When I first got the Fujifilm X-T50, I was beyond excited. I had dreamed of owning a Fujifilm camera for years. So, finally owning one felt like such a gift.
Nearly every time I took it out in public, someone commented on how cool it looked, which always led to fun conversations about photography. It felt like everyone around me was just as excited about my camera as I was.
But after about 5 months with the XT50, I started to feel like it wasn’t the right fit for how I shoot.
I love documenting my life and travels, and often use street photography as a way to practice when I’m not traveling. I tend to document real, in-between moments, and the X-T50 often felt like it was getting in the way of capturing them.
And after nearly a year of writing about this camera here on my blog, I’m sharing why I’m selling the Fujifilm XT50.
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Why I’m selling my Fujifilm XT50
1. I couldn’t trust the XT50
As much as I loved the look and feel of the X-T50, I could never completely trust it.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m used to a foolproof Sony camera, but I found myself accidentally bumping settings constantly.
While all the external dials are great in theory, they ended up being more frustrating than helpful for me, personally.
As someone who likes taking pictures of people in unposed, real, never-happening-again moments in time, this drove me nuts.
I missed more spontaneous shots than I ever have before with this camera. And sure… there could be some user error on my part. I know I didn’t nail every shot with my older cameras, but I didn’t miss anywhere near as much with them as I did with the Fujifilm XT50.
Because I didn’t trust my camera, I kept finding myself double-checking settings instead of being fully present. I wanted to trust it the way I trust my other cameras, but I never quite could.
Recommended read: I Love the Fujifilm XT50 — But These Things Frustrate Me
2. I started feeling frustrated
At first, I loved how the X-T50 challenged me. It pushed me to think more, slow down, and get creative. But eventually, that challenge turned into frustration.
I felt frustrated with the electronic viewfinder. No matter what I tried, it always felt off to me, and I struggled to tell if I was exposing my images correctly when shooting in bright light.
I felt frustrated with the film simulation and front command dial. After a while, the film simulation dial started to feel like wasted space and another thing to check… I desperately wanted an ISO dial instead (to prevent accidentally changing my ISO on the front command dial).
I also felt frustrated that I was worrying about the camera not being weather-sealed. I didn’t let it stop me from using the Fujifilm XT50 in weather, but I was tired of worrying about it.
I felt frustrated that the camera kept getting in my way and that sometimes I had to work harder to get the results I wanted. I felt like I was always troubleshooting something when I was shooting. I tried my best to work around my frustrations, but it started to get old.
I realized I was spending more time wrestling with the camera and feeling frustrated than enjoying shooting.
Recommended read: Is the Fujifilm XT50 Weather-Sealed? No — But Here’s How It Handles Weather
3. Gear Acquisition Syndrome
As someone who’s never really struggled with GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) lol, I found myself battling it for the first time.
When these frustrations started creeping in, I tried to buy more lenses to “fix” the problem.
I bought the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens, and it made the X-T50 incredibly small and lightweight. I captured some of my favorite images with that combo, but I still prefer a 50mm equivalent lens!
Still unsatisfied, I picked up the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. Again, the images were beautiful, but after my first outing with it (trying to photograph my mom’s dog at sunset), I realized that no matter how many lenses I bought, my frustrations with the camera body weren’t going anywhere.
I decided that if I was going to invest money into lenses, I’d better like the camera I’m using!
So I sold both lenses and tried to love the X-T50… but the frustration lingered.
Recommended read: Fujifilm XT50 Lens Reviews + Sample Photos
4. I bought an X100VI
And then I stumbled upon an X100VI in August, picked it up, and couldn’t resist.
The X100VI was actually the camera I originally wanted last December, but it was impossible to find at retail price. So when I happened to come across one just as I was feeling that itch to upgrade (and maybe sell my X-T50), I took it as a sign.
At the time, I was planning to upgrade to the X-T5 to see if the better EVF, ISO dial, and weather-sealing would ease my frustrations, but honestly, I was nervous about the camera’s slightly bigger size.
Clearly, the universe had other plans.
Almost immediately, the X100VI felt so much simpler and way more intuitive.
And thank goodness… it has an ISO dial.
I locked in my ISO on the dial so I’d stop accidentally changing it, programmed access to my film simulations to the front button (chef’s kiss), and even though I’ve never been a huge fan of the 35mm focal length, I found myself growing to love it.
The X100VI felt like exactly what I had been looking for all along.
And I don’t think I would appreciate it as much as I do had I not had my frustrating experience with the Fujifilm XT50.
Recommended read: Why I Chose the Fujifilm X100VI Over the Fujifilm XT50 (After Owning Both)
A note to other Fujifilm users
Just because I had frustrations with the Fujifilm X-T50 doesn’t mean you will.
We all shoot differently, and what gets in one photographer’s way might be exactly what inspires another.
I love documenting candid, in-between moments and I want to be able to react quickly and trust my camera. The X-T50 often slowed me down in that process, but that doesn’t make it a bad camera. It just wasn’t the right match for me.
If you enjoy a slower, more intentional style of photography — posed portraits, architecture, landscapes, or street scenes where you can take your time — you might actually love everything about the X-T50.
Its manual dials, film simulations, and classic design make it such a fun and creative tool to use.
Even though I’m selling my X-T50, I still think it’s an incredible camera!
Recommended read: How the Fujifilm X-T50 has changed my photography
Final Thoughts
People often talk about Fujifilm cameras having a “soul,” and I feel that.
I love Fujifilm — the cameras, the community, and the people who use them. There’s something special about how open and generous the Fujifilm community is, especially when it comes to sharing film recipes and creative inspiration.
I bought my Fujifilm X-T50 after finishing grad school, during a time when I was feeling pretty low in life and in photography. The XT50 helped breathe life back into me, and for that, I’m grateful.
Even though I’m selling my Fujifilm X-T50, I’ve loved learning with it. It challenged me, taught me so much, and helped me capture some amazing images this year.
But I knew it was time for something new.
For now, I’m loving the X100VI for documenting life, travels, and the streets. But I would love to get my hands on another interchangeable lens camera!
Ah, good for you Mekenna! I ran into the same frustrations of dial settings when I handed my X-T50 to my wife to use on a recent hike. She wasn’t used to the camera, and when she handed it back to me, even though I flipped the camera into Auto mode, I found she had accidentally turned the exposure comp and ISO dials which took me a minute to figure out. It is also so easy to accidentally turn a command dial on this camera.
I hope you dig your X100VI and it’s the right camera for you. I would like to try one sometime, but for now will probably stick with the X-T5 and X-T50 combo. My hunch is that you will yearn for interchangeable lenses and either get a X-T5 or an X-E5 someday, but time will tell.
James — thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I can totally relate… those dial changes are so sneaky. I hope your wife got some good shots on your hike!
As someone who’s always recommended interchangeable lens cameras, I’m honestly shocked by how much I love the X100VI. It’s just so easy to use and so enjoyable to shoot with!
But you’re absolutely right — I’ll definitely be getting a second camera body with interchangeable lenses down the road. I contemplated both the XE5 (but I really wanted an ISO dial, weather-sealing, and flash) and the XT5 (but the slightly bigger size worried me). I’d still love to get my hands on an XT5. Since you’ve used both the XT50 and XT5, how does the XT5 compare? Have you noticed a big difference in the overall user experience?
Hey Mekenna, thanks for your reply. I’m not surprised you’re loving the X100VI – it looks like an amazing camera, and your enjoyment is clearly showing through your photos.
As for the X-T5, you would love it. The frustrations you’ve blogged about previously (and in this post) are almost all addressed in this camera. Although it is bigger, it is still on the small side compared to other “Pro” (whatever that means) level cameras. Slap the 27mm pancake on it and it’s a compact system, but it doesn’t feel too small (like the X-T50 does) when you use a 70-300mm.
The X-T5 and the X100VI would make a great combo, just sayin’…
Yes, the x100vi is an absolutely amazing camera! I fully understand the hype for it now. Regarding the XT5, consider me convinced!! It sounds like just what I need in my life.