Which mirrorless system to get into for 2015?

So I think I'm ready to give a mirrorless system a try again. I dabbled in the systems probably a generation ago - Sony NEX, Micro 4/3 with the old 12mp sensors, etc and wasn't too happy and came back primarily to DSLR use.

Over the last year I've been using a Fuji X100s which I really love.

I want to give mirrorless another fair shot, and right now seems to be a good time to do it as I see a lot of good deals. This would still be a smaller alternative to my 6D, as I'm not ready to make mirrorless my primary system yet. I'd like a pretty compact system, a body (EVF is nice but not an absolute must), a 24-70ish standard zoom, a 70-200ish zoom (should be cheap as this is a focal range I like having but don't need terrific IQ from), and a solid 35 or 50mm fast prime lens. That would be the minimum lenses I'd be looking at.

Cause of the deals right now, this is what I'm looking at:

(1) Sony A6000 twin lens kit, add 35mm 1.8

(2) Oly OMD-EM10 twin lens kit, add Panasonic 20mm 1.7 (or pony up for the 25mm 1.4)

(3) Fuji X-E1 with 18-55 kit (back in stock at B&H right now for $699), add the XC 55-230 and 35mm 1.4

(4) Sony A7 kit with 28-70, add either the 35 2.8 or 55 1.8. The longer zoom would be an issue, as I wouldn't want to pay for the 70-200 f/4. I can see myself maybe getting the NEX 55-210 and using it in crop mode or whatever. This would also be the most expensive option by quite a bit.

So, what do you think?

Go Fuji. They will have constant 2.8 zooms and where else can you get an autofocus 1.2 for under $1000. I personally don't like Sony because its too menu driven. With M43 I have a hard time dealing with the multiplier. I use my X-E2 as my daily digital when I don't want to lug around my gripped 7D and the holy trinity

How much are you willing to spend and how much do you want from it? Are you looking to supplement your DSLR or replace it? Building a glass lineup is going to be expensive, no matter the mount. If you're looking for a standard zoom and standard telephoto range, be prepared to spend on it. The 2.8 zooms for Fuji are both expensive and going to be large. Also you run into potential overlap from what you shoot now. Ask yourself, do you really need 2 24-70 2.8 zooms?

If you're looking for something smaller, cheap, and with good IQ, the a6000 idea you have isn't bad. Get a APS-C sensor, fast AF, and get 2-3 lenses and you're set to compliment your DSLR. Start adding 2-3 more lenses and look elsewhere.

I didn't know a "standard" zoom also implied a 2.8. I meant a standard "kit" consumer-grade zoom. One in the 24-70 range and another in the 70-200 or above range would be fine, as long as they are relatively affordable.

Anyways, since this is going to be a supplement to the DSLR instead of replacing it, I think Sony or Micro 4/3 would be a better fit for me. Fuji has pretty pricey lenses that could add up pretty quick, can't really justify that kind of expense on a backup travel kit.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17321029
(3) Fuji X-E1 with 18-55 kit (back in stock at B&H right now for $699), add the XC 55-230 and 35mm 1.4

This is what I have. I also bought a Metabones Speedbooster and Rainbow Imaging adapters for Canon FD to Fuji X and now use some of my old lenses, including 24mm f/2, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, 135mm f/2, 300mm f/4L, 28-85mm f/4 and 80-200 f/4L. I had no idea these lenses were so good until I mounted them on my X-E1.

I have a Fuji and love it. I would go with Fuji.

Happen to like the EOS M. Fun and easy to use. See if Canon markets a new model in the USA.

For a secondary kit, the a6000 is a great option. Just bought one myself due to the AF being top notch, but also the great deal on them now. Paired with the 35 and possibly the 20 pancake later, you have yourself a kit that's super fast, has the tilt screen, and good video.

Fuji makes a great system as well but in my opinion it requires an investment in time and money to get the most out of it. The lenses are top notch but expensive. And it seems like if you were looking for a main kit, then it's a great option, but as a secondary kit, you'd have to ask yourself if it makes sense.

If you're used to DSLR speed, the X-E1 will be frustrating for you to use. The m4/3 has a lot going for it, but I think the a6000 is a good compromise of speed, features, and IQ.

TMaG82 wrote in post #17334153
For a secondary kit, the a6000 is a great option. Just bought one myself due to the AF being top notch, but also the great deal on them now. Paired with the 35 and possibly the 20 pancake later, you have yourself a kit that's super fast, has the tilt screen, and good video.

Fuji makes a great system as well but in my opinion it requires an investment in time and money to get the most out of it. The lenses are top notch but expensive. And it seems like if you were looking for a main kit, then it's a great option, but as a secondary kit, you'd have to ask yourself if it makes sense.

If you're used to DSLR speed, the X-E1 will be frustrating for you to use. The m4/3 has a lot going for it, but I think the a6000 is a good compromise of speed, features, and IQ.

Yep, I'm agreeing with you here. I'm starting to think Fuji and Sony A7 are too pricey (at least for me) to be a "secondary" kit, but would make excellent primary kits. Sony APS-C and Micro 4/3 are more palatable due to cost and size considerations.

somy a7r easy choice

APS-C - Fuji
FF - Sony

If you can't afford an a7 and it's something you want to get into, hold tight, the a7ii was just released so you should see prices on used (and probably new) prices dropping a bit. If you're OK with APS-C then Fuji is a pretty solid option. I enjoyed the X-T1 and the X100S for the few months I had them before moving to Sony.

NuClearSounds wrote in post #17321091
Go Fuji. They will have constant 2.8 zooms and where else can you get an autofocus 1.2 for under $1000. I personally don't like Sony because its too menu driven. With M43 I have a hard time dealing with the multiplier. I use my X-E2 as my daily digital when I don't want to lug around my gripped 7D and the holy trinity

I agree that Fuji is fantastic, but the Sony's aren't too shabby either.

As for the Sony's being "menu-driven", that may have been the case in the past, but not anymore. I just got my a7R on Friday, and immediately set it up so that I pretty much never have to go into a menu again. I have a dial for aperture, shutter speed and ISO as well as buttons for WB, drive mode, meter mode, focus zoom (actually have 2 buttons set for this) and LCD brightness. The great thing about it is, if I decide my needs change (for example if I get some AF lenses) then I can save those settings as "1" on the mode dial and set up "2" on the mode dial for a completely different set of custom functions... I have yet to see a camera more customizable than that.

Anyone paying attention to my posts the past week will tell you I'm no fanboy, I call it how it is and the customization of the a7R is the strongest pro so far for it imo. The IQ is definitely great, but about what you'd suspect from a FF sensor, I don't think it's all that impressive compared to my old 6D, but definitely gives you more leeway in post than any APS-C camera I've had. I still prefer my Fuji shots SOOC, but with a little work in LR the a7R files look just as good and at higher ISO's notably better, though still not as clean as my 6D's files were.

From what I've read the FE 28-70mm is an OK lens, but not up to the same quality as the (excellent) XF 18-55mm. Fuji definitely has some very attractive lenses and they're not super expensive for most of them. The Sony also has some great lenses, but generally they cost more for slower glass, for example the Sony Zeiss 35/2.8 is $800 and the Fuji XF 23/1.4 is $100 cheaper but two stops faster (so about 1 stop in DOF terms).

You just have to weigh what matters most to you. I'm going to give the Sony a few more months to make my mind up, but so far I'm leaning toward selling my X-E1, but that's partially because I really want to get an X-T1 at some point...

BrandonSi wrote in post #17334629
APS-C - Fuji
FF - Sony

If you can't afford an a7 and it's something you want to get into, hold tight, the a7ii was just released so you should see prices on used (and probably new) prices dropping a bit. If you're OK with APS-C then Fuji is a pretty solid option. I enjoyed the X-T1 and the X100S for the few months I had them before moving to Sony.

a7 prices are dropping like flies. Just saw a few used copies sell for $800-850 body only. If you have a ton of legacy glass then the a7 series makes a lot of sense. I could see if one was a MF only user investing in the a7ii for the IBIS and just slapping on a ton of MF lenses. Even as a AF lens user the IBIS is very appealing.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17321029
So I think I'm ready to give a mirrorless system a try again. I dabbled in the systems probably a generation ago - Sony NEX, Micro 4/3 with the old 12mp sensors, etc and wasn't too happy and came back primarily to DSLR use.

...
I want to give mirrorless another fair shot, and right now seems to be a good time to do it as I see a lot of good deals.

Just WHY do you think you need mirrorless?

Apart from size/weight reduction considerations, mirrorless vs. dSLR is merely a marketing attempt to talk some folks away from interest in Nikon and Canon in order to win a bit of market share...create some PERCEIVED need on the part of buyers.

Wilt wrote in post #17339666
Just WHY do you think you need mirrorless?

Apart from size/weight reduction considerations, mirrorless vs. dSLR is merely a marketing attempt to talk some folks away from interest in Nikon and Canon in order to win a bit of market share...create some PERCEIVED need on the part of buyers.

No offense, but this is spoken like someone who hasn't owned a mirrorless system.

I'm getting to the point where I'm actually starting to prefer an EVF for a myriad of reasons.

Size and weight are also huge factors, not little inconsequential details in my opinion. When a system is significantly smaller and lighter I find I'm far more likely to take it and use it all the time, DSLR users will often say they don't mind the weight and crack jokes about going to the gym and all that, but until you give mirrorless a real try you really just don't know what you're missing.

Also having the ability to adapt literally any lens to your camera is an amazing capability and one that I will not be giving up to go back to a DSLR anytime soon.

If a DSLR works better for you, great, nobody is telling you that you can't still use it... just don't try to convince others that mirrorless is a "fad" or that it's somehow not as good as a DSLR, neither are better or worse at everything, they're different tools for different needs, it's up to the individual to decide what pros and cons are more important for them.

To say it's all marketing hype is blatantly false.