I'll get a used fuji as a beginner

ek11

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Hey everyone!

I'm looking for recommendations for a new camera. I'll primarily be using it for travel, street, and car photography and recording occasionally. Portability and ease of use are also important to me, as I’ll be carrying it around quite a bit.

I'll be upgrading from a canon Powershot from 2010s, so I honestly can't decide and I've been looking at used cameras for a week now and I can't make sense out of these prices coupled with the cameras and lenses.

(I've set my mind on an X-S10 at first, but other listings boggled my mind)

It would be great to get some guidance, here is the listings I've found:

-Everything is in USD, prices are before bargaining

X-T3 + xf18-55 $704 10.000 Shutters

X-T3 + 18-55 $793

X-T3 + 18-55 + 4 batteries + xt3 cage $812

X-T3 Body with 1000 Shutters $574

X-H1 + XF 18-55 f2.8-4r + 2 batteries + bag $674

X-H1 + 35mm f2 +carrying bag + 6453 Shutters $612

X-S10 + XF16-80mm + 2 Batteries $857

X-S10 + XC35 f2 (new, final price) $735

X-S10 + XC15-45 + 3 Batteries + Charging station for batteries + 64GB SD Card $796 (under warranty until 9/2025) 3000 Shutters

X-T200 + XC15-45mm + 6 months warranty $582

X-T200 + XF16-80 + bag and 1500 Shutters $704

X-T200 + Viltrox 23mm 1.4 $638

X-T20 + 18-55mm + bag $634

X-T20 + 16-50mm+ Helios 44-M2 58 mm f2.0 + Boya mm1 shotgun mic + Deyatech WF3570 Pro Tripod + 2 camera straps $643

Thanks in advance!
 
I had an X-S10. Great camera. You'd be happy. My main gripe was the articulated screen - I much prefer the tilt. The controls are more SLR like vs the 'traditional' Fuji dials - but that didn't bother me. Great sensor and processor. Mainly got it for IBIS. Got a good offer so sold it.

I am keeping my X-T20 - which to me fully embodies the Fuji vibe.

If you want IBIS get the X-S10, if you want the Fuji 'thing' get X-T20.

Lastly the Fuji zooms are good - so are the Sigma - the Sigma 18-50/2.8 is an especially good, compact fit. Many of the (small!) Fuji primes are fantastic.

My 2¢. YMMV.

Good luck!

ps: If you haven't already, look at KEH and MPB for used stuff. Both very reputable.

--
Have a Good Time, All the Time!
Flickr
 
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The cameras you've listed are very different in size and control scheme. The X-H1 is very large, and the X-T200 is very small. The X-T200 is closest in size to your Powershot.

If you're serious about considering all of these options, either go to a camera story to see & hold some of them, or go on camerasize.com to compare.

The X-S10 was designed as a gateway drug to Fuji for ex-Canon/Nikon shooters, so if you learned to shoot using the PASM modes on your Powershot, that could be good for you.

The X-T20 is a great bang for buck and nicely compact, IMO, but none of those cameras is a bad choice.

The Fuji zooms and primes are all pretty good, even the 15-45 has its fans (and if you've had power zoom on your PowerShot then its main disadvantage won't be noticeable for you)

One of the lenses on that list (Helios M-44) is a manual focus Soviet-era copy of an old Zeiss lens. It's a funky lens and fun to shoot with, but a world away from a modern Fuji AF lens.

Shutter counts are way down the list of considerations, plenty of Fuji cams with high shutter counts continue to give great service.
 
If you feel up to carrying it and it's in any decent condition, I'd go for the X-H1/18-55 combo that's at a neat pricelevel here. You'd have most of what's good with Fuji cameras and be well set for the major adventure of them – including the stabilisation that you probably got used to with the Canon? This would be good help around the longer stretch of this zoom. And you get the evf/lcd screens and dials versatility and quality. For size and weight comparisons your most convenient online source is the camerasize.com site no doubt.
[+ on balance I'm finding the Eterna filmsim (that the X-H1 has) way better useable than the funky X-Trans IV ClassicNeg. sim that inspired so many Superia film recipes.]
 
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Will your budget likely permit you to upgrade in the near future, or do you need to buy something you can live with for a long time?

If the former, don’t agonize, just pick something that seems good and get started. If the latter, I’d buy the newest body and lens you can afford.

Pick a lens first, it matters more.

Does your Powershot zoom? Can you look through your existing photos to see what focal lengths you have preferred? For example, if you tend to shoot mostly with the same FoV as one of the primes, then get a prime, but if you shoot in brighter light with different FoV compositions, then get a zoom.

Some secondary considerations:

What kind of environments and subjects do you shoot?

If dusty or damp, prioritize weather-sealed bodies (X-T3, X-H1) and lenses (f2 primes, 16-80).

If still subjects in low light, prioritize IBIS (X-S*0, X-H1), and/or OIS (18-55, 16-80).

If faster subjects, prioritize wider aperture (f2)



Personally, I’d go with XF 16-80 f4 (WR, versatile) or XF 35mm f2 (WR, normal focal length) and either X-S10 (IBIS, PASM) or X-T3 (WR, dials), either of which have the X-Trans 4 sensor, newer than your other choices.

That said, any of this gear will be fine!
 
I'd get an X-H1 with the 16-80 if weight is less a consideration than WR and durability. If size and weight are somewhat a concern, then the H1 and 35mm f2 prime. The X-T200 is a better camera than it was really given credit for being, however the X-H1 or T3 would give more room to grow on. H1 has IBIS, the T3 newer sensor and better autofocus. If you like PASM controls and intend to shoot more video, then the X-S10 would likely be the best alternative here.

I'm an X-H1 nerd and really enjoy the X-Trans III generation sensor's rendering. It's even a smidge better in low light than the newer ones. That also includes the X-T2 and 20.

You'll have a great time in any event!
 
These questions often decline into answers to "what camera do you like?"

For what you say one of the X-S10 + zoom combinations, the 16-80 being the better choice:
  1. Zooms are really good for single camera for travel, for beginners and I suppose that is what you are used to
  2. It will let you get on without mucking around wondering if another lens will help or swapping lenses
  3. IBIS really, really helps
  4. It has the new sensor which is better for sky colour, solving the Fuji tendency to cyan skies
  5. It is a current camera, will likely be repairable for longest, some of the others are already on the Fuji no longer repairs list
  6. The controls will mirror what you are used to already
I am for the record not suggesting any items I own or have ever owned.

--
Andrew Skinner
 
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FYI, to help you make sense of Fuji's model names these cameras are from the same sensor, processor, and AF generations.

X-T2, X-H1, XT20

X-T3, X-T4, X-T30, X-S10

--
www.darngoodphotos.com
 
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well the S10- with that 16-80 gets you IBIS and on lens too, I just hate the articulating screen...am listing my S20 today on ebay. But if your into video (i am not) S10 is more hybred camera. I am moving to T5
 

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