Fuji X-pro or Sony A7c: which one?

methinks both systems spoils us with all the options, performance and low price when bought second hand (often in like-new condition).

been using Sony's for past 5 years and don't see real reason to switch. my philosophy is zooms for apsc and primes for full frame. that way whole package stays within reasonable size and weight, while still covering everything from super wide to tele, prime in the mix for the bokeh and speed.
 
If you go for the A7c and are looking for a 28, then Sony's 28/2 would make a good choice IMO. I'm using it on the A7 and A6000 and find it a joy to use. It focusses decently close, and the f2 maximum aperture allows good depth of field control.
 
If you like using rangefinders, and optical viewfinders, the x-proX cameras are the absolute best digital cameras this side of a Leica. Sonys are technically excellent, but pretty much the antithesis of a digital rangefinder.
 
I switched from Fuji (X-pro2 and X-T2) to Sony FF (RX1Rm2 and A7R3) based on pure FF IQ. Both X-Pro3 and A7c will bring you more than enough photographic capabilities, but the handling is very very different.
X-Pro's OVF works the best with small primes in the 23-75 range.
If I had the opportunity to choose again, I would stick with the X-Pro3 because the photographic experience is so much more rewarding (for me, having had the Contax G2 in my analog days) than any Sony which are imho more computers which can produce fabulous images.
Having said that, my advice would be to try to shoot with both systems, evaluate if your required focal length are available and make your choice based on that.
Happy shooting!
 
much appreciate all of y'all's advice. with the x100, i much prefer the evf becaue it is precise; the ovf is not, and i find my eye wandering when i use it, trying to get the frame just so, and wasting time, which wastes the point of a rangefinder - quickness. ymmv.
as much as i like the composition precision of SLRs, i much prefer the placement of the RF viewfinder, leaving my left eye free to continue seeing. so - as much as i like my om-d e-m5 - i am am looking at a digital "rangefinder" with interchangeable lenses. no way will i consider a leica product because of the expense of body and native lenses; i have far too many other hobbies that also demand cash ... 🙂
 
Why are you even looking at the X-Pro if you don't like the optical viewfinder? Just get the X-E3 (or wait a month or two for the X-E4). EVF in the corner, no optical finder, same size as your X100, and pairs well with the 35/2 and 18/2. Much less expensive than the A7C or X-Pro 3.
 
Unless you are using the OVF then get a XT3 or XE3 else the price of the xpro isn't justified.

It all depends on budget, if you want a couple of native lenses and are a hobbiest then fuji is the best route, the 35 and 23mm lenses are great and not hugely expensive. Get the F1.4 for 'the look' or the f2 lenses for speed.

If you want to adapt lenses then the Sony is the way to go.

I would check in a shop at the size of the cameras you are looking at, I found the Xpro to be bigger than my XT3 because it is wider and the A7c compared to an A7 once you put one of sony's good but large lenses on for full frame negate the small size of it.
 
keytarjunkie said:
Why are you even looking at the X-Pro if you don't like the optical viewfinder?
Click to expand...

Because the X-Pro3 has a way better EVF? It feels better in the hand... Has AF that can focus in the dark ... and this is coming from someone who owns the X-E3 (and loves it) and the X-Pro3. The X-Pro3 is a completely different level of camera. Sometimes it is worth paying extra to get what you really want.
 
fellas, again i appreciate all of the advice. i cannot make a quick drive and try out cameras. there is not a single decent camera shop in alabama. i will have to drive 3-4 hours one way to atlanta to KEH or elsewhere. i also have almost 50 years of experience with photography. i am hardly a tyro. pro? no. hobbyiest of some skill? indeed. again, thanks.
 
jsrockit said:
Because the X-Pro3 has a way better EVF? It feels better in the hand... Has AF that can focus in the dark ... and this is coming from someone who owns the X-E3 (and loves it) and the X-Pro3. The X-Pro3 is a completely different level of camera. Sometimes it is worth paying extra to get what you really want.
Click to expand...

I agree, the x-pro cameras are on a different level to the xe cameras even if one doesn't use the OVF.
 
paulfish4570 said:
fellas, again i appreciate all of the advice. i cannot make a quick drive and try out cameras. there is not a single decent camera shop in alabama. i will have to drive 3-4 hours one way to atlanta to KEH or elsewhere. i also have almost 50 years of experience with photography. i am hardly a tyro. pro? no. hobbyiest of some skill? indeed. again, thanks.
Click to expand...

I don't think KEH has a showroom anyway. Warehouse only.

Have you tried Walmart, Best Buy, Target, etc. Every place has those and those stores have cameras. Certainly not the ones you're interested in but they should have models or brands with the same features. Otherwise, spend a lot of time reading reviews and doing online searches.
 
X-Pro 3 is no IBIS and OVF framelines were cut next to useless.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4438752
And after this they still want 1799 USD for the cropper.
While FF IBIS compact a7C is 1789 USD.

I met X-Pro 3 user sometime ago. We spend forty minutes and he was not able to freely navigate in X-Pro 3 menus.

To me X-Pro are not elegant cameras, nor simple to use. Overloaded with fetish dials and too many menus.

If not a pro and fresh start I would ditch all of the old manual focus lenses and switch to M43. They have small cameras and recent lenses are amazingly small, while not overpriced at all.

20mm equivalent, tiny f2 lens for very reasonable price.

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/...f-oreos-meet-the-new-laowa-10mm-f2-zero-d-mft
 
A few random thoughts:

When I first saw the A7C product announcement, I was mildly disappointed to see that Sony had omitted the front control dial which I'd normally use to control lens aperture when shooting in full-manual mode. But as it turns out, save for my eBay auction shots, I seldom bother to shoot in anything but "A" mode.

Menus: Yup, Sony cameras have extensive menus allowing seemingly every parameter of the camera to be customized. For me, most items can either be ignored or set once then forgotten about. A newer feature that I like very much is "My Menu" which as the name suggests, allows me to create my own list of items that I want readily available. So now when I press the "Menu" button, instead of being presented with dozens of options, I see a list of just 4 that are particularly important to me: ISO, White Balance, Pixel Shift (A7R III and IV only) and Format.

IBIS: Whopping improvement over my A7 Mk I. I think it was right around the time of the A7 III that Sony adopted Olympus 5-axis IBIS technology, and to me, it's all good.

I was mildly astonished to find a battery charger included with my A7R IV as Sony is notoriously stingy in that regard. but I see that A7C follows typical practice by including just USB cable + USB charger, so plan accordingly. Pearstone-brand universal chargers from B&H Photo are pretty great BTW: Buy the charger once, then just buy $2 adapter plates as you acquire other battery types.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
X-Pro 3 is no IBIS and OVF framelines were cut next to useless.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4438752
And after this they still want 1799 USD for the cropper.
While FF IBIS compact a7C is 1789 USD.

I met X-Pro 3 user sometime ago. We spend forty minutes and he was not able to freely navigate in X-Pro 3 menus.

To me X-Pro are not elegant cameras, nor simple to use. Overloaded with fetish dials and too many menus.

If not a pro and fresh start I would ditch all of the old manual focus lenses and switch to M43. They have small cameras and recent lenses are amazingly small, while not overpriced at all.

20mm equivalent, tiny f2 lens for very reasonable price.

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/...f-oreos-meet-the-new-laowa-10mm-f2-zero-d-mft
Click to expand...

I would not expect anything less from you. OVF is useless? That's crap. It is useful for certain lenses and not for others... just like a Leica. Fetish dials? Like your film cameras? And expensive? You've owned and used a few expensive Leicas... even an expensive "cropper" I believe. So, why call out Fuji on price? I can assure you I find the camera to be easy to use and very elegant. Just because one guy couldn't figure out the menus, they are bad? Finally, IBIS only works for certain situations and some people do not encounter those situations.

That said, it is the most expensive Fuji and IBIS would be nice. However, I personally have another Fuji camera for that. I guess I'm just not the type that looks for the cheapest option... I look for the most suitable option for me in the price range I feel comfortable with. That has nothing to do with specs on paper or bang for the buck only. I would assume if the OP is asking about these specific models, he is comfortable with the price.
 
Menus? Fuji menus are simple compared to something like Olympus. I just set my Fujis alike and only make changes in the Quick Menu. Once you become familiar with the camera operation you never get lost in a menu wilderness.

I will concede the XP3 has a less useful OVF than the XP2 or the XP1. That and the flippin' screen make it unattractive to me. But I love using the XP2 and I would love the XP1 a little more if it had an adjustable diopter. I've never used a Sony. I never liked the designs from the start--unfinished, mismatched, made-from-parts look. I'm sure the cameras are great but ....
 
jsrockit said:
I would not expect anything less from you. OVF is useless? That's crap. It is useful for certain lenses and not for others... just like a Leica. Fetish dials? Like your film cameras? And expensive? You've owned and used a few expensive Leicas... even an expensive "cropper" I believe. So, why call out Fuji on price? I can assure you I find the camera to be easy to use and very elegant. Just because one guy couldn't figure out the menus, they are bad? Finally, IBIS only works for certain situations and some people do not encounter those situations.

That said, it is the most expensive Fuji and IBIS would be nice. However, I personally have another Fuji camera for that. I guess I'm just not the type that looks for the cheapest option... I look for the most suitable option for me in the price range I feel comfortable with. That has nothing to do with specs on paper or bang for the buck only. I would assume if the OP is asking about these specific models, he is comfortable with the price.
Click to expand...

I'm soo sooory. 🙂

X-Pro3 was DOA to me with no decent 35mm equivalent and wider framelines in OVF. FujiNoFilm is for cropper mentality. Getting hosed on the wide end.

Meanwhile, I don't mind my RP with compact Vivitar 20 3.8 lens and its EVF. Small, weather sealed FF camera for under 1000 USD! Who needs same sized, if not bigger cropper after it?

Digital cameras has nothing to do with film cameras. Exesept if you are into fetish, not practical photography. I don't need aperture dial and shutter speed dials with numbers on digital cameras. I could see it in VF and have aperture, shutter speed via same dials.

Been comfortable with the price of overpriced cropper is been hosed.
 
Have a look at the Canon RP. Decent price- currently on a very good sale in Canada. The RP plus EF adapter for $999CAD. Crazy. Canon also has a fantastic menu system...
 
Ko.Fe. said:
I'm soo sooory. 🙂

X-Pro3 was DOA to me with no decent 35mm equivalent and wider framelines in OVF. FujiNoFilm is for cropper mentality. Getting hosed on the wide end.
Click to expand...

How is it hosing someone when it has 2 view finder options and your current camera has 1 viewfinder option? Do not let your bias against Fuji manifest in stupidity.

Meanwhile, I don't mind my RP with compact Vivitar 20 3.8 lens and its EVF. Small, weather sealed FF camera for under 1000 USD! Who needs same sized, if not bigger cropper after it?
Click to expand...

I'm glad that is working for you, but most people know low end full frame isn't that different compared to high end APSC. Low end FF cameras have a lot of compromises unless all you care about is the size of a FF sensor.

Digital cameras has nothing to do with film cameras. Exesept if you are into fetish, not practical photography. I don't need aperture dial and shutter speed dials with numbers on digital cameras. I could see it in VF and have aperture, shutter speed via same dials.
Click to expand...

Fetish or tried and true method? Cameras are cameras... if you want to make your decisions while looking through the viewfinder, that is simply one way to do it. Many of us make our decisions while looking at the camera and before bringing the camera to our eye to make a photo. There is no fetish here... just different methods of working. Why is it not a fetish when you are using your Leicas?

Been comfortable with the price of overpriced cropper is been hosed.
Click to expand...

In your opinion... which, frankly, is jammed down our throats daily here as if it is fact and not opinion. This hoser is happy though...and does not need a FF to make him feel like a real photographer.
 
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