It’s been some time since I switched from Sony to Fuji. At this level, I’m prepared to offer you my causes for the swap and the way I examine Fujifilm vs Sony crop sensor cameras.
First, I need to admit that Fujifilm was not what I anticipated. It really turned out to be completely the alternative of my expectations. I acquired serious about Fujifilm due to the necessity for a greater consumer expertise, however I stayed with it due to its picture high quality and stellar Fuji lenses.
Let me clarify.
I switched from Canon to Sony 4 years in the past; I had a really completely different motivation. I used to be not solely dissatisfied with Canon however with DSLR expertise normally. I used to be wanting to discover the mirrorless realm and didn’t have a specific digital camera model in thoughts. I picked Sony due to the standard of digital recordsdata it produced in comparison with Canon.
Sony vs Fujifilm. Causes for Switching
As I thought of the swap this time, I had just one model in thoughts: Fujifilm. Listed here are the principle causes:
1. Consumer Expertise
If you mature as a photographer, you develop a singular images routine and habits. precisely what you need to see in a digital camera that’s carefully aligned together with your images workflow. With Sony, I felt that I couldn’t customise my photograph tools how I wished. I hoped combining the streamlined Fuji menu system with the mechanical dials and customizable buttons would provide extra flexibility.
After I determined to modify to Fujifilm, I solely thought of the highest of the road XT2 mannequin, however I had issue discovering dependable opinions. Why? The explanation was due to Fuji’s distinctive method to firmware updates.
Since Fujifilm launched its XT2 mannequin in August 2016, it has launched three main firmware updates that stretch the digital camera’s performance by including a whole bunch–that’s proper, a whole bunch–of recent and up to date options.
By the tip of 2017, many of the preliminary XT2 opinions had been outdated as a result of it was a really completely different digital camera.
Associated: Fuji XT2 vs XT3 – Aspect by Aspect
I discover Fuji’s method to be distinctive and refreshing, making them extra like a software program startup than a shopper electronics firm. It looks like a contemporary method to images when an organization listens to customers and makes enhancements to present cameras via software program updates.
I wished to be a part of that have.
2. Curiosity
I do know loads of fellow photographers who shoot with Fujifilm and love the Fujifilm expertise. Generally, they reward Fuji a lot that it looks like they’re a part of a cult-like Scientology or CrossFit. I used to be curious to discover the cult-like expertise from the within.
I used to be additionally intrigued to discover the fully completely different design of Fuji cameras with their numerous mechanical dials and gazillions of customizable buttons.
Additionally, as a photographer and educator, I believed it could be good to study one other system so I can intelligently talk about it.
3. Want for the Final Journey Digicam
For a very long time, I wished the last word journey digital camera setup. I craved for a mixture of a compact climate sealed digital camera and lens.
I used to be additionally searching for a contemporary twin reminiscence card performance that might give me a totally redundant backup workflow from begin to end.
And eventually, I wished my journey digital camera to have a dependable and simple GPS tagging performance.
Associated: Prime Equipment for
I couldn’t accomplish all the things with Sony.
4. Neglect By Sony
I keep in mind a number of years in the past when somebody from a photograph group predicted that Sony wouldn’t have the bandwidth to develop each full body and APS-C programs concurrently. This turned out to be true. Sony uncared for the APS-C programs and concentrated all its efforts on full-frame cameras and lenses. In 4 years, Sony has not created even one APS-C lens.
Fujifilm vs Sony. The Change
After I switched from Canon to Sony, probably the most vital change that impacted my images was the unimaginable dynamic vary of the Sony sensors. It modified the best way I shoot and edit photographs.
It made me use HDR even much less. And, even when it was completely essential to make the most of HDR, I solely wanted three brackets. The time of taking 5 to seven bracketed photographs was over.
Since then, I at all times take note of the dynamic vary of any digital camera that I consider and make it one of the necessary paraments of my images.
The issue with Fuji is that it makes use of an X-Trans sensor, and it appears that evidently nobody can precisely measure its dynamic vary. This made it not possible for me to check the dynamic vary of the XT2 to my present Sony earlier than I made the swap.
It anxious me a bit as a result of I didn’t need to sacrifice the dynamic vary in my new digital camera.
So, as an alternative of switching immediately, I made a decision to first take a look at the Fuji. When an area fellow photographer was promoting his virtually new Fuji X-T2 physique, I knew it was the right alternative for me to check it to Sony.
I purchased the digital camera and complemented it with the Fujinon 18-135mm lens. Over the following six weeks, I used each the Sony and Fuji programs facet by facet.
Associated: My Fujifilm Journey Images Gear
Here’s what I found.
The Positives of Switching from Sony to Fujifilm
1. Dynamic Vary
The dynamic vary of the Fuji XT2 sensor is unimaginable. I can not measure it exactly to provide the actual variety of stops it covers however, based mostly on my purely empirical expertise; it’s higher than the Sony a6000, a6300, and a6500. In six weeks, I’ve not used HDR, even when capturing straight into the solar. The quantity of element I can recuperate in highlights and shadows is staggering.
That is one thing I didn’t anticipate.
2. Picture High quality
Presently, I’ve two lenses: Fujinon 10-24 and Fujinon 18-135. The mixture of the Fuji XT2 and the 10-24 or 18-135 produces a lot cleaner and sharper photos than the Sony a6000 or a65000 with a Sony 16-70 or Sony 10-18. The Fujifilm photos are completely usable at 100% magnification. Unbelievable.
3. Fujinon Lenses
It’s common information that Fujifilm lenses are good, and I had a basic concept of what to anticipate.
However, I need to focus on Fujinon 18-135 lens. It’s not the most well-liked Fuji lens, however I picked it as a part of my final journey images setup. It’s climate sealed, and stabilized with a really helpful focal size. I knew prematurely that I may go on an prolonged journey with solely that lens.
After utilizing Fujinon solely for two weeks, I noticed that just about all of the Fujinon 18-135 opinions I learn had been inaccurate and deceptive. Most of them concluded that it’s a respectable lens however you cannot anticipate a lot from a brilliant zoom lens.
I don’t agree with these conclusions. I discover this lens to be excellent. The picture high quality is superb and when capturing at f/8 – f/11 I hardly can inform the distinction between Fujinon 18-135 and everyone’s favourite extremely vast Fujinon 10-24.
The Fujinon 18-135mm has the most effective Optical Stabilization I’ve ever skilled. I managed to shoot at focal size 135mm utilizing shutter velocity 1/10s and produce a wonderfully sharp picture. It’s exceptional.
4. Digital Viewfinder
The EVF is to die for. It’s HUGE and vivid. It accommodates an unlimited quantity of knowledge, and you’ll customise it in any approach you need. It has already modified the best way I take photographs.
I assigned the entrance perform button to set off the Histogram show in EVF. With the newest firmware replace, it shows a mixed histogram plus three extra variations for every colour channel. Now when I’m able to shoot, I press the AE-L button to lock the publicity; subsequent, I activate the histogram inside the EVF, and at last, I tweak the publicity by adjusting the publicity compensation utilizing Entrance Command Dial. And I at all times have 4 histograms in EVF to judge my changes.
Find it irresistible.
5. ISO Efficiency
One of many shortcomings of the Fuji XT2 is taken into account to be not a stellar excessive ISO efficiency. However, as soon as once more, I don’t completely agree with the conclusion. I assume if you happen to examine XT2 ISO efficiency to a full body sensor digital camera just like the Sony 7r, it could be the case, however I discover the ISO efficiency is superb for the APS-C digital camera. I used to be stunned that at ISO 12800, photos are nonetheless usable with loads of particulars.
The mixture of wonderful ISO efficiency with improved and prolonged Auto ISO performance permits me to shoot in circumstances I might by no means take into account capturing earlier than.
The Negatives of Switching from Sony to Fujifilm
1. Ergonomics
The day I acquired the digital camera and the lens I went on a day-long journey to shoot winter landscapes. After capturing for two hours, I noticed I had cramps in my fingers.
Sony a6000 is a small digital camera, however it has a beefy, not very deep, however fairly vast grip, and I may comfortably carry the digital camera utilizing my total palm. However the Fuji XT2 is an even bigger and heavier digital camera with a tiny grip, and I at all times needed to squeeze it with my fingers placing pointless pressure on them.
After 5 minutes of Googling, I noticed the small grip was a typical problem for a lot of Fuji cameras. And naturally, I discovered the answer quick. I ordered the thumb grip, and it nearly fastened the issue.
I additionally purchased a reasonable L-Bracket with a metallic grip.
Fujifilm XT2 Vertical Shoot Hand Grip
Now after I shoot handheld, I exploit a thumb grip solely, and when I’m on a tripod, I additionally connect the L-Bracket Grip.
However, I’m nonetheless not completely comfy. I hope, over time, I’ll get used to it.
I’m an enormous Again Button Focus consumer, and the AE-L and AF-L buttons are tiny, and it’s arduous to make use of them. I needed to assign Rear Command Dial to lock the give attention to a press down. It’s not completely comfy.
2. Inconsistency with Customization
I just like the Fuji XT2 design and mechanical dials, however I anticipated to have the power to assign all mechanical dial functionalities to customizable perform buttons. That isn’t the case.
For instance, I can use Entrance Command Dial to regulate publicity compensation by setting the mechanical dial to the S choice, and I prefer it so much.
However, I can’t assign Drive choice to a customized perform button or perhaps a Fast menu. The one approach for me to vary from single mode capturing to bracketing, which I do so much, is to make use of a mechanical subdial underneath the ISO dial. I’ve to make use of my second hand to vary it.
The identical goes for the Metering choice; it’s important to use a mechanical dial and no perform button or Fast Menu choices.
When capturing in Aperture Precedence mode, the one option to change the aperture worth is to make use of a lens aperture ring. It is vitally comfy when capturing handheld, however when on a tripod, as soon as once more, it requires a second hand. There isn’t any option to change the aperture utilizing the Rear Command dial.
I hope that in future updates, Fujifilm offers us the power to assign any perform to any perform buttons or no less than to a Fast Menu. I might love to have the ability to customise the XT2 so I can change any settings with one hand and with out shifting the attention away from EVF
3. Customized Setting
I discover that one of the helpful customized configurations on any digital camera model is the power to save lots of a gaggle of customized settings and recall them with one click on. I used it on Sony and Canon.
I used to be enthusiastic about Fujifilm customized settings as a result of I knew you would save as much as 7 customized configurations, plus you would give every configuration a singular identify. And it’s straightforward to recall every saved configuration from Fast Menu.
However after I began to customise it I noticed the one following settings an obtainable for reminiscence recall:
Dynamic Vary, Movie Simulation, Grain Impact, White Steadiness, Colour Sharpness, Spotlight Tone, and Noise Discount.
That’s is correct, all of them associated to JPEG capturing. And since I solely shoot RAW, your entire Customized Setting module is completely ineffective to me.
I discover it to be one of the stunning shortcomings of Fujifilm Xt2 performance.
Fujifilm vs Sony: Conclusion
As I discussed earlier than, the swap from Sony to Fujifilm turned out to be not what I anticipated in any respect. I acquired serious about Fujifilm due to the necessity for a greater consumer expertise and extra superior customization, however I stayed with it due to its picture high quality, dynamic vary, and stellar lenses.
I don’t complain and haven’t any regrets. I’ve already bought all my Sony gear and will certainly stick to Fujifilm for a yr no less than, however I believe it will likely be longer.
And I’m having a blast studying the brand new digital camera system. Plus, Fujifilm retains us on the toes with the fixed firmware upgrades.
Additionally, it proved once more there isn’t a such factor as an ideal digital camera.
Fujifilm vs Sony (2019 Replace)
It’s been nearly 18 months since I switched from Sony to the Fujifilm digital camera system. I made a decision to offer you a fast replace.
Initially, I’ve grown even fonder of Fujifilm gear over time. I like its aesthetics, the standard of substances, and the standard of photos Fujifilm produces. Plus, I like Fujifilm’s photographer-centric method to enterprise.
At this level, I’ve no plans to search for another. I’ll stick to Fujifilm.
I nonetheless shoot with the Fujifilm X-t2. In 2018, I used to be very excited when Fujifilm introduced the X-t3, and I used to be wanting to improve. However after I checked the specs of the X-t3, I noticed there was nothing for me there.
The Fujifilm X-T3 provides drastic enhancements in video specs and autofocus, neither of which I take care of a lot. The options I cared about probably the most—picture high quality dynamic vary and low mild efficiency – didn’t change within the X-T3 mannequin.
I additionally hoped the X-T3 would introduce an even bigger battery to eradicate the necessity to carry a pile of spare batteries together with me. This didn’t occur.
Fujinon 35mm f/1.4
I added a brand new Fujifilm lens to my assortment. I bought the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4, which acts because the “nifty fifty” on APS-C sensor cameras. The lens is likely one of the oldest fashions within the Fujifilm line and has a really outdated autofocus motor. The autofocus is noisy and never very quick, however the lens produces unimaginable photos with distinctive seems.
In keeping with Fujifilm’s chief engineer, after they designed the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 lens, they’d the choice to make it optically excellent or make it distinctive and distinctive. They selected the latter. It’s now one in all my favourite lenses I’ve ever owned. Plus, it’s tiny and extremely mild.
My working horse is the Fujinon 10-24mm f/4 wide-angle lens. I exploit it for many of my panorama photographs. Its solely weak point is its lack of climate sealing. When I’m within the area within the rain, I’ve to modify to the Fujinon 18-135mm. This lens is weather-sealed and offers me a really helpful attain of 135mm (200m full-frame equal).
The Fujifilm 18-135mm is sort of the right lens for my wants, however it has one shortcoming. It’s too huge and heavy for lengthy and demanding hikes. Lately, Fujifilm introduced a brand new lens—the 16-80mm f/4 —that’s smaller than the 18-135mm lens, has the most effective picture stabilization within the trade, and is climate sealed. It has the potential to be the last word journey lens. I completely plan to test it out when it turns into obtainable.
That’s it for now. Let me know when you’ve got any questions within the feedback under. I’m joyful to reply any of your inquiries.
Sony vs Fujifilm (Very Final Replace 2023)
It is going to be my final replace to Sony vs Fujifilm article.
It has been precisely 5 years since my authentic swap from Sony to Fujifilm. And now, the swap is formally over.
Let me clarify.
Over the past 5 years, I took my Fujifilm XT2 on a few dozens of journeys everywhere in the world. I captured with it many thrilling photographs I’m actually happy with. It’s been a 100% constructive expertise.
I acquired used to the digital camera, its controls, and the menu system. I personalized XT2 to my liking and actually loved the expertise. And I like Fuji lenses.
However not all the things was excellent in paradise.
I used to be not loopy about Fujifilm’s course with the XT line of cameras.
As I discussed above, I did non improve to Fuji XT3 as a result of I couldn’t see in it something beneficial for my images. I didn’t need to pay for a brand new digital camera to improve the video specs as a result of I didn’t use XT2 for capturing movies. I’ve GoPro for video functions. I made a decision to attend till the XT4 launch.
However when Fuji launched XT4, I noticed that the brand new digital camera had grow to be larger and heavier. They needed to enhance the scale to accommodate an even bigger battery and IBIS. Plus, I despised the flip-out display screen. The Fuji XT line turned a hybrid digital camera line. And I used to be not loopy about it.
I made a decision to skip XT4 as soon as once more and stick to my outdated and trusted XT2 for 2 extra years.
The plan was to attend for the following iteration of the XT digital camera, and if Fuji wouldn’t change its course, to search for another elsewhere.
However Fujifilm acquired scared to lose me as a buyer and got here up with the right journey digital camera the best way I wished.
The corporate realized the XT line was initially designed as a photography-centric digital camera, not a hybrid. They returned to their roots and created a real successor to XT1 and XT2 fashions.
First, they lowered the digital camera’s measurement, which was my favourite change. XT5 is akin to the scale of XT2, even barely smaller. However, since they nonetheless needed to match an even bigger battery and IBIS, they made it slightly deeper.
Plus, over time, I modified how I have a look at IBIS. As an alternative of performance with restricted use for panorama images, I deal with it as a possible benefit. I made a decision to experiment with my capturing routine. I need to lower my tripod use and shoot extra handheld, counting on IBIS for stabilization. I plan to cut back the load I’ve to hold when touring. That’s the plan. Let’s see the way it goes.
The smaller kind issue, return to the lean display screen, larger battery, new sensor and processor had been sufficient causes for the improve.
The one problem was to search out the XT5 within the retailer. Fuji introduced XT5 on November 15, however I solely managed to get it on the final day of the yr, December 31. I couldn’t get it from B&H, Adorama, and even Amazon. As an alternative, I discovered it in a small native retailer in Montreal. It was refreshing to purchase photograph gear in particular person once more and never on-line.
Initially, I used to be unsure what to anticipate from 40MP new sensor; I believed it was overkill for an APS-C digital camera. Nevertheless it turned out to be a constructive change. After I switched from Sony to Fuji XT2, I used to be stunned that RTF recordsdata had been usable even at 100% magnification. With the brand new 40MP sensor, RAW recordsdata are sharp and filled with particulars even at 200% magnification. I prefer it so much. Now, I don’t need to return to 26MP outdated sensor.
Plus, on the final second, I made a decision to get a equipment as an alternative of a digital camera physique solely. Now I’ve a model new lens, Fujinon 16-80mm f4, and I want to check it to see if I need to hold it.
In a few months, I’ll publish a Fujifilm X-T5 evaluate outlining my expertise with Fuji XT5.
It additionally signifies that I’m sticking with Fujifilm for the foreseeable future.