SL1 or Fuji X-EX1 or Sony Nex 6?? Would like your thoughts

[cm71td]

I have an X-E1. Great image quality, great lenses, great controls, but the auto-focus is frustratingly slow.

My SLR and lenses are Nikon, and I wish that Nikon would create something the size of the SL-1. If they did, I would sell my X-E1 and buy the SL-1 size Nikon.

If you do decide to go mirrorless, I would highly recommend the X-E1 over an NEX. I used to have an NEX-5n and the Fuji is much nicer and more fun to use.

My wife has a Sony rx100. It is fantastic if you want something that will fit in your pocket.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I borrowed a NEX-6 and used it on vacation. The EVF is very good, video is decent, low light capability is good, panorama and built-in HDR good, an the 16-50mm kit lens is extremely compact. It is one of the few APS-C sensor cameras with a zoom lens that can stored in a purse or large pocket.

That said I didn't like it. The UI is extremely menu oriented, with the Setup menu having so many pages the scroll bar is just a tiny sliver. While I got pretty good results, it felt like a gadget not a camera. A number of NEX-6's have a "camera error" flaw which locks up the camera if the electronic front curtain shutter is used. It can only be fixed by returning it for service.

I have a NEX-6 and I agree the menu structure is not very user friendly. But still I think it is a pretty good and very pocketable camera with the kit lens! Despite the menu it is easy to use because the most important functions are directly accessible via buttons/scroll wheels. It's good to use with a 30 mm Sigma too. The biggest issue I have with this camera is the lack of good camera RAW editing software - I have to use Adobe Lightroom for the Sony and don't like it much, as well as problems I have with getting the color space of processed photo's correct (more of a Lightroom issue). If you want tele, the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS is inexpensive, very compact and nice to use, colors are good too but the resolution is only so-so. With the NEX-6 I can take a three lens system in a tiny bag. Very convenient.

My Sony NEX-6 'kit':

Sony E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN
Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS

What's missing is a macro lens, something this camera could be good at - but outside of my general interest.

 

[sanjosedave]

Neither.

I'd consider looking at Sony's RX100

 

[pwp]

If you're committed to accepting something bigger than a pocket camera, and want something smaller than a 5D3, and you already have Canon glass, the SL1 is a great choice. With the need to travel very light for a trekking trip in Laos and feeling reluctant to heft a 1-Series or even a de-gripped 5D3, I'm 100% happy with my SL1 which I've had for a few months now. It's TINY with the 40mm pancake, though the resulting 65mm equivalent FOV is often a little long for my liking. Bring on the EF-S 22mm pancake! My SL1 default lens is the surprisingly good EF-S 15-85is, though I've even used it with the 300mm f/2.8is. It looks a bit like a pimple on an elephant.

It was a close thing between the SL1 and the extremely compelling Olympus OM-D, but the notion of running two systems tipped me towards the SL1. It's so good I routinely use it on jobs as a third body. If you're used to 5D3/1DX era FF, you just have to stay aware of the obvious limitations of the comparatively modest APS-C sensor.

So to the OP, if you're OK with going bigger than a pocket camera and already have Canon glass, you will not be disappointed with the SL1 which I see as one of Canon's most interesting consumer releases in years.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/4966601607/dpreview-gear-of-the-year-canon-rebel-sl1-eos-100d

-pw

 

[MARKOE PHOTOE]

If its not too late I would definitely consider the Fuji XE2, not the XE1. The XE2 has many improvements in AF speed, wifi, etc that the previous model was not at its best at.

As a Canon 5D3, 1D4 and 6D shooter, I too needed a more compact system to cart around daily. I rented an XE1 with the 35mm f1.4 lens and was sold. They are extremely light weight and perform GREAT in low light with high ISO! I am so excited about this format as a daily camera I find my big gear is only coming out when I truly need it. The Fuji allows me to be more spontaneous and carry it with me every day.

It has many features you'll find on the DSLR's if you need them. One feature I really like is being able to shoot SQUARE format, like a medium format camera. Now, how great is that?

Anyway, wish you best with this decision.

 

[tcmatthews]

Last year I was trying to make the same decision. I In the end I chose to buy a Nex6. The two primary reason were that it had a Electronic Viewfinder and it was relativity consumer focused. I figured that I could get consumer lenses relatively cheaply with I see as important for a secondary camera system.

I found the kit pancake lens for the Nex6 just not good enough. So rarely use it. My other lens were a little much in my work backpack. I really wanted something more compact with good IQ. I was thinking of buying the 20mm Nex pancake. But buying a EOSM with 22mm lens was cheaper so I bought that instead. Now I use my Nex mainly with legacy lens and for travel when I do not want to take a DSLR. I take it with me every weekend. But I carry my EOS M everyday to work because it fits I my old P&S camera case. Then stuffed into my backpack.


I find the Fuji X cameras interesting but just to expensive on lens. If I want to spend that kind of money on lens I would spend it on Canon lens for my DSLR.

The Olympus cameras are also interesting. But I found my hand cramped up due to the button layout.

SL1 seems nice but a normal rebel is not much bigger and it is just not all that compact.

 

[cellomaster27]

SL1 seems nice but a normal rebel is not much bigger and it is just not all that compact.

I had a t2i before the SL1.. The rebel series feels much bigger than the SL1 after using it for just a couple days. I thought my t2i was small... SL1 is tiny. It performs great, just small and it is noticeable. Compact for a dslr! I recommend it.

 

[chas1113]

I have shot a 5DII for the past four years. My backup was a 40D which I recently sold to a friend. I wanted to replace my crop camera but wanted something smaller. I had tried a NEX 5N but hated wading through menus. When I picked up the Fuji X-E1 and played with the controls I thought "this might work." There's a dial for almost everything you need for spontaneous shooting. Set the menus when you first set off to shoot and most everything can be adjusted in field with the three analog-type dials. So old-school, it feels very comfortable. And the size was perfect! When I looked at the first out-of-camera JPEGs, I was sold. They were almost as good as my full frame Canon.

I have since picked up a refurb 7D and after comparing the IQ with the Fuji, sent it back. No more noisy crop Canons for me. If I want to just take some "happy snaps" I grab the Fuji. If I have an event to shoot, it's the 5D plus/minus the Fuji. Much lighter combo than before. I can't speak to the SL1, but I've stopped looking for a CSC/mirrorless solution, because I feel I've already found it. If I had it to do all over, though, I'd definitely pick up an X-E2 for the speedier AF.