3 weeks with the Sony A7MII - A Brief Comparison with Fuji XT1, Nikon D610, Sony RX100MIII

Well it has been just over three weeks since I got my paws on the Sony A7MII and I am very very pleased with this little camera! Over the last few years I have had numerous camera(s) and setups and I currently have 3 (4 including the RX100MIII) different systems that I am alternating through.. I really do not like this and I am going to have to par down the gear and get more use out of the gear that really clicks for me. As of now, I am invested in Nikon FX with one body left (D610) and a handful of my favourite glass. I also am into Fuji with a XT1 and a few Fuji lenses right now. Now I have my A7MII and the 35mm 2.8 as well as the kit 28-70 lens.

This review is not a regular review of just the camera (there are dozens of great product reviews online), it is about how it works for me and compares to my other systems. The camera industry is going through some major changes with the onset of the mirror-less or compact systems making huge headway against the DSLR’s. When I am selecting a camera the first thing that is important to me is the image quality, then the build and quality of the product and last is the feel or inspiration that the product gives me to want to go make pictures. So basically for me there are 3 very simple categories to take into account.

Image Quality from camera bodies only (with comparable lenses mounted): My Nikon D610 wins this one only marginally over the Sony a7MII followed by the Fuji XT1 and then the Sony RX100MIII. Now do make note that both the Nikon and the Sony have a full frame sensor and the Fuji is a aps-c sized sensor while the Sony RX100MIII is a even smaller 1in type sensor. So this is no surprise. The only complaint I have with any of the gear I have is Adobe Lightroom’s ability to support the Fuji X Trans files. It is a big enough issue that is effecting enough people that I think Adobe really needs to step up and fix the issue.

Build Quality: Hmmm this is a tough one. In reality all 4 of the cameras are very well built and seem to share good design and similar quality. Getting nit picky I think that the Fuji actually seems the most well built minus the silly SD card door. The Nikon looks and feels the toughest, while the Sony A7MII would probably take third place in this one. I haven’t had a chance to really get the Sony into some nasty environments yet so maybe it will step up to what I have put the Nikon or even the Fuji through. All three cameras really do well in this category and there is really nothing that stands out to put one above or below the other. The only complaint I have with all 4 of the cameras is on the RX100MIII and that is it is almost to small for my big fingers, which goes against what it is designed for (to be small).

Inspiration: The Fuji XT1 crushes this one then the Sony A7MII then the Nikon D610 and the Sony RX100MIII in last. There is something about the Fuji that just makes you want to get creative and make wonderful pictures and I am not sure how to explain that other it feels better then all my other systems.

Sony a7MII
Pros:
- Great image quality (2nd to D610)
- Small, light and easy to take everywhere
- Well built

Cons:
- Lack of lenses
- Noisiest cheapest sounding shutter smack

Fuji XT1
Pros:
- Good image quality (3rd place)
- Small and light
- Very well built and inspiring to use

Cons:
- Adobe Lightroom lack of support for x trans files
- SD card door seems like weakest point in the camera (cheap)

Nikon D610
Pros:
- Best image quality (1st place)
- Tough and robust
- Tons of lenses to chose from

Cons:
- Bigger and heavier
- Not stealthy (stands out)

Sony RX100MIII
Pros:
- Small and light (smallest by far)
- Okay image quality for a P+S

Cons:
- Almost to small (especially with gloves on)

I started out writing a A7MII review and really ended up just comparing it to my other systems, which is what I am currently doing. I think one system needs to go….

Here are a few images from the Sony A7MII over the last few weeks:-)

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