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Landscape: X-T2 vs X-T5?

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Jeff Biscuits

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This is basically the question: assuming a starting point of the X-T2 and (a seemingly good copy of) the XF 10-24 mk2, how compelling is the X-T5 as an upgrade, primarily for use with that same lens?

For context:

I also have a GFX 50R, but when it comes to hiking it has challenges: it’s big and heavy. Going properly wide angle means the GF 23, which makes it too big to fit into any hiking kit I own and too big for a Capture Clip. Also, the big sensor and lack of stabilisation make handholding challenging in lots of situations. I use it almost exclusively with adapted 35mm lenses, and actually I love the results, but sometimes I want a clean image across the frame.

And what’s wrong with the X-T2? Only two things, really: firstly the image quality is well short of the GFX, and secondly the X-Trans III sensor can suffer from hot pixel noise in long exposures. I expect the X-T5 to solve the long exposure issue, but how much it brings in terms of an overall image quality upgrade is less certain.

I’m an amateur, so the sensible choice is to sell the GF 23 that I rarely use, and stick with the X-T2 because it’s pretty much good enough. But if I sell the GF 23 then selling the X-T2 as well would pay for a used X-T5. And besides, since when was any gear decision really rational anyway? 😉
 
Jeff Biscuits said:
This is basically the question: assuming a starting point of the X-T2 and (a seemingly good copy of) the XF 10-24 mk2, how compelling is the X-T5 as an upgrade, primarily for use with that same lens?

For context:

I also have a GFX 50R, but when it comes to hiking it has challenges: it’s big and heavy. Going properly wide angle means the GF 23, which makes it too big to fit into any hiking kit I own and too big for a Capture Clip. Also, the big sensor and lack of stabilisation make handholding challenging in lots of situations. I use it almost exclusively with adapted 35mm lenses, and actually I love the results, but sometimes I want a clean image across the frame.

And what’s wrong with the X-T2? Only two things, really: firstly the image quality is well short of the GFX, and secondly the X-Trans III sensor can suffer from hot pixel noise in long exposures. I expect the X-T5 to solve the long exposure issue, but how much it brings in terms of an overall image quality upgrade is less certain.

I’m an amateur, so the sensible choice is to sell the GF 23 that I rarely use, and stick with the X-T2 because it’s pretty much good enough. But if I sell the GF 23 then selling the X-T2 as well would pay for a used X-T5. And besides, since when was any gear decision really rational anyway? 😉
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You could add the X-T50 to the mix, unless you really need/want WR.

It has the same sensor which brings improvements like lower base ISO, higher DR, more resolution (obviously) and IBIS for when you want to drag your shutter but not set up a tripod. It uses the same batteries as in your X-T2 but lacks the dual-tilting screen for vertical shooting which could be problematic when shooting from low angles.
 
io_bg said:
You could add the X-T50 to the mix, unless you really need/want WR.

It has the same sensor which brings improvements like lower base ISO, higher DR, more resolution (obviously) and IBIS for when you want to drag your shutter but not set up a tripod. It uses the same batteries as in your X-T2 but lacks the dual-tilting screen for vertical shooting which could be problematic when shooting from low angles.
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Yeah, the battery is the only benefit really 🙂

The T5 has a much better viewfinder, the dual tilt screen, WR is important for carrying on a Capture Clip, the ergonomics are better especially with gloves, there’s a dedicated ISO control, and to cap it all off a mint used one is cheaper than an X-T50 (haven’t seen any used T50s yet, and I dislike the viewfinder anyway).

The T5 is the only option I’m considering*.

One thing I forgot to add in the original post: hiking and landscapes would be its only job. I have other bodies for everything else.

* although an outside option could be to merge the X-T2 and X-Pro2 into an X-Pro3 and simply have fewer cameras
 
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Jeff Biscuits said:
...would pay for a used X-T5. And besides, since when was any gear decision really rational anyway? 😉
Click to expand...
None of my decisions for photo kit have been rational! Go with your gut instinct.

I would add that for hiking, where I want WR, good IQ, the safety of a second SD card, a reasonable VF and reasonable lightness/bulk, the XT5 is a compelling camera. Of course, it depends on the lens. For the last 5 years, I have used a 16-55/f2.8. In addition to that lens, I have just bought a 16-50/f4.8 and it is pretty compelling for hiking too.
 
jhorse said:
None of my decisions for photo kit have been rational! Go with your gut instinct.
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I usually do, but the gut’s not offering much of a steer this time 🙂
jhorse said:
I would add that for hiking, where I want WR, good IQ, the safety of a second SD card, a reasonable VF and reasonable lightness/bulk, the XT5 is a compelling camera.
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Indeed—although the same can be said of any X-Tx body I guess.

The 10-24 gives a really useful range which even the GF 20-35 can’t match. I can carry the 50-230 with it easily, too.

I think I’m talking myself into selling the GF 23. I have the 35-70 which, while not much fun to use, is a useful range for coastal landscapes. Not wide enough for the mountains, but on that sort of hikes the size of GFX becomes a real problem anyway.
 
What is your end use case? Instagram? Sharing photos online? Printing - What size?
 
neverendinglight said:
What is your end use case? Instagram? Sharing photos online? Printing - What size?
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All of the above. Unsurprisingly that list goes in descending order of frequency. Printing potentially up to about a metre wide, but that’s rare because I only have so many walls.

That’s veering dangerously into rationally pragmatic territory, though 😉 There is still a certain, albeit ultimately pointless, pleasure in seeing the details while editing images.
 
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I found the X-T2 more than adequate for landscape photography. In my opinion the 40MP sensor has no real world advantage for landscape photography unless you make large prints. I really don't need more detail than this.



X-T2
X-T2










--
~ J
 
jonikon said:
I found the X-T2 more than adequate for landscape photography. I really don't need more detail than this.
Click to expand...
I hear you.

I thought the same.

Then I bought a GFX.
 
jhorse said:
Jeff Biscuits said:
jonikon said:
I found the X-T2 more than adequate for landscape photography. I really don't need more detail than this.
Click to expand...
I hear you.

I thought the same.
Click to expand...
Head...
jhorse said:
Then I bought a GFX.
Click to expand...
Heart!
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Oh, it’s more than that. Even with the 50MP sensor the raw files are ridiculously malleable. You can crop them like mad, push the shadows, ramp up whatever sliders you like, they just hold up to everything and keep pumping out detail. Then you look at an X-T2 file and think you’ve accidentally clicked on an image from a Canon Powershot from 2002.

I think the only possible conclusion may be to buy a 100S and the 20-35 and employ a sherpa to carry it for me.
 
I went from T2 to H2. The sensor is better. Blue skies are better. The IBIS is worth it too.
 
Short answer, XT5 especially if you print. That said I have some large prints on my wall from my xe1 that are fine. Some of my favorites to be honest. However I have a large metal print taken in Sun Valley with my XT5 that is fantastic. The XT5 is my favorite Fuji camera to date which I have owned.

I have actually been on the fence as whether to upgrade to a FF or GFX 100. There is a thread in the forum where someone did a nice comparison between the XT5, the GFX 100s and a Nikon Z. Even with pixel peeping there really wasn’t enough of a difference to convince me to upgrade. I mean for sure the 100s has better HDR and ability to recover shadows and crop to no end. That combined with the size I am having a hard time to justify a GFX 100. I’m afraid it would sit at home too much. I’m actually thinking of selling my XT4, XT30 and some lenses to fund another XT5.

If your copy of the 10-24 is good it will do just fine with the XT5.

Edit: Found the thread that has the comparison, thought it might be helpful

 
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I don't think you'll capture much more resolution with the 10-24 on the X-T5, but what detail you get will likely look a bit better. The X-T5 is better, but I can't say I'm really unhappy with the amount of resolution I'm getting out of my ageing X-T2, I will absolutely get an X-T5 (or 6) eventually, but the X-T2 is still a great camera for most purposes and I can't bring myself to retire it yet. Ultimately, a lens upgrade might serve your landscape goals better if crisp corner detail is a primary goal (unless you have one of the rare 10-24s with great corners). If you occasionally need more resolution, you can always stitch a few X-T2 shots together...



View attachment 917223b450a14d60af6b06c498a8b2dc.jpg
85 Megapixels from an X-T2
 
It depends on how large you want to print. The 10-24 mk2 has OIS, so that factor is not decisive between XT2 and XT5. In 2018 I was using the XT2 and produced prints for an exhibit, so it is a nice camera.
 
Owner of Fuji XT-2 and Fuji XT-3 not inclined to swop with Fuji X-T5 as 40mp sensor only makes a whisker of a difference; also overloading SD? Fuji XH-2S manages with 26mp sensor proving the point. Same results from XT-2 and XT-3. Favour Fuji XT-2 in terms of build quality; not so sure about XT-5 with reports of viewfinder filter peeling over time.
 
There is another way, you could stitch for more data. A serious suggestion.
 
The advantage of the 40 megapixel sensor would be more detail and the ability to crop. On the other hand, there would be more noise at ISOs above 1600. Why not consider the XS20 (which has an excellent sensor) or even a used XT4? (The same xs20 sensor)
 
Have you downloaded dpreviews RAW test image files for T2 & T5 to compare qualities during post processing?
IMO new40mp sensor is very pleasing to use, so if you can afford it then why not. X-T6 is a fair way off - my guess late 2026 or later.
New battery, as used by T5 means I don't worry about carrying a spare battery for a days hiking.
justin_time
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justin_time said:
Have you downloaded dpreviews RAW test image files for T2 & T5 to compare qualities during post processing?
Click to expand...
No, but to be honest I don’t find them useful really—certainly not in terms of describing how they perform shooting in changeable outdoor environments with an UWA lens.

I think I’ve concluded that an X-T5 probably isn’t worth it. For now I’ll accept either the reduced field of view of the GF 35-70, or when I can’t easily carry that, the 24MP of the X-T2.

There are two rumoured cameras which interest me: the X-Pro4 and the fixed lens GFX. I’ll probably hang on until one or other of those appears. The thing that might tempt me in the meantime is a GFX 50S II, for its IBIS (which is something I want far more on the big sensor than on APS-C) and multi-tilting screen. But I think the X-T5 doesn’t seem a worthwhile upgrade for just this one use case.
 
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