Fujifilm X-E1 VS Canon 5D MK2 & Canon 7D

How does the Fujifilm X-E1 stack up against the Big Dog dSLR?

Recently we were given the opportunity to try out FujiFilm’s X-E1 (Sexy One as it’s dubbed in Japan) by FujiFilm Middle East. Now the camera has been out since December 2012, but has just arrived in Muscat, to my surprise actually, as Muscat is usually further behind in bringing out new gizmos.

Speaking with the team from Fuji, they are really trying to synchronize all their dealers throughout the world for not only release dates, but most importantly, prices!  Prices are usually set by the dealers and in Muscat that means all camera gear in every brand is nearly twice the price. Not just compared to the USA, but even cities such as Dubai, which is a quick 4 hour car drive away.

I think this is a really smart move by FujiFilm as this is not the only city with inflated prices and in cities like Muscat, a lot of photographers will gladly travel to a cheaper country or buy online.

I know photographers here who have even flown 7 hours to Thailand to grab some much needed gear. Prices aside, I wanted to post about something a little more interesting to people stuck on food photography, and for once a review that is not only about autofocus! So how about the Fujifilm X-E1 VS Canon 5D MK2

BUY NOW ON AMAZON:
FUJIFILM X-E1:

• Fujifilm X-E1 16.3MP Kit with 18-55mm Lens
• Fujifilm X20 12 MP Digital Camera
• Fujifilm X10 12 MP Digital Camera
• Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 Zoom Lens
• Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 Macro Lens

Fujifilm X-E1 VS Canon 5D MK2 & Canon 7D Camera Comparison:

 The Fujifilm X-E1 had a 60mm f/2.4 Macro Lens set at f/2.8 ISO 100

Both Canons had a 24 – 70mm f/2.8L USM lens set at 60mm f/2.8 ISO 100 (the lens we use for all of our food photography)

 Both 7D and Fujifilm X-E1 have an APS-C size sensor and the 5D MKII has a full frame.  Can you tell which one is the Fujifilm X-E1? A, B, or C?

Just a few days ago, we were asked by the Fujifilm guys to give a live workshop on food photography demonstrating the Fujifilm X-E1 to a group of professional photographers and enthusiasts.

We were really surprised that they would want us, to give a workshop. We tried explaining to Fuji that we had not actually used the camera before for serious food photography and coupled with the fact that we don’t use many of the features that are regularly drooled over.

Yet they persisted, telling us that, that was exactly the reason they wanted us to give the Fujifilm X-E1 a chance.

Well, on such short notice, we quickly scurried around to find something to talk about.  It was hard combing through what Fuji itself says about it’s product on it’s own website, as well as, all the hundreds of reviews online to gain perspective on how the Fujifilm X-E1 would be specifically beneficial for someone shooting food.

So we thought why not see how much of a comparison the Fujifilm X-E1 VS Canon 5D MK2 was.  What we found, brought us back to the basics.

 

What do you need? A Box to Capture Light and Fast, Sharp Lenses!

It seemed that all the reviewers cared about the same few features of the Fujifilm X-E1.  Mainly the improved autofocus, EVF (Electric View Finder), high ISO capabilities and Noise reduction of the Fujifilm X-E1 compared to it’s other mirror-less brothers and sisters, as well as, range of DSLRs out there on the market.

In fact, being a frequent reader of camera reviews, I find, to my annoyance, that autofocus and ISO capabilities are some of the most talked about features of any camera.  For us those two things, mainly the first, are completely irrelevant, and I’ll tell you why.

 What features we look for in a camera go in this order: 

1. Sensor Size (sometimes we need to make large prints and MP’s count)
2. Line of lenses offered (We love to use low apertures for food and need absolute sharpness)
3. Manual Focus Ease (Some lens / camera systems are easier than others)
4. Noise (no one likes it!)
5. Ability to handle higher ISO (sometimes we have to shoot in dark restaurants)

That being said, we are focusing the camera on food.  It doesn’t move and even if we were shooting travel, we still wouldn’t be using autofocus. We are using ISO 100 for the most part, which means little to no noise, for all cameras.

The Grumble and Gripe

Every new camera on the market will be better than the one you got now. So there is no real point in comparing the Fujifilm X-E1 VS Canon 5D MK2 because both will be beat by tomorrows camera.

Sometimes reading all these reviews spouting and arguing over AF points and high ISO capabilities of a particular camera system, leads us to think there are a lot more sports shooters out there than we originally thought. In fact, it seems that the camera makers believe that too.

For years, all we hear from Nikon is how great the autofocus is, it seems they cared so much about that, they forgot to put usable video functions on their cameras, until the D700.

Now it seems that Canon took that to heart as well, bringing out the 5D MKIII, with 1 more mega pixel than the MKII and 55 more AF points.

What, 55 more AF points?? Are you serious?

At only 6 fps! Sorry, but I think most sport shooters will be sticking to the 1D series.

Begs the question of who their target markets really are? Both systems have put a lot of effort in better high ISO and Noise Reduction abilities over the years, which is great, again for photo journalist types, but means little, if you rarely ever use an ISO higher than a 100.

This rant could go on, who knows why people buy the cameras they do, but keeping up with this tech race for most people out there is just silly.  In my opinion people are paying exuberant amounts for features they are so concerned about and will seriously fight over, yet will never use.

The point is, at the end of a whole night spent scouring the internet, we had not one food photography specific feature to talk about for our workshop.

Except, points 1 – 5 on our list of things we look for in a camera.  That was it, eureka!  The Fujifilm X-E1 has an APS-C size sensor, a whole line of freaking awesome prime lenses with f/stops under 2.8 (even the kit lens) and Live view in the EVF making manual focus a breeze.

It was the basics that made the Fujifilm X-E1  great, even comparable to the DSLRs out there.

What does all this mean for photographers?

Well it seems, at least to us, that Fujifilm has just re-affirmed what we thought all along. That is, all someone should care about (excluding sports / wildlife shooters) when looking for a new camera is a box that captures light with some really fast, sharp lenses.  As simple as that.

That’s all the Fujifilm X-E1 ever needed to be.  It’s as if Fujifilm said, “we’ll include all the stupid features people think they need and wrap it in a box that has all the things working photographers will actually use.”

How do you like them apples?

Look how the Fujifilm X-E1 VS Canon 5D MK2 & 7D stack up! Here is the Camera Comparison Answer:

 

Pretty crazy! And we think the Fujifilm X-E1 is even better than the 7D in terms of sharpness and a fuzzier DOF, but the 5D MKII’s full frame sensor still seems to provide more “creaminess” in the out of focus areas and less noise overall.

What the Fujifilm X-E1 is good for read our review

• Food Photography
• Still Life
• Nature + Landscape
• Portraiture
• Street Photography
• Travel Photography
• Wedding Photography
• Photo Journalism
• Looking good at the coffee shop (seriously don’t try to hide, I know your types I’ve seen you with your red dots)

What the Fujifilm X-E1 is not good for

• Astrophotography
• Sports / Action (although it probably could, I doubt anyone would)

 Nice and big so you pixel peepers can see all the Fujifilm X-E1 glory!

Wrap it up already!

Does any of this really matter to photographers? In my opinion, not much.

I doubt most people will switch from one system to another. They should defiantly consider it for a second body or a travel companion. Should it matter to people entering the market? Hell yes! (UPDATE: I’ve seen so many people selling their gear and switching to mirror-less systems since this was originally posted) 

You have a choice now, unlike any before.  You can get a beautiful camera that brings back retro memories or a DSLR that looks “pro,” because no matter what camera you choose, your most likely blind to at least half of what it can do.

It took all this to say that there is a new guy on the block and perspectives will have to change as to what is deemed a “professional’s camera.”  Will we ditch our DSLR gear? Who knows?

Other pro photographers are as we write this (see Trey Ratcliff).

Until then, the Fujifilm X-E1 will make a great addition. It gave us everything we need, plus a lot of things we’ll never use, but as long as you can make great pictures with it, than who cares about any of this technical stuff, right?
BUY NOW ON AMAZON:
FUJIFILM:

• Fujifilm X-E1 16.3MP Kit with 18-55mm Lens
• Fujifilm X20 12 MP Digital Camera
• Fujifilm X10 12 MP Digital Camera
• Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 Zoom Lens
• Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 Macro Lens

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