Photography

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

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

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 more personal...

Sony, as far as I know from my previous checking, only sell their small digital cameras with Japanese language interface here in Japan... no English, German, French, etc. etc.  If I want English menus I understand that I would have to buy an import or gray market camera, both options would not come with a warranty.

The specifications of the RX100 IV are similar to the LX100 at about 175% the price or about 150 USD less than the X100T... with the positive reviews and price, it's an attractive package...

To be honest the menu language is actually just an inconvenience, the lack of external controls is a show stopper for me.

Casey

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 large though insofar as it's a Leica clone.  There are handling advantages to a larger camera on the bright side and it would suit you since you like manual mode.

 

The jpegs out of the Fuji always seem to look stellar.  They are both lovely cameras and I'd like to own either of them really.

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...
This message has been edited by cshimokita on 2015-09-26 20:31:07

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 be just easier to work with. The one advantage of the Fuji which I like is the build of the body as well as the ease of working the controls. They're just better positioned than the Lumix or Sony.

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 that the Sony did not make my short list... still the reviews that I have read (about the RX100 IV) have all been positive... Pros/Cons as with any product.

The Sony (and Panasonic) models under discussion are variable maximum aperture zooms, which means that except for wide angle the Sony is using about the same f-stop-to-shutter-speed combination as the other two (the Fuji being a fixed 35mm-f/2 lens).  What Sony does with that capture (noise, rendering, etc.) is another story, the Panasonic is reported to have a slight color shift (easy to correct in post or maybe by custom shifting the WB default).  One does have to balance requirements and/or expectations.

The build quality of the X100T, particularly the ergonomics is very well done IMHO.  The funny thing is, the Leica Q (TYP 116) was even better in the hands, maybe as a result the LX100 felt very tiny ; )

Let me know what you end up doing... BTW why are you considering to change out the D-Lux6?

Casey

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 different from what is actual. Aside from that one small issue, I'm still very happy with the camera and haven't yet found anything that could replace it as I think any replacement has to be significantly better in order for me to make a change. Just a small case of itchy fingers

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 D-Lux6 still working use it with pleasure...  I am just now giving up on my Canon IXY DIGITAL 10 [Japan] (PowerShot SD1000 DIGITAL ELPH [Americas] / DIGITAL IXUS 70 [Europe]) which was introduced in March 2006  ; )

Itchy fingers I understand ; )

Casey

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 Japanese only on the domestic models.

"Special Today Only" take away price of USD 910 (regular USD 1,060) so price wise it falls between the X100T and the LX100, closer to the X100T.  Build wise it would be challenging if you are tough with your equipment... e.g. the pop-up flash and/or finder.  Clearly a fun camera that has attracted a segment of the market... with excellent image quality.

Casey

This message has been edited by cshimokita on 2015-09-26 21:02:15

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.

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

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

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 noticeable (and irritating) lag which did in fact help stabilize the camera.

It's one of the reasons I am looking for a small camera with external controls, as I want to be able to select the shutter speed.

Casey

will be my choice....

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 toward the X100T as it seems to best meet my requirements (i.e. feels better in my hands, it fits with the rest of my kit as a backup, I can live with a fixed lens, and it will be a social situation camera)...

Casey

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 a primary lens you will love it.
Wish you all the pleasure .
Regards

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 two or more cameras that do about the same thing... a good friend has the X100T and LX100 for example... my decision is more or less done, I just have to search for the best price...

Casey