Quick take: The Fujifilm X-M5 has replaced my Sony ZV-1 II as the camera I take everywhere, and these six accessories make it a lot more useful: a SmallRig grip or cage, the Manfrotto pocket tripod, Llano USB-C batteries and chargers, a POV neck mount, the Zeniko ZF08 mini flash and the DJI RS4 Mini gimbal.
Why the X-M5 Gets Its Own Kit
My camera bag has been shuffling around. The X-H2S is now my C camera, because F-Log2 C matches up with Canon C-Log2 and C-Log3, which makes it easy to cut next to my Canon bodies. The X-M5 took over the job the ZV-1 II used to have: the small camera that's always with me.
A small camera only stays small if the accessories don't fight it. Everything here is something I actually use with the X-M5, and most of it works with my other cameras too.
1. SmallRig Cage vs SmallRig Hand Grip
SmallRig makes both a full cage and a hand grip for the X-M5, and I've used both. Each one gives you a better hold than the bare body and has a built-in Arca-Swiss plate, so you can drop the camera straight onto a tripod head.
The cage anchors at two points, the bottom of the camera and the strap lug, so it's very secure. The catch is the lip that runs over the top. It gets in the way of anything you slide into the hot shoe, like a flash or a wireless trigger.
If you shoot photos or use a flash, get the grip. If you mostly shoot video and want mounting points, the cage makes more sense.
2. Manfrotto Pocket Tripod
This is the best pocket tripod I've tried. The legs are spring-loaded, so it opens fast, and it's actually load-bearing. It isn't one of those mini tripods that tips over the second you add a lens. With the X-M5 on it you get a stable little desk or tabletop setup that disappears into a jacket pocket.
3. Llano USB-C Batteries and Chargers
Battery life is the first thing anyone asks about with a camera this small. My answer is Llano's batteries, which have their own USB-C port, so you can charge them from basically anything.
Llano makes two dual chargers. The basic one charges two batteries at once. The one I like more is the power bank version. It has a 12,400 mAh battery and two USB-C ports, so it keeps charging your camera batteries when it isn't plugged into the wall, and you can top up your phone with it too. It's one less thing to pack.
4. POV Neck Mount
This is a newer version of the Telesin-style neck mount, and it adds a stabilizing strap that keeps it from swinging around. I use it with the X-M5 and with the ZV-1 II for overhead and point-of-view shots: cooking, unboxing, working on gear, anything where you want to see your hands. It's a cheap way to get angles a tripod can't.
5. Zeniko ZF08 Mini Flash
The ZF08 is tiny, and it's a lot more powerful than its size suggests. A few things to know:
No high-speed sync. It syncs up to 1/250.
Power goes from 1/16 to full.
It charges over USB-C and gets around 250 shots per charge.
It isn't only for digital. I've used it on my Canon F-1 film camera too. Pair it with the SmallRig grip rather than the cage, so the hot shoe stays clear.
6. DJI RS4 Mini Gimbal
The RS4 Mini handles its rated payload without trouble, and the X-M5 is light enough to balance easily. The tracking module works well for following yourself or a subject, and the gimbal doubles as a small tripod when you set it down.
Battery life is the asterisk. DJI claims 10 to 11 hours. In my use it's closer to 5. The X-M5 can shoot 6.2K open gate, which looks great on a gimbal, but you can't charge the camera and trigger it from the gimbal at the same time, so plan your batteries around that.
Final Thoughts
The X-M5 is a great small camera on its own, but these are the things that turn it into a full kit. If you only pick one, get the hand grip. It makes the camera nicer to hold every time you use it. If you want to see how far you can push this little body, I also put it on Fujifilm's 200mm F2.
Let me know in the comments which X-M5 accessories you'd add to the list.
Keep Reading
Did Sigma Make a Better Fujifilm Lens Than Fujifilm? Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 Review
This Setup Makes No Sense, So I Had to Try It: Fujifilm X-M5 + 200mm F2
Gear in This Video
Accessories in this video
My Fuji gear
My Canon gear
Camera accessories
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through these links costs you nothing extra and helps support the channel.
