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Tariff Trouble Ahead? Why the Fujifilm X-E5 Could Be Most at Risk – and What You Can Do Now

New Troubles for Fujifilm X-E5

A few weeks ago we wrote an article in which we go through all the struggles the X-E line had to deal with.

Well, the challenges for the X-E line might as well continue with the Fujifilm X-E5.

And in today article I will try to give an answer to the questions some FR-readers made me about how the new tariffs could impact the Fujifilm X-E5 pre-orders.

The news is this: the U.S. set to increase tariffs on Japanese-made products from 10% to 25% starting August 1st. And I would not be surprised if the Fujifilm X-E5 could become one of the first victims of the new policy.

  • Disclaimer 1: This is a well-reasoned assumption on my part, but not a confirmed rumor or official information—so please treat it as speculation
  • Disclaimer 2: My assumption is based on the very likely scenario that, just like the X100VI, X-T5, X-T50, and X-M5, the X-E5 units bound for the U.S. market will also be manufactured in Japan to avoid the even riskier China tariff policy of the US (which at some point even reached 145%)

So, if Disclaimer 2 turns out to be correct—that is, if the Fujifilm X-E5 units for the U.S. market are indeed made in Japan (as is the case with the X100VI, X-T5, X-T50, and X-M5)—then it’s safe to assume that the X-E5’s launch price was likely calculated based on the current 10% tariff.

And that could be a problem.

Because the Fujifilm X-E5 is officially scheduled to ship on August 28. This means the units destined for the U.S. will likely arrive sometime in mid-August, well after the new 25% tariff goes into effect.

Any shipments arriving after August 1st (pretty much every X-E5 unit) would likely incur the new 25% tariff.

This puts the X-E5 in a particularly vulnerable position—probably priced under one tariff regime (10%) but potentially delivered under another (25%).

So, unlike existing made in Japan gear (X-T5 & Co) already in Fujifilm’s U.S. warehouses (or arriving there before August 1st), the Fujifilm X-E5 could be among the first products affected by the higher rate, putting upward pressure on prices.

Whether Fujifilm will absorb the extra cost or pass it on to customers remains unclear—but the risk of a price increase is real, and growing.

🔒 The Smart Move: Pre-Order the X-E5 Now to Lock in the Price 🔒

Given what we have discussed, it’s hard to ignore the risk of a post-launch price increase for the X-E5.

That’s why, if you’re seriously considering the Fujifilm X-E5, the best move right now mighe be to pre-order it as soon as possible.

By placing your order today, you’re not just reserving your camera—you’re also locking in the current price, which was very likely calculated under the existing 10% tariff structure.

So if the X-E5 is on your wishlist, don’t wait until August to make your move. Pre-ordering now might be the most cost-effective decision you can make.

And keep in mind: you’ll still have plenty of time to decide whether to keep your pre-order, since the camera isn’t shipping until August 28. Pre-ordering now costs you nothing, but it locks in the current price and protects you in case prices go up later. And in the unfortunate scenario that it goes up, also the price for second hand units will go up.

Fujifilm X-E5 Fever Dominates June and X-Pro4 Confirmed on Roadmap – Here Are the Top 10 June Articles You Loved Most

Here are the top 10 articles for June.

  1. First Leaked Image of the Fujifilm X-E5 — The Most Beautiful X-E Camera Ever Made!
  2. Fujifilm X-E5 Full Specs and Price
  3. Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23/2.8 Official Teaser: “An Essential X Series Rangefinder-Style Camera is Coming”
  4. Hell Yes, I’m Pre-Ordering the Fujifilm X-E5 — Here’s Why! Will You Join Me? And in Which Color?
  5. Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 Pancake Lens Coming June 12
  6. Fujifilm X-E5 Coming with Film Simulation Dial
  7. First Fujifilm X-E5 Product Images
  8. Made-in-Japan Fujifilm X100VI, X-T5, X-T50, and X-M5 Now Available to Order at B&H Photo
  9. Final Fujifilm X-E5 Teaser Shows New Film Simulation Dial and XF23mmF2.8 R WR
  10. Fujifilm Confirms X-Pro is on Roadmap

Runner Up:

X-E5 Pre-Order Reports

Don’t Miss

Preorders

HURRY UP: Amazon Opens PreOrders on Fujifilm X-E5 – Shortest Waiting List – UPDATED

Amazon X-E5 Pre-Orders temporarily open – Place Your Order for X-E5 black kit here

UPDATED: it’s not available for order anymore already

At the moment you can pre-order the Fujifilm X-E5 black with XF23mmF2.8 lens at Amazon here.

Amazon takes a rather puzzling approach to pre-orders on new Fujifilm gear: while they do list the products on their site, the pre-order option is usually unavailable.

Occasionally, and for just a few fleeting minutes, they briefly open up pre-orders. Since the launch of the Fujifilm X-E5, I’ve only witnessed one such window—and it lasted mere minutes.

I don’t know why they do that, but it is what it is.

The good thing: if you manage to catch one of these rare openings and place your order in time, you’ll likely find yourself on a very short waiting list—giving you a much better chance of receiving your gear ahead of the crowd.

You can place your X-E5 order at Amazon here. But make sure to check if now also other options open up.

Fujifilm X-E5 Pre-Orders Exceptionally Strong (Report) – And Here is the Most Popular Version

I recently reported that initial pre-orders for the Fujifilm X-E5 are twice as high as those for the X-T5—which is pretty wild. Of course, it’s important to remember that pre-orders don’t equal sales, and some cancellations are to be expected.

Still, it seems FujiRumors isn’t living in some alternate reality where the X-E5 is a hit while it flops elsewhere. In fact, the German site Photografix picked up our article and confirmed the same trend: X-E5 pre-orders are exceptionally strong on their end too, as you can read here.

So, which X-E5 version is proving most popular? Here’s the current breakdown of pre-orders at B&H:

So a total of 80% went for the X-E5 with XF23mmF2.8 lens, and 20% with the X-E5 body only. I guess I am in the minority then.

Well, I guess this explains why the XF23mmF2.8 R WR lens will ship only in December: Fujifilm has to make sure to have enough lenses to ship as a kit for the X-E5.

As far as color goes, 40% went for the silver X-E5 and 60% for the black X-E5.

I personally went for this color here.

Given the circumstances, I guess that placing an order for the X-E5 early might not be a bad idea, if you are interested in getting one still in 2025.

Catch the Fujifilm X-E5, Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 & More at B&H Bild Expo Tomorrow

The B&H Photo Bild Expo NYC is staring tomorrow, June 17 (ends June 18).

It is 100% confirmed that the Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mmF2.8 will be for display at the Bild Expo and it will therefore be your first chance to go hands on with Fujifilm’s latest gear.

And I think you’ll also have the chance to play around with the new Fujifilm X half.

But since also Sigma sponsors the event, I am pretty confident that you’ll also be able to go hands on with the brand new Sigma 17-40mmF1.8 DC ART, since the lens will also be announced tomorrow, June 17 at 1AM New York time, so right before BH Bild Expo opens its doors.

If you are in the area, definitely go and check out the BHphoto Bild Expo. Register for free here.

Fujifilm Confirms X-Pro is on Roadmap, Immersive X-E5 Experience, Film Simulation Dial Success, Firmware Updates and More

Yuji Igarashi, General Manager of Professional Imaging Group, gave an interview to Petapixel. In short:

  • with Fujifilm X-E5, Fujifilm wanted to create a camera with which users can truly enjoy the immersive experience of making a photo
  • recently there is resurgence of interest in photography especially among younger generations
  • camera design is never complete, since Fujifilm tries to make improvements in every generation for every model
  • features often carry over from models aimed at the same users
  • X-E5 has single piece aluminum top plate of GFX100RF and the film simulation dial was added—like on the X-T50 and X-M5—but more subtly, to preserve the X-E series’ clean design
  • the film sim dial proved successful on other models, so Fujifilm brought it to the X-E5 for enthusiasts to enjoy
  • Fujifilm added the command dial for better handling, responding to X-E4 user feedback
  • user feedback also led to a better grip and upgraded body finish
  • Rangefinder-style cameras appeal to those who value a discreet, immersive, and deliberate shooting experience. That’s why Fujifilm believes the X-E5 lets photographers truly enjoy the process of image-making
  • Fujifilm constantly assess which features work well to consider them for other models
  • higher resolution enhances creative options through cropping and gets the most out of X Series lenses
  • XF23mmF2.8 is the result of a public survey that Fujifilm launched
  • it made sense to announce the XF23mmF2.8 along with the X-E5
  • X-Pro remains on the roadmap (admin note: but not for 2025)
  • a dedicated camera makes you more deliberate. It shifts you from reacting to actively seeking moments—that’s what makes photography so fun and rewarding
  • technology evolves daily, so new devices drive big leaps. But firmware improvements and algorithm updates also matter, and Fujifilm will keep enhancing both current and future cameras

Pre-Orders

Fujifilm X-E5 Crushes X-T5’s Early Pre-Orders on FujiRumors – Second Only to X100VI

Look, I don’t have access to global sales figures for camera gear.

The only way I can gauge how well a camera is being received is by checking our affiliate sales data.

So I took a look at the Fujifilm X-E5 pre-orders through our link at BHphoto, and in just a few hours, it already doubled the number of Fujifilm X-T5 pre-orders made in the first week after launch.

That puts the X-E5 as the second most pre-ordered Fujifilm camera via our affiliate links—right behind the untouchable X100VI, and ahead of the X-T5.

Also, this makes the X-E5 the most pre-ordered Fujifilm camera with interchangeable lenses on FujiRumors.

The same trend holds true over at WexUK, where the X-E5 is also the second most pre-ordered Fujifilm camera ever through our WexUK links.

But let’s keep things in perspective:

The numbers are not final, as cancellations will inevitably follow. Yet even if half of all pre-orders were canceled, the X-E5 would still match the performance of the X-T5.

Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that the X-E5 will become a bestseller. And in the grand scheme of global pre-orders, FujiRumors is just a small blip.

But while FujiRumors is statistically irrelevant, it’s hard to believe this camera is heading toward failure. In fact, gear that performs well on FujiRumors often goes on to sell strongly more broadly, too.

I think Fujifilm will be quite pleased with the initial sales response for the X-E5. Whether X-E5 customers like you and me will be as pleased is another story—high demand could mean long waiting times.

So here’s my advice: if you’re thinking about getting an X-E5, place your order now. Shipping doesn’t start until August, which gives you plenty of time to decide whether you want to keep the order. And if you do, at least you’ll be closer to the front of the queue.

Anyway, we’ll see. That’s also why I’ve decided to hang on to my Fujifilm X-E3 for now—so I still have an X-E camera to use while I wait for the X-E5 to arrive.

Fujifilm X-E5 Pre-Orders Open Now at Amazon US – Shortest Waiting List

It’s been several hours now that stores are taking pre-orders on the brand new Fujifilm X-E5, so there is huge waiting list pretty much everywhere already.

But Amazon US just listed the Fujifilm X-E5 minutes ago, so if you place your order there, you’ll be very high on the waiting list.

Attention: Amazon keeps opening and closing pre-orders for the various options. No idea why they do that. So check regularly if your desired combo is available for order. At the time of this post, the body only version were available for order.

SmallRig Fujifilm X-E5 Accessories

SmallRig is always blazing fast when it comes to offering accessories for new Fujifilm gear.

In fact, you can now already pre-order accessories for the brand new Fujifilm X-E5.

Pre-Orders

Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mmF2.8 Announced – Reviews and Pre-Orders – LIVE BLOG

Fujifilm X-E5 +XF23/2.8 Launch Blog
(refresh for latest updates)

The Fujifilm X-E5 is now reality! And so is the XF23mmF2.8 R WR pancake.

Pre-Orders

X-E5 and XF23/2.8 – Official Fujifilm Info

Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23/2.8 – First Looks

  • Explora – Fujifilm X-E5 and XF23mmF2.8 First Look
  • updating now

Pre-Orders

Launch Videos

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