Looking for a new Camera. Fuji vs Panasonic?

[alexxk]

I've been researching on a new camera, mostly for portability. I do own a Canon T3i and a 6D but sometimes I just want to do some light street photography and not carry much weight.

I plan to sell my Canon T3i ho help purchase a new camera..

After much research it came down to these 2. Fujifilm X100T and Panasonic Lumix LX100

To me te advantages of the Fuji is the "Fuji colors" and probably better image quality due to a bigger sensor APS-C.. and its a 16MP camera.

Lumix offers a Zoom in which might come in handy at times and image stabilization, I heard it has a very sophisticated focusing system as well... but not sure if the image quality compares with the Fuji.. not to mention that its 500 bucks cheaper.

Someone who owns one or maybe both of these, could you please comment on them.. Can I go wrong with one or the other? Which ones would you go with?

 

[Ray2]

Might try here and search for LX100. There's a few people using both or who have tried both. Obviously it's a Fuji forum and the X100 is a tough standard to compare against. The latest incarnation is a very well sorted out photographers tool. I have one and am typical for its owners, would not swap it for anything on the market today.

http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.php/index

 

[whiteonline]

I'm a Fuji user, and I love it. However, one thing I have learned is you must be able to accept the quirks (character) of the Fuji system. The X100T brings you an APS-C sensor, and hybrid optical viewfinder, and wonderful colors (and controversial XTrans sensor). But, you're stuck with a 35mm equivalent focal length without the adapters and fickle AF. AF has improved, but still maligned depending on subject.

IMO, the Panasonic is a better buy. Having zoom, good AF, and stabilization are huge advantages. Both have external controls, and the LX100 is no slouch in image quality. The benefit of an extra $500 in pocket to pay costs incurred while out and shooting pictures is great too!

Logical choice is the Panasonic. Emotional choice is the Fuji (there's just something special about it).

 

[Maxwill]

If me, I'll go with Panasonic. Just fed up with the footage format issues with Fuji.

 

[alexxk]

I'm a Fuji user, and I love it. However, one thing I have learned is you must be able to accept the quirks (character) of the Fuji system. The X100T brings you an APS-C sensor, and hybrid optical viewfinder, and wonderful colors (and controversial XTrans sensor). But, you're stuck with a 35mm equivalent focal length without the adapters and fickle AF. AF has improved, but still maligned depending on subject.

IMO, the Panasonic is a better buy. Having zoom, good AF, and stabilization are huge advantages. Both have external controls, and the LX100 is no slouch in image quality. The benefit of an extra $500 in pocket to pay costs incurred while out and shooting pictures is great too!

Logical choice is the Panasonic. Emotional choice is the Fuji (there's just something special about it).

I've read a few people saying they don't like this xTrans sensor but none said why. Why is is controversial? Regarding the AF system.. What quirks?

Thanks for the response

Oh. Can either of these 2 camera actually handle professional work or are they more like for enthusiast folks?

 

[Ulenspiegel]

I had no chance to try them both.
Nevertheless, I think the Panasonic Lumix is a better buy. (I might be old fashioned, it has a Leica lens , though it lacks an integrated flash).
I guess, you have searched the net in and out .
What I have found useful comparing the two (sorry, if you have already read them):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compa...ujifilm_X100T/BHitems/1082158-REG_1080889-REG.
http://www.mirrorlessons.com/2015/0...-x100t-compact-stylish-great-performance-ask/ (It is an excellent review/comparison!)

 

[Ish]

I've read a few people saying they don't like this xTrans sensor but none said why. Why is is controversial? Regarding the AF system.. What quirks?

Thanks for the response

Especially in the early days a number of processors couldn't deal with it well and you'd get unwanted effects in fine detail such as foliage. One or two still haven't caught up properly but I use the X100T and really enjoy it. Plus, the jpegs are excellent.

Oh. Can either of these 2 camera actually handle professional work or are they more like for enthusiast folks?

Some do use them for professional work, others prefer something that focuses faster. Having said that, the newer FujiX's focus faster than the earlier ones. Depends what your shooting I guess, plus the mindset of the photographer. This wedding was shot using the X100S:

http://www.briankraft.com/Blog/fuji-x100s-wedding-photography-colorado/

Edit: Wrote wrong camera down. Changed X100T to X100S in last line.

 

[Ray2]

1), The early versions of ACR/Lightroom, v4.4 did a poor job demosaicing the raw files. As it was one of the few converters that handled XTrans at the time, and there are so many users of Adobe products, it got more than its share of bad press. v5 improved matters, v6.1 more improvement but Adobe is still behind most others when it comes to extracting detail from the images.

For me, it's an Adobe problem, not XTrans. Apple does a very good job, C1 excellent, as do a host of other apps/converters. But if you're an Adobe user and want the ultimate amount of detail in your images, XTrans might be frustrating at times. I recently migrated from Aperture to Lightroom. My wife and I both shoot XTrans Fuji's. For the last 50 files I shot, 1 went through C1 as I could not get what I wanted out of Lightroom.

2), Fuji's have excellent jpegs. Raw shooters don't shoot jpegs, for whatever reason, be they based on need or self-image. When raw shooters tried to emulate Fuji's jpeg's in raw they failed. Adobe introduced presets, another fail. More bad press.

Fuji's jpeg engine is superb. Each image is converted to jpeg based on shooting conditions. A static preset in a post-processing app can't be expected to achieve the same level of excellence.

At this stage I would not let XTrans stand in the way of camera selection.

What is professional work? Weddings, sports, no. Fashion, art photography, Fuji's are being used by very successful pro's. If you want to do "light street photography and not carry much weight", then both lack the kind of operating speed, AF speed, battery life, flash and lens choices necessary to shoot pro jobs. I have seen X100's used as a dedicated 35mm by wedding photographers. That's about it.

Some refer to the Fuji 23 on the X100's as a $1,000 lens. That's a bit of a stretch but it will keep up with a Canon $500 FF 35/2. Not bad. No idea about the Panny but the Fuji has a fine lens attached to it, capable of pro level IQ requirements.

 

[whiteonline]

I've read a few people saying they don't like this xTrans sensor but none said why. Why is is controversial? Regarding the AF system.. What quirks?

Thanks for the response

Oh. Can either of these 2 camera actually handle professional work or are they more like for enthusiast folks?

Regarding x-trans, the unconventional arrangement of the sensor array requires special demosaicing algorithms. Various raw converters have had limited success (capture one pro is noted as one of the best). Others like Lightroom have better results in some situations than others (this is all very subjective). Another issue with the Fuji is excessive noise reduction in the out of camera JPEG, leading to plastic looking skin, and a foliage "water color effect".

Personally, the above issues have not been a problem for me. I've seen the water color issue once or twice (they were not keepers, so non issue). It may be that people are looking for it.

Focusing issues: low light and bodies in motion make for difficult auto focus. But it's something you learn to manage, like every other camera. It's a rough step from DSLR however.

I've seen pro photographers use the x100 as a second body for paid work as well as a primary street body. No issues. The IQ is great IMO.

If I were in the market for a second camera, I'd look for a good used x100 (first gen). It has a conventional sensor and better JPEG engine. Really magical, but the AF is pitiful.

 

[Ray2]

X100 AF is not bad on the latest firmware. In good light keeps up with my X100T. In low light it falls flat on its face, as does the X100S.

 

[MCAsan]

Look a the Panasonic GX8 with 20MP sensor. I shoot Olympus OM-D E-M1 and love it. Big choices of lenses in micro four thirds.

 

[Ish]

Another issue with the Fuji is excessive noise reduction in the out of camera JPEG, leading to plastic looking skin, and a foliage "water color effect".

Just to say that this happens to skin tones when shooting at high ISO's. Just a general comment, it's nothing to do with it being an XTrans sensor as the X-E1 has the XTrans and it doesn't happen on there, but started after the EXRII processor was introduced.

 

[Ray2]

Just to say that this happens to skin tones when shooting at high ISO's. Just a general comment, it's nothing to do with it being an XTrans sensor as the X-E1 has the XTrans and it doesn't happen on there, but started after the EXRII processor was introduced.

Also simple to avoid. Shoot raw for high ISO where faces are in the shot. Or, if you really want JPEG out of the camera at high ISO, set ISO at 1600, shoot -2 EV (or 3) and push up exposure in-camera 2 stops (or 3). The NR kicks in after ISO 1600.

 

[OreoCookie]

All this angst about the X-trans sensor is outdated, the conversions are spectacular with noticeably more resolution than other 16 MP sensors. Plus, it is a beast in low light with extremely pleasant colors.

To me it's a very weird comparison, the two cameras are very different. For the record, I own a X100s and a D7000 + a bunch of lenses + 2 flashes. I really, really like my D7000, it's a beast of a camera, but I love my Fuji. If I had to sell one, it'd be goodbye Nikon. The X100s has dslr-level image quality (that's just a matter of sensor size), but it is very small with very good optics. And it is an absolute peach to use, the optical viewfinder is unique and the secret sauce of this camera. There is no competitor on the market that has all the ingredients of great sensor, hybrid-optical viewfinder, great lens, all in a small package. The fact that it does not have a zoom lens is not a disadvantage, it's part of the camera. By the way, that makes it very easy to use if you hand it over to someone else (“Just press this shiny silver button …”).

On to the Panasonic: it's not a bad camera at all, but it's not a direct competitor to the X100s/X100T. First of all, it's in a different price class, and it does compete with Fuji's X30, for instance. That means it does not have an APS-C-sized sensor but has decent optics. Note that smaller sensor also means smaller lenses but usually also not as good optical quality.

If you want to get into rangefinder-style photography (optical viewfinder, dslr-level image quality, primes), the X100T is the right camera. If you prefer to have a more traditional camera and compose with the back display anyway, have a look at the X30 or the Panasonic.

 

[MCAsan]

Don't forget to consider lens availability. A camera body may not be worth as much to you if the right lens are not available for your type of shooting.


Review of GX8. https://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx8-full-review-27807

 

[alexxk]

Thanks for the responses thus far..

I think I will invest with the Fuji.. its pretty much hands down the winner when it comes down to image quality.. and that's what's important to me..

Beautiful colors, best image quality, great jpegs even though i shoot most of the time in RAW.. if the JPEGS are as nice as everyone tells.. even better!!

Just need to save for a little longer now!!

 

[MacRy]

I got to this thread just too late didn't I Doesn't hurt to confirm your decision though - I have owned the original X100 and absolutely loved it. I didn't think that I'd ever sell it, but after buying an XE1 I was spoiled by how much quicker and easier it was to operate. So I bought an X100T to replace the original and now I don't think I'll ever sell it that one instead. I echo what everyone else here has said about the X100T - it really is a peach of a camera and feels pretty special to shoot with.

How about we all post some pics taken with one to whet Alex's appetite?

All JPEGs as I rarely shoot RAW due to Fuji's excellent JPEG engine.

 

[phrehdd]

I am a Fuji fan but I have to say the Panasonic has some advantages over the x100T unless you are simply about taking still images. I prefer the Fuji camera and output for RAW files. My advice is that you decide what you want to use the camera for and if it goes beyond taking still images, Panasonic would be the one to get.

 

[iTiki]

My biased opinion favors the Fuji. Sold my Nikon gear and have no regrets.

 

[Micky Do]

I've been researching on a new camera, mostly for portability. I do own a Canon T3i and a 6D but sometimes I just want to do some light street photography and not carry much weight.

I plan to sell my Canon T3i ho help purchase a new camera..

After much research it came down to these 2. Fujifilm X100T and Panasonic Lumix LX100

To me te advantages of the Fuji is the "Fuji colors" and probably better image quality due to a bigger sensor APS-C.. and its a 16MP camera.

Lumix offers a Zoom in which might come in handy at times and image stabilization, I heard it has a very sophisticated focusing system as well... but not sure if the image quality compares with the Fuji.. not to mention that its 500 bucks cheaper.

Someone who owns one or maybe both of these, could you please comment on them.. Can I go wrong with one or the other? Which ones would you go with?

If light weight, portability….. and budget are issues, why not go down to a Fuji X30. Sure the sensor is smaller, but the picture quality is still quite good. For the serious stuff you would still have your big camera. The X30 does have a zoom lens, in addition to very fast auto focus, and it is simple, quick and easy to use. Most of my photos are spontaneous and involve action. They are often used in the local press sports reports. I seldom take posed or still life shots.

Last weekend I took this photo with my X20, which I was lucky enough to pick up a couple of months ago. None left in stock around these parts now, it seems. It has the same sensor and lens as the X30, but I preferred it because it is smaller, and has an optical viewfinder.

[URL=http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/AjarnMick/media/Sport/moments_zpsntqghym9.jpg.html] [/URL]

Sure it would be nice to have something better, a DSLR with a long lens for instance, but I reckon on making the most of what I can afford, and can easily carry on a motorcycle or bicycle.

 

[Vogue Harper]

Don't forget to consider lens availability. A camera body may not be worth as much to you if the right lens are not available for your type of shooting.

Both the X100T and the LX100 being considered here are fixed lens cameras.

 

[fathergll]

Just to say that this happens to skin tones when shooting at high ISO's. Just a general comment, it's nothing to do with it being an XTrans sensor as the X-E1 has the XTrans and it doesn't happen on there, but started after the EXRII processor was introduced.

So thats why I was seeing some awful looking jpegs out of my X100T. I gotta test this later today

 

[phrehdd]

Not to add confusion to the topic, seems like BH Photo has some deal for the Fuji X Pro1 with both 27 and 35 mm lenses. The 27mm lens on the Pro 1 is a fairly lightweight camera (though not as small) but does invite the ability to use other lenses to build up and later if you desire, get other Fuji cameras The cost is LESS than the X 100T for the body and 2 lenses (27mm is a flat pancake lens and the 35mm is typical size but very fast and tack sharp).