LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I’ll pile on here: I have the “kit lens” which is the 18-55. IMHO, it is the best kit lens I’ve encountered & the OIS is stellar. I’ve hand-held down to 1/4sec. I took the “one lense/one camera” approach on an 11-day trip to France. I have no regrets. I watched a lot of Nikon/Canon users lug their heavy gear through the increased security checkpoints. (There were three checkpoints at the Eiffel Tower.). It was nice to breeze through.

I’m not anti-Sony; they make great gear. I just didn’t find their menus very intuitive, ie they didn’t work for me. (I borrowed one from a co-worker).

lamontcranston

I really like the retro layout of the Fuji cameras and their line of lenses seem to be excellent according to the reviews. However I voted with my dollars and went with the Sony A6000 and eventually the very fine Sony 18-105 mm lens. I've never regretted my choice. Here's a good comparison of the 2 cameras you are interested in:

http://cameradecision.com/compare/Fujifilm-X-T20-vs-Sony-Alpha-a6500

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Larry, here's a site that gives a detailed comparison between the two....Both are excellent cameras and either can't go wrong. I own the Sony 6300 and love it. Haven't tried the Fuji but it also looks impressive. No doubt you're getting an information overload but when it comes down to it, both are awesome cameras and its personal preference for a particular brand, if any.

https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/preview/fuji-xt20-vs-sony-a6300-a6500/

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Sorry for the repetitive URL....

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

My vote goes to the A6500. It’s a robust camera, weather and dust sealed, and has in body stabilization, so it doesn’t matter what lens you use, you have image stabilization. It’s true that the Sony uses a different lay out of the controls to change settings, however once you get used to it, it’s never a problem. It’s no slower or faster than having a contorl wheel on the front and one on the back. The Fuji probably appeals to a lot of folks who grew up on the film SLR’s, because of the Fuji’s retro layout. In my opinion, either camera is a good choice. The Fuji probably has a larger lens selection, but the lenses for the Sony are all excellent, and you can get a lens adapter for the Sony that will allow the use of other lenses and retain the auto features. The big difference is the pricetag. The A6500 is more expensive by a fair amount. As for the menus, it’s true that Sony uses a different menu layout, but it’s not hard to figure it out, and once you have your camera set up, there’s not much need to get into the menu very often, so to me, it’s a moot point.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I'm familiar with Sony mirrorless cameras, both APS-C and full frame. This Fujifilm X-T20 is no slouch for price.

lamontcranston

Here's a glowing report on the 18-55mm kit lens that comes on the Fuji XT-20. As LoneRangerFinder has pointed out, it has OIS so you don't need in-camera stabilization when using it.

https://digital-photography-school.com/xf18-55mm-kit-lens-king/

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I personally wouldn't get the Fuji X-T20 because it is a very uncomfortable camera to hold- too small and the controls too crowded. I tried it and sent it back for the Fuji X-T2. I think the X-T2 is priced similarly to the Sony a6500. There is a 100.00 rebate going on now.
The Fuji is weather resistant as are many of the lenses.
The Fuji has in lens stabilization rather than in camera. A few of the Fuji lenses do not have stabilization but it has not been a problem.
Many of the often used settings are on the camera.

FYI- the Sony 70-300 mm lens is heavier and bigger than the Nikon 70-300- all versions of them!! Something to think about if you are going in that direction.

SonyBug

FYI- the Sony 70-300 mm lens is heavier and bigger than the Nikon 70-300- all versions of them!! Something to think about if you are going in that direction.[/quote]

it's true the Sony 70-300 is a beast, compared to the small size of the camera, but coming from Nikon FF D8xx series, it is a dream. And it is only 1.75 lbs, so very doable.

If anybody wants to see the Menu System of the A6500, I am attaching it in spreadsheet format. Please do not use it commercially or reproduce it.

Attached file:
(Download)

dyximan

I agree with this gentleman's assessment I love the Fuji XT 2, for the intuitiveness ease-of-use, lightweight and small size. Any of the lenses could be fit in your pocket along with the camera if needed, except the 100 to 400 of course. Slthough I do they do have a limited lens selection and adaptability, and they're not easily manipulated in raw through your average post production software so I'm I'm told. I'll have to look more closely at the Sony, as recently my camera equipment was stolen and I'm renting the XT 2 D500 and the 7D Mark ii, as I do like Birding. Best of luck with your choices and decisions enjoy your hobby

Kuzano

Fuji's aggressive firmware package is my reason for blowing off Sony. That alone has kept me up to date through 2 to 3 model upgrades. Fantastic for avoiding gas. Other than that I don't see anything offered by Sony that Fuji does not meet or exceed. Furthermore Sony's aggressiveness seems to be aimed more at outdating your current purchase with a new model at higher prices. How many new models have we seen since the A6000 at steep price increases.

Also the Fuji Super CCD and x-trans sensors have never used any low pass AA filtering throughout their reign. Always sharp images from the sensor to the memory card. No phony smudging of sharpness. Don't know if Sony uses lowpass AA, but check it out.

kbatschke Loc: Chicagoland-west

I went through a similar process in May. After looking at the specs and reviews, I opted for the a6500 primarily for the IBIS and advanced AF system. Size is virtually the same however the Sony is slightly heavier by about 1.5oz. I'm extremely happy with the purchase (I got mine with the 16-50 and 55-210 kit lenses, purchased the FE 28mm f2 since). I love the EVF and image sharpness. I've been able to adapt my Canon glass with the Sigma adapter (Canon EF to Sony E). Don't let the 'menu system sucks' crowd influence your decision. I watched a number of YouTube videos, assigned most used functions/menu items to customizable buttons and now rarely access the menu. Battery life has not been an issue for me, 400+ images per charge and carry an extra battery if I'm doing a of shooting. I can take If you get the Sony, I highly recommend David Busch's guide.

Happy hunting!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Do you plan to become sonybug?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right! Every new Menu system sucks, but after a couple of weeks, it's fine. One difference - but a nice one - with the Sony Menu is the fact that you don't keep scrolling down. If there are six items listed, after looking at them, you move over to the next page, and view the next six. Pages are listed horizontally at the top, and items are listed vertically below the pages.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

I don't think you could go wrong with either. The Sony has more functions and features, but the Fuji is a heftier build. Both are way ahead of whatever is in third place. For travel, I have an 18-200 on a Sony a6300. It takes great pix. I usually carry along a Rokinon fisheye which I use, maybe, about 1 out of 300 shots. I could have gone either way. I started with an a6000 three years ago, added the a6300 when they arrived on the scene. But the Fuji would have been a great camera to have. The Sonys have better, faster autofocus and especially the Eye-AF and face recognition. This was good as I have a 5 yr old grand daughter who is in constant motion. The Eye-AF makes a lot of difference.