Repair Fuji X-T3 or get Lumix S5/S5 II?

Camera Question

Hi guys, I'd like your opinion.

I've had my Fuji X-T3 since 2018. I also have the Fujinon 18-55mm f/2.8-4 and Fujinon 35mm f/2 but if I need other lenses I can rent. I mainly do video and some photography and it has been a workhorse for me.

I use it for personal and also small-budget client work, mainly for documentary films, brand films and product photography.

For projects with bigger budgets I usually rent (e.g. Sony FX3, Lumix S1H).

Not all clients can afford to rent and if I give them a quote with that extra equipment rent component this may be a hurdle. So they might go for someone else that has their own equipment, i.e. cheaper. I know this may be the case because a couple of times when I pitch for a project, I know how much the other person's charging.

At the end of last year my Fuji X-T3 broke (there's just a slight sound when I turn it on but both screen and EVF are off) and I haven't sent it for repairs because I'm torn between spending money for repairs or putting that into buying another system. The reason being it's an 7 year old camera by this time and I'm not sure if it's worth repairing.

There's also this other thing. I want to get a lens that I enjoy using, these few years I've been doing mostly client work and less personal work. I don't actually enjoy using the Fujinon 18-55 and the focus is sometimes a hit or miss. Recently, the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 came out and I'm quite interested in it. I used the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 on Canon before and it was a really enjoyable to use.

I don't want to spend too much on a camera as I can rent if I need one with higher specs. I'm quite interested in the S5/S5II because I used the S1H and was quite impressed with the colours. I went to test both the S5/S5II recently at a store and it felt really robust.

So my objective is this: have a camera in good working condition with a lens that I also enjoy using, that can also be used for small-budget client work.

So I've been thinking, either:

  1. Repair the Fuji X-T3 (and possibly get the Signa 17-40mm f/1.8), or
  2. Buy a Lumix S5/S5II (lens probably Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8)

I haven't decided between S5/S5II, still thinking about the differences in IQ, the need for AF and the EVF.

What do you guys think?

Posted Feb 11, 2026, 10:14 PM UTC

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