Used CSC options under £250

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meganigo

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Megan
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Hi guys,

Sorry for another advice question.
Basically, I shoot with a Nikon D300, but it's generally too large to carry everywhere.

I'm looking for a second, everyday carry, camera.

Lucky enough to have tested a couple but would like some opinions on buying an older, used model.

My choices come down to these;

Fuji X Pro 1 - love the feel in hand, like the option of the hybrid vf, love the glass choice.

Fuji X E1 - love the feel again, same glass, £50 cheaper and like the option of small but bouncable flash in emergancies.

Olympus OMD EM5/10 - feels good (not certain if too cramped as didn't get very long). EM5 bit more rugged, and both have more lens variety.

Camera will be for cityscapes, street photography, portraits, candid shots.

I gather the autofocus is sub par for action with both Fuji options, but I rarely shoot action.

Anyway, all are in an excellent condition.

What I want to know is whether buying the older models (edging to X E1) will be a poor decision on my part? Can these cameras still hold their own? Fuji photo output seems beautiful. But are the cameras too sluggish?
Olympus output doesn't seem quite so refined, but camera processing speed/focus is better.

I'm probably over thinking, so opinions would be gratefully recieved!

Thanks,

Megan
 
meganigo said:
Can these cameras still hold their own?
Click to expand...

On image quality? Your Nikon is as far as I know an APS-C model that's a few years old now and I'd expect any of the newer MFT and APS-C CSC's to equal or better it for image quality.

Does you budget include a lens?
 
Got an a6000, xpro1 and em5 for my CSC itch. I'm going to keep the xpro1 and sell the em5 and a6000 and put those funds towards the pen-f.

I'm invested in Fuji glass and it is superb but I don't think an XPro2 is worth the upgrade given I don't use it for anything fast not do I use it on auto

If I was looking for an enjoyable hands on experience id get the Fuji xpro1 but the lenses aren't the cheapest.

If you want auto focus and ease of use with high performance and Image stablisation then go the EM5 over the EM10. It has 5 axis IS rather than 3 axis. It is weather sealed and is slightly more robust. If you want to transfer over wifi you will need an EM10 but that's just a bit of a gimmick imo.
 
Is the £250 budget body only or including lens/es?
 
Thanks for the replies!

I've basicallly budgeted £600 total, but want that to include a prime lens and a zoom (a kit type 16-50, 14-42). So the £250 was for body, which I'll upgrade end of year time, £200 for a prime and £150 for a basic kit lens for starters.

As for image quality, I know that any will produce beautiful photos as long as I put the effort in, I was more concerned with lag, in vf and between shots I suppose.

I tried the Sony and didn't like the feel of it at all, so ruled that out.

Thanks again!
 
I'm tempted to agree with @pingu666 and suggest that a DP2M and DP3M would fit within your budget as a package, but they're likely frustrate you no end as a primary camera system:D - love mine but wouldn't be without the X-E2 alongside them.

Speaking of which, rather than the X-Pro1 or -E1 I'd look for an X-E2 instead. There's a massive step-up in AF performance with the latest firmware and you should be able to pick one up with the XC16-50mm and XF27mm well within budget. Quite possibly with the XF18-55mm rather than the XC.
 
Alastair offers good advice ... he offered similar when I was looking for advice on Fuji, tho I found a well-priced X-T10 finally. On your budget and based on my recent research and buying experience you can pick up the X-E2 and 27mm easily (around £440-460 the pair used), cheaper if bought together as a 'kit'. Getting the 18-55 OIS should be possible for around £230 used. You can also pick up the cheaper kit zoom for £110-130. I'd go the extra if possible as I think the build and OIS is worth it.
 
@condyk mentions the X-T10 which would also be a good choice.

From here:
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/fujifilm-x-t10-kit-xf18-55mm-lens-refurbished.html

Use the code PAYPAL12 for 10% off the list price, c.£550 gets you a -T10 with XF18-55mm and £50 left over. The going rate for a used XF27mm is £130 (really, don't pay any more unless you're desperate) which would take you over budget.

If you went for the X-T10 with the XC16-50mm instead, that would be c.£410 with the discount code (http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/fujifilm-x-t10-kit-xc16-50mm-mk-ii-lens-refurbished.html) and would leave you a budget for a prime.

The FujiUK refurb store is highly recommended. Just mind the price, they're not all bargains (and the discount code does not work on lenses, only bodies and kits).
 
I think one of the viewfindered Sonys should also be on the list, for completion.
In my opinion though, an Olympus E-M10 will give great value for money with excellent lens choices for every budget.
The Fuji viewfinders are poor (to my eyes) at this price level and their lens range is a bit expensive.
If a RAW processor you should check out a Panasonic G7 or GX7 too.
 
I'm off tomorrow to handle the XT10 and the XE2. Then will more than likely order online. Thank you so much for the link to the Fuji refurb shop, Alastair! I like the idea of the XT10 with prime and zoom for my budget.

I'm not a fan of the feel of the Sony in my hand (A6000 especially), and the Sigma DP's I hadn't even thought of, so I'll look into them :-)

Still not ruled out Olympus, but definitely erring to Fuji at the moment.

I'll feedback later, but hank you for all your advice, guys.

Megan
 
I was very surprised by the Olympus EM10 when I had it, a great little camera and the M43 lenses shone, some of which were very cheap too.

Sadly I've not owned Fuji or Sony to compare, but it may be worth considering what happens if you buy into the format, are the lenses there to support you if you need them? For me (at the time) that's where Sony at least fell down

Oh BTW don't worry too much about 3 vs 5 axis, I moved up to the E-M1 and there's not much in it and the IBIS on the Olympus cameras is excellent
 
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Fuji X-E2 would be my pick based on your criteria. I owned Oly m43 gear up to and including the E-M1 and switched to Fuji recently and just feel they offer a nicer experience and better images.

I'd lean away from the older models (X-E1/X-Pro1) as the AF really is slow at times but the X-E2 or X-T10 (the main difference is layout) are perfectly fine for everyday use and the X-E2 is just a lovely thing to hold/shoot with.

If you get bitten by the Fuji bug then any nice glass you buy would be just at home on an X-Pro2 or X-T2 at a later date. I'd probably avoid trying an X-Pro2 unless you have great self-control because it is a stunning bit of kit, so good I just bought a second just so my wife stops taking mine!
 
I,ve just bought my first csc camera mainly to take on holidays etc. ,went for the GX7 over the OM10 not used in anger yet & hoping ive made the right decision looks a nice piece of kit though im not 100% sold on the viewfinder as I can be a bit clumsy at times

Andy
 
So, I went and tried out a few more cameras and finally came to a decision.

Ive ordered the XT10 with the 16-50 XC lens from the refurb store. Bargain at £405, leaving me £200 for a prime lens.

The XT10 felt the best when I trialled it compared to all the other mentions, and being a left eye shooter, the central vf felt a lot more comfortable.

My partner bought the Panasonic GX7 as well, which feels less comfortable to me but the picture quality seems good.

Thank you all for the advice!
 
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