Fuji X vs Sony NEX

[Giovanni_1968]

So,

even though I am an old (in both senses...) Fuji S5 owner I am evaluating getting a NEX 6 because I have a friend who could sell me at reasonable price either a 10-18f4 and/or a Zeiss 24 f1.8; I'd use it as a light walk around setup and/or for landscaping together or to replace my heavy D800 which is still missing a wide angle lens.

This said, how does the IQ of the X and NEX compare not mentioning the ergonomics?

thank you

 

[jfriend00]

Study the IQ of the lenses you will use in great detail. That's what led me to choose Fuji over NEX. I don't think there's huge differences between sensors these days, but there are huge differences between lenses.

 

[nspur]

I can't speak for the NEX 6. I had a NEX 7, disliked it and got rid of it mainly because it was counter-intuitive to use and the viewfinder was noisy but still have a NEX 5n which I like (despite the noisy add-on viewfinder) but do not use often and I think the IQ is close to the Fuji X-E1 but not better.

 

[Bouddha]

Any reason why not considering the Samsung NX300 ?



rgds

 

[Macintosh Sauce]

The other day I was looking at the Samsung NX300 camera at Best Buy. It's not bad, but I do not like having ZERO viewfinder.



So, I am most likely going to get the X-Pro 2 or the X-E2 when they come out. Fujinon lenses are really well-built IMO. A Samsung NX30 might change that though - we'll see.

 

[Giovanni_1968]

I'm asking X vs NEX because of the lenses I could get for the NEX, the 10-18f4 and the Zeiss 24f1.8, Samsung is out of the game.

I understand menu, controls etc would be personal preference, I care about IQ, I'd use it, as said, for landscaping, light walk around setup and, some day, would add also a portrait lens like a 50mm, your thoughts.

thank you

 

[woodsfortysix]

I had the Nex-6 for about 6 months. At the time, I thought it was be best mirror-less camera I had used, but I thought the lenses were part of the issue. I had the standard kit lens and a longer zoom, but never really thought they were that good (Yes, I understand that they do have some very high quality lenses in their portfolio).

I tried the X-E1, especially after the latest round of firmware upgrades was announced. Really liked the feel of the Fuji - reminded me of my old rangefinder days when I first started shooting. My experience with the standard kit lens (18-55), and the 55-200, is that they are as good as many of my Nikon lenses.

Both are good - I just like the Fuji X better...

 

[Ed B]

I also have both the NEX and the Fuji cameras (actually, it's my wife that uses the NEX).

In general, there is nothing wrong with the NEX picture quality but several other things about the cameras are hard to live with.

Indoor white balance is very unreliable, especially under incandescent lighting. You almost have to do a manual or custom white balance to keep from getting yellow skinned people although sometimes the camera will get the white balance correct. Like I said, unreliable.

The menu system is horrible (just my opinion).

The native NEX lenses aren't any better than average and the Zeiss branded Sony lenses aren't much better (although you wouldn't know this from the prices).

Naturally, most of the lens problems are corrected by software in the cameras.

I do think the NEX cameras produce a good low light/high ISO picture and may be a little cleaner than the Fuji's but it's very close and Fuji does seem to retain more detail (just an opinion).

I absolutely like the Fuji (X-E1) better than the NEX. I like the colors, auto white balance reliability, handling, menu and the general size and feel of the camera better.

That said, if you are simply comparing image quality (the finished product) I think it's close to a tie and a person would be happy with either camera.

 

[gerard boulanger]

NEX 6 has no OVF and no shutter speed dial, but has higher resolution EVF and a built-in flash.

A good deal on lenses is one thing, but the use of a body is another one...

 

[LaFonte]

If the price of nex is very good then yes, otherwise you would be probably more happy with fuji images (I am former NEX user)

 

[Giovanni_1968]

Should I start from scratch I would go Fuji but given I have the chance of either the 10-18 and/or the Zeiss 24f1.8 I gotta go for NEX (if I can manage a deal with my friend), this said I am a Fuji D-SLR user and even though I got a new D800 I know how reliable Fuji AWB is, I know its skin tones and its colors (even tough not everybody's taste) but now it is not the moment to jump to another system, I have to update my Nikon lens park for the newborn and photography is not my life so if there is a deal with the lenses I might think of a NEX6, just wanted to know how the final image compares each other, that's it.

thank you

 

[Astrophotographer 10]

I have both XE1 and Nex 6.

I did a comparison shoot out once. Different lenses but similar in performance. The lens on the Nex is a Samyang 24mm F1.4 which gives warmer colours. As you can see IQ is close in detail and resolution with a slight edge to XE1 due to no AA filter.

http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/149391206 Fuji XE1

http://www.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/149391334 Nex 6

I thought both had excellent white balance. I have not experienced poor indoor white balance. Perhaps it is a setting, perhaps I have not used it much in that situation.

Nex has several advantages over XE1:

1. IQ is slightly less but its really not that much.

2. RAW converter of course is standard and so well supported.

3. Tiltable LCD screen (I really like that its more useful than you would think).

4. Nex is a bit smaller and more compact. Its a modern feel and well built but with cheapish buttons.

5. AF was faster but after the Fuji firmware upgrades its probably a tie.

6. Nex is way better for video with stereo sound, better tracking and face recognition AF. Like MUCH better than Fuji's which is crude and an afterthought.

7. Nex implementation of focus peaking for using manual lenses is way better than Fuji's. So using an older but excellent manual focus lens is a breeze and quite enjoyable. Contax G Zeiss lenses 2nd hand are cheaper than Fujis and of similar quality just manual focus. Minolta Rokkor lenses are also great value with fabulous Bokeh and a pleasing rendtion.

8. Nex 6 has wifi plus gps plus iphone remote control.

9. The Zeiss 24 F1.8 is a great lens and a lot of people love that one. Its a useful focal length and Fuji has deliberately held the 23mm F1.4 until late in the game to protect X100s sales.

10. Nex 6 has auto ISO a feature on the wish list for XE1/XPro 1 often complained about.

11. Nex 6 has the latest gen Exmor 16.3 sensor with phase detect AF that is also in the Fuji X100s. XE1 is the earlier version of that sensor.

12. EVF is slightly better on Nex.

13. You can buy and install apps on the Sony some of which are very good.

14. I am not 100% on this but I think most likely better battery life - could be wrong. I found XE1 battery life to be poor.

Pluses for XE1:

1. Overall Fuji lenses offer a better selection are better quality than Sony. Sony are cheaper on most but being on the Nex forum you hear a lot of complaints about the lack of high quality Sony lenses. The SL35 and 50 are well regarded, the 18-200 also (expensive), the Zeiss 24mm F1.8. Some like the Touits and they are expensive but fairly good but have negatives.

So as lenses account for a large percentage of IQ then Fuji has a large edge here at this time.

2. Styling is personal but most seem to prefer X system retro looks and external knobs. XE1 exposure compensation dial though is a liability in that it is easily knocked in the bag and will throw off a lot of your photos until you discover its moved off zero.

3. Slightly sharper images.

4. Better low light performance (quite a bit better but Nex is good, XE1 is superb and is the current king there).

5. Fuji jpegs out of the camera are famous for being so good. The colour in Fuji images is divine and people look great in Fuji images.

6. The menu system is way better. Sony's looks like the Managing Director's 8 year old kid designed it.

7. Both have sweep panorama function but Fuji's works better and is less fussy than Nex version.

So in the end the Nex has a lot of pluses but as you say IQ is everything and I chose to use XE1 as my primary camera because of that. The Fuji colours, white balance and image quality enhanced by the excellent range of superb lenses are reasonable cost is very seductive. Nex is a great camera and I eagerly await the full frame Nex so there you have it. XE2/XPro 2 unless they come up with a new sensor will in a way be merely catching up with Nex and the next Gen Nex will be a step ahead again. So Nex is further along/closer to the cutting edge of latest technology than Fuji.

Greg.

 

[nexfan]

I have been using Nex 5 for 3 years and just got the x-m1, both with kit lenses. To me, the fuji IQ is far superior.

 

[Austin101]

Giovanni_1968 wrote:

So,

even though I am an old (in both senses...) Fuji S5 owner I am evaluating getting a NEX 6 because I have a friend who could sell me at reasonable price either a 10-18f4 and/or a Zeiss 24 f1.8; I'd use it as a light walk around setup and/or for landscaping together or to replace my heavy D800 which is still missing a wide angle lens.

This said, how does the IQ of the X and NEX compare not mentioning the ergonomics?

thank you

 

[nrcole]

I had a NEX-5N and now I also have a Fuji x100s. As others have said I think sensors are more or less equal today, however with my NEX I pretty much have to shoot RAW and then make the pictures how I want them in LR. I got the Fuji so that when I just want to put out JPEGS I can do so. The NEX's never came out exactly like I wanted them.

Also from your original post I can't tell if you want comments on ergonomics or not, but the truth is it's all subjective. Many people bash the single-dial control of the early NEX models that only had a single control wheel on the back. However that's what I learned on so I find it very comfortable, although I think once I've adjusted to the Fuji I'll like the controls more.

Focus is faster on my 2 year-old 5N than the X100S, which is supposed to be the fastest X camera.

Also, hopefully I'm not giving the impression that I don't like my X100S. I really do. It's a lovely camera to carry and use, and for some reason I feel okay when I leave the house with just it, whereas with my 5N I almost never go out without two lenses.

 

[Eddaweaver]

There are several prime lenses for the Nex available from Sigma. Their 19 and 30mm lenses are excellent.

Sigma 19mm F2.8 EX DN (NEX)

This is a group that shots was taken with Sigma 19mm F2.8 EX DN lens. Enjoy it!

www.flickr.com

Sigma EX 2.8/30 DN (NEX)

A group to share our experiences with a Sigma prime lens, the EX 2.8/30 DN for NEX cameras. Please upload only images that either show the lens or were taken with that lens. No porn or other inappropriate content, please! Please, respect and obey the acknowledged rules of the netiquette.

www.flickr.com

The Fuji lenses are superior to the Sony ones.

The X-Trans gives you much more resolution but I think Fuji has prioritised resolution over colour quality too much in JPEGs. They did the opposite when EXR was introduced.

Flickr Search — “fujifilm x-m1”

www.flickr.com

 

[sgoldswo]

So,

even though I am an old (in both senses...) Fuji S5 owner I am evaluating getting a NEX 6 because I have a friend who could sell me at reasonable price either a 10-18f4 and/or a Zeiss 24 f1.8; I'd use it as a light walk around setup and/or for landscaping together or to replace my heavy D800 which is still missing a wide angle lens.

This said, how does the IQ of the X and NEX compare not mentioning the ergonomics?

thank you

 

[sgoldswo]

So,

even though I am an old (in both senses...) Fuji S5 owner I am evaluating getting a NEX 6 because I have a friend who could sell me at reasonable price either a 10-18f4 and/or a Zeiss 24 f1.8; I'd use it as a light walk around setup and/or for landscaping together or to replace my heavy D800 which is still missing a wide angle lens.

This said, how does the IQ of the X and NEX compare not mentioning the ergonomics?

thank you

 

[dovla]

I used to have the Nex-7 with most of the Nex lenses and now use the X100s (although I still have a Sony SLT for occasional sports/action shooting). To me the deciding factor to switch to Fuji were the Fuji colors that I greatly prefer for shooting portraits (note: 90% of my photos are family portraits). These skin colors were difficult for me to achieve in PP with the Nex.

However, if I were mostly shooting landscapes, then the preferences might be reversed with the Nex colors and high resolution of the Nex-7 being better suited for the job. Any differences in the lens quality between the Nex and the Fuji-X would probably be minor due to typical apertures used when shooting landscapes.

 

[Joachim Gerstl]

If you want to shoot JPEG get the Fuji. If you shoot RAW it is personal preference. Both are very good regarding IQ. Far ahead of a Nikon D300s or a Canon 7D.