Choices: Fuji or ? As a dedicated eighth decade amateur Nikon D800 photographer, it is becoming clear that a switch to a lighter weight mirrorless camera would be reasonable. The Fuji...

sensor1

As a dedicated eighth decade amateur Nikon D800 photographer, it is becoming clear that a switch to a lighter weight mirrorless camera would be reasonable. The Fuji X-T20 seems to be a promising candidate for that change but would greatly appreciate the opinions of others regarding this or another choice for my interests in still life, birds and other wildlife, and portrait photography. Many thanks.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

The X-T20 is a great choice for downsizing, if you don't want to worry about changing lens, the X100 is also a great choice.

loosecanon Loc: Central Texas

Ched49 wrote:

The X-T20 is a great choice for downsizing, if you don't want to worry about changing lens, the X100 is also a great choice.

Why would you not have worry about changing lenses? You still need the full complement of their lenses if you shoot the same things as with a Nikon or Canon.

Selene03

After reading a couple of really good astrophotographer blogs/you tubes praising the Sony a7iii for its ability to take good night landscapes with Milky Ways, etc., I bought one on a whim. I hiked with it and the kit lens (the only way I could get one when I needed it was to buy with the kit lens) and decided it was a great lightweight hiking camera. I then bought a bit better lens for it, which is a bit bigger but still way smaller than most of my Canon systems (I can make the sl2 pretty small and get good results). I don't know much about Fujis, and I prefer how Canons work to the Sony, but for image quality the a7iii is terrific and I would think you would save a bit of weight moving from the D800, but still like the results a lot.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

sensor1 wrote:

As a dedicated eighth decade amateur Nikon D800 photographer, it is becoming clear that a switch to a lighter weight mirrorless camera would be reasonable. The Fuji X-T20 seems to be a promising candidate for that change but would greatly appreciate the opinions of others regarding this or another choice for my interests in still life, birds and other wildlife, and portrait photography. Many thanks.

I purchased an X-T20 kit with a 16-50 and 50-230, which for a trip to France, was the ideal camera. I was concerned about the weight and size of the D850 with removable lenses on the river cruise. It was small enough to slip into my travel vest's pocket without being obvious.

However, the X-T20 is a bit compact for birding, wildlife and portraits. I think you'd be happier with the X-T2 as an alternative.

Interesting, but on this river cruise, there was only 2 of us with DSLR's, the rest was point and shoot and Smartphones.

le boecere

sensor1 wrote:

As a dedicated eighth decade amateur Nikon D800 photographer, it is becoming clear that a switch to a lighter weight mirrorless camera would be reasonable. The Fuji X-T20 seems to be a promising candidate for that change but would greatly appreciate the opinions of others regarding this or another choice for my interests in still life, birds and other wildlife, and portrait photography. Many thanks.

FWIW; I hung onto "film" (Canon & Minolta) long after the photography world moved to digital. Then I needed a compact travel camera, so, Canon to Sony to Fujifilm digital rangefinder-style & pocket cameras.

I'd advise anyone coming from an SLR or DSLR background to take a long, strong, look at Fujifilm X-cameras. The Sony mirrorless products had a fairly steep learning curve, FOR ME ~ still do.

HOWEVER ~ if you are looking at "pocket cameras", the Sony RX100-series is the place to start.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

For a light weight, fully featured body, intuitive menu, lovely SOOC color and excellent lenses, the Fuji is an excellent choice. Don’t sell your D800 - there are places that in spite of the weight and size, a FF DSLR is the tool of choice.

le boecere

TriX wrote:

For a light weight, fully featured body, intuitive menu, lovely SOOC color and excellent lenses, the Fuji is an excellent choice. Don’t sell your D800 - there are places that in spite of the weight and size, a FF DSLR is the tool of choice.

So very well stated.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

loosecanon wrote:

Why would you not have worry about changing lenses? You still need the full complement of their lenses if you shoot the same things as with a Nikon or Canon.

The last time I checked, the X100 was a fixed lens camera.

loosecanon Loc: Central Texas

Ched49 wrote:

The last time I checked, the X100 was a fixed lens camera.

The camera mentioned was the XT20.

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

sensor1 wrote:

As a dedicated eighth decade amateur Nikon D800 photographer, it is becoming clear that a switch to a lighter weight mirrorless camera would be reasonable. The Fuji X-T20 seems to be a promising candidate for that change but would greatly appreciate the opinions of others regarding this or another choice for my interests in still life, birds and other wildlife, and portrait photography. Many thanks.

Interesting, you are not the first to profess your desire to go mirrorless simply because of WEIGHT. Interesting that a couple of ounces have convinced hundreds of DSLR photographers to switch.
I am currently 70 and have used SLR's professionally for years. I still use large DSLR's, D4s with a 200-400 lens. a D500 with battery grip (I like the weight) and the 200-500 lens attached.
Why are folks forking over thousands of dollars for a few ounces, is their another reason to switch besides WEIGHT. I get award winning photographs with my current equipment and have no problems with WEIGHT. I just don't understand.
I will be ordering soon the new Nikon 180-400, I am not a strong male, but I find WEIGHT not an issue.
Am I missing something? Should I start going to the Y more? Will I get progressively weaker quicker in my 70's than 60's? What?

Lukabulla

The Sony and Fuji Compacts are both Very Good going by the Reports ..

The thing I find is that the Sony Just does not look the part !
Looks too modern and contemporary .. A bit Plastic dare I say ..

Where as the Fuji Looks like a Popper Camera with its Retro Styling .

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

The 80s will for sure be nothing like the 60s.

billnikon wrote:

Interesting, you are not the first to profess your... (show quote)

CaptainPhoto

It's not only the weight that is an issue. The size of a DSLR (Canon or Nikon) 100-400 lens compared to an equivalent mirrorless lens is significant in size and weight and cost. I had a Canon 5d MK III with a Canon 100-400 lens. When I went with my Olympus mirrorless system the equal lens was even less then half the size of the Canon, and yes a lot less in weight. It took two + camera bags for the camera and lenses I wanted on a shoot, now with my mirrorless system I've got everything in one bag. Telephoto, walk around, wide angle and macro all in one bag along with the camera, batteries, charger etc. Works for me.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

sensor1 wrote:

As a dedicated eighth decade amateur Nikon D800 photographer, it is becoming clear that a switch to a lighter weight mirrorless camera would be reasonable. The Fuji X-T20 seems to be a promising candidate for that change but would greatly appreciate the opinions of others regarding this or another choice for my interests in still life, birds and other wildlife, and portrait photography. Many thanks.

I have two Fuji X-T2's which replaced my Nikon D700 and D800. I don't do birds but I've seen great shots taken with the Fuji 100-400. I use the 50-140 f/2.8 for portraits. One of my bodies came with Fuji's 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 which I find very versatile to carry on trips abroad. I'm 80 and I can assure billnikon that we are not talking about "a few ounces" difference in weight, but a few pounds, to say nothing of bulk. I can curl a 30lb dumbbell 10x so I can carry a Speed Graphic if I was ridiculous enough to do so. Perhaps hauling around FF Nikons and their lenses while walking around Palermo or trekking through Borneo's jungle to photograph orangutans is billnikon's speed, but count me out. Sometimes I will go out with just my iPhone X to experience the liberation of not being bogged down by apparatus.