So who choose the X-H1 over a Sony A7III?

Hello All,

I've been trying to ask some people on the Sony boards if they switched to Sony from Fujifilm, and if so, how did they like it? So, I thought it would only be fair to ask sort of the same thing here.

I'm a Fuji user since the original X-T1. I've loved the system for many reasons. The camera bodies are excellent and just extremely good quality products. They look amazing and are just a pleasure to shoot with. The ergonomics are top notch and of course, the Kaizen software support is second to none. And the Fuji glass! ALL are quality lenses that are just top of the line!

So it's no surprise that when the X-H1 was announced, it took every ounce of willpower to not pull the trigger on it right away. A bigger body with a deeper grip and IBIS!? What a dream! But that price tag of $2,000 had me doubting the purchase....

And then Sony comes along and announces the Full-Frame A7iii with amazing eye-af, IBIS, and a longer battery and all for the same price as the X-H1....and now I have a decision that I need to make. With the prices being about the same, is it time that I make the jump to Full-Frame?

I'm wondering if there's anyone here that purchased the X-H1 over the A7III? If so, what made you go with the X-H1 instead, and do you have any regrets?

I did!

I had an older Nikon that bit the dust about 6 months ago.

I only looked into mirrorless as a "just in case route" and "let me see what this new tech is about".

I checked out the Sony UI and I simply hated it.

I'm primarily a photographer but I do want to take videos too, and wanted something better than my phone for that purpose. I shoot mostly manual or aperture priority, I'm not a pro but I understand cameras well... Can I say it again, I disliked the Sony interface so much, it was so non-intuitive to me... I would have stuck with Nikon over Sony in a heartbeat. A friend has a Sony and shoots in P mode, which I never ever use.

After reading about the Fuji, I found a retail store that had the X-T2 and fell in love with Fuji.

Since I want to do video, I waited for the X-H1...

I've had it for about a month. I really like it. I can't believe the fantastic colors out of the box.

I never wanted full frame, I like cropped sensors! Going wide is easy, shooting closer in means more weight and very large lenses....

GearHead88 said:

Hello All,

I've been trying to ask some people on the Sony boards if they switched to Sony from Fujifilm, and if so, how did they like it? So, I thought it would only be fair to ask sort of the same thing here.

I'm a Fuji user since the original X-T1. I've loved the system for many reasons. The camera bodies are excellent and just extremely good quality products. They look amazing and are just a pleasure to shoot with. The ergonomics are top notch and of course, the Kaizen software support is second to none. And the Fuji glass! ALL are quality lenses that are just top of the line!

So it's no surprise that when the X-H1 was announced, it took every ounce of willpower to not pull the trigger on it right away. A bigger body with a deeper grip and IBIS!? What a dream! But that price tag of $2,000 had me doubting the purchase....

And then Sony comes along and announces the Full-Frame A7iii with amazing eye-af, IBIS, and a longer battery and all for the same price as the X-H1....and now I have a decision that I need to make. With the prices being about the same, is it time that I make the jump to Full-Frame?

I'm wondering if there's anyone here that purchased the X-H1 over the A7III? If so, what made you go with the X-H1 instead, and do you have any regrets?

Click to expand...

After buying over 14 Fujifilm lenses, the A7iii feature set is not good enough to begin to tempt me to buy into the Sony system.

In my situation, buying the X-H1 and enjoying its use with all of my Fujifilm glass over the nine weeks of vacation I will experience before the X-T3 is released definitely is worth it to me. It's hard for me to admit this: IBIS combined with my 16-55/2.8 means a lot to me. Just like the OVF rules over EVF days, eventually, technology gets good enough for you to move on.

If I got close to duplicating the lenses I like to use in Sony glass, that camera bag is going to be really big and heavy. In the three to four years it would take me to buy all of those lenses, I have to wonder where Canon and Nikon's full frame mirrorless efforts are going to be? How good will Fujifilm's bodies be at that point?

I expect Fujifilm to learn from the A7iii feature set and pricing. I would then give Fujifilm another six to nine months to come up with its response. Definitely, won't be as good as Sony's state of the art in the same amount of time; but, it might be more than good enough for me.

I am a huge fuji fan, but this choice would be simple. Id go with the A7iii. The X-h1 doesnt offer anything over the X-T20 that appeals to me. The A7 full frame sensor is a big deal though.

Ergonomics, menus, lenses, build quality i give it to fuji -- but i believe there is no replacement for displacement. Bigger sensors on average give better image quality to my eyes. Having shot with a Fuji X-e1, X-e2, X-t1, S5 pro, A99, D600, D750 the full frame images always impressed me more

I did and I'm glad.

X-H1 combo with 16-55mm f/2.8 is what I had been waiting for.

Buttons252 said:

I am a huge fuji fan, but this choice would be simple. Id go with the A7iii. The X-h1 doesnt offer anything over the X-T20 that appeals to me. The A7 full frame sensor is a big deal though.

Ergonomics, menus, lenses, build quality i give it to fuji -- but i believe there is no replacement for displacement. Bigger sensors on average give better image quality to my eyes. Having shot with a Fuji X-e1, X-e2, X-t1, S5 pro, A99, D600, D750 the full frame images always impressed me more

Click to expand...

But what are the 4 must have lenses in the Sony FF world? How much and how big?

I only ask because it's easy to find 4 Fujinon/Samyang lenses, but hard to stop at just 4...

This is my take about Sony and Fuji and even a bit of Nikon.

If we are talking full frame Sony vs X to me that is the Nikon D850 which I know very well. What I do not care for even before getting to specs is usability and just liking it. Then cost. Sony bodies are small but the FF lenses have to be big to match the sensor so what is the advantage over a DSLR when the lenses are basically the same size. Maybe this is different with FF Sony but I shot with the A6500 and sold it after a few months and actually bought the A6500 for IBIS in mind over the Fuji XT-2. Sony A6500 LCD is horrendous in daylight and the menu for Sony is way too involved even vs Nikon D750/850 imo.

I ended up with the XH1 and I like the camera but have had two issues that are an inconvenience since they have to go back to Fuji. I actually should have returned the camera for a new one while in the return period, who knows what I was thinking ..

Anyway, I like Fuji as a whole they are easy to use, access to the exposure triangle is right in front of you with no real need to menu dive or remember custom functions. Fuji gets that win even over Nikon with some bodies there.

*The answer is this, you need to just use the cameras in real life and at a point there are only so many reviews and opinions you can get. rent the camera, buy both and return something, go in person to your camera store, I know locally on occasion the camera store with the manufacture have demo days in store.

I purchased two H1's instead of the Sony. I like the functionality and build quality of Fuji. I do not like the larger, more expensive, plastic lenses of Sony.

nope

Gavin Stapleton said:

Buttons252 said:

I am a huge fuji fan, but this choice would be simple. Id go with the A7iii. The X-h1 doesnt offer anything over the X-T20 that appeals to me. The A7 full frame sensor is a big deal though.

Ergonomics, menus, lenses, build quality i give it to fuji -- but i believe there is no replacement for displacement. Bigger sensors on average give better image quality to my eyes. Having shot with a Fuji X-e1, X-e2, X-t1, S5 pro, A99, D600, D750 the full frame images always impressed me more

Click to expand...

But what are the 4 must have lenses in the Sony FF world? How much and how big?

I only ask because it's easy to find 4 Fujinon/Samyang lenses, but hard to stop at just 4...

Click to expand...

Probably the Sony 28mm/2 (with the ultrawide adapter), the Samyang 35mm/2.8, the Zeiss 55mm/1.8, and then the Sony 85mm/1.8.

From all accounts good/great quality lenses, equal to or better than the ones from Fuji, similar prices too (or cheaper for a couple of them) and similar weights (or lighter, depending on which Fuji lenses you choose). The whole "Sony is always more expensive and heavier" thing is only partly true - if you choose telephotos or long zooms, the Fuji will be lighter and smaller. Standard primes, they're basically the same.

I'm actually surprised by the guy who said he had 12 Fuji lenses... I'm not sure I could even name that many, and 6 of the ones I *can* name are duplicates of each other so it's really only worth owning 3 of those 6.

Your lack of knowledge of the extent of the Fuji lenses is very telling. It shows that your opinions are not worth very much. I purchased my 14th fuji lens today to go along with my 7 current generation Fuji camera bodies.

Nirurin said:

Gavin Stapleton said:

Buttons252 said:

I am a huge fuji fan, but this choice would be simple. Id go with the A7iii. The X-h1 doesnt offer anything over the X-T20 that appeals to me. The A7 full frame sensor is a big deal though.

Ergonomics, menus, lenses, build quality i give it to fuji -- but i believe there is no replacement for displacement. Bigger sensors on average give better image quality to my eyes. Having shot with a Fuji X-e1, X-e2, X-t1, S5 pro, A99, D600, D750 the full frame images always impressed me more

Click to expand...

But what are the 4 must have lenses in the Sony FF world? How much and how big?

I only ask because it's easy to find 4 Fujinon/Samyang lenses, but hard to stop at just 4...

Click to expand...

Probably the Sony 28mm/2 (with the ultrawide adapter), the Samyang 35mm/2.8, the Zeiss 55mm/1.8, and then the Sony 85mm/1.8.

From all accounts good/great quality lenses, equal to or better than the ones from Fuji, similar prices too (or cheaper for a couple of them) and similar weights (or lighter, depending on which Fuji lenses you choose). The whole "Sony is always more expensive and heavier" thing is only partly true - if you choose telephotos or long zooms, the Fuji will be lighter and smaller. Standard primes, they're basically the same.

I'm actually surprised by the guy who said he had 12 Fuji lenses... I'm not sure I could even name that many, and 6 of the ones I *can* name are duplicates of each other so it's really only worth owning 3 of those 6.

Click to expand...

But I like to have a wide zoom (16-50/18-55) and tele zoom (50-230/55-200) for convenience. Then a fast ultrawide (12mm) and moderate prime (23mm) to round out a basic kit of lenses. I guess the kit lens with the A7iii is fine, and the primes aren't too big or necessarily pricey (but options are more limited), but what about the tele zoom in Sony? Isn't that a crippling price tag? Is there an affordable option that isn't as big as my forearm?

TEAS said:

Your lack of knowledge of the extent of the Fuji lenses is very telling. It shows that your opinions are not worth very much. I purchased my 14th fuji lens today to go along with my 7 current generation Fuji camera bodies.

Click to expand...

Completely agree.

TEAS said:

Your lack of knowledge of the extent of the Fuji lenses is very telling. It shows that your opinions are not worth very much. I purchased my 14th fuji lens today to go along with my 7 current generation Fuji camera bodies.

Click to expand...

I started writing a response, but decided that instead I'm just going to report your attitude to the mods. Frankly, people like you are what makes this forum a toxic place to be sometimes.

Gavin Stapleton said:

Nirurin said:

Gavin Stapleton said:

Buttons252 said:

I am a huge fuji fan, but this choice would be simple. Id go with the A7iii. The X-h1 doesnt offer anything over the X-T20 that appeals to me. The A7 full frame sensor is a big deal though.

Ergonomics, menus, lenses, build quality i give it to fuji -- but i believe there is no replacement for displacement. Bigger sensors on average give better image quality to my eyes. Having shot with a Fuji X-e1, X-e2, X-t1, S5 pro, A99, D600, D750 the full frame images always impressed me more

Click to expand...

But what are the 4 must have lenses in the Sony FF world? How much and how big?

I only ask because it's easy to find 4 Fujinon/Samyang lenses, but hard to stop at just 4...

Click to expand...

Probably the Sony 28mm/2 (with the ultrawide adapter), the Samyang 35mm/2.8, the Zeiss 55mm/1.8, and then the Sony 85mm/1.8.

From all accounts good/great quality lenses, equal to or better than the ones from Fuji, similar prices too (or cheaper for a couple of them) and similar weights (or lighter, depending on which Fuji lenses you choose). The whole "Sony is always more expensive and heavier" thing is only partly true - if you choose telephotos or long zooms, the Fuji will be lighter and smaller. Standard primes, they're basically the same.

I'm actually surprised by the guy who said he had 12 Fuji lenses... I'm not sure I could even name that many, and 6 of the ones I *can* name are duplicates of each other so it's really only worth owning 3 of those 6.

Click to expand...

But I like to have a wide zoom (16-50/18-55) and tele zoom (50-230/55-200) for convenience. Then a fast ultrawide (12mm) and moderate prime (23mm) to round out a basic kit of lenses. I guess the kit lens with the A7iii is fine, and the primes aren't too big or necessarily pricey (but options are more limited), but what about the tele zoom in Sony? Isn't that a crippling price tag? Is there an affordable option that isn't as big as my forearm?

Click to expand...

Tele-Zoom is where the full frame format really requires a large and heavy lens, there's no way around it.

It's much the same difference for APSC and M43 though. You can get a 600mm equivalent M43 lens, that's the same size as the 55-200 on APSC. So if you want big long telephotos, you're better off in the M43 lineup.

Also, Sony actually has more lens options than Fuji, because you can use Canon and Nikon lenses with full AF support. Fuji has that starting to happen, but only with expensive and limited-release smart adapters that are currently china-only imports.

Besides, you don't need 100 lens options, if all the ones you want are available.

If what you want is a good standard zoom, and a good medium telephoto zoom, in a lightweight package, then Fuji has what you want in the 18-55 and the 55-200. The 50-230 is actually a very sharp lens too, considering how cheap and light it is.

If you're primarily a prime shooter though, then there is very little difference between the Fuji and Sony prime options, and Sony actually has some very good choices that Fuji can't currently match. And vice versa of course, but the lenses Sony don't have natively you can get from Canon or Nikon instead.

So really, Sony gives you a lot more options, but Fuji is Fuji.

I really want the X-H1, but I can't justify the cost when comparing it to my already very good X-T2. The A7iii is even more expensive, but you also get some of the best image quality from a full frame sensor currently available, and top-notch autofocus (when it works). You get a lot more for your money... but it's a Sony, and so it lacks that certain magical sexiness that Fuji cameras manage to exude.

It's a head or heart situation. Head is going to be Sony, and Fuji will need to release something very spectacular in the X-T3 to compete with it (and without IBIS, that's a tall order). Heart is Fuji though, and tbh it's the X-T2 and not the X-H1.

Nirurin said:

TEAS said:

Your lack of knowledge of the extent of the Fuji lenses is very telling. It shows that your opinions are not worth very much. I purchased my 14th fuji lens today to go along with my 7 current generation Fuji camera bodies.

Click to expand...

I started writing a response, but decided that instead I'm just going to report your attitude to the mods. Frankly, people like you are what makes this forum a toxic place to be sometimes.

Click to expand...

If you think this is toxic all I can say is you've obviously never spent time on the Canon xxD forum. The several A7M3 threads started on this forum of late would've been locked within the first 25 posts on the Canon forum. The identity of people here (with maybe a few exceptions) is not tied up with the equipment they shoot. Fuji X is a relative newcomer and many of the people here have abandoned Canon and Nikon and adopted Fuji for their own personal reasons as have I.

I'll be surprised if you get any response from the mods frankly. TEAS is simply stating his opinion based on what he's read in the forum.

Bob

I have all the Fuji glass. I love the system and the user experience . No interest in switching.

Nirurin said:

Gavin Stapleton said:

Nirurin said:

Gavin Stapleton said:

Buttons252 said:

I am a huge fuji fan, but this choice would be simple. Id go with the A7iii. The X-h1 doesnt offer anything over the X-T20 that appeals to me. The A7 full frame sensor is a big deal though.

Ergonomics, menus, lenses, build quality i give it to fuji -- but i believe there is no replacement for displacement. Bigger sensors on average give better image quality to my eyes. Having shot with a Fuji X-e1, X-e2, X-t1, S5 pro, A99, D600, D750 the full frame images always impressed me more

Click to expand...

But what are the 4 must have lenses in the Sony FF world? How much and how big?

I only ask because it's easy to find 4 Fujinon/Samyang lenses, but hard to stop at just 4...

Click to expand...

Probably the Sony 28mm/2 (with the ultrawide adapter), the Samyang 35mm/2.8, the Zeiss 55mm/1.8, and then the Sony 85mm/1.8.

From all accounts good/great quality lenses, equal to or better than the ones from Fuji, similar prices too (or cheaper for a couple of them) and similar weights (or lighter, depending on which Fuji lenses you choose). The whole "Sony is always more expensive and heavier" thing is only partly true - if you choose telephotos or long zooms, the Fuji will be lighter and smaller. Standard primes, they're basically the same.

I'm actually surprised by the guy who said he had 12 Fuji lenses... I'm not sure I could even name that many, and 6 of the ones I *can* name are duplicates of each other so it's really only worth owning 3 of those 6.

Click to expand...

But I like to have a wide zoom (16-50/18-55) and tele zoom (50-230/55-200) for convenience. Then a fast ultrawide (12mm) and moderate prime (23mm) to round out a basic kit of lenses. I guess the kit lens with the A7iii is fine, and the primes aren't too big or necessarily pricey (but options are more limited), but what about the tele zoom in Sony? Isn't that a crippling price tag? Is there an affordable option that isn't as big as my forearm?

Click to expand...

Tele-Zoom is where the full frame format really requires a large and heavy lens, there's no way around it.

It's much the same difference for APSC and M43 though. You can get a 600mm equivalent M43 lens, that's the same size as the 55-200 on APSC. So if you want big long telephotos, you're better off in the M43 lineup.

Click to expand...

I appreciate that, but I feel even the tele zoom options on Fuji (or APS-C in general) are quite manageable, even compared to m43. I have the 50-230ii for my X-A1, and it's not dreadful in any way (yeah, aperture is limited...). But the 70-200 in 2.8 or 4.0 or longer on any FF platform is huge and limited in focal length by comparison.

Nirurin said:

Also, Sony actually has more lens options than Fuji, because you can use Canon and Nikon lenses with full AF support. Fuji has that starting to happen, but only with expensive and limited-release smart adapters that are currently china-only imports.

Besides, you don't need 100 lens options, if all the ones you want are available.

Click to expand...

I agree with you, and I've never fallen for the 200 vs 20 native lenses available debate. But it is nice being able to choose from Fujinon, Samyang/Rokinon, Meike/Neewer/Kaxinda, Sainan/Kamlan, etc depending on your artistic expression or budget.

Nirurin said:

If what you want is a good standard zoom, and a good medium telephoto zoom, in a lightweight package, then Fuji has what you want in the 18-55 and the 55-200. The 50-230 is actually a very sharp lens too, considering how cheap and light it is.

If you're primarily a prime shooter though, then there is very little difference between the Fuji and Sony prime options, and Sony actually has some very good choices that Fuji can't currently match. And vice versa of course, but the lenses Sony don't have natively you can get from Canon or Nikon instead.

Click to expand...

I've noticed that Sigma and Samyang are starting to develop native AF lenses for Sony, so their pool of lens options should only get better with time. I would dearly like for aftermarket native AF lenses to become available to Fuji, but this seems unlikely.

Nirurin said:

So really, Sony gives you a lot more options, but Fuji is Fuji.

I really want the X-H1, but I can't justify the cost when comparing it to my already very good X-T2. The A7iii is even more expensive, but you also get some of the best image quality from a full frame sensor currently available, and top-notch autofocus (when it works). You get a lot more for your money... but it's a Sony, and so it lacks that certain magical sexiness that Fuji cameras manage to exude.

It's a head or heart situation. Head is going to be Sony, and Fuji will need to release something very spectacular in the X-T3 to compete with it (and without IBIS, that's a tall order). Heart is Fuji though, and tbh it's the X-T2 and not the X-H1.

Click to expand...

I'm happy to make do with the soon to be released X-T100 and maybe the X-T3 if I feel it's use would justify the dollars for what I do as an hobbyist. For now it's just the X-A1 while I work out my upgrade path. But it's not likely I would ever spend $3k+ AUD body only in any brand.

I have no problem with civil discourse and discussion around the benefits of Fuji vs. other brands such as Sony. That sort of dialog is helpful and can influence people who are in the process of trying to decide which direction to go.

That said, some of the dialog this thread is heading in the direction of trolling. Best to remind everyone that this is a Fuji forum and the majority of the discussion here should be centering around those products.

I will lock this thread and consider individual actions if this continues. Please take note.

Nirurin said:

Gavin Stapleton said:

Nirurin said:

Gavin Stapleton said:

Buttons252 said:

I am a huge fuji fan, but this choice would be simple. Id go with the A7iii. The X-h1 doesnt offer anything over the X-T20 that appeals to me. The A7 full frame sensor is a big deal though.

Ergonomics, menus, lenses, build quality i give it to fuji -- but i believe there is no replacement for displacement. Bigger sensors on average give better image quality to my eyes. Having shot with a Fuji X-e1, X-e2, X-t1, S5 pro, A99, D600, D750 the full frame images always impressed me more

Click to expand...

But what are the 4 must have lenses in the Sony FF world? How much and how big?

I only ask because it's easy to find 4 Fujinon/Samyang lenses, but hard to stop at just 4...

Click to expand...

Probably the Sony 28mm/2 (with the ultrawide adapter), the Samyang 35mm/2.8, the Zeiss 55mm/1.8, and then the Sony 85mm/1.8.

From all accounts good/great quality lenses, equal to or better than the ones from Fuji, similar prices too (or cheaper for a couple of them) and similar weights (or lighter, depending on which Fuji lenses you choose). The whole "Sony is always more expensive and heavier" thing is only partly true - if you choose telephotos or long zooms, the Fuji will be lighter and smaller. Standard primes, they're basically the same.

I'm actually surprised by the guy who said he had 12 Fuji lenses... I'm not sure I could even name that many, and 6 of the ones I *can* name are duplicates of each other so it's really only worth owning 3 of those 6.

Click to expand...

But I like to have a wide zoom (16-50/18-55) and tele zoom (50-230/55-200) for convenience. Then a fast ultrawide (12mm) and moderate prime (23mm) to round out a basic kit of lenses. I guess the kit lens with the A7iii is fine, and the primes aren't too big or necessarily pricey (but options are more limited), but what about the tele zoom in Sony? Isn't that a crippling price tag? Is there an affordable option that isn't as big as my forearm?

Click to expand...

Tele-Zoom is where the full frame format really requires a large and heavy lens, there's no way around it.

It's much the same difference for APSC and M43 though. You can get a 600mm equivalent M43 lens, that's the same size as the 55-200 on APSC. So if you want big long telephotos, you're better off in the M43 lineup.

Also, Sony actually has more lens options than Fuji, because you can use Canon and Nikon lenses with full AF support. Fuji has that starting to happen, but only with expensive and limited-release smart adapters that are currently china-only imports.

Besides, you don't need 100 lens options, if all the ones you want are available.

If what you want is a good standard zoom, and a good medium telephoto zoom, in a lightweight package, then Fuji has what you want in the 18-55 and the 55-200. The 50-230 is actually a very sharp lens too, considering how cheap and light it is.

If you're primarily a prime shooter though, then there is very little difference between the Fuji and Sony prime options, and Sony actually has some very good choices that Fuji can't currently match. And vice versa of course, but the lenses Sony don't have natively you can get from Canon or Nikon instead.

So really, Sony gives you a lot more options, but Fuji is Fuji.

I really want the X-H1, but I can't justify the cost when comparing it to my already very good X-T2. The A7iii is even more expensive, but you also get some of the best image quality from a full frame sensor currently available,

Click to expand...

Well now, that's not really true, is it? The A7iii is pretty average when compared to the A7R, A7S, D850, etc. The truth is with an A7iii you are getting the "value" model. Yes, it's an incredible package and a significant product in terms of bringing FF to the masses, but that's what it does - bring FF to the masses. And yes it has incrementally better IQ than the current Fuji bodies, but only by a small margin. Most images will look largely the same - except for the colors, of course.

Personally, if I went Sony and had $2k to spend on the body I'd get the A7Rii. But then I shoot landscape and the added resolution might actually be helpful for large prints. The A7iii does not hold that much allure to me. I'd rather have the X-H1 body & Fuji colors.

Nirurin said:

and top-notch autofocus (when it works). You get a lot more for your money... but it's a Sony, and so it lacks that certain magical sexiness that Fuji cameras manage to exude.

It's a head or heart situation. Head is going to be Sony, and Fuji will need to release something very spectacular in the X-T3 to compete with it (and without IBIS, that's a tall order). Heart is Fuji though, and tbh it's the X-T2 and not the X-H1.

Click to expand...