A7III vs XT-3 dilemma

I'm going to Japan for a few days in may, and am still struggling which camera to take. I have a moderate budget to invest in a new lens, both cameras have their strengths and weaknesses. Which one would you take? This is a trip organised by my employer, we take high-profile clients to specific touristic landmarks. So it's not a photography-trip per sé but I'm going without my wife so will probably be doing a lot of photography anyway. I will only take one zoom and one prime, weight and hassle of switching lenses needs to be as low as possible.

I currently have :
XT-3 + 18-55 + 23/1.4 + 35/2 + 55-200
A7III + Tamron 28-75 + 55/1.8

I would consider :
XT-3 + 16-80/F4 (general use, great range) + 23/1.4 (ideal for indoors/nighttime)

or

A7III + Tamron 28-75/2.8 (decent in lowlight, limited range) + GM 24/1.4 (very good for general shots, kinda expensive)
or
A7III + Sony 24-105/4 (and sell the Tamron, great range, less good in low light) + 55/1.8 (good indoors, but kinda short)


Which would you choose?

I would go with the 3rd option.... I am surprised that you say f4 is too slow. I've had no issues at f4 with the A7 III. ISO performance is exceptional, and it focuses without issue in most all situations. It it were me, I would leave the 55 home... that said,

my a7 III is a replacement for my A6300, which used to be my go to camera when I headed out the door. I killed that camera, wore it out. And I really miss it. For a run and gun camera, it exceeded all my expectation. I mostly miss the size. It was coat pocketable. A must for travel. So if the xt-3 is more compact, I might lean that way for a travel. Image quality I've see from that camera is more than adequate. Smaller to me is always better.

My iPhone 11 on my trip over Christmas was more than capable in most circumstances.

An iphone won't cut if for me, photography for me is as much the experience of photographing itself as it is the result. I just keep going back & forth between both cameras, I love the Fuji colours and handling, but the iq just isn't up to par with the A7III when I start pixelpeeping (yeah yeah I know...). And of course, the AF of the A7III is way faster but then the XT3 is smaller/lighter etc... Like I stated before, 1st world problems, just kinda curious what other people would choose and why.

lapino wrote in post #18991269
An iphone won't cut if for me, photography for me is as much the experience of photographing itself as it is the result. I just keep going back & forth between both cameras, I love the Fuji colours and handling, but the iq just isn't up to par with the A7III when I start pixelpeeping (yeah yeah I know...). And of course, the AF of the A7III is way faster but then the XT3 is smaller/lighter etc... Like I stated before, 1st world problems, just kinda curious what other people would choose and why.

It's not a matter of pixel peeping. When I shot Fuji X-t2 I had many occasions where the Raw file fell apart in low light situations. Shooting my 5dmk4 or A73 I seldom get disappointed. If I shoot in challenging light and the files are grainy I ask myself what the same images would have looked with my former Fuji system. With the A73 I can go out with my Sigma 24 f/1.4 ART or 35 f/1.2 and have full confidence of high IQ images regardless of low light environments. I cannot have this identical confidence with my former X-t2. The X-t3 is a much better AF performer and the high iso is almost as good as the X-t2 considering it has more megapixels than the older x-t2.

The Tammy 28-75mm is such a capable zoom that simply works!! I do feel that you'd get solid clean images with the A73 combo vs using the X-t3 even with a 16-55 f/2.8 (f/4 full frame equiv). Seems Fuji users are getting great copies to duds copies with the 16-80 f/4 zoom. f/4 will provide f/5.6 dof (FF equiv).

What is your shooting style? This is where I can get away with a GM 16-35 and a cheaper Sony 85 f/1.8 and cover huge ground. Some cases I can get away with a 24 mm prime and universal use of the 28-75mm tammy. I will very likely buy the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 ART as I like the 24mm wide end in the zooms.

Looks like you got the Sony........

I prefer using the Fuji cameras myself, if that's an important part of it for you I'd consider bringing your Fuji cameras, they are more than capable IME.

The 16-80/4 does have a great range, like that now classic 24-105/4 only an extra 16 on the long end plus OIS is good. For me it's always the primes that I have a hard time choosing between but I'll often carry two cameras each with a prime attached as they are small they both can fit in a tiny bag, or one in the bag and on my shoulder, very often the older 18mm F/2 and 35mm F/1.4 are the lenses I take as they are small and have a wonderful look to the images. I'm just not a zoom kind of person although a zoom makes a lot of sense at times too, particularly when away. Choice is a good thing though, right?

Jonas Rask posted a lot of great pics from Japan that he shot when there in Oct 2018, mostly with a Fuji, both day and night so you can see how the cameras handle themselves. Here is one post he did, there are another four pages if you are interested. https://jonasraskphoto​graphy.com/2018/12/04/​tokyo-four/

If it were me..

I'd probably go with the xt3 , 18-55 , 23 1.4

Though the a7iii and tamron plus 55 isn't a bad set up either .. I find the 55 too tight for travel as my only prime. It's a great lens. I love mine. But the only time it take it with me is if I'm pairing it with my 28f2.

Which could be another option?.. 28f2 is a great cheap lens in my opinion

If you already have the tamron I personally wouldn't sell it for the 24 105... I love the lens , but as soon as the sun goes down that f4 starts to really put you at iso12800 and above really quick.

XT-3 + 35/2 + 55-200

I don't think that would work for me (the 55-200 is rarely used). I'm currently more thinking either the XT3+1855+23/1.4 of the A7III+2875+ 24GM or 17-28 Tamron

So you don't want anything longer? I'd think you would want a telephoto.

Perhaps consider just the new 16-80 only?

lapino wrote in post #18992496
I don't think that would work for me (the 55-200 is rarely used). I'm currently more thinking either the XT3+1855+23/1.4 of the A7III+2875+ 24GM or 17-28 Tamron

I've got the A7iii + 24 gm, 17-28, 28-75, and it's an incredible combo. I dont *need* the 24gm as much, but it's an absolute joy. I pair it with the FE 85, odd, but useful combo.

indoors, the 17-28 or 24 gm, hard to go wrong with either. outdoors, typically the 28-75.

that said, I would not buy either camera right now, rumor has it that the X-T4 drops in one - three weeks (think it was delayed). A7iv is also due for a refresh.

I understood that he has both .. xt3 and a73.

Or am I wrong?

You really cant go wrong either way .. if that's the case.

I often go through the struggle of deciding which to bring , since I own both fuji and sony.. each has its pros and cons.. at the end Ive never been upset about bringing one over the other.

There might be a moment here and there where one would have been better.. but over all , which ever I bring in never disappointed in either system.

I really mostly suggest the fuji because of the 23 1.4.. with a 35mm ff equivalent being my favorite focal length, it's always the way I'd go

lapino wrote in post #18992496
I don't think that would work for me (the 55-200 is rarely used). I'm currently more thinking either the XT3+1855+23/1.4 of the A7III+2875+ 24GM or 17-28 Tamron

Will you require a long lens??? portrait photos??

The 55-200 is a great light weight lens but the bokeh in some situations can be extremely nervous. I used it often when I traveled due to the compact form factor and accepted the bokeh. Using that lens for landscape actually does work well.

The Fuji 18-55 is a very capable lens but your current A73 with 28-75 f/2.8 would be substantially more versatile, shallower DOF and produce much better IQ than the 18-55 fuji kit lens. The Fuji 16-55 is aps-c f/2.8 (f/4 FF equiv) and much heavier than the fuji kit lens.

If you owned the Tammy 17-28mm and 24GM (my Sig 24mm ART is incredible but NOT tiny) you'd cover pretty much everything on the wide to UWA end.....as long as you do not need long telephoto.

There is a compromise. I've used the Sony 24-105 f/4 with my A73 and its an incredibly versatile lens if your in the mood for max f/4 wideopen. For travel it'll provide you killer range and tack sharp images for your "good light" walk around. Your Tammy 28-75mm will be an extremely pleasant surprise in creating incredible IQ in a light weight package. The 28mm may not be wide enough though but the f/2.8 will be much better when the light goes down. I may just pick up a stabilized Sony 24-105 for travel since 105mm at f/4 still provides very pleasant bokeh on the full frame sensor.

I would suggest to bring 3 lenses. UWA, Mid tele and 1 prime.

If you're going to Japan I'd say its IMPERATIVE to have UWA. I happily sold my Fuji 10-24mm f/4 (f/5.6 FF equiv) aperture is slow and not as versatile in low light. The heavier and much more expensive Fuji 8-16 f/2.8 is currently $1999 USD but the range of that zoom may be a tad limiting for a single walk around. The Sony E mount Tammy 17-28mm (899usd) is f/2.8 so it's capable of very low light photography and is a perfect match to your Tammy 28-75mm f/2.8.

Since you own both systems you can buy whatever you like When I'm away from home I look at maximizing my gear's full potential of using whatever light throws at you. Bring the fastest glass as possible.....

My suggestion is to use the Sony E mount. Buy an affordable UWA Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 and use your Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. This would cover massive amounts of ground for your Japan trip. 55mm prime may possibly be on the long end depending on your style. Prime lens selection is extremely personal depending on your shooting style. With no doubt in my mind you will have a confident high performing beast in low light, high iso images vs your other system.

The Sony 35 f/1.8 at $748USD is another consideration if you need wider but the bokeh can have high contrast/nervous. Get the GM24mm if you really demand that prime in your gear bag.

Buy an extra NP-FZ100 sony battery and have confidence of walking around and shooting all day/night long with zero concern of battery life. Not a huge concern but the battery life in your A73 is incredible compared to the X-t3's NP-W126S battery 1260mah battery.

For a Japan trip ........If I was still shooting Fuji I'd lug an Xt3 with 8-16mm f/2.8, 16-55 f/2.8 and 16mm f/1.4 and a fat pocket of NP-W126S batteries. I'd also buy the cheap godox disposable flash units (either tt685f or V860ii F). I do have more confidence in retaining cleaner images with my other system.

Regardless of what you bring.....IMO you must buy a UWA to maximize your documentation of Japan's beauty.

rantercsr wrote in post #18992532
I understood that he has both .. xt3 and a73...
...You really cant go wrong either way .. if that's the case.

100% this.

If you know your camera and lenses then you will, no doubt, create a great set of images while in Japan. I presume you are not shooting on assignment for advertising so then having a bit of grain or whatever should not even hinder your thoughts one bit, enjoy the experience of shooting. the images for their composition and the memories they bring back to you.

Charlie wrote in post #18992518
I've got the A7iii + 24 gm, 17-28, 28-75, and it's an incredible combo. I dont *need* the 24gm as much, but it's an absolute joy. I pair it with the FE 85, odd, but useful combo.

indoors, the 17-28 or 24 gm, hard to go wrong with either. outdoors, typically the 28-75.

that said, I would not buy either camera right now, rumor has it that the X-T4 drops in one - three weeks (think it was delayed). A7iv is also due for a refresh.

The OP seems to have purchased a Sony a73. I'm curious what the a74 would offer.

OPs case getting a Tammy 17-28mm makes alot more sense. The Sony will provide him more pixel peeping pleasure and much cleaner images than his other system. I find that if someone notes better pixel peeping experience with the Sony due to how a file looks, its hard to put that in the back of your mind.

Charlie I think with your 17-28, 28-75 and GM24 combo it's truly an incredible system to produce effortless high quality images with little grain to deal with in post. Very light kit if you really think about it.

Lap, if you try that combo you may find that you'd get overly spoiled in less noisy images in low light and extremely flexible raw files. I would assume the only thing you'd miss the Fuji engineered colour profiles. If you go to Japan I would not settle with the fuji kit lens if you compare the IQ to the Tammy 28-75mm zoom.

Thx a lot for the nice comments and suggestions. Been browsing a bit through my vacation pictures of the last few years, and also been researching some lens reviews for both systems. After a lot of debating, it's pretty clear that I definitely lack an UWA. Tele is something I don't seem to use that often. Once had a 5DIII+70.200/2.8 and got very nice pics at 200mm with that, but I remember not using it all that much.

And while the Fuji is incredible both for colour and handling, I think since this Japan is something that I've had high on my bucket list, I should probably just go for the "best" image quality. Colors I can fix in post should Sony disappoint a bit (it usually does not, I've set my "standard" creative style to -2 saturation and I like the look of that, 0 is too warm for my taste). The Sony with the Tamron isn't that much heavier than an XT3 with 16-55 and has IBIS + longer battery life which is pretty important too.

So I'm quite set at the following setup :
* A7III (own)
* Tamron 28-75/2.8 (own)
* Tamron 17-28/2.8 (buy > gives me UWA + can be used indoors as a "semi" prime)
* Zeiss 55/1.8 (own) > if I'd want some portrait/light tele stuff indoors, but probably won't be used much

I think this should be enough while keeping stuff somewhat light enough. I'm pretty sure the 24/GM will once be in my bag, but the above will "only" cost me 1.000 euro. For the Fuji I would need the 10-24/4 to get the same, which costs about the same too but then I'd be "stuck" at F4 on APS-C which is a bit limiting compared to the F2.8 of the Tamron. I never owned an UWA lens, ever... (been photographing over 20yrs) so might be a nice way to step on new ground too.

I'll definitely keep using the XT3 for family stuff when I really don't want to carry weight, I'm even considering getting the 23/2 for my 'daily/small/street' stuff. But I think it would be kinda silly to leave a great FF sensor at home for a few grams difference, especially for such a special trip.

Also very interested in the XT4/A7IV... very curious what that would bring. I really really hope Sony brings film simulations and in-camera raw processing, with a better EVF/LCD. That would be awesome.