Photography

I went on a camping trip to the Juan de Fuca trail with two of my friends at the beginning of the summer, and one had a new mirrorless camera. She was taking pictures throughout our hikes and amazing sunset photos. Since then, I have started my hunt for a quality mirrorless camera that checks off most of my boxes.

My list of wants:

× Durable- I want to be able to take it on hikes, backcountry skiing, camping, and travelling

× Compact- I do not want a DSLR because of the blocky and heaviness of that type of camera

× Quality photos with little editing (Big ask)

× Takes landscape and portrait photos

With some extensive research, I narrowed my search down to two cameras, the Sony Alpha 7II and the Fujifilm xT30. At the start, before I had done my research, I had been told that Fujifilm cameras took photos with great colouring. They also have a retro-looking body, which I like the look of. However, once I had done some actual research and talked to a photographer, I came to the conclusion that the Fujifilm xT30 was not the camera to get. I made this decision based on the recommendation for the photographer, but ultimately because the Fujifilm camera had a cropped sensor. This means that when taking a photo, I wouldn’t see the whole image, it is like having blinders on. So, the area of what could be taken as a  photograph would be narrowed. This allowed me to narrow down my search to the Sony Alpha 7II, which is a full-frame camera. Also, being a full framed camera means that there is a larger contrast between shadows and colours in the image.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1102009-REG/sony_ilce7m2k_b_alpha_a7ii_mirrorless_digital.html

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/fujifilm-x-t30-mirrorless-camera-with-15-45mm-ois-pz-lens-kit-silver/13413204?cmp=knc-s-71700000072655674&gclid=CjwKCAjwh7H7BRBBEiwAPXjadukwDQdguAn0UGE87s–iKpUojefq0bT5EvtGZDKAnqtTvkgEKJgQBoCEv4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Key- ×=Checks it off 

– = Does not meet requirements 

Sony alpha 7II

× Durable- the Sony is weather sealed so it will hold up during adventures

–/× Compact- Not as compact as the Fujifilm because of the full frame

× Quality photos- Does take quality photos just not as warm looking as the Fujifilm

× Takes landscapes and portraits

Comparing my “I want list” and what the Sony Alpha 7II offers, it almost completely checks off my list. The Fujifilm although check off some of the boxes, I couldn’t get over the cropped frame. Fujifilm also doesn’t dominate the mirrorless camera market (ie. lens and technology) it may be a risk to buy a Fujifilm camera now, as parts and lens might become expensive or disappear in the future.