beginners or photographers that really love Fujifilm's JPEG colours but want to upgrade from the X-T30 II to something more modern. 

In terms of modern features, the biggest hardware leap in the Fujifilm X-T50 is the inclusion of IBIS. Despite having a body that measures in at 123.8 × 84 × 48.8 mm — smaller than the X100VI's 128 × 74.8 × 55.3 mm — the Fujifilm X-T50 offers 7 stops of in-body image stabilisation (IBIS). The same 7-stop IBIS in the Fujifilm X-T5 has proven very effective for both video and photo work in real-world tests, making shutter speeds as low as ¼ second possible handheld.

There are a few drawbacks, though, since the Fujifilmm X-T50 is not weather-sealed, which the X-T5 is, and it also has the smaller NP-W126S battery that is only CIPA-rated for 305 images.

By far the biggest shock to come out of the Fujifilm X-T50's launch is the price, which is $1,399.99 in the US, or $1,799.99 with an XF16–50 mm F/2.8–4.8 R LM WR lens — a configuration that's close enough in both performance and price to the X100VI that it might even deter buyers from Fuji's premium compact camera. The X-T50 is still on pre-order at the time of writing, but it will start shipping starting on June 17 2024.