Best Overall
SmallRig X-T5 L-Grip 4136
Key details
- Fit & Access
- Battery/card access
- Build Material
- Silicone, aluminum frame
- Attachment Security
- Screw mount
The SmallRig X-T5 L-Grip wraps the right side of the body in a silicone handgrip and builds an Arca-Swiss plate into the base, so a single 79g piece improves handheld comfort and drops onto compatible tripod heads without a separate baseplate. That combination separates it from a plain grip: it addresses two setup gaps at once while keeping the camera close to its original size. That added depth makes a visible difference when lifting the camera one-handed.
The grip's contour tracks the X-T5 body closely, including the silver finish, and leaves the battery door and card slot fully accessible. Machining tolerances feel factory-grade, and the silicone surface provides enough traction to make larger or heavier lenses easier to support. The silicone handgrip sits over an aluminum baseplate, so the surface stays tactile without the hard plastic feel of simpler add-ons. The L-shape stays locked in place during use, with no wobble between the plate and the camera base. That precise fit is why it feels like part of the camera rather than an add-on.
The integrated Arca plate mates cleanly with a standard clamp, which removes one step when moving from handheld to tripod. The bundled shutter button adds a taller release surface, and the strap slot sits right where a wrist loop would fall, though the grip does not include a strap itself. The shutter button can be removed if you prefer the original release action. At 79g, the grip is light enough to leave mounted for everyday shooting; it does not turn the X-T5 into a bulky rig. Travel shooters who carry one body and one tripod see the benefit on every switch, because the same baseplate stays on the camera from street shot to tripod shot.
This is for X-T5 owners who find the bare body usable but want more grip with heavy lenses, especially those who switch between handheld and tripod shooting. For someone already comfortable with the bare body, the benefit is smaller. The grip is a handling and tripod accessory rather than a case, so it stays focused on the right-hand side and baseplate. Mounting screw and baseplate fit can vary between units, so a quick tightness check after installation and during extended shoots is worthwhile.
Pros
- Substantial handling upgrade for X-T5 owners using larger or heavier lenses.
- Exact fit to the X-T5 body with clean access to battery and card slots.
- Noticeably more comfortable and confident hold, especially with heavier lenses.
- Machined tolerances feel factory-grade, and the built-in Arca plate saves a separate baseplate.
Cons
- The LCD and top dials stay exposed, so a separate screen protector covers that gap.
- No full-cage or battery-grip form factor; shooters who want those functions need different hardware.
The built-in Arca plate and 79g weight make the mid-range price reasonable, while the grip solves the right-hand support problem for X-T5 owners moving between handheld and tripod shooting.