bwcolor
Veteran
I've been struggling with the X-Pro1 vs. NEX-7 purchase, but I've now had the NEX-7 for two weeks and am coming closer to cancelling my X-Pro1.. and that hurts.. got the lenses for $250 less than MSRP. Also, I haven't used any AF lenses on this camera, so I can't comment on AF performance, which will certainly interest the majority of NEX-7 users, but perhaps a few here will find this less of an issue.
My original objection to purchasing the NEX-7 was the size of the RAW files. Now we know how large the X-Pro1 files are ... I think that the answer is around 24.9 MBytes. The NEX-7 files are 25.1 MBytes. I'm just wondering what Fuji is keeping, or Sony throwing away? Certainly, not much difference in terms of hard drive utilization.
I'm not in love with the EVF, but it is much better than the EVF in the X100. I shoot raw, so I set Creative Style to Neutral, Contrast -3, Saturation -3 and Sharpness +3. Michael Reichmann suggest -3/-3/-3 for video and then adjust post-processing. This is done to maximize the appearance of the video, whereas the previous still settings were used to make EVF viewing more pleasant and focus peaking easier to use. Also, the Fuji OVF is best for 35mm-50mm. I'm not really feeling a need in this range to upgrade from the X100. Yes, I use 35mm (FF) lenses more than 50mm.. but can live with either.
RAW files take careful sharpening to look their best and anything but great glass, careful focus, f/stop and shutter speed selection will greatly degrade the image when pixel peeping.
I'm using all legacy glass. My smallest lens with stunnning optics is my M-HEX 50mm f/2.0. The M-Hex 90mm provides the same performance as the 50mm. Zeiss 100mm Makro and Leica 90mm APO Asph are also great. M-Hex 50mm f/1.2 is very good, but focusing in low light and getting things just perfect are not as easy as with a rangefinder.
My hopes for the wide end of things rests with the yet to be released Sigma 19mm. Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 ZM Biogon is OK, but not stellar.. but my favorite lens for film. We will see if the Sigma delivers. Also, look forward to the standard G Zoom.
ISO performance to 1600 is excellent, but noise reduction and downsizing really help here.
1080P 1/125 sec video is really first rate and I must admit that this has me favoring the NEX-7 over the Fuji. I've been using the video at my daughters soccer matches. I picked up an old Nikkor 28-50mm f/3.5 for that task.
Camera ergonomics are good, excepting the fact that my hands are a bit on the large side. The Tri-Navi control system works much better than the menu driven system of the NEX-5n.. which I didn't like. Is it better, or worse than the traditional controls of the Fuji? I think that it is just different. Lots of assignable buttons, but as I mention below, I would like greater latitude in assigning functions to the buttons.
I'm thinking that image quality will be similar when comparing the NEX-7 and X-Pro1, but clearly the Sony takes more work. RAW files are not sharp out of the camera.
I think that my next camera upgrade will wait for an APS-C, or larger mirrorless camera with really fast autofocus. I suspect that we will see this in the next couple of years.
Some of the things that I don't like:
I like having the video option available, but I don't like periodically engaging video by inadvertently pushing the record button.
I don't like the placement of the SD card next to the battery door. I have to spring the card from the camera and then try to catch it. Unfortunately, this is a three handed task.
The camera is a bit small for my largish hands. I think that a nice case might take care of this one.
I don't like the current selection of E-Mount lenses, but things on this front should improve over the next year.
I don't like the large variation in quality control used in manufacturing the adapter mounts. Of course, just get Novaflex, or CV adapters and be happy/poor. I now have a very good copy of the Fotodiox C/Y adapter. My first Fotdiox 'C/Y mount had a really poor adapter/lens fit, so it was returned. The Hawks Helicoid /'M' mount adapter is well made and is a must buy in my book..Both are providing a tight fit and good infinity focus. I'm still waiting on my Nikkor 28-50, so haven't used my Cowboy Studio adapter.. but it seems well made.
EVF tends to turn off if your eye/glasses are not hard pressed against the viewfinder cup. This makes viewing a bit of a pain.
I'm not crazy about the Sony menus. I want a customizable menu tab where I, as a raw only shooter, could place the few items that I need. Then I would like to assign that tab to one of the assignable buttons.
Still settings cross over to the video mode. I would like the ability to setup all settings for video separate from the still image settings.
Anyway, the NEX-7 isn't perfect. The EVF is just passable and Sony's E-Mount lens selection is spotty, but this just might be a good compromise camera for some of you.
My original objection to purchasing the NEX-7 was the size of the RAW files. Now we know how large the X-Pro1 files are ... I think that the answer is around 24.9 MBytes. The NEX-7 files are 25.1 MBytes. I'm just wondering what Fuji is keeping, or Sony throwing away? Certainly, not much difference in terms of hard drive utilization.
I'm not in love with the EVF, but it is much better than the EVF in the X100. I shoot raw, so I set Creative Style to Neutral, Contrast -3, Saturation -3 and Sharpness +3. Michael Reichmann suggest -3/-3/-3 for video and then adjust post-processing. This is done to maximize the appearance of the video, whereas the previous still settings were used to make EVF viewing more pleasant and focus peaking easier to use. Also, the Fuji OVF is best for 35mm-50mm. I'm not really feeling a need in this range to upgrade from the X100. Yes, I use 35mm (FF) lenses more than 50mm.. but can live with either.
RAW files take careful sharpening to look their best and anything but great glass, careful focus, f/stop and shutter speed selection will greatly degrade the image when pixel peeping.
I'm using all legacy glass. My smallest lens with stunnning optics is my M-HEX 50mm f/2.0. The M-Hex 90mm provides the same performance as the 50mm. Zeiss 100mm Makro and Leica 90mm APO Asph are also great. M-Hex 50mm f/1.2 is very good, but focusing in low light and getting things just perfect are not as easy as with a rangefinder.
My hopes for the wide end of things rests with the yet to be released Sigma 19mm. Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 ZM Biogon is OK, but not stellar.. but my favorite lens for film. We will see if the Sigma delivers. Also, look forward to the standard G Zoom.
ISO performance to 1600 is excellent, but noise reduction and downsizing really help here.
1080P 1/125 sec video is really first rate and I must admit that this has me favoring the NEX-7 over the Fuji. I've been using the video at my daughters soccer matches. I picked up an old Nikkor 28-50mm f/3.5 for that task.
Camera ergonomics are good, excepting the fact that my hands are a bit on the large side. The Tri-Navi control system works much better than the menu driven system of the NEX-5n.. which I didn't like. Is it better, or worse than the traditional controls of the Fuji? I think that it is just different. Lots of assignable buttons, but as I mention below, I would like greater latitude in assigning functions to the buttons.
I'm thinking that image quality will be similar when comparing the NEX-7 and X-Pro1, but clearly the Sony takes more work. RAW files are not sharp out of the camera.
I think that my next camera upgrade will wait for an APS-C, or larger mirrorless camera with really fast autofocus. I suspect that we will see this in the next couple of years.
Some of the things that I don't like:
I like having the video option available, but I don't like periodically engaging video by inadvertently pushing the record button.
I don't like the placement of the SD card next to the battery door. I have to spring the card from the camera and then try to catch it. Unfortunately, this is a three handed task.
The camera is a bit small for my largish hands. I think that a nice case might take care of this one.
I don't like the current selection of E-Mount lenses, but things on this front should improve over the next year.
I don't like the large variation in quality control used in manufacturing the adapter mounts. Of course, just get Novaflex, or CV adapters and be happy/poor. I now have a very good copy of the Fotodiox C/Y adapter. My first Fotdiox 'C/Y mount had a really poor adapter/lens fit, so it was returned. The Hawks Helicoid /'M' mount adapter is well made and is a must buy in my book..Both are providing a tight fit and good infinity focus. I'm still waiting on my Nikkor 28-50, so haven't used my Cowboy Studio adapter.. but it seems well made.
EVF tends to turn off if your eye/glasses are not hard pressed against the viewfinder cup. This makes viewing a bit of a pain.
I'm not crazy about the Sony menus. I want a customizable menu tab where I, as a raw only shooter, could place the few items that I need. Then I would like to assign that tab to one of the assignable buttons.
Still settings cross over to the video mode. I would like the ability to setup all settings for video separate from the still image settings.
Anyway, the NEX-7 isn't perfect. The EVF is just passable and Sony's E-Mount lens selection is spotty, but this just might be a good compromise camera for some of you.