rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Will be in France for 2 weeks next spring, and I am thinking of taking a removable lens mirrorless instead of the Nikon D810. My requirements are, 24 Mp or larger, interchangeable lenses, APS-C format, tilty screen, dual card slots (not deal breaker).

My two main contenders are:

Sony A6300
Fuji XT-20

Opinions?

Jbat Loc: Charleston, SC

I have the Fuji X-T2 and it is a great camera, the big brother to the X-T20. I moved to the Fuji completely from Nikon having last had the D800, a great camera. I have not owned the A6300 or the X-T20 but I know from experience with the X-T2 that the Fuji are much easier to learn to handle after coming from a different brand. This is primarily because of the dials on the camera and lens making it is not nearly as necessary to go into the menus as with the Sony or Nikon. And the Fuji output is outstanding.

Joel

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I second the Fuji X-T2 recommendation - great cameras and lenses, small size and weight.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I spent ten days in France with a Fuji and an 18-55mm lens. I intentionally kept my kit small-and I also limited my bag to a single carry on sized bag that could be utilized as a bag pack. I had tried the Sony before choosing the Fuji. My choice was strictly personal—I find the Sony’s menu to be less intuitive-but perhaps that’s just me. What I liked about the Fuji was the retro controls: EC and shutter dials are on the top. It also have multiple easy to set menus. One can even use an old style cable release. Perhaps my issue with the Sony is that it was so different from every other digital camera I’ve used. What I will say is this: give yourself lead time to learn the one you get—you do not want to be looking stuff up while opportunities disappear. The only thing I would change about my “one camera/one lens approach” is that I might expand it to include an ultra wide. Of course panos are an option, but a 14mm would have been useful. On the choice of focal lengths. I’ve been to every country in Western Europe and some several times. My style and interests lie in memories that I can get without a long telephoto. To whit: I’ve rarely found the need for anything longer than 55-85mm.
On the travel bag option: my choice to go light is intentional. My primary interest in travel is to see things I have not seen, interact with those who live there, without undue stress about gear, what lens for that, etc. if I merely want pictures of places, I can do that without leaving home—and a lot are much better than mine. So my bag: my wife chose one with wheels; I chose the soft pack with “back pack” optional straps. There are advantages to each: airports are easier to navigate with the wife option; cobblestone streets are easier with the back pack option.
If you want specific recommendations: driving in Europe, tickets, things to see, PM me. My trip was to Paris and driving from Honfleur to Dieppe, and then along the Northern Coast to see DDay sites specific to the Canadians who fought there.

Lots to see and do. Enjoy.

Edit: I started my long winded war and peace answer before seeing the other answers— and would endorse the XT-2. It’s not the one I have—but eventually I’ll get one. Mine doesn’t meet your megapixel requirement.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Between those two...the xt-20. Would get my vote or the a6500.

But if you truely want a portable system, go with m4/3 and prime lenses.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

If you decide to take interchangeable lenses off the table, the Canon G1X III is a great travel camera.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

:LRF: Thanks for your input. I am leaning, at the moment, to the Fuji. Sony's menu system is well, almost incomprehensible in its organization.

As to bags, I am taking a Pacsafe Camsafe backpack, something that is theft reinforced and does not scream camera bag. That I could also use as my carryon with iPad, chargers, etc.

http://www.pacsafe.com/camsafe-v17-anti-theft-camera-backpack/15221100.html?cgid=bags-backpacks#start=1

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I hate having to go into a lot of menus to set things on my cameras. I took a Fuji XE-1 to Europe a few years ago with just the 18-55. When I got it, I didn’t open the manual for a couple of weeks. It was so intuitive. If you’ve ever used an older film camera, the Fuji system will feel right at home. I’ve upgraded to the X-E2 and will be using it this summer in Europe. Handling was so nice, great color and the lenses are really sharp. Think about it... Fuji makes film and understands color...AND they have made great cameras and lenses for years.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I’ll add to this.... if you shoot raw you have the option of converting these to jpeg in the camera prior to downloads. While other cameras may have this option, the jpegs created by Fuji are some of the best—if not the best. Of course, you can still do raw+jpegs.

Agree on the lenses. Stellar.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Completely agree. I have a friend who’s a pro (shoots FF Nikon for work) that turned me on to Fuji - it’s what he carries for non-business use, so I bought an X-E2 + 18-55 for my wife for Christmas, and if she doesn’t use it, I will “adopt” it. Great IQ and color and easy menus (very intuitive) plus excellent quality lenses, and I like the SLR-like controls on Fujis (plus a decent sized sensor).

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I travel to France 4 or 5 times a year by car from my home in the UK. I always take a couple of M43 cameras, an Olympus and a Panasonic and three lenses which consist of two primes and one zoom. Using a car means I do not have to consider the weight, but when flying I only take the Olympus and the Panasonic P&S and two lenses, one prime and one zoom, so this might be something you might to consider.

Strofam

I switched from a Canon T5i to a Fuji XT2 about 6 months ago and I couldn't be happier. Ditto the comments on controls at your finger tips as opposed to menus. Much faster to bias exposures, ASA, etc. Live view is wonderful experience allowing you a "look ahead" and confirming what you are expose. The feedback after the shot helps as well.

Took it on a 2 week venture thru South Dakota and Wyoming this past September. Shot mostly with the 16-55 mm, f2.8 zoom mounted. (No OIS but I really didn't need it.) I printed a small collection of shots at 13" x 19" and I am ecstatic with the clarity and detail. Exposures using aperture mode were dead on. Using the live mode I frequently overrode the cameras exposure to get the look that I wanted.

In short, this camera lens combination exceeded anything I was able to produce with the Canon. Good luck to you.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Caution: I have read where The TSA has many new rules and regulations regarding Camera equipment, especially with international Travel.

dyximan

I'm not sure if the Fuji XT2 is 24 megapixels but I used it and absolutely loved it,size weight excellent, ease-of-use the best, and I would have purchased it had the buffer on it been better. As I loveed everything about it, but I like to take birds in flight and wanted a camera with a larger buffer. As I start to do more traveling will definitely look into that camera again.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Good for you. Travel right, travel lite. The following are my travel favorites, each has a small pouch that loops on my belt. I am hands free all the time so I can hold my wife's hand. Sony HX50V, RX100M2, HX90V, the 90V is my current favorite, 24-720 mm Zeiss that fits in the palm of my hand.