Beautiful photos! I picked up an X-T30ii last year and have been using it a lot for outdoor and travel shots. I haven’t had a chance to try the X-M5 yet, but it’s great to hear how much you enjoyed it!
After taking my Fuji GFX100 II on several trips over the past few months, I’ve been thinking about getting a smaller camera for certain occasions where weight can be a key factor. The GFX100 II is perfect for situations where you don’t need to carry it in a backpack for long periods, but on a full-day hike in the Pyrenees—when you also need to bring food, water, warm clothing, a drone, etc.—I’m inclined to go with a lighter camera.
First. You have a powerhouse when it comes to cameras. If it is the first GFX100, then yes, it is not the best for hiking unless you need the exercise! 😂 The X-M5 is as small as you can go while staying within top level image performance. I would recommend X-T5/X-H2 but if you really want to max portability then the X-M5. You would also considerably reduce the size of your gear. The camera is not the only thing to shrink. Especially the tripod. The only caveat is daylight and no viewfinder. Perhaps for hiking it might be the only thing to consider?
Totally agree. Actually, years ago—before I had kids and could still go climbing without a care—I went with Olympus’s Four Thirds system because it gave me pretty solid image quality in a super light and compact setup.
The main downside was the sensor size, of course, which meant it struggled in low light… but when you’re hanging off a cliff in broad daylight, that’s not exactly a dealbreaker.
Right now I don’t have a camera like that—something that delivers good shots without needing to lug around 20 kg of gear. I’ll definitely check this one out.
Well, APS-C is a step up. It does look like MFT has hit a wall and there has not been any news as to developments in sensor tech these last years.
To be honest I do not have sensor size issues with APS-C that I thought I would have (I also own a GFX50s II and a couple of Hasselblads). To me at least I see much more of a difference between FF and medium format than APS-C to FF.
What will absolutely stun you is once you demosaic the Fuji files with the DXO plugin in Lightroom. It is an extra step but you only apply this to the shot you will ultimately use. I really fail to see the need of FF after that.
I don’t have experience with APS-C, but I’m quite certain that MFT hit its ceiling a while ago. Some of its lenses performed so well that I still miss them today, but I’m sure there are outstanding lenses available for Fuji’s X series.
As for what you mentioned about the difference between APS-C and full frame, I’d actually heard the same before and that was part of the reason I went for medium format with the GFX, which more than lives up to expectations.
Interestingly, when I started looking into something more compact for those situations where weight really matters, almost everyone was recommending Sony. But I’m definitely going to look into what Fuji has to offer.
Well, it is too bad the batteries are not the same but consider also that the menu system will be very familiar. Also any equipment you might have for the GFX like flashes will be compatible.
Sony has surprisingly small bodies considering the sensor and overall performance. The size of the lenses is unavoidable though...
Beautiful photos! I picked up an X-T30ii last year and have been using it a lot for outdoor and travel shots. I haven’t had a chance to try the X-M5 yet, but it’s great to hear how much you enjoyed it!
Great choice! The XT30 is like a x_M5 but with a viewfinder. 😉
I don’t even care about cameras but enjoyed reading this. So… well done 😁
Well, same goes with me and watches! 🤣🤣🤣
After taking my Fuji GFX100 II on several trips over the past few months, I’ve been thinking about getting a smaller camera for certain occasions where weight can be a key factor. The GFX100 II is perfect for situations where you don’t need to carry it in a backpack for long periods, but on a full-day hike in the Pyrenees—when you also need to bring food, water, warm clothing, a drone, etc.—I’m inclined to go with a lighter camera.
First. You have a powerhouse when it comes to cameras. If it is the first GFX100, then yes, it is not the best for hiking unless you need the exercise! 😂 The X-M5 is as small as you can go while staying within top level image performance. I would recommend X-T5/X-H2 but if you really want to max portability then the X-M5. You would also considerably reduce the size of your gear. The camera is not the only thing to shrink. Especially the tripod. The only caveat is daylight and no viewfinder. Perhaps for hiking it might be the only thing to consider?
Totally agree. Actually, years ago—before I had kids and could still go climbing without a care—I went with Olympus’s Four Thirds system because it gave me pretty solid image quality in a super light and compact setup.
The main downside was the sensor size, of course, which meant it struggled in low light… but when you’re hanging off a cliff in broad daylight, that’s not exactly a dealbreaker.
Right now I don’t have a camera like that—something that delivers good shots without needing to lug around 20 kg of gear. I’ll definitely check this one out.
Well, APS-C is a step up. It does look like MFT has hit a wall and there has not been any news as to developments in sensor tech these last years.
To be honest I do not have sensor size issues with APS-C that I thought I would have (I also own a GFX50s II and a couple of Hasselblads). To me at least I see much more of a difference between FF and medium format than APS-C to FF.
What will absolutely stun you is once you demosaic the Fuji files with the DXO plugin in Lightroom. It is an extra step but you only apply this to the shot you will ultimately use. I really fail to see the need of FF after that.
I don’t have experience with APS-C, but I’m quite certain that MFT hit its ceiling a while ago. Some of its lenses performed so well that I still miss them today, but I’m sure there are outstanding lenses available for Fuji’s X series.
As for what you mentioned about the difference between APS-C and full frame, I’d actually heard the same before and that was part of the reason I went for medium format with the GFX, which more than lives up to expectations.
Interestingly, when I started looking into something more compact for those situations where weight really matters, almost everyone was recommending Sony. But I’m definitely going to look into what Fuji has to offer.
Well, it is too bad the batteries are not the same but consider also that the menu system will be very familiar. Also any equipment you might have for the GFX like flashes will be compatible.
Sony has surprisingly small bodies considering the sensor and overall performance. The size of the lenses is unavoidable though...