Photography - A tale of two cameras...

A tale of two cameras...

I am in the process of filling a "gear gap" and the current short list (still in flux) has come down to two cameras. I have the dSLR and film (35mm / medium format) covered and looking for a small digital to carry to dinner / social events including photos of food, wine labels, etc.

The LX100 is about 1/2 the price, but both are reasonably positioned. The LX100 seems a little small in my fingers, and I can live very nicely with the fixed 35mm equivalent lens of the X100T. My intended usage would be in-camera jpgs more so than RAW. Of course in black ; ).

Face recognition with the X100T would be an advantage for quick restaurant shots in darkened rooms with friends. Both are listed as 50cm close focus and macro at 3cm - LX100 / 10cm - X100T, about equal for my needs. For 'serious' macro (do I shoot serious macro) I would use the 5DII.

X100T: ergonomics (small but not too small), low light ability, hybrid finder system with the choice of optical, ND filter build-in (useful on bright / snow days), flash, quality of in-camera jpg.

LX100: a bit faster f/1.7-2.8 (vs. f/2 for the X100T), better macro ability (with closer working distance), price, zoom (24-75 35mm equivalent) vs. fixed lens, excellent sharpness.

I would like to hear your thoughts on the two cameras and/or other options based on my requirements.

Casey

This message has been edited by cshimokita on 2015-09-25 20:47:31

The Fuji is really nice but large

By: Avatar : September 26th, 2015-04:55

What about the Sony RX100? It has the optical viewfinder and would slip into a pocket with relative ease, I think.

Avatar, thanks for the suggestion...

By: cshimokita : September 26th, 2015-06:16

I have read the reviews, but have not done hands-on for two simple reasons. I am looking for a small digital that has external controls (e.g. for shutter speed, f-stop, compensation...), so the Sony didn't make the short list... the other reason is a bit ...

The Fuji is the best camera of the bunch

By: Avatar : September 26th, 2015-07:20

but it's a smidgen too large to go in one's pocket, at least a regular jacket pocket. Wish they made it a bit smaller. They managed to squeeze a APSC sensor into the Ricoh GR, so unsure why they couldn't do the same with the Fuji. Probably deliberately la...

The RX100 IV is the smallest of the three [photo]

By: cshimokita : September 26th, 2015-15:45

Which should appeal to some ; )... as well I understand that the RX100 is known for it's video... I have heard some claims about the durability of the pop-up finder, for sure the articulating back can be useful... pros/cons in all things. Casey... ...

I'm in agreement with Avatar...

By: rnaden : September 26th, 2015-05:46

I'm also looking for a replacement for my D-Lux6 if I can find one that works well, and between these two and the Sony RX100MkIV - I find the Sony a lot more versatile and takes better low light pictures than these two. Even general pictures, it seems to ...

Richard, I appreciate the comment...

By: cshimokita : September 26th, 2015-06:58

I spoke to a good friend who owns / uses both cameras (LX100 and X100T) and he mentioned that the macro of the LX100 is very good. I am fairly sure I could "succeed" with either camera ; ). Please see my reply to Avatar where I mentioned the two reasons t...

Yup, I saw your response

By: rnaden : September 26th, 2015-07:35

And the lack of controls is also what I am having some issues with. Not in a huge hurry, but I find that while the D-Lux 6 a great camera, the lack of a viewfinder poses a challenge in bright daylight. The EVF is also not great as the color is very differ...

I read once that the bottom line is the bottom line....

By: cshimokita : September 26th, 2015-15:57

that with small digital cameras the price is a major consideration because changes and new models come so quickly that replacement is inevitable... and loosing or damaging the device is probable. Not totally convinced but it's one line of thought. If the ...

Looked at the Sony RX100 Mark IV today...

By: cshimokita : September 26th, 2015-20:59

The comments got me thinking about the RX100 IV so I took a look at it this morning... First impression is "wow, that's small"... so tiny in fact that I could not use my fingers on the buttons and had to use a fingernail... just to confirm, the menu is Ja...

I'd go for the Fuji for the ergonomics viewfinder and ease of control.

By: watchthatman : September 28th, 2015-15:41

I find many of the smaller sensor cameras just too small in my hands. I think the Fuji could also take you on some cool fixed focal length street adventures.

I am leaning in that direction...

By: cshimokita : September 28th, 2015-15:53

Plan to have the user manual printed out (too difficult to read online), and then make a decision ; )... Casey

Sony would be my choice but there is a concern....

By: watercolors : October 2nd, 2015-13:03

my current Sony's camera shutter button is almost flashed with the body and when I press to take photograph with one hand there is an unwanted shake during the process Regards Edward

Shake when pressing the shutter...

By: cshimokita : October 2nd, 2015-16:00

Edward, that's also been my experience with small and/or light weight cameras. Sometimes what I do is put the camera on a very short timer mode or even timer mode with multiple exposures if the camera has that feature. Some small cameras even had a notice...

LX100

By: Quan : October 3rd, 2015-00:58

will be my choice.... - zoom - faster lens - I would think its color tone is better than Sony (do try it out)

I am leaning toward the Fuji X100T

By: cshimokita : October 3rd, 2015-03:37

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the LX100 (f1.7-16 wide / f2.8-16 tele vs. f2-16 for the X100T) is only faster at the wide end, and when you get to 35mm you're about the same... My short list was the LX100 and X100T... and I am currently leaning t...

I agree with you

By: Jad : October 4th, 2015-02:51

I have both the X100 (first Model) and the Sony RX100III. The Sony image quality is great, and it is pocketable but to be honest, it does not FEEL like a real camera! As for the Fuji, it has something magic and the images are so real. If you can deal with...

thanks Jad...

By: cshimokita : October 4th, 2015-06:53

I was really surprised at just how "pocketable" the Sony is... For years I shot a SLR with only one lens, so it's kind of second nature, and one less thing to think about when walking around. It's interesting that a number of people have mentioned having ...