New (Fujifilm) camera suggestion/advice

Hi dear folks at the Fujifilm forum. I used to be active in the early day before and after I bought my S5 Pro camera. Nice to be back again

The reasons I opted Fuji vs anything else at that time were the exceptional (especially skin) colours and the dynamic range, giving me something close to film look.

Sadly, I damaged that camera when I slipped on a rock and ever since my interest in serious photography started to decline. I'm recently re-invigorating the passion triggered by my daughter's growing interest in photography.

I'll be travelling next week to Munich/Germany and I'll be able to buy virtally any camera model, but I've lost contact to the current state of the cameras that I don't have a firm clue what to choose. I'm hoping you could help me with your suggestions based on my preferences (with level of preference next to it :

• Preference for interchangeable lens camera, not necessarily mirrorless, but I reckon mirrorless is better for accurate auto focusing - P2
• Resolution in the upwards of 12 MP, around 24 probably sweet spot/compromise with dynamic range and noise - P2
• Great colours, skin tones and dynamic range - preference for artistic, film-like colours that pop when there is vividness in the scene but stay calm/mellow. - unlike always contrasty and bright images of phone cameras - P1
• All purpose camera with preference for portraits, landscapes and family photos, environmental portrats/street. I'm not into sports photography - P2
• Great AF performance and inherent sharpness of the sensor - Sadly, that was the weakest point of my S5 Pro (strong anti-aliasing filter) and AF error - P1
• Highlights handling - I simply hate the look of tone shifted, cut ot highlights and I prefer a knee on the highlights to gracefully transition to all white. - P1
• Compact, take anywhere body - P2
• Great SOOC jpegs - I almost never use raw and want decent look without much post-processing - P1
• Ability to tweak the look of the colours (I prefer warmer colours), map the colours, similar to the film modes, but not necessarily colour modes
• It doesn't necessarily need to be a Fujifilm camera. I have a couple of Nikon lenses and flash that I'd rather use of possible. - P3
• Price range in the 700-1600 USD/Eur is desirable, but I'm willing to go up to 2000 if most if not all my preferences are met and I know it's a great investment. P1
• Finally, my daughter seems to prefer the X100V camera and the colours it produces, but it is a fixed lens camera, so anything similar form factor and colours, that's great.

Thank you all in advance and I'm looking forwards to your suggestions!

You have described every recent Fuji mirrorless camera. Your Nikon lenses can be adapted. Depending on the lens, you might get superb AF with a Fringer adapter. Scroll down on this page to see the list of supported lenses.

https://www.fringeradapter.com/nikon-f-to-fujifilm-x

If your lenses are not listed, then any of many inexpensive mount adapters will get you manual focus.

Morris

sharbatgula wrote:

Thanks fro your reply Morris! I also checked your website, wow, awesome images.

I'm one day more educated now as I did some reading about the sensors. I see you have X-H2S which has the stacked CMOS sensor.
Besides the higher frame rate, do you find any advantage in the dynamic range / noise compared to same pixel count "regular" CMOS?

Thank you,

I feel I can dig more out of my RAW images with the X-H2s and also crop tighter than I could with the X-T3 which has the same MP.

Morris

I can relay my thought process when I changed cameras.  My reasons for using the X-Pro2 changed and I wanted a smaller kit.  I had had the X-100, loved it, "lent" it to my grand daughter and seriously considered buying another.  It's a great choice and with the pixel count and add on lens options meets many needs.

However, I had fallen in love with the Fuji 35mm f1.4 so I grabbed the XE-4.  Same sensor and processor as the X100 and about the same size.  With the 28mm it's "back pocketable" which is a plus.

I never considered the S series as I have become accustomed to the RF style viewfinder but I'm sure it also is a great choice.

Good luck

I have been using the Fujifilm XT20 for a number of years and just upgraded to the XT5 (40mp).  So far I love it.  A SOOC photo attached.  It may be a little more than your budget.  I find it lighter than my old camera but it's faster and has the latest tech that works for me.

Elin

sharbatgula wrote:

Today I visited Sauter in Munich and laid my hands on all the "suspect" cameras.

I was truly impressed of the Fuji build quality and the retro look.

I liked the size and the weight of X-T30 II most, followed by X-S10.
I loved the X-T4 dials, but that looked to me as the most "for the purpose" camera, meaning it is serious, ticks all the marks, but also heaviest and largest and not sure that I would carry it with me all the time.

So, I have till tomorrow to decide and pull the plug. I have two questions:

1. Is there a big difference in speed of operation and auto-focusing between X-T4 and X-S10?
2. I'm also hesitating between the 16-80 and 18-55 lens. I like the more compact size of the latter, but want to know if it is inferior to the bigger one?
Thanks

Davor

The X-T4 and X-S10 have the same sensor and I believe the same processor. I don't believe there would be a significant difference in AF speed. As for the lenses, the 16-80 is widely considered to be fairly weak, especially at the extreme ends of focal lengths, as is the nature of a 5x zoom. I believe the 18-55 is generally considered to be optically superior so long as you get a decent copy, and while it's not quite as wide, it is significantly faster at the wide end.

I personally have the X-S10, and chose it over the X-T4 mainly due to price. I really love it though, it's a wonderful camera. Compact, light, very comfortable to hold, IBIS is a miracle worker, and produces great images. If your concern is primarily image quality, you're not making any compromises saving some money and choosing it over the X-T4. That being said, the form factor and UI are the biggest selling points of the X-T# series. I do personally like the very analog feel of the dials of the X-T# series and may upgrade to an X-T5 later, or likely an X-T6 if that's released in a couple years.