XT30 vs A6000

Hi, looking for some experience and wisdom to help me in making my first proper camera choice. I think I have boiled it down to Fujifilm XT30 or Sony A6000. I have read a gazillion review comparisons on these models, but personal experience is better than spec algorithms.

Some advice, given my needs below, would be really appreciated.

I currently have a Panasonic Lumix TZ100. I want something that is still fairly light for travel, but higher quality with options for more involved / technical photography as I get into it. I do mostly everyday people / street / demonstrations / landscapes on walks. I also take a lot of video, but more for personal family posterity stuff than quality video needs.

I like the idea of manual control on the XT30 - I'm quite averse to screen fiddling. Would prefer dials if it's an option.

My concern is the ergonomics, as I have fairly big (although slender) hands. I understand the Sony is superior in this regard. However, if I buy the additional hand grip, then the XT30 is equal to it, right?

Second, price. I have the money to pay the extra for the XT30, but the Sony seems a crazy bargain at £415. However, I've not yet looked into lens kit bundles. Perhaps someone out there knows whether buying camera + lens is actually better value for the Fujifilm?

I'm never going to go pro, just edge towards enthusiast. Does the range of lenses in each model matter, therefore? And which starter lens should I get anyway?

Thanks in advance

skrimfish said:

Hi, looking for some experience and wisdom

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First bit of wisdom: don't post essentially the same question twice. ;-)

skrimfish said:

to help me in making my first proper camera choice. I think I have boiled it down to Fujifilm XT30 or Sony A6000. I have read a gazillion review comparisons on these models, but personal experience is better than spec algorithms.

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Why this particular pair? The A6000 is quite an old model, which is why it is so cheap, whereas the X-T30 is the latest incarnation of the X-Txx series. Have you seriously considered the A6400 or A6500?

skrimfish said:

Some advice, given my needs below, would be really appreciated.

I currently have a Panasonic Lumix TZ100. I want something that is still fairly light for travel, but higher quality with options for more involved / technical photography as I get into it. I do mostly everyday people / street / demonstrations / landscapes on walks. I also take a lot of video, but more for personal family posterity stuff than quality video needs.

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Either camera will do what you want. Sony v Fuji is more about handling. However, the latest Sony APS-C camera is generally credited with having exceptionally good autofocus.

skrimfish said:

I like the idea of manual control on the XT30 - I'm quite averse to screen fiddling. Would prefer dials if it's an option.

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Me too. That's why I chose the cameras I own.

skrimfish said:

My concern is the ergonomics, as I have fairly big (although slender) hands. I understand the Sony is superior in this regard. However, if I buy the additional hand grip, then the XT30 is equal to it, right?

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The only way to answer that is to actually handle them. If you do go the Fuji route then don't buy a grip until you have tried the camera without, unless it comes as part of a package deal.

skrimfish said:

Second, price. I have the money to pay the extra for the XT30, but the Sony seems a crazy bargain at £415. However, I've not yet looked into lens kit bundles. Perhaps someone out there knows whether buying camera + lens is actually better value for the Fujifilm?

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Decide what outfit you expect to end up with in a year or two and then look up the prices on Amazon. By the way, Fuji has quite good discount sales once or twice a year. I don't know about Sony.

skrimfish said:

I'm never going to go pro, just edge towards enthusiast. Does the range of lenses in each model matter, therefore? And which starter lens should I get anyway?

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If they have the lenses you want then don't worry about the whole range. For example I doubt if I will ever buy a lens wider than 18mm, so the excellent choice of Fuji wide angles means nothing to me. Other people hardly ever use anything longer than 18mm!

For native lenses Fuji probably has the edge, but there are more third party lenses available for Sony, including some usable adapters for Canon lenses.

For a start just get the kit zoom. With Fuji, if you have a choice the 18-55mm f:2.8 - f:4 is generally seen as the best option for a beginner. I don't know about Sony but something similar would make sense.

Have fun.

Many thanks, that is very helpful. Apologies for double post - thought the previous one had been deleted.