I messed up getting the x70

[John Kemp]

Feeling the need for a pocketable camera I plumped for an x70. I have tried the x100 series and wanted 28mm without having to put on a converter.

However I can't get used to not having an viewfinder. So I was wondering what Fuji shooters thought of the Sony rx100 series... Maybe the IV or VA model.

Your thoughts on the viewfinder of the so y and image quality please.

 

[zman2596]

Feeling the need for a pocketable camera I plumped for an x70. I have tried the x100 series and wanted 28mm without having to put on a converter.

However I can't get used to not having an viewfinder. So I was wondering what Fuji shooters thought of the Sony rx100 series... Maybe the IV or VA model.

Your thoughts on the viewfinder of the so y and image quality please.

 

[Yannis1976]

I just did this exercise since I wanted a carry everywhere camera with an EVF. I went back and forth on which small form factor camera I wanted to get and also achieve excellent results. The contenders were Sony RX100VII, RX100VA, Panasonic LX100 II, or the Fuji X100V. After researching a good long while I went for something that wasn't even on my radar; a Fuji XE4/ with 27mm f/2.8. It gives me a small form factor, an EVF, terrific image quality, and the ability to change lenses if needed. Plus I can now own a Fuji camera again. It is a win/win.

I have the rx100vi and it’s one of the best cameras I ever had if you consider, the 24-200 lens, it’s tiny body and the best CAF I have seen so far.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65833394

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65756088

Yeah but those sony colors. The camera just seems too small for me. I picked one up and knew that it wasn't for me.

Yes it definitely needs an extra grip and re the colors, I mainly shoot raw, so I don’t mind so much.

 

[jhorse]

I have the rx100vi and it’s one of the best cameras I ever had if you consider, the 24-200 lens, it’s tiny body and the best CAF I have seen so far.

Love the title! I have the VA, with the 24-70 lens. I often wonder whether they could/should run two variants side by side (with both lines being updated as and when), a faster 24-70 and a longer 24-200, albeit slower lens. Despite the VII being on the market, I opted for the VA due to the faster lens.

But as you same, for my purpose, to carry when skiing, a cracking tiny monster!

 

[Paul Hoppe]

Give your X70 a try. I regret having sold mine. I used to own an RX100 and really disliked the ergonomics. What I love about the X70 is that you can simply switch it on and off without the lens needing to extend and retract.

 

[a_c_skinner]

From time to time I joke about the problem being the pockets, not the camera! This is partly true too. I'd not dream of advising what camera to buy but I'm with Davey (up thread) in liking the X-E? range if your pockets and pocket extend to it.

 

[John Kemp]

Thanks for all your valued replies. I would say that primarily I want a folding screen to take low down photos AND decent viewfinder as I am used to decent ones with the X-pro2 and X-H1. I'm hearing from you that the Sony's viewfinder isn't very good in comparison..?
As I've never tried the 1 inch sensor will I be hugely dissapointed compared to APSC?

John

 

[Les Lammers]

Thanks for all your valued replies. I would say that primarily I want a folding screen to take low down photos AND decent viewfinder as I am used to decent ones with the X-pro2 and X-H1. I'm hearing from you that the Sony's viewfinder isn't very good in comparison..?
As I've never tried the 1 inch sensor will I be hugely dissapointed compared to APSC?

John

Try thinking of the LCD as a big VF. This is your EDC pocket camera. ;-)

 

[John Kemp]

Again, I need a viewfinder. :-|
Tried the x70.
I can't see anything in sunlight. Otherwise it's almost perfect.

 

[Jeff Biscuits]

As I've never tried the 1 inch sensor will I be hugely dissapointed compared to APSC?

You might be interested in this thread—the 1” sensor came up tangentially and then we went down the rabbit hole:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4656403

(In summary: no, or yes, depending on your view )

 

[a_c_skinner]

You need a focussing cloth!

 

[Denver100]

Tried the rx. Sold it. Viewfinder almost useless and the small sensor and limited wide aperture ended up with lots of noise at higher than 800 iso. I found the XE 3 with a small prime or the 15-45 much more useful for a wider range of photo conditions. The XE rig won't fit into a shirt pocket like the Sony, but it will fit into a jacket pocket just fine. So, I found the limitations of the lens and sensor were more important to me than the ultra small shirt pocket size.

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

Again, I need a viewfinder. :-|
Tried the x70.
I can't see anything in sunlight. Otherwise it's almost perfect.

You do have some options like this:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2251832630449204.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

Or this:

https://kamerar.com/products/cvf-1-collapsible-lcd-viewfinder

I think you buy them according to the screen size, not the camera model.

Maybe ask BH Photo or Adorama's sales people.

 

[Jeff Biscuits]

Or this:

https://kamerar.com/products/cvf-1-collapsible-lcd-viewfinder

Wow. That’s … it’s quite a thing. Must be bigger than an X70

I’ve contemplated an anti-glare screen protector for my XF10. Expert Shield make one. Not sure how good it is… I used a different brand on a bike GPS and while it did reduce glare, it also washed out contrast massively. Maybe the Expert Shield would be better quality, maybe it’s just an inevitable side-effect.

 

[third son]

When I was shooting with a Panasonic gm5 and Sigma DP Merrill I used a hoodman loupe. Kind of pricey but quite good. I still have it in a drawer somewhere

https://www.adorama.com/r/hnh32mb-reviews

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

I’ve contemplated an anti-glare screen protector for my XF10.

I've had matte screen protectors on all my Fujis and they work well, sometimes I've had to shade the screen with my hand but its not that big of a deal. Get a cheap one to see how you like it, and if you do then replace it with a higher quality one if the cheap one gets scuffed.

--
www.darngoodphotos.com

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

When I was shooting with a Panasonic gm5 and Sigma DP Merrill I used a hoodman loupe. Kind of pricey but quite good. I still have it in a drawer somewhere

https://www.adorama.com/r/hnh32mb-reviews

That was the one I was trying to find.

 

[Paulmorgan]

Who says you messed up, add an optical viewfinder and use it like an old fashioned film camera, simple.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/36387495...mIcdssyaHkyJJFzfjB1k9UC5fixhCPJYaAjmlEALw_wcB





Above an XA-3 but the X70 has a flash shoe, yes ?

--
Hoka Hey

 

[Andreasfe]

Just bought the RX100 VII. Not the V/VA that you are looking at, and not for the exact same reasons.

I bought it to replace my zooms, which I felt counterfought my initial approach on going mirrorless to some degree.

But in general I can say this:

- The optical viewfinder on these small cameras feels a bit cramped when used to something like the X100V or X-T3 (like I am). But it’s absolutely usable and way better than nothing at all.

- The autofocus is a dream. Which it is apparently also on the V/VA.

- The JPEG color science on Sony has improved a lot since I had a RX100 III back in the days. Seems like that it was the VI and VA that first got this improved JPEG colors.
I love Classic Chrome on my Fuji's and can almost emulate that with the Neutral style and some adjustments on the RX100 VII.

- Expect 1 to 2 stop worse high ISO-capabilities on RX100 VII (compared to 24/26 MP APS-C Fuji), depending on the scene. Fujifilm APS-C seems to handle noise in darker scenes in a nicer way.

- The AG-R2 stick on grip is mandatory, and should have been mounted by default.

- I hate the fact that there is no built-in raw-conversion tool in the camera. I usually don’t need to make any advanced adjustments, but the ability to make some exposure corrections in camera before sending an updated JPEGs to my phone or tablet would be great. Like I'm used to with my Fuji's.

The RX100 VII will never take the role as my main camera. That was never the intention anyway. But as a compact companion to my Fujifilm X100V on travels it makes a lot of sense to me.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Blood N Guts Murphy]

Feeling the need for a pocketable camera I plumped for an x70. I have tried the x100 series and wanted 28mm without having to put on a converter.

However I can't get used to not having an viewfinder. So I was wondering what Fuji shooters thought of the Sony rx100 series... Maybe the IV or VA model.

Your thoughts on the viewfinder of the so y and image quality please.

Sony RX100 great starter camera, bad main camera if experienced. Poor ergonomics, fiddly controls and a bit too hefty for pants pockets. I ended up buying a bum bag for it (fanny pack) and adding a rubber grip.

Your best option is an XE (I like the 2 best) with the 18mm f2 lens, which has a nice smooth look. Or an A6400 with the Sigma 19mm f2.8 or Sony 20mm pancake. The Sigma lacks CAF, but is half the price and optically a bit better. These aren't pants pocketable. They are certainly jacket pocketable. Fuji also has the excellent 27mm f2.8 which can be used with it's tiny hood to protect it in pocket.

The smallest option is a bit fiddly but very pants pocketable: the old 16MP Panasonic GM5 with their 14mm f2.5 pancake lens.

If you think the EVF is good enough, the XE3 with 18mm is probably the sweet spot. Or the XE2 has an EVF suited to some people better (23mm eye relief point Vs 17mm) and feels nicer imho. The XE3 has 50% more megapixels and faster autofocus.

Edit. Oops, only saw this after writing:

Thanks for all your valued replies. I would say that primarily I want a folding screen to take low down photos AND decent viewfinder as I am used to decent ones with the X-pro2 and X-H1. I'm hearing from you that the Sony's viewfinder isn't very good in comparison..?
As I've never tried the 1 inch sensor will I be hugely dissapointed compared to APSC?

The answer is definitely the Sony A6400, or any of that series. Play it safe with their 20mm pancake lens. Close enough at 30mm equivalent. IMHO the viewfinder is far superior than the XE3 or XE4 and better than the XE2.

 

[rlandrigan]

Been there, not sure where to go, sadly. I loved my X70, so did my daughter - literally to pieces! I thought the RX-100 with Viewfinder would be a good fit, but just never fell in love with it. Also tried the Panasonic ZS100, same issue - nice enough but not for me.

If you need the Viewfinder, then it's either an XE-4 with pancake, a Panasonic LX100, an X100F or V, or something like a Nikon Z50 w/ the tiny zoom(what I ended up with) or a Canon M6mkII with viewfinder and 22mm

There's not a perfect answer here, sadly - I still lament Nikon's cancelled CX series.