I’m going to rate Fujifilm’s class of 2025 gear releases. I’ve never done something like this before. I’ve seen plenty of other people do end-of-the-year camera gear grading, which I sometimes agree with and sometimes don’t. Since 2025 is nearly over, I thought I’d try my hand at grading all the cameras and lenses that Fujifilm’s released over the last 12 months.

Specifically, there were five cameras—two GFX and three X-series (one is only sort-of X-series)—and three lenses, one of which is a GFX cinema lens. That’s eight items in total. For the sake of this article, I’m excluding Instax. Let’s dive in!

Cameras

Fujifilm released five cameras in 2025: three X-series and two GFX models. We’ll grade each camera individually, then each series as a whole, and finally grade all of the cameras as a group.

First up is the Fujifilm GFX100RF. This is a medium-format fixed-lens compact camera, and best thought of as the GFX equivalent of the Fujifilm X70. It’s the smallest, lightest, and cheapest medium format camera-lens combo from any brand. It’s the only retro-styled GFX camera currently being made, and only the second ever (the long-discontinued GFX 50R is the other). This camera is high on my bucket list, and I hope to someday purchase it, but at $5,600 it’s well outside of my current budget.

Common complaints about the GFX100RF are that 1) it lacks IBIS, 2) it has a maximum aperture of “only” f/4, and 3) it’s not fully weather-sealed (an adapter and filter are required to fully seal it). I’m perfectly ok with point three—it’s no problem for the X100-series, and it shouldn’t be seen as an issue for the GFX100RF. As far as points one and two, Fujifilm has said that the camera would need to be significantly larger and heavier to accommodate either of those, and especially both. Interestingly enough, the medium-format camera-lens combo that’s closest in size and weight to the GFX100RF (the Hasselblad 907X plus CFV 100C back with the 28mm lens) also lacks IBIS and has a maximum aperture of f/4 (but is much, much more expensive than the GFX). Fujifilm could certainly make a larger, heavier, and more expensive camera that’s similar in concept (just like they made both an X70 and an X100T), and I hope they someday do. Anyway, the GFX100RF deserves a very high grade, so I give it an A+.

Next is the Fujifilm X half, which is currently the smallest X-series camera; however, it’s not X-Trans. It’s a compact fixed-lens model with a vertically mounted 1″ sensor. Sitting in-between an Instax Evo and the X-M5, it’s intended to deliver an analog-like experience in a simple package. The designers took inspiration from half-frame 35mm cameras. The X half is a ton of fun, and great for snapshots of family vacations and things like that. I enjoy using it, and so does my wife.

Common complaints are that 1) it’s too expensive for what it is, 2) it has some flaws like the lack of a proper flash or hotshoe, and 3) it’s a gimmicky concept. I agree with point one, as the camera should be around $650-$700 in my opinion. I also agree with point two, and I hope those are addressed in a future iteration. As far as point three, I think it’s not really intended for the majority of people who typically buy X-series gear. Fujifilm had in mind a bridge between Instax and the X-series, a pathway for Instax customers to move up (remember, Instax is much larger than the X-series and GFX combined). From what I’ve seen, it seems to be successful in this regard, so, even though the usual crowd might bemoan it, the camera is largely a hit with those whom it was made for. I grade the X half a B-.

Third is the Fujifilm X-E5, which is the closest you’re likely to get to an interchangeable-lens X100VI. This camera is a much different model than its predecessor. The X-E4 was a minimalist low-budget model, serving as Fujifilm’s smallest, lightest, and cheapest camera with an EVF. Inexplicably, Fujifilm discontinued it when it was in high-demand, with months-long waitlists. The X-E5 is the long awaited successor; however, Fujifilm gave it many notable upgrades, and the camera is no longer minimalist or entry-level.

Common complaints are that 1) it’s so much more expensive than the X-E4 and 2) the EVF should have received an upgrade. For point one, the X-E4 was the cheapest (both in price and quality) of any X-E series model, while the X-E5 is the most premium iteration, so it stands to reason that it would be significantly more expensive. I agree with point two; however, it’s not a major issue whatsoever in practical use, only a minor point. My biggest complaint is that Classic Negative was left off the Film Dial, which is inexcusable. The X-E5 is one of my favorite cameras, and I give it an A.

Fourth is the GFX Eterna 55 cinema camera. I’ve seen it in person, I’ve talked to a couple of people who have personally used it. From what I understand, it’s not perfect, but it will likely be highly appreciated by certain segments of the professional cinema crowd. At some point in the coming few years, a major motion picture will be recorded using the Eterna 55, I’m certain. It’s Fujifilm’s most expensive model, but it’s reasonably priced for the segment that it’s in. I give the Eterna 55 an A-.

Last but not least is the Fujifilm X-T30 III, a mild refresh to the X-T30 II, which was a mild refresh to the Fujifilm X-T30, released in early 2019. It fills an important role in the X-series lineup, which is an affordable interchangeable-lens model with an EVF. While it doesn’t have all the bells-and-whistles of the more expensive models, it is very capable, and is the overall best value within the X-series. Fujifilm will sell a whole lot of X-T30 III cameras. I grade it a B+.

Now, to the overall grades, beginning with the X-series. To recap, I gave the X half a B-, the X-E5 an A, and the X-T30 III a B+, which puts the overall grade for the 2025 X-series releases as a B+. Now, to GFX. To recap, I gave the GFX100RF an A+ and the Eterna 55 an A-, which puts the overall grade as an A. That puts the total grade for both the X and GFX lines combined at an A-.

Lenses

Fujifilm only released three lenses in 2025: two X-series and one GFX. I’m not going to spend nearly as much time on this as I did the cameras. I’m going to grade each lens, and then give one overall grade for all the lenses.

First is the Fujinon 23mm f/2.8 pancake. I’ve long advocated for more pancake lenses for the X-series. The 27mm f/2.8 is one of my favorites, while the 18mm f/2 is barely a pancake, and is need of a refresh. The 23mm f/2.8 pancake has been long requested, adds a solid third pancake option for the X-series, and is a great performer; however, the 23mm focal-length is now a bit crowded with several options. That’s really the only complaint, if there is one. I grade this lens an A-.

Next up is the Fujinon XC 13-33mm f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom. I prefer primes, personally. This lens is the smallest X-series zoom, and the closest Fujifilm has to a pancake zoom, but I’m not excited about it in the least. I’m sure it’s good, and some people will really love it. I give it a C.

Lastly, we have the GF 32-90mm cinema lens. If I’m not mistaken, this is the first and currently only GFX lens offered by Fujifilm specifically for filmmaking. Unsurprisingly, this is the most expensive lens for GFX cameras. I don’t know much about it, but the little I have heard has been very positive. This rating is more of a shot in the dark, but I’ll give it an A.

To recap, I gave the Fujinon 23mm f/2.8 pancake an A-, the Fujinon XC 13-33mm zoom a C, and the GF 32-90mm cinema lens an A. Between the three, the overall grade is B+.

Conclusion

It’s also important to consider if the gear that Fujifilm released is the gear they should have released. Did they do enough? Did they introduce the wrong things? We should take that into consideration.

The largest hole is the very-long-overdue X-Pro3 successor, which probably should have come in 2023 or 2024; it’s the end of 2025, and we haven’t seen it yet. My guess is that it will arrive next year, probably within a few months, but that’s only a guess. I get that they might wait for it to be extra special, and perhaps it will be well worth the wait, but I do think some points need to be deducted for its continued absence. Fujifilm should make this camera their top priority for 2026.

The lens lineup has matured over the years, so it makes sense that they might release fewer and fewer new options each year, but there are still a few holes that I’d like to see them fill. Between X and GFX, four or five new or updated lenses each year is probably a better number than just three. I’m a big fan of one of their 2025 lenses, but overall it was a ho-hum year for glass, mostly because the class was so small.

I gave the cameras an A- and the lenses a B+. When factoring in the lack of an X-Pro and the small number of lenses introduced, overall I have to give Fujifilm a grade of B for the gear they released in 2025. Do you agree or disagree? What grade would you give Fujifilm for their class of 2025 gear? Let me know in the comments!