X-A1 vs X-M1

Dimitriy wrote:

Save yourself a $100, there are a few comparisons in this thread showing x-a1 being slightly better in image IQ, at least for OOC JPGs. Messages in this thread from x-trans owners can be summarized as "images from my x-trans were really soft at pixel level until I started post processing them, but you better use particular raw editors and btw most of the time I shoot jpegs"

I had to laugh just a bit at your comments because many people shoot JPEG, with Fuji cameras, for the simple reason that the JPEGs are so good, it's hard to process a raw image that's much better. Even dpreview, in their reviews of the X-Pro1 and X-E1, stated that there's very little reason to shoot raw.

Now, raw is safer because it will allow for some corrections that are much harder to achieve, with JPEGs, in a program like Photoshop but, raw won't get you sharper pictures.

Out of camera (OOC) picture sharpness is basically controlled by two factors; the factory applied sharpening algorithms that are built into every processor and the user controlled sharpening adjustments that can be done with almost any camera. Point & shoot type compact cameras usually have high levels of in-camera sharpness designed to give the user very sharp OOC pictures because that's what the average consumer wants. Entry level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras designed for point & shoot up-graders are similar.

Many, many people, who buy the more expensive upper level cameras, want their OOC pictures to have a minimal amount of in-camera sharpness applied. They want as much control over sharpness as possible and prefer to make these type of adjustments during post processing. OOC pictures from these cameras will look "soft" to most people but when they are properly post processed they become exactly what the photographer wants.

Naturally, the lens also contributes to the overall sharpness of a picture but the lens can't actually increase the image sharpness (but that's another subject).

Anyway, I disagree with you and think the X-Trans sensor produces pictures that are every bit as good as the Bayer sensor and if a person wants sharper OOC shots----just go to the menu and raise the sharpness level by a couple of steps.