Hi I have only just joined and looking for advice I have been using my smartphone for photography but I want to get a proper camera and I've narrowed it down to the fujifilm xt20 or Panasonic g80/85. I was wondering if anyone could help me chose between the two cameras. Thanks.
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Box Brownie
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Hi Steven and welcome to TP
Perhaps tell us about your photography interests and as such why you have short listed those two cameras?
A little insight will aid feedback
Perhaps tell us about your photography interests and as such why you have short listed those two cameras?
A little insight will aid feedback
Thanks for your reply and sorry yeah that would help. I had been looking at getting a dslr but after reading many reviews and watching YouTube videos I was set on mirrorless mainly due to size for portability.
I had a budget and from what I've read these 2 cameras seem to fit my needs and get decent reviews my main interest in photography will be landscape (hillwalking), street photography and my kids.
I hope this helps a little.
I had a budget and from what I've read these 2 cameras seem to fit my needs and get decent reviews my main interest in photography will be landscape (hillwalking), street photography and my kids.
I hope this helps a little.
snerkler
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Both are more than capable for what you want so I would say try both out and see what you prefer handling wise. Also, look ahead to see what lenses you can envisage buying and check costs and weight etc, that could sway you to one system or the other.
Are you aware of the differences between the systems, and the differing sensor sizes? Are you planning on doing post processing on the computer as Fuji files don’t play nice with all softwares (although are much better these days) as this could also sway your decision.
Are you aware of the differences between the systems, and the differing sensor sizes? Are you planning on doing post processing on the computer as Fuji files don’t play nice with all softwares (although are much better these days) as this could also sway your decision.
I have looked into both systems and the sensors the only thing that I wasn't sure of was some comments about the low light capabilities of the g80 sensor as I could be doing some shots later at night, but this is the more stand out one being weather sealed for hillwalking and landscape.
I will be using light room and snapseed for editing but I wasn't aware of the fuji issue so thanks I'll look into that.
I will be using light room and snapseed for editing but I wasn't aware of the fuji issue so thanks I'll look into that.
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Would you consider used? The EM5 Mark II is an excellent camera and has great weather sealing, just be aware though that for a camera to be weather sealed the lens needs to be weather sealed as well.
Fuji uses an X-Trans processor rather than the conventional bayer sensor and as a result different softwares have had difficulty demosaicing the files. Lightroom used to be shocking, giving a very watercolour or painterly effect especially with landscapes, but it is much better now with the later versions and especially CC. Processing does still require a slightly different approach to sharpening but you can get very good results now, with VERY few images being affected to the point it's not worth worrying about imo. I still find some of the jpegs can have a hint of this effect, but that's a very decisive opinion and again 99% of the time not an issue. Fuji images are very pleasing and they have quite a fan base over their colours. I mention it only so that you know you need to apply a different approach
The smaller the sensor the worse it will be in low light, that's just physics, however my experience with Olympus was very positive. Their IBIS is class leading and I've managed to handhold shots at 24mm eq for 1s allowing me to keep ISO down. Of course, if shooting on a tripod noise handling becomes less of an issue as well, and Olympus (maybe Panasonic too) have a very clever noise cancellation feature with long exposures (I think those 1s and over) where it takes a second blank shot and then uses this to remove the noise from the first image, creating a much cleaner raw file. Also, the EM5-II has better low light performance than the G80 despite the same size sensor, the EM5-II scores 896 on DXO vs 656 for the G80.
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I have the GX85 which I'd guess is a similar camera but in RF form rather than SLR. I'd say that the low light/high ISO performance is pretty good but that the type of lighting can make a difference. For example some artificial lighting can be a real problem and make an ISO 1600 shot look awful, but I suppose that'll be true for any camera.
One thing in favor of the Panasonic is that there are a lot of nice lenses available used at reasonable prices and of course you don't need to stick to Panasonic lenses as any Micro Four thirds lens will fit and work. All but one of my lenses were bought used and all my primes are Olympus and they work well on my Panasonic camera. Other nice lenses are available from Sigma, Voigtlander and others.
Thanks I had looked at that camera aswell I can get an ex display one with warranty for the same price as both the ones I mentioned. I never imagined choosing one would be so difficult there is just so much choice and being new to photography its making it even harder. Thanks for your reply I will definitely look into this.Would you consider used? The EM5 Mark II is an excellent camera and has great weather sealing, just be aware though that for a camera to be weather sealed the lens needs to be weather sealed as well.
Fuji uses and X-Trans processor rather than the conventional bayer sensor and as a result different softwares have had difficulty demosaicing the files. Lightroom used to be shocking, giving a very watercolour or painterly effect especially with landscapes, but it is much better now with the later versions and especially CC. Processing does still require a slightly different approach to sharpening but you can get very good results now, with VERY few images being affected to the point it's not worth worrying about imo. I still find some of the jpegs can have a hint of this effect, but that's a very decisive opinion and again 99% of the time not an issue. Fuji images are very pleasing and they have quite a fan base over their colours. I mention it only so that you know you need to apply a different approach
The smaller the sensor the worse it will be in low light, that's just physics, however my experience with Olympus was very positive. Their IBIS is class leading and I've managed to handhold shots at 24mm eq for 1s allowing me to keep ISO down. Of course, if shooting on a tripod noise handling becomes less of an issue as well, and Olympus (maybe Panasonic too) have. vey clever noise cancellation feature with long exposures (I think those 1s and over) where it takes a second blank shot and then uses this to remove the noise from the first image, creating a much cleaner raw file. Also, the EM5-II has better low light performance than the G80 despite the same size sensor, the EM5-II scores 896 on DXO vs 656 for the G80.
Thanks this really helps the g80 is just the g85 but it's the UK number so exactly the same.
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My wife has an X-T20 and my son has a G80 - my thoughts
For out and out stills image quality the X-T20 has the edge, but if WR, IBIS and video are important to you then the Panasonic is a very good option. The Panansonic is definitely not as good in low light but its still a great camera.
For out and out stills image quality the X-T20 has the edge, but if WR, IBIS and video are important to you then the Panasonic is a very good option. The Panansonic is definitely not as good in low light but its still a great camera.
Thanks its good to find someone who can directly compare the 2 I won't be shooting video at all it's just purely for stills. The WR was a selling point but it's not a deal breaker thanks for your reply.
The one I can buy has the 14-150 lens with it. Is this a good starter lens that can produce good stills?.Would you consider used? The EM5 Mark II is an excellent camera and has great weather sealing, just be aware though that for a camera to be weather sealed the lens needs to be weather sealed as well.
Fuji uses an X-Trans processor rather than the conventional bayer sensor and as a result different softwares have had difficulty demosaicing the files. Lightroom used to be shocking, giving a very watercolour or painterly effect especially with landscapes, but it is much better now with the later versions and especially CC. Processing does still require a slightly different approach to sharpening but you can get very good results now, with VERY few images being affected to the point it's not worth worrying about imo. I still find some of the jpegs can have a hint of this effect, but that's a very decisive opinion and again 99% of the time not an issue. Fuji images are very pleasing and they have quite a fan base over their colours. I mention it only so that you know you need to apply a different approach
The smaller the sensor the worse it will be in low light, that's just physics, however my experience with Olympus was very positive. Their IBIS is class leading and I've managed to handhold shots at 24mm eq for 1s allowing me to keep ISO down. Of course, if shooting on a tripod noise handling becomes less of an issue as well, and Olympus (maybe Panasonic too) have a very clever noise cancellation feature with long exposures (I think those 1s and over) where it takes a second blank shot and then uses this to remove the noise from the first image, creating a much cleaner raw file. Also, the EM5-II has better low light performance than the G80 despite the same size sensor, the EM5-II scores 896 on DXO vs 656 for the G80.
Box Brownie
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That Olympus lens has decent reviews though a few reports suggesting there may have been some copy to copy variance. But do note it is not AFAIK a weather sealed lens (I stand to be corrected?)
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Just another quick thought on Panasonic low light / higher ISO performance.
One thing I personally find is that my Panasonic cameras imo over expose in low light and this results in a brighter picture than the reality I saw by eye but reducing the exposure post capture to match the reality I saw can result in noise being less visible.
One thing I personally find is that my Panasonic cameras imo over expose in low light and this results in a brighter picture than the reality I saw by eye but reducing the exposure post capture to match the reality I saw can result in noise being less visible.
I wish I could get the x-t2 but its out of my budget unfortunately. That's why I like the xt20 it's just the weather sealing I would have preferred due to taking it hillwalking.
imattersuk
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Lot's of used XT-2's around at bargain prices. I tried to switch to M4/3 and ended up firmly back with Fuji due to low light performance.
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I'm surprised you found MFT that bad. I've never owned or even used a Fuji and have only downloaded raws but nothing I've seen doing that has convinced me that the APS-C Fuji's are vastly better than MFT. Imo they can tend to under expose and there's the murmurings about Fuji ISO's not directly relating to those of other manufacturers so, for example, a Fuji ISO 3200 shot may not be directly comparable to a Panasonic one.
snerkler
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I didn't find a lot of difference between Fuji and M4/3 in low light either. I believe by default Fuji applies NR to raw files which can be misleading when comparing.
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The mark II version is weather sealed, the mark I isn't.
imattersuk
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Not just the noise but focus acquisition time too, overall Fuji just feels a more solid performer to me.
Cagey75
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Used a couple of Fuji cameras and owned the G80 for a good while too. I definitely see a noticeable improvement in low light on the X-H1 over the G80, but otherwise both produce great quality images. Where the G80 Trumps is on the IBIS side, it is more reliable than Fuji's. Olympus IBIS is better again, but I find Panasonic cameras much more user friendly, the touch screen on the G80 is also excellent, works as good as smart phone screens. The M43 system is cheaper to get into at least on the non pro end. You can get decent primes for less than £200 new
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I can't comment on Fuji focus but with any focus comparisons you have to remember that focus speed is going to be a combination of the camera and the lens.
If speed isn't an issue one thing I have found is that my MFT cameras can focus in almost total darkness and by that I mean in an unlit sealed room/compartment. What happens is that they hunt back and forward and them the display changes colour and focus is acquired. The process can take several seconds and although I haven't found a practical application yet it was an interesting experiment.
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I think with the ability to easily move the sliders in processing software and get a usable picture at ISO 25,600 relatively minor differences in noise performance (if you think half a stop or even a stop or so is relatively minor) may be less relevant than they were some time ago.
Thanks everyone all your reply have been helpful. I wouldn't say it's made it any easier to choose lol but they all sound pretty similar I don't believe any of them will be alot poorer then the other. I think due to hillwalking in Scotland the weather sealing is probably a bit more important so I think it's got to be either the g80 or olympus for that reason. Once again thanks for your help.
snerkler
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Depends on the camera, the EM1 and EM5-II are much faster at AF acquisition compared to the XT1 from my experience, and the EM1 Mark II have superb AF, fast enough fro anything I threw at it
I bought my current x-t2 a month ago second hand from Wex (it's in nearly new condition) - cost me £450 for the body only
snerkler
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That's a lot of camera for the money.
I have seen deals similar but getting a decent lens to go with it is the problem. I'm just starting out so getting a good starter camera with a lens is my main aim and in time I can upgrade.
snerkler
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The 18-55mm f2.8-4 is a great little lens, the only downside is that it's not weather sealed.
That's the lens that comes with the xt20 I had seen it gets great reviews and was a big selling point for the xt20. I think I'm going to go with the the g80 with the 12-60 lens it's the better deal of the 3 and it gets decent reviews.