It’s been some time since I switched from Sony to Fuji. At this level, I’m prepared to provide you my causes for the change and the way I evaluate Fujifilm vs Sony crop sensor cameras.
First, I need to admit that Fujifilm was not what I anticipated. It truly turned out to be completely the alternative of my expectations. I bought considering 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 know-how usually. I used to be desirous to discover the mirrorless realm and didn’t have a specific digicam model in thoughts. I picked Sony due to the standard of digital information it produced in comparison with Canon.
Sony vs Fujifilm. Reasons for Switching
As I thought of the change this time, I had just one model in thoughts: Fujifilm. Here are the principle causes:
1. User Experience
When you mature as a photographer, you develop a singular images routine and habits. You know precisely what you wish to see in a digicam that’s intently aligned together with your images workflow. With Sony, I felt that I couldn’t customise my photograph gear how I needed. I hoped combining the streamlined Fuji menu system with the mechanical dials and customizable buttons would supply extra flexibility.
When I made a decision to change to Fujifilm, I solely thought of the highest of the road XT2 mannequin, however I had problem discovering dependable evaluations. Why? The cause 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 reach the digicam’s performance by including lots of–that’s proper, lots of–of recent and up to date options.
By the tip of 2017, a lot of the preliminary XT2 evaluations have been outdated as a result of it was a really completely different digicam.
Related: Fuji XT2 vs XT3 – Side by Side
I discover Fuji’s method to be distinctive and refreshing, making them extra like a software program startup than a client electronics firm. It looks like a contemporary method to images when an organization listens to customers and makes enhancements to current cameras by way of software program updates.
I needed 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. Sometimes, 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 utterly completely different design of Fuji cameras with their varied mechanical dials and gazillions of customizable buttons.
Also, as a photographer and educator, I believed it might be good to study one other system so I can intelligently talk about it.
3. Need for the Ultimate Travel Camera
For a very long time, I needed the final word journey digicam setup. I craved for a mixture of a compact climate sealed digicam and lens.
I used to be additionally in search of a contemporary twin reminiscence card performance that will give me a very redundant backup workflow from begin to end.
And lastly, I needed my journey digicam to have a dependable and simple GPS tagging performance.
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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 neighborhood predicted that Sony wouldn’t have the bandwidth to develop each full body and APS-C methods concurrently. This turned out to be true. Sony uncared for the APS-C methods 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 Switch
When I switched from Canon to Sony, probably the most vital change that impacted my images was the unbelievable dynamic vary of the Sony sensors. It modified the way in which 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 pictures was over.
Since then, I all the time take note of the dynamic vary of any digicam that I consider and make it one of the crucial essential paraments of my images.
The downside with Fuji is that it makes use of an X-Trans sensor, and evidently nobody can precisely measure its dynamic vary. This made it inconceivable for me to match the dynamic vary of the XT2 to my current Sony earlier than I made the change.
It anxious me a bit as a result of I didn’t wish to sacrifice the dynamic vary in my new digicam.
So, as a substitute of switching straight away, 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 match it to Sony.
I purchased the digicam and complemented it with the Fujinon 18-135mm lens. Over the subsequent six weeks, I used each the Sony and Fuji methods facet by facet.
Related: My Fujifilm Travel Photography Gear
Here is what I found.
The Positives of Switching from Sony to Fujifilm
Dynamic Range
The dynamic vary of the Fuji XT2 sensor is unbelievable. I can not measure it exactly to provide the actual variety of stops it covers however, primarily based 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 taking pictures immediately into the solar. The quantity of element I can recuperate in highlights and shadows is staggering.
This is one thing I didn’t count on.
Image Quality
Currently, 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 photographs than the Sony a6000 or a65000 with a Sony 16-70 or Sony 10-18. The Fujifilm photographs are completely usable at 100% magnification. Unbelievable.
Fujinon Lenses
It is widespread information that Fujifilm lenses are good, and I had a basic thought of what to anticipate.
But, I wish to think about Fujinon 18-135 lens. It shouldn’t be the preferred Fuji lens, however I picked it as a part of my final journey images setup. It is climate sealed, and stabilized with a really helpful focal size. I knew prematurely that I might 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 evaluations I learn have been inaccurate and deceptive. Most of them concluded that it’s a first rate lens however you can’t count on 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 taking pictures at f/8 – f/11 I hardly can inform the distinction between Fujinon 18-135 and everyone’s favourite extremely large Fujinon 10-24.
The Fujinon 18-135mm has the very best Optical Stabilization I’ve ever skilled. I managed to shoot at focal size 135mm utilizing shutter pace 1/10s and produce a wonderfully sharp picture. It is exceptional.
Electronic Viewfinder
The EVF is to die for. It is HUGE and brilliant. It accommodates an unlimited quantity of knowledge, and you’ll customise it in any method you need. It has already modified the way in which I take photographs.
I assigned the entrance perform button to set off the Histogram show in EVF. With the most recent 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 within the EVF, and at last, I tweak the publicity by adjusting the publicity compensation utilizing Front Command Dial. And I all the time have 4 histograms in EVF to judge my changes.
Love it.
ISO Performance
One of the shortcomings of the Fuji XT2 is taken into account to be not a stellar excessive ISO efficiency. But, as soon as once more, I don’t completely agree with the conclusion. I assume when you evaluate XT2 ISO efficiency to a full body sensor digicam just like the Sony 7r, it is likely to be the case, however I discover the ISO efficiency is superb for the APS-C digicam. I used to be shocked that at ISO 12800, photographs are nonetheless usable with loads of particulars.
The mixture of fantastic ISO efficiency with improved and prolonged Auto ISO performance permits me to shoot in circumstances I might by no means contemplate taking pictures earlier than.
The Negatives of Switching from Sony to Fujifilm
Ergonomics
The day I acquired the digicam and the lens I went on a day-long journey to shoot winter landscapes. After taking pictures for two hours, I noticed I had cramps in my fingers.
Sony a6000 is a small digicam, however it has a beefy, not very deep, however fairly large grip, and I might comfortably carry the digicam utilizing my total palm. But the Fuji XT2 is an even bigger and heavier digicam with a tiny grip, and I all the time 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 difficulty for a lot of Fuji cameras. And after all, 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 steel grip.
Fujifilm XT2 Vertical Shoot Hand Grip
Now once I shoot handheld, I exploit a thumb grip solely, and when I’m on a tripod, I additionally connect the L-Bracket Grip.
But, I’m nonetheless not completely snug. I hope, over time, I’ll get used to it.
I’m an enormous Back Button Focus consumer, and the AE-L and AF-L buttons are tiny, and it’s onerous to make use of them. I needed to assign Rear Command Dial to lock the deal with a press down. It shouldn’t be completely snug.
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 shouldn’t be the case.
For instance, I can use Front Command Dial to regulate publicity compensation by setting the mechanical dial to the S possibility, and I prefer it loads.
But, I can’t assign Drive choice to a customized perform button or perhaps a Quick menu. The solely method for me to alter from single mode taking pictures to bracketing, which I do loads, is to make use of a mechanical subdial below the ISO dial. I’ve to make use of my second hand to alter it.
The similar goes for the Metering choice; it’s a must to use a mechanical dial and no perform button or Quick Menu choices.
When taking pictures in Aperture Priority mode, the one strategy to change the aperture worth is to make use of a lens aperture ring. It may be very snug when taking pictures handheld, however when on a tripod, as soon as once more, it requires a second hand. There isn’t any strategy 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 a minimum of to a Quick 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
Custom Setting
I discover that one of the crucial helpful customized configurations on any digicam 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 possibly can save as much as 7 customized configurations, plus you possibly can give every configuration a singular title. And it’s straightforward to recall every saved configuration from Quick Menu.
But once I began to customise it I noticed the one following settings an accessible for reminiscence recall:
Dynamic Range, Film Simulation, Grain Effect, White Balance, Color Sharpness, Highlight Tone, and Noise Reduction.
That’s is true, all of them associated to JPEG taking pictures. And since I solely shoot RAW, the complete Custom Setting module is totally ineffective to me.
I discover it to be one of the crucial stunning shortcomings of Fujifilm Xt2 performance.
Fujifilm vs Sony: Conclusion
As I discussed earlier than, the change from Sony to Fujifilm turned out to be not what I anticipated in any respect. I bought considering 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 don’t have any regrets. I’ve already bought all my Sony gear and will certainly follow Fujifilm for a yr a minimum of, however I believe it will likely be longer.
And I’m having a blast studying the brand new digicam system. Plus, Fujifilm retains us on the toes with the fixed firmware upgrades.
Also, it proved once more there isn’t a such factor as an ideal digicam.
Fujifilm vs Sony (Update)
It’s been nearly 18 months since I switched from Sony to the Fujifilm digicam system. I made a decision to provide you a fast replace.
First of all, I’ve grown even fonder of Fujifilm gear over time. I like its aesthetics, the standard of substances, and the standard of photographs 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 follow 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 desirous to improve. But once 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 gentle efficiency – didn’t change within the X-T3 mannequin.
I additionally hoped the X-T3 would introduce an even bigger battery to get rid of 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 without doubt one of the oldest fashions within the Fujifilm line and has a really previous autofocus motor. The autofocus is noisy and never very quick, however the lens produces unbelievable photographs with distinctive seems to be.
According to Fujifilm’s chief engineer, after they designed the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 lens, that they had the choice to make it optically excellent or make it distinctive and distinctive. They selected the latter. It is now considered one of my favourite lenses I’ve ever owned. Plus, it’s tiny and extremely gentle.
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 discipline within the rain, I’ve to change to the Fujinon 18-135mm. This lens is weather-sealed and provides me a really helpful attain of 135mm (200m full-frame equal).
The Fujifilm 18-135mm is nearly the right lens for my wants, however it has one shortcoming. It is just too massive and heavy for lengthy and demanding hikes. Recently, Fujifilm introduced a brand new lens—the 16-80mm f/4 —that’s smaller than the 18-135mm lens, has the very best picture stabilization within the trade, and is climate sealed. It has the potential to be the final word journey lens. I completely plan to test it out when it turns into accessible.
That is it for now. Let me know in case you have any questions within the feedback under. I’m pleased to reply any of your inquiries.