There are other options other than the Fujifilm X100V
Fujifilm cameras are great. They’ve done a great job of igniting a simpler form of photography. One that isn’t convoluted by video capabilities. The retro styling, the ability to have manual controls that feels like a film camera. Maybe it’s the film simulations that they’ve baked into the jpeg’s. There’s no denying that there is a bit of nostalgia at hand. For the younger millenials and gen z that never really shot on film or maybe their experience was only a point n shoot camera when they were younger, they get to experience a bit of a slower, more relaxed way of life, if only just for a little bit before diving headfirst into the social webs of constant dopamine hits.
The sudden popularity, and associated chip shortage, have driven prices up. Even the older models are far more than they should be worth on their merits alone. Popularity has stood them up. Perhaps deserved, but I can’t help but think that there are better options out there for the money that give you a similar experience.
Enter Olympus (now OM Systems). They have a great selection of older micro four thirds cameras for a much better price. They have retro styling, and plenty of manual controls well laid out, even for the more inexpensive models like the OM-D E-M10. Granted, their model naming scheme is awful since the early OM-1 – OM-4ti SLR camera days. Probably why OM Systems have reverted back to a simpler model name such as the OM-1 and the OM-5.
Regardless, Olympus cameras produce a great image and feel like they’re made for a photographer. All I ask is for some manual controls so I can control the aperture and shutter speed without some sort of combination finger press. ISO for me is secondary. I’m either working in auto ISO and I utilize the exposure compensation (also a separate dial on top), or I’m probably using ISO 400 for general walk around shooting. If I need to do something else, maybe for a long shutter speed, I’ll change it through their quick menu as it’s not something I need to do often. I don’t know many people that are constantly changing their ISO manually.
If you want a rangefinder looking camera, then fujifilm is your only option it seems. Outside of Leica actual rangefinders, but we’re talking about a completely different price point and generally a different consumer because of it. The thing is, they aren’t actual rangefinders.
They aren’t even smaller. No fujifilm camera with an x-trans sensor is pocketable. A jacket pocket maybe, but not a pants pocket. Pick up an Olympus E-M10, you’ll find that it stays true to the original OM-1 SLR’s. It feels good in the hand. It’s small and compact, on purpose. It’s a great walk around camera. You can modify the jpegs to have a certain look as well, because that’s all fujifilm did. They took the existing jpeg processing abilities and renamed them to old film stocks of which they own the trademark. Granted, that little act of being able to same profile settings was genius, but all the same, it can be recreated.
I’m not sure why you’d shoot jpegs only myself, the extra dynamic range found in the raw files would allow you to use any number of presets in lightroom or whatever it is you use to get even closer to the film stock than with a jpeg. I found myself never using the jpegs out of my X100F. I don’t particularly like being in lightroom more than shooting either, so it’s not like I’m editing the crap out of them. I’m only doing what I’d do to my jpegs. Adjusting some contrast and white balance, maybe exposure levels. The only difference is, I probably applied a preset prior to making adjustments. 1 click.
One feature that I sorely miss when it’s not there, is stabilization. Fujifilm cameras mostly don’t have it. XT-4 and XT-5. I know there are other cameras they sell that are more akin to a modern DSLR, but I’m focusing on the cameras that give you the retro, photography, slow down your process type of cameras. The XT-* line, the X-E*, and the X100* lines. Oh, and the XPro’s which are now discontinued it seems. Olympus? All their micro four thirds cameras have IBIS. It’s a great IBIS too. Apparently it’s easier to move that m43 sensor effectively. I regularly hand hold 1/15 when I need the light gathering or I want motion blur. I couldn’t do that in my X100F.
I’m definitely not saying that Fujifilm cameras are bad. They’re great cameras. I stated that upfront. But you should be aware that they too have their limitations and sacrifices.
Let’s talk about price. Because of the popularity right now, the fujifilm cameras are quite a bit more expensive. After owning both systems (along with a bunch of others), I just don’t see why. If I were looking for a street shooter or a casual shooting camera, I would definitely be picking up an older olympus on the secondary market.
Just look at the comparisons for used equipment:
This is from a few quick searches on Ebay at time of writing, so prices are bound to change.
Camera | Price |
Fujifilm X-E2 | $400-$550 |
Fujifilm X-E3 | $550-$700 |
Olympus OM-D E-M10 II | $260-$400 |
Olympus OM-D E-M10 III | $250-$450 |
As far as the styling, that’s always subjective. I find that I like both. They both have a retro feel to them with plenty of tactile dials for your exposure triangle.
Obviously this isn’t exhaustive, and it isn’t an apples to apples comparison. But you’re getting a similar experience camera for quite a bit less. I picked up my E-M10 Mark III for about $230 and a 25mm f/1.7 lens for another $90. It’s a great camera. I probably grab for this more than almost any camera other than my Leica Q2 Monochrome or film cameras. It’s such a great little camera to just throw in a backpack or bag and go. During the same period I was debating picking up a Fujifilm XT-2 for around $640. The lack of IBIS and the price point swayed me toward the olympus. Plus, I already owned an X100F, and I found that I didn’t really use the OVF that much and I stopped using the jpegs. The two big selling points of that camera.
If you want a larger camera, something more akin to an slr with deep grips. I’d look at the OM-D E-M1’s. They can be had for a steal and provide a great shooting experience with great photos. The E-M1 mark I goes for around $270, and the E-M1 mark II for around $450. These have a few more features and a more comfortable grip as well as weather sealing.
The point is, that price also matters. If you have unlimited funds, sure, you don’t care. Most don’t. That $230 body and $90 for a lens price point made it a no brainer for me. I wouldn’t miss it. Even if I didn’t like it, it’s not a lot of money. If it is for you, then even more reason to be price conscious. Because if $320 is a lot of money, then the XT-2 for $640 and a $200+ lens is even more.
There is a saying that I heard about cameras and price point. The best camera for you, is the one you can afford to replace. This is because, if you’re afraid of damaging the camera, there are certain shots that you won’t be willing to get.
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