Strange Dilemma (GX7 vs Fuji X-E3)

FadedPhotoGuy wrote:

So for a variety of reasons I've been looking at how much stuff I've accumulated in my life and have started a widespread reduction, including my cameras. Some decisions were easy, Sony A7C while a very capable image maker just never connected with me. Some were hard, original Fuji x100 some days I still regret selling it even though it was slow and quirky. But now I'm down to my last two ILC cameras and I'm not sure which one will stay with me. On paper the Fuji X-E3 is the superior camera but for some reason I've strong attachment to the GX7, and truth be told, I may enjoy using it a little more. In the end I'm torn between more megapixels (not that important to me as I don't heavily crop often), better jpgs, 4k video, against a slightly more compact system with ergonomics that suit me better.

As I said it's strange dilemma so I was curious if anyone else had chosen to stick with a "inferior" camera for any reason.

Yes, definitively. I choose an EP7 or EM10MarkIV any day over EM5.3 in general because the EM5.3 has a fully articulated LCD which doesn't help me and I hate for street photography.

Bonus that both of the two former cameras are smaller even than the EM5.3, even if I wish both were faster and had the tripod-HR for specific situations (but then I still have the EM5.3).

Like you I am also starting to get rid of cameras. Sick of getting out of the home and get paralyzed which "which one of you do I pick today."

My advice here is this as I have had the X-E3 which I sold to my brother- yes, the X-E3 is indeed fantastic and as a camera it is better than the GX7. But if you feel the GX7 has better ergonomics, you feel you want to take it out more and do photography with, keep that one and sell the X-E3.

I totally understand this dilemma- keep in mind in the end is about what gets to match your preferences the closest because all cameras are good now and no camera is perfect as your ideal camera in your head- pretty much ever (when that happens the universe comes to an end).

Remember in the end these are just tools, not ego identification attachments for brands like many seem to do here at dpreview forums. Pick what feels you will pick up and use more, and you feel better when composing your shots.

You already said more megapixels isn't as important to you- that's a hint to go GX7. And most importantly- ignore whoever tells you you picked the wrong deal by going X-E3 or GX7. This is a choice for your photography, needs, wants, enjoyment- for yourself.

You don't see carpenters arguing about different brands of hammers.

The camera you feel best about carrying and using is the tool that will help you do photography. Photographs are created by photographers, not cameras.

I have a liking for my lowly GX800 with its small size and simple flip-up screen and almost silent shutter.  My E-M1.3 has fantastic image stabilisation and lots of other features, but I often prefer the GX800 with one of the smaller lenses  - unobtrusive, but remarkably capable.

Tom Axford wrote:

I have a liking for my lowly GX800 with its small size and simple flip-up screen and almost silent shutter. My E-M1.3 has fantastic image stabilisation and lots of other features, but I often prefer the GX800 with one of the smaller lenses - unobtrusive, but remarkably capable.

Like Tom, I also have the GX800/850 and I also have the Fuji X-E3.

The smaller M43 wins every time for me. It's just fun to get something so compact, to combine with great M43 lenses. Just cant beat that smooth portability.

For Fuji (IMHO) to get the benefit of the bigger senor, bigger lenses also has to be paired, - meaning more bulk and more weight.

Now lets say Fuji would release a x-pro 4 rangefinder in the size of the Sony A7C, well then I would sell all cameras I own, including my full frame kits, and go just with that one.

I guess that what Im trying to say is that the cameras are evolving so fast, so whatever you choose, you can easily upgrade to a new "just one" camera in a year or two.

-Wich one gives you a smile on your lips when you are using it?

BR Stobist

By that I mean, which one do you reach for the most when you are heading out the door?

Sounds like the GX7, in which case, absolutely, keep that and let the Fuji go.

Camera preferences are sneaky little things.  You can have the most wonderful system on paper, and it produces great output, but if you don't like using it, it sits at home, and you end up with shots from your phone instead.

It's funny, too, as it's not always the one you think you should like that you end up carrying.

Yesterday, for instance, I was having a visit with my mom (who's in a nursing home), with my sister, and I grabbed the bag with the GM5, which had the 12-35mm f2.8 on it. Even managed to take some photos of my mother and my sister with it during the visit.  Perfect!  If I'd taken anything larger, it would have stayed in the car.

I find that mostly now I take either the GM5 or the S5 for out and about, and save the GX9 with the PL 100-400mm for specifically bird work, mostly at home in the yard.  The GX8 has been relegated to backup status, and I plan to sell it when I get around to it, as it's bigger than what I need it for, and it's redundant.

The two cameras I enjoy the most are the S5 and GM5, though.

Keep the GX7, sell the Fuji, and be happy.

-J

As I said it's strange dilemma so I was curious if anyone else had chosen to stick with a "inferior" camera for any reason.

My main reason for using the GX7 is that it fits nicely in the hand, produces the goods and is fun to use.

I have had mine since 2013 and it along with 2 primes and a small film camera have made a substantial sum of money for me over the past  9 odd years. I see no reason to spend big and change. I am still selling images taken 8 years ago

‘Having said that I bought a new  GX7 a week or so ago as a backup. Well  none too soon my camera would not start up checked everything and found a fair amount of corrosion in the battery chamber, the latch had been a bit loose for some time so I guess way too many autumns and winters in Central Asia, Kazakhstan especially has been a bit severe on the camera .

I found a recycling electronics/digital depot and chucked in on the pile with its new found friends, I am sure parts will be recycled in another form, all good.

Use the camera that suits your needs enjoy

I've upgraded to a GX9 which I use with a grip and lately to a G9 but is the GX7 with a 20mm 1.7 that still fits better in hand and is a valuable companion in the car's glovebox.

Great handling, size and output so if you like it keep using it!

The GX7 is a nice camera to handle. One caveat to keep in mind is that if you use the tilting EVF often then sooner or later the connecting ribbon might fail.

Any deficiencies perceived in the 16MP sensor are lessened by using Topaz plugins.

Keit ll wrote:

The GX7 is a nice camera to handle. One caveat to keep in mind is that if you use the tilting EVF often then sooner or later the connecting ribbon might fail.

Any deficiencies perceived in the 16MP sensor are lessened by using Topaz plugins.

used and abused a gx7 for close to a decade  the connecting ribbon failure is somewhat unfounded never heard anyone having  with that problem.

I am still selling old gx7 images that have not been put through the ringer of new software just as I still sell images from film that have been digitised with little to no PP

If I was going down to a single camera I'd probably ask myself 2 questions:

Which one will I take out the most?

Are there any shots that I like to take that it can't do?

While like in your case one might be superior there are few situations that will make your Panasonic unusable where the Fuji would be fine.  So you might have a trade off in IQ here and there but if you're taking more photos and getting more enjoyment out of it I'd say go for the Panasonic.

FadedPhotoGuy wrote:

So for a variety of reasons I've been looking at how much stuff I've accumulated in my life and have started a widespread reduction, including my cameras. Some decisions were easy, Sony A7C while a very capable image maker just never connected with me. Some were hard, original Fuji x100 some days I still regret selling it even though it was slow and quirky. But now I'm down to my last two ILC cameras and I'm not sure which one will stay with me. On paper the Fuji X-E3 is the superior camera but for some reason I've strong attachment to the GX7, and truth be told, I may enjoy using it a little more. In the end I'm torn between more megapixels (not that important to me as I don't heavily crop often), better jpgs, 4k video, against a slightly more compact system with ergonomics that suit me better.

As I said it's strange dilemma so I was curious if anyone else had chosen to stick with a "inferior" camera for any reason.

When we went to Mexico City (CDMX) a few mos. ago, and despite my intention to do lots of street photography, I left my Fuji X100V at home and brought my G9 and GX9.  I shoot stills and videos when traveling so the GX9 was more versatile (X100V shoots great video but has no stabilization).  X100V has a bit more dynamic range and resolution but in the end I was very happy with the results I got.  Also, I found that a 50 equiv focal length was a better street photography choice there, despite me shooting almost exclusively with 35 equiv at home.  So it actually turned out to be advantageous that I was using the GX9 (plus I brought a 15/1.7 and 25/1.4).

It reminded of just how great the GX-series are, and it would be a real shame if there was no successor to the GX9.

As a system camera, I'm not sold on Fuji's retro control.  I find it more useful to have custom presets than have a full-on retro UI.  I don't mind it for my X100V because I use it primarily for one style of shooting so I'm not changing many of the camera's settings.  But my m43 bodies are used for a wider variety of scenarios and hence I like to have presets for those scenarios.