X-E4 + 27 2.8 as GM5 20 1.7 replacement?

christ0f wrote:

unhappymeal wrote:

christ0f wrote:

Hi!

I have been using the GM5 with 20 1.7 for years and was quite happy with results of rendered image, that prime has a nice contrast, field of view. The AF didn't bothered me for my type of photography.

Will the X-E4 with the new 27 2.8 WR be at least that good or even better? Do you have any experiences with that equipment? I often shoot the 20 1.7 @ 1.7 or 2, there was a nice shallow depth of field, making some equations to relate to FF, meaning 1.7 x 2 = 3.4 vs 2.8 x 1.5 = 4.2 gives an edge to the u43 lens.

Some real world samples appreciated

Thanks!

The DoF difference f/3.4 and 4.2 is going to be negligible (~1/3 of a stop). The real difference will be physical size. The Fuji is a full 3 cm wider, 1.2 cm taller and weighs 150g more. Also, while the measured depth is the same, it's misleading because the GM5 is measured from lens mount to eye relief point. The Fuji will be noticeably thicker in-hand. That of course can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your personal preferences.

As for output, the Fuji will be better and give you more latitude for cropping. It will also have substantially better continuous autofocus.

Yes, what I hoped to get from X-E4 comparing to GM5 is:

• Better image quality (obvious)
• Better viewfinder - I know the one on X-E4 is not good, but the one on GM5 is terrible
• Companion of simillar small lenses like 27 2.8 and 14 2.8

My concerns:

• Battery life
• Capture clip mount on my backpack strap - the tripod mount is not central and blocking the battery compartment - that's a shame!
• Limited controls - but having the lenses with aperture ring I guess that's still ok

I don't own the X-E4, but I had an X-T30, which is mechanically very similar:

• There's no way around the fact that the GM5 is using an older and lower resolution sensor than the X-E4. The X-E4 is going to have less noise and dynamic range, especially as the ISO climbs.
• At 0.46x magnification the GM5 viewfinder is useful for composition, but you will not be able to judge critical focus with it unless you magnify your image. The X-E4's viewfinder has close to 50% the magnification, twice the resolution and is physically larger. There's no denying that the viewfinder experience will be noticeably better on the X-E4.
• I cannot comment on the XF 27 f/2.8, but I really like the XF 14 f/2.8.

As for your concerns, I cannot comment on the tripod mount, but battery life is standard mirrorless fare. You really don't get longer battery life until you step up to flagship models. I suggest carrying an extra battery or two or a USB power bank. Controls will be a personal thing, but you do still have the touchscreen gestures available to you on the X-E4.

If Fuji played nice with DxO, I would probably have an X-S10 or X-T4 and X-E4 today.