The current mirrorless race is often framed as a competition between Canon, Nikon, and Sony, but of course, Fuji is making some great cameras that its users are fiercely loyal to. This interesting video follows a Sony user as he takes a Fuji X-T3 out for a spin and shares his thoughts.
Coming to you from Manny Ortiz, this video follows him as he tries out the Fuji X-T3. Fuji's best mirrorless cameras are a bit unique compared to the other three major manufacturers, as they're APS-C format. That might deter some photographers for one reason or another, but the lineup is quite mature at this point and that smaller size can be an advantage for those who value portability and weight savings. The lineup is also frequently lauded for its design that emphasizes mechanical controls and for Fuji's color science (their film simulations are especially popular). It seems their autofocus system has become quite advanced as well, and lastly, Fuji's lens lineup is highly respected. There's a lot to like about their camera systems, and it's interesting to hear what a user of another lauded mirrorless system has to say. Check out the video above for Ortiz' full thoughts.
A year ago or so, I did a tit-for-tat weight and size comparison between Sony FF E mount and Fuji's APSC and found, as I predicted, that any size/weight savings were negligible or literally non-existent when equivalence was applied. I think there was about a 100 gram difference between them when looking at a camera and 5 or 6 lenses (can't remember exactly).
If your trying to match equivalence I think all systems eventually even out. If your ok with giving up high iso performance and shallow dof then real weight and size savings can be had in APS-C and m43.
If you're taking that line of thinking to the extreme, then all a person needs is a cell phone.
Obviously, for many people, that's true.
That’s true if you don’t have any minimum IQ expectancy but everyone has a point at which smaller size and lighter weight isn’t worth the IQ hit.
It actually often works out in favor of the FF lenses. Take 85mm, for instance.
The Sony 85mm f1.8 is 371g.
The Fuji 56mm f1.2 is the identical lens when matching FOV and DOF, and it's heavier at 405g.
Take it even further, for Micro 4/3 there is both the Olympus 45mm f1.2 and Panasonic 42.5mm f1.2. They give an 85/90mm equivalent FOV and a f2.4 equivalent DOF, but they are the heaviest at 410g and 425g.
The Canon 50mm 1.4 is 290g, the 55mm Otus 1kg. Correlation does not equal causality. There's so much more that contributes to the weight of a lens - things like AF, stabilization, weather sealing, used materials or what lens elements were being used (some designs might be lighter but also more expensive).
The Otus is a clear outlier, this has been obvious from the day it was announced. The 4 lenses I mentioned in my post are all very comparable.
The Nikon Z 24-70 f4 and Fuji 16-55 f2.8 are nearly identical in FOV and DOF, and the full frame Nikon is about 30% lighter.
The Sony and Panasonic 70-200 f4 and Fuji 50-140 f2.8 are nearly identical in FOV and DOF, and the two full frames are lighter, the Panasonic minimally, the Sony by a significant amount.
The Nikon Z 50 f1.8 and Olmpus 25mm f1.2 have identical FOV and the Nikon has DOF about half a stop better, the Nikon weighs just 5g more. The Fuji 35 f1.4 is comparable and half the weight, one of the few instances of a smaller sensor having the lighter equivalent lens, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Canon release an RF 50 f1.8 under 200g like they have for decades on their SLR cameras.
The Sony FE 35mm f2.8 and Sony E 24mm f1.8 are nearly identical FOV and DOF, the full frame 35 is about 40% lighter.
I have no doubt there are some exceptions, but by and large it seems that for a given FOV and DOF, full frame cameras have the lightest lenses.
Switched from Sony FF to Fuji APSC, compromised with some IQ for size/weight saving and I am happy with that. 80% worsen IQ for 60% of weight.
i have both a sony a7rIII and a Fuji xt3. I've been shooting Sony for about 4 yrs professionally. Really love the output, menus and interface are good enough.. I bought the Fuji off a friend that bought it and didn't like it. He gave me a deal i couldn't pass up. Both are phenomenal cameras and very capable.
The fuji is more fun to shoot. i like the interface, menu and dials. Image quality is great, 24mp is more than enough. small light camera. I just have the 35mm f1.4 is fantastic. it has eye focusing.. but havent been impressed with it. battery life is okay. not great.. i agree with Manny, its fun to shoot. wish the dials lit up a little bit.. its hard to adjust them at night or in the dark.
Sony is far better in low light, its full frame.. so thats expected.. seems to have a little bit more dynamic range. Focusing is noticeably faster, eye focus is really really nice.