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Thinking of moving from Sony a7iii to Fuji xpro3
- Thread starter Jeepin75
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enigmatico
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I find these types of questions so hard to answer because they are so personal and depend very much on which particular features of a camera system that you like, your own shooting style, colour output preferences, etc.
I run both the Fuji and Sony systems and I use them alongside each other. I shan't just list the spec differences as they are so well known and neither is better or worse; just different.
So I will just try to list my feelings about each system.
Fuji:
1/ If its raining (or might rain), I will take a Fuji WR camera. I have put my X-T2 + WR lens through tropical downpours without incident.
2/ I love the Fuji camera design ethic with main controls set to dials instead of menus. This gives a lot of user satisfaction. It feels like Fuji cameras are designed by photographers.
3/ The Fuji film simulations are a lot of fun to use. Even more so the ability to tweak them and/or use much publicised recipes to get the look you want.
4/ The Fuji range of lenses cater to almost everyone and are generally well made (especially the latest releases), relatively good value and many are designed for character over precision, which I like.
Sony:
1/ I have a nice collection of Voigtlander manual focus lenses and these fit well on the A73. Some Voigtlander lenses are even made with an E mount and electronic contacts. Those lenses matched with a FF sensor give heap loads of character.
2/ If I am lazy or want to shoot hyper-fast, I will use the Sony for its AF wizadry. I only own a couple of Sony lenses, but they are amazing at AF.
3/ So many people criticise Sony for complicated menus. I don't go there. I just use the cameras, learn the menus and get on with it. I borrowed a Nikon Z6II recently and the menu drove me nuts, but only because it was new to me. However I will say that its pretty obvious that Sony are an electronics company that produce cameras. Fuji is a camera/film/photography company.
4/ The battery in the A7m3 has never let me down. I can shoot all day (stills only) and still have plenty of power left.
5/ For night time work I will take the A7m3. It's simply better in low light, although Fuji is perfectly useable too.
In general I find the IQ of the Fuji files to be more organic. I dare not say film-like, because they are not. But they are closer to film-like than Sony files which feel more sterile and precise. However, using Photoshop can change everything and I am a RAW shooter.
To answer your question. I think Fuji cameras are a bit easier to fall in love with, because they seem to be designed by photographers rather than electronics engineers. If its important for you to "be in love" with your camera, then your heart may well beat faster with a Fuji in hand; its personal. But for spec fanatics a Sony may win their hearts instead. Both systems are superb for street and travel. You will get so many different replies to your question that is unlikely to help your decision. It may confuse you more. Its your choice in the end; a matter of taste. If you can afford it, I suggest keeping your Sony for a while until you've used the Fuji camera and can decide for yourself which one wins your heart.
first of all I'd say you are talking about going from FF to APS-C, so the first thing to consider is the loss of DOF control and the high ISO performance. I had a look at your profile and I have seen the Sony gear you are selling, so DOF control should not be an issue for you going APS-C, the only fast lens you have could easily be replaced by Fuji's 56mm (a magnificent lens, btw). In terms of high ISO performance I usually shoot in good light, a couple of weeks ago I have used for the first time my X-T3 at 12800 ISO and I am totally satisfied, if I compare the 12800 Fuji files with the ones I got years ago with a Canon 6D, it is undeniable that the 6D files are better out of the box, but after very little PP there is nodifference in the final output. In my experience, if you do not need 1.4 or wider DOF and ISO beyond 12800 APS-C is the best you can get.
As for the rest it is a matter of personal preference, every camera system out there these days performs well beyond the needs of an amateur/enthusiast, so it is a personal choice, you need a good feeling with the camera (ergonomics, menu system et cetera) and a range of available lenses covering what you need. You mention street and travel and the X-Pro3 is a camera born to do that (furthermore it is a thing of beauty) when I was choosing a second camera body I have been very tempted by the X-Pro3, if you do street its OVF - allowing to check what is going on around the frame - is a great feature, but will it work for you? rent it before buying it is the best advice I can give you.
a_c_skinner
Forum Pro
You've got a fantastic camera which is from one of the most popular MILC systems. What do you find wrong with it and why do you think spending money on new stuff will solve that?
I should add that the majority of replies will be yes, do it, because spending money on gear is seen as the solution to every problem by a lot of members.
I'm a Fuji user, like them a lot, but I do know I'd get on perfectly well with any of the modern systems.
I should add that the majority of replies will be yes, do it, because spending money on gear is seen as the solution to every problem by a lot of members.
I'm a Fuji user, like them a lot, but I do know I'd get on perfectly well with any of the modern systems.
if you look at my previous post you will see that I basically share your point of view, at the same time every system out there has its own peculiarity and and every one of us - as a photographer - has its own peculiarity too, sometimes there is no possible match between a certain system and a certain photographer, even going beyond the technical differences between FF/APS-C/M43 (not to mention MF which for price and specific features is in a class of its own and it is not comparable to the other 3, IMHO) ergonomics play a huge part in the way we handle a tool, and I say tool meaning whatever tool, not only a camera. Even agreeing that every system nowadays is a great tool there are good reasons to change when you are not comfortable using the one you have.
Example: I don't like lens adapters, they increase the size of the camera/lens combo and ruin its ergonomics, this is the main reason why seven months ago - when I bought my first camera - I discarded the R and Z systems, but I know people living happily with lens adapters, had I listened to those people I would have ended with a system which in my hands would have lasted three months maybe, luckily thanks to those same people I have had the chance to work with camera/adapter/lens combos, so when the time has come to buy my own gear I already knew that I wanted a system with a full range of native lenses. The list of examples of this kind is endless (talking Fuji to many people X-Trans is reason enough to stay far from Fuji).
Changing systems is the best way to find out which one is the right system for you. Living in a family environment full of photographers it has been easy for me to use a lot of gear before buying, but I realize that I am lucky, most of us do not live surrounded by ten people owning a camera system, that's why I suggest renting before buying.
a_c_skinner
Forum Pro
Apologies for missing the previous. But for any system it is just a matter of getting used to it at least from the purely functional point of view.
My fear is that people in this dilemma never really get from a gear change much more than they'd get from reconciling themselves to their current stuff at the cost of a deal of cash. You'll gather I don't obsess about gear.
You won't see a change in your images either way. Fuji is, BTW, excellent.
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Andrew Skinner
My fear is that people in this dilemma never really get from a gear change much more than they'd get from reconciling themselves to their current stuff at the cost of a deal of cash. You'll gather I don't obsess about gear.
You won't see a change in your images either way. Fuji is, BTW, excellent.
--
Andrew Skinner
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Joachim Gerstl
Veteran Member
Hi,
I used to shoot with practically everything. Nikon DSLRs, Canon DSLRs, Sony A7R but finally ended up shooting Fuji. Does this really help you? I doubt it.
Your post is not exactly detailed and we have no idea why you aren't in love with Sony. Both are excellent cameras but it depends on what you like and what you want. Here is a piece I wrote some time back regarding Fuji X-Pro camera bodies. Maybe you will find some answers there:
http://www.littlebigtravelingcamera.com/?p=11781
Have a good day!
I used to shoot with practically everything. Nikon DSLRs, Canon DSLRs, Sony A7R but finally ended up shooting Fuji. Does this really help you? I doubt it.
Your post is not exactly detailed and we have no idea why you aren't in love with Sony. Both are excellent cameras but it depends on what you like and what you want. Here is a piece I wrote some time back regarding Fuji X-Pro camera bodies. Maybe you will find some answers there:
http://www.littlebigtravelingcamera.com/?p=11781
Have a good day!
If you ask the same in the Sony forum you'll be told no way, in here you'll get a bunch of reasons why it's a great move .... tbh only YOU can decide for YOU
I moved from Nikon Fx to Fuji a few years back and never regretted it, the DOF and ISO differences that people harp on about are over rated - if you don't like Sony gear, and I'd understand that, then there's no harm trying something else.
If you shoot for yourself, I'd say go for it definitely. If it's for professional work, Fuji still works fine, but the AF will be (fractionally) slower than the Sony. Do you care about that? It depends on you.
I haven't used an a7iii, but I've used an a7r3 and an a6500. They have great IQ, some nice lenses, fast AF, but personally I don't find them enjoyable to use. Like someone else said, you can tell the Sony is made by an electronics company. Which is fine, but it changes the way you use the camera.
Fujis are fun to shoot with. That's a big part of the reason I own one. I shoot for fun, for me and dont do a lot of paid work. If you are looking for lenses with more character, they are there. If you want more clinical "Sony" looking images, you can get that too. Everyone is different and everyone has an opinion. But if you are obsessed with AF and sharpness, probably just stay with Sony.
yayatosorus
Senior Member
Hi,
Not sure what you mean by "positive change". Do you mean it in terms of performance or in terms of enjoyment you get from shooting?
Either way, if I were you, here's what I'd do:
- I'd make sure Fuji has the lenses I need.
- I'd rent the kit for a few weekends.
- Shoot it alongside the Sony and then decide.
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I mean enjoyment. I realize that the Sony's full frame sensor is more advanced but I guess I just don't get that enjoyment shooting it. But you're right, I should rent a Fuji to see if I like it.
My lens to start would probably be the 23 f2.
Pennyfan
Leading Member
Moved from A7RIII to X-T3 and X-Pro3 2 years ago, best decision ever.
Hi Pennyfan,
I've been a Fuji user since 2014 with the XT1. I now use an XT4 and have a (slightly excessive) collection of Fuji lenses. So I'm committed. and I still really like the Fuji system. In reality, it meets my needs, but temptation is always out there. I'm interested in your move from the A7R series to Fuji and finding it the 'best decision ever'.
My son has an A7III and I know it fairly well. I wouldn't buy into FF just to get a larger sensor at similar resolution or just to get shallower DOF - it's not my 'thing'. I'm interested in landscapes and I am occasionally tempted to buy one of the A7R series cameras specifically to get much higher resolution. The A7RIII is probably the good value one to buy at 42mpx. I don't know what your subject material is or was, but what made ditching the A7RIII camera the best decision ever?
Thanks, Rod
okmarzo
Well-known member
My experience is personal and just represents how I feel about shooting with both cameras. My Sony A7R III shoots incredibly sharp and precise photos and that's it.
My Fujifilm cameras are so much fun to shoot with. I can never get over how soulless shooting with my Sony feels like. I go through this dilemma every time I shoot both cameras. It's a love/hate relationship with Sony. Whenever I take a look at my Sony photos, it reminds me how sharp they are but I don't have much fun during the process.
There's a time and place for both cameras but the process of shooting with Fujifilm is always a joy. Fuji keeps my love for photography growing and everlasting.
--
http://instagram.com/dannymachines
My Fujifilm cameras are so much fun to shoot with. I can never get over how soulless shooting with my Sony feels like. I go through this dilemma every time I shoot both cameras. It's a love/hate relationship with Sony. Whenever I take a look at my Sony photos, it reminds me how sharp they are but I don't have much fun during the process.
There's a time and place for both cameras but the process of shooting with Fujifilm is always a joy. Fuji keeps my love for photography growing and everlasting.
--
http://instagram.com/dannymachines
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biza43
Forum Pro
These days APSC and FF are almost on pair in terms of IQ, so you should decide based on lenses (both systems are rich) and ergonomics/control. The latter is quite personal, so you should try first.
The X-PRO3 is a fantastic camera, but so is the Sony A7 series.
The X-PRO3 is a fantastic camera, but so is the Sony A7 series.
Highlander77
Well-known member
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I've had several Sony and Fiji cameras. Being objective, none of the Fuji crop bodies can come close what Sony A7RIII can produce. People talk about "sterile" look... the sensor itself is not sterile. Yes, I'm not a fan of Sony's color science (they're getting better and better though) but if the photographer cannot produce the look he/she wants it's not the camera's fault. Aesthetically I prefer how x-pro3 looks and feels but if I was to have one camera it would be a7riii over x-pro3 without second thoughts cos ultimately it's about the image quality... at least for me. The more organic look I noticed on the gfx sensor not on apsc. In fact if you look at a water color painting next to an oil painting... oil painting has more substance and depth with richer colors while the water color painting is limited in color gradation and lacks depth...colors feel thin and just on the surface. That's what it feels like comparing full frame to crop sensors.
okmarzo
Well-known member
I shoot with both X-Pro3 and A7R III but I still grab the X-Pro3 majority of the time. The image quality isn't that big of a difference to me. The sensor on the X-Pro3 is a noticeable step up compared to X-T2 gen of cameras. I used to shoot with X-T2 and X-Pro2. It's good enough where I rather choose what camera is more enjoyable to shoot with. If I really need to print upscaled photos then I always grab my A7R III though.
I regularly think about if I should even sell my A7R III even though I bought new 35mm F1.4 GM lens. That's just me though.. To each is own and some people feel that shooting FF isn't the end all be all because this current line of Fuji cameras are amazing.
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http://instagram.com/dannymachines
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The OP was not debating the comparison between an R series and a 26mpx Fuji camera. IMO, the analogy between two different paint mediums fails apart. In photography, both sensor technology and print paper technology are the same medium. Sensors may be a different size, but with some allowance for different brands, the technology is the same. Blind tests indicate that viewers can rarely discern the equipment with which an image was taken. I have no doubt that high res cameras like Sony's R series demonstrate their superiority over lower res options when prints are printed very large, but as long as one's print file resolution exceeds the capability of the proposed print paper, I think sensor size debates are a bit moot. Eg, It would be pointless to buy a 61mpx A7R4 if one only ever made 8x10" prints.
Regards, Rod
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