And now my quest is complete 
I’ve been on the lookout for a cheap X5 camera since, well, forever really - hence the X5 gimbal mounting plate mod not too long ago.
As suspected, the words “cheap” and “X5” don’t really go together. I was however able to get one for a half decent price instead, but it took some legwork and some time and effort. I’ll do a separate post on the details which led me to get the X5 for a decent price another time.
So, first things first, what’s the Zenmuse X5 camera all about then?
The Zenmuse X5 is horrendously expensive when new. It currently retails for over £1,700 and it also holds its price well in the second hand market to (on the rare occasion they turn up on eBay).
The X5 camera ships with the “Inspire 1 Pro” as standard and spec wise it outperforms the X3 by a country mile.
It’s a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera which does the usual 4K/30FPS but it also captures stills at 16MP. Unlike the X3, it has an interchangeable lens which gives you options to swap in a whole host of other lenses. You also have full wireless control (via the GO app) over the aperture, zoom and focus (it supports the wireless DJI Focus wheel as standard too).
The sensor in the X5 is eight times the size of the sensor in the X3 camera 
You’ve got 12.8 stops of dynamic range, an ISO range of 100-25600 and the shutter speed has increased to 1/8000 of a second too.
Anyway, enough of that stuff, full details: Zenmuse X5 - DJI
On with the photos!
First up, a physical size comparison.
This camera is HUGE.
It’s literally double the physical size of the original X3 and it even makes the Z3 look small.
Cameras in this order: X5, Z3, X3
Incidentally, I might be selling the Z3 soon in order to fund a zoom lens for the X5. I’m yet to decide, more homework is needed.
My X5 has the DJI MFT 15mm F/1.7 ASPH, 70° FOV lens.
There’s a single physical switch on the side of the lens. This switches between Manual Focus and Automatic Focus (ie. controlled via the app (or wheel)).
You can also see the lens-release button on the underside here too:
Mounted on the Inspire:
This is powered off currently, the balance is absolutely spot on, it doesn’t lean in any angle!
To highlight how well balanced it is, take a look at this next photo.
This is what happens when you fit the little plastic dust cap 
Mad eh
Next photo below is showing the gimbal lock in place.
This is only needed because I use a flight-mode case, which means I can leave the camera attached and the landing gear fully down. Normally you’d have to put the landing gear in to travel-mode and remove the camera in order to fit the drone in the standard DJI case, this saves helluva lot of time.
Soooooo… just to put the size of the X5 in to perspective.
Here it is, alongside a Mavic Pro…
So there we have it, the Zenmuse X5 in a nutshell!
Hoping to take it on its maiden outing tomorrow, will report back if I do.
As ever, any questions, just shout 