Yo! Honestly, congrats on the X-T5. It's such a beast, but yeah, those 40MP files will definitely eat through ur storage and slow things down if ur not careful. In my experience, the biggest thing is reliability. I've tried many cards over the years, and for this camera, I'd say the Sony TOUGH-G series SDXC UHS-II V90 128GB is a total must. It's pricey, but I'm kinda paranoid about data loss, and these are basically indestructible. I always tell people to spend the extra bit for peace of mind, u know? For the grip situation, it's a classic toss-up. I've used both a thumb rest and the full metal grip. The Lensmate Fujifilm X-T5 Folding Thumb Grip is cool for keeping it low-profile during street photography, but if ur hands feel the body is a bit shallow, the Fujifilm MHG-XT5 Metal Hand Grip is way better for stability. It actually makes the camera feel like it's locked into ur hand, which is highkey important when ur traveling all day. Between the two, I'd go for the metal grip because it also protects the bottom of the camera from scratches and adds that Arca-Swiss plate for tripods. My top 3 must-haves?
1. The Sony Tough card I mentioned—speed is serious for those files!
2. The Fujifilm MHG-XT5 Metal Hand Grip for ergonomics.
3. Honestly, get the Expert Shield Glass Screen Protector for Fujifilm X-T5. I'm always worried about bumping my gear in crowds, and a scratched screen would be a total mood killer. Anyway, just my two cents! Just take it slow and see what feels right for ur shooting style... good luck!! 👍

Respectfully, I'd consider another option for your setup to maximize safety and value. I think the SmallRig L-Shape Grip for FUJIFILM X-T5 4136, the ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II Video Speed Class 60 V60 256GB, and the ULBTER Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Fujifilm X-T5 are the real essentials. I've had a different experience with those thumb rests—I'm honestly kinda paranoid about them putting too much leverage on the hot shoe if the camera gets snagged in a bag or bumped while you're walking. The SmallRig grip is much safer because it bolts to the bottom, plus it adds some needed depth for your fingers without making the camera feel bulky for street photography. It’s a total lifesaver for travel cuz it protects the base from scratches when you're setting it down on rough surfaces. For those massive 40MP files, you definitely need UHS-II, but dont feel like you have to buy the priciest V90 cards. The ProGrade V60 is plenty fast for street shooting and has been incredibly reliable for me. I've never had a single write error, and they're way more affordable than the "Tough" options mentioned earlier. Lastly, get that screen protector! It's basically a $10 insurance policy for your LCD. The X-T5 is amazing, but you gotta keep it safe so it lasts for years. Hope this helps you narrow it down!! 👍

Yo, honestly congrats on the X-T5! I went through this last year and it was actually kinda frustrating trying to find the sweet spot between "pro gear" and "not going broke" lol. I literally spent way too much on accessories that I ended up hating, so I totally feel u on wanting to stay portable but functional. Unfortunately, I had some issues with some budget cards that just couldn't keep up with the 40MP sensor, but I also didn't wanna drop $200 on a single card. It's a bit of a balancing act, you know? Basically, those 40MP files are highkey taxing on the processor. Anyway, here are the three things that actually stayed in my bag after all my trial and error: * Kingston Canvas React Plus 128GB SDXC UHS-II V90 - Seriously, these are the best value out there. I tried the more expensive Sony ones mentioned earlier but they're sooo pricey. The Kingston gives u the same V90 speeds for way less, which is vital cuz those files are massive and will basically kill ur buffer if u use a slow UHS-I card.
* SmallRig L-Shape Grip for Fujifilm X-T5 4136 - Since u mentioned the shallow grip, this is a lifesaver. I found the official Fujifilm one way too heavy and expensive, but this SmallRig one is light and has a built-in Arca-Swiss plate for tripods. It makes the camera feel way more secure for street shooting without adding too much bulk.
* Peak Design Leash Camera Strap Black L-BK-3 - If youre doing travel, u gotta get this. Its way more portable than the chunky straps and u can pop it off in seconds when u wanna go low-profile. Honestly, just dont overthink it... the X-T5 is a beast but it doesn't mean u have to buy the most expensive stuff out there to get good results. Good luck! 👍

The X-T5 is an absolutely amazing camera! I love the classic look and that 40MP sensor is just fantastic. To give you the most practical advice on reliability, I have two quick questions. Are you doing lots of high-speed burst shooting that needs the fastest buffer clearing? Or are you a methodical single-shot street photographer? Also, what is your ballpark budget? Knowing if you want top-tier ruggedness or just solid value will help a lot!