Nikon D7500 or Fujifilm XT-3?

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buddy13

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Etienne
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Hello comrades :)!

I am a 35 year old Mech Eng from Malta (EU). Since I was very young I have been intrigued by anything that works, all forms of machines, be these bikes, watches, cars, Hi-Fi etc.

Just over a year ago I got into the beautiful world of Photography and bought my first 'serious' camera. A Canon 200D (SL2) with 18-55 kit lens. During this year, it served me very well. I have bought the below lenses through the time (in that order) and have been very happy with the photos I started to make :). Lenses I owned:

- 50mm f/1.8 STM
- 55-250mm f/4-5.6 EF-S IS STM
- 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 EF-S IS STM
- 16-50 f/2.8 Sigma DC OS

I've read as much as I could and taught myself whenever I had the time, and technically, I understand as much about Exposure and the Technicalities of cameras/lenses as much as the next man.

I love shooting landscapes, some wildlife, portraits/candids, and Street (inc. late evening). Photography during my holiday trips abroad is also one of the things I most enjoy doing.

Two weeks ago I sold my camera with all the lenses, after getting an offer I could not refuse. Admittedly all my kit was still mint. I loved the 200D, but what bothered me a bit was the fact that it was not the best laid out camera to shoot in Manual mode (perhaps neither Av, Tv), to shoot portraits through the OVF or to save Presets, neither was it WR for my trips abroad/rain etc.

I am now looking at buying my second 'more serious' APSc camera which I can keep honing my skills on, while trying all kinds of different things with and expanding into flash, macro photography etc. I have considered M4/3, FF etc but APSc is the format that fits me best. I have been thinking and reading about what camera would fit my needs & preferences best. I even tried sticking with Canon, but for some reason did not like their other offerings (80D/90D) as appealing as much as I did other mid-level DSLRs from Pentax or Nikon. So for me it's either:

- Fuji X-T3 with Fujinon 16-80mm f/4 WR OIS (circa 1500 Euros)
or
- Nikon D7500 with Nikkor DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4 VR (circa 1300 Euros)

I am ready to get one of these two equally great candidates that will most certainly serve me very well. Unfortunately, I honestly can't seem to decide between them! I know well that no system is perfect, but these two are so evenly matched for me, that I really don't know which way to go. I handled both and both felt nice in my hands.

I was very comfortable shooting DSLR and using Exposure meter & Histogram. I was also practicing using OVF with both eyes open for birds & wildlife. I have handled Mirrorless but did not shoot with one for any length of time.

Now my DSLR was quite packable and am very aware that the D7500 would be larger and heavier, so I started looking at mirrorless. I always admired the Fuji X systems with their rotary knobs and retro charm, but am unsure whether they will feel more 'modern' than the 7500D. Strange but true perhaps, but not sure whether looking through an EVF and shooting with an Electronic Shutter have the same satisfaction my DSLR gave. Mirrorless XT-3 will be faster to A/F, lighter, more packable, 2 SD Cards (JPEG & RAW seperately),great quality Fujinon lenses, Film Simulation and Mag alloy body. The D7500 is time proven, many accessories available, cheaper lenses, Sigma and Tamron Long Telephotos, OVF etc.

Both have their pros & cons, so not interested to hear which one is BEST. I'm more interested to hear which you think is best for me. A Professional photographer friend (owns Sony A7s) of mine tells me that I should not invest in a new DSLR in 2020 as all major companies are all going mirrorless.

Between these 2 equally great cameras, which should I go for? Interested in hearing your opinions and advice!
 
I'd go with X-T3.
Shooting with OVF feels backwards after getting used to EVFs. Wouldn't go back to DSLRs for this reason.
 
D7500 works very well for me and my wildlife photography and as you acknowledge a much greater base of lenses and accessories are available.
 
Couple of things to think about.

While the native Fuji lenses are excellent, the range of options isn't great, but they have enough in the right areas to make the system work as long as you don't need a very long, fast, telephoto. I love shooting birds & wildlife, but the while 100-400 plus 1.4TC does give good IQ at full range, you are shooting at f8.

Using an EVF isn't for everyone, personally I love it, but I would try one in a shop etc first. Also, hold the camera, it's quite small compared to most DSLR's, but I've got small hands and I also find the "tactile" nature of the analogue controls appealing.

To give you some idea, I turned totally Fuji a couple of years ago, selling off my 6D & 7D2 and I now have 3 bodies and a range of prime & zoom lenses. It brought back my interest in photography and I shoot more now than I have done in the last 40 years.

Either my X-T2 or T3 is with me wherever I go, as I pick up my keys I pick up my camera bag, and with the 10-24 it makes a great walkabout kit. I haven't tried the 16-80 yet, but have thought seriously about it. I would however suggest you look at the excellent 18-55 "kit" lens, and the 55-200 to go with it.

I can't comment on the Nikon, I haven't even held one. But Nikon make excellent cameras...

My last comment, have you considered what you can get used? There is a lot of stuff out there if you look.

Edit: If you shoot wildlife, the "silent" shutter and frame rate of the T3 is excellent. I generally shoot with a mechanical shutter, but use the electronic shutter for wildlife.
 
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Pro’s and con’s either way, and only you can make the decision. I’m fortunate to own an X-T2 as well as a Nikon set up but the Nikon always feels the most instinctive to use in terms of its menus and controls. On the other hand the Fuji is much more light and compact and gets used when I want to take something smaller and lighter with me as the weight is barely noticeable compared to the Nikon. In terms of viewfinder, I prefer optical and that goes against the opinion of 99% of the people on here, but that’s my preference - yours may differ and that’s fine.
People say that mirrorless is the future which is probably true, but if you get an SLR it will probably still work in 5-10 years time and be worth just as little as an equivalent mirrorless. Both are excellent choices and you won’t go wrong with whatever you choose.
 
Thank you all for your helpful advice and for taking the time
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This is truly the most on the fence I have ever been among two options for a purchase, even one costing much more. Normally I'm quick to make a decision and don't look back.

My reasoning is as follows:

On the D7500 I like the - OVF, third party lenses, options of cheaper native lenses, Battery life, large grip, used lens availability, Made in Thailand (not China), preset user modes.

On the XT-3 I like - Smaller body, Mag alloy body, Dedicated APSc Fujinon lens line, 1 year newer, 2 SD Cards (one RAW other JPEG), Silent shutter option (street), Aperture ring on lenses and rotary dials.

I might as well toss a coin, literally. The XT-3 will run me 1500 Euros with the 16-80 f/4 , while the D7500 with the 16-80 f/2.8-4 is 1300 Euros. True, that is 200 Euros saving, but the RRP for the XT-3 is 300+ Euros more!

I'd really like to build a lens system around this camera and keep it for the long term, so it truly is a hard choice to make
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Although I no longer have Fuji, one of its great attractions was the analogue nature of the controls.
 
Mr Perceptive said:
Don't dismiss the X-H1, assuming you can find one, these are a bargain at the moment, and will give you the large grip and save you several hundred euros (also gives you ISIS)
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Good call. The X-H1 is a great camera, and feels much like a DSLR. I have the T3 and H1 and other than improved AF on the T3 prefer the H1.
 
Mr Perceptive said:
Don't dismiss the X-H1, assuming you can find one, these are a bargain at the moment, and will give you the large grip and save you several hundred euros (also gives you ISIS)
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The X-H1 is going for an absolute steal at the moment, you can now get it with the additional grip and 3 batteries for just under £900 brand new.

I don't think the OP can go wrong with any of the choices as all of them tick the boxes for what he/she needs. Personally I'd go for a Fuji (I'm a Fuji & Nikon user) as I find their glass is better than Nikon and I have far more fun using the Fuji system. There's pros and cons in both systems, going forward Fuji are fully focused on expanding and developing their X series whilst Nikon now seem more interested in throwing their resources behind their Z range.
 
stuartm1 said:
The X-H1 is going for an absolute steal at the moment, you can now get it with the additional grip and 3 batteries for just under £900 brand new.

I don't think the OP can go wrong with any of the choices as all of them tick the boxes for what he/she needs. Personally I'd go for a Fuji (I'm a Fuji & Nikon user) as I find their glass is better than Nikon and I have far more fun using the Fuji system. There's pros and cons in both systems, going forward Fuji are fully focused on expanding and developing their X series whilst Nikon now seem more interested in throwing their resources behind their Z range.
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The fuji refurb shop have stock of the H1 with grip and 2 extra batteries for £699.
 
I'm another X-H1 user, came from Nikon d750, d850 and olympus omd emi.
I can't see me selling the X-H1. Feels very good in my hands, takes wonderful photos (in other hands) and is cheap as chips. Lots of used lenses available too. Small yet big, light and yet well built enough for most. That's a vote from me.
 
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