NEX-7 or X-Pro1

<p>I don't post very often, but really need some help with this. I've been a Canon user for years and now have a 7d, eight lenses -- four zooms (two of them Ls), three primes, and a prime macro, and two speedlites. I recently had an accident, tore my rotator cuff, and at nearly age 70, have decided I need to lighten the load, particularly since I do a lot of hiking with my gear. <br /> I do landscape, street, and contemplative photography -- no sports action and only portrait work for friends -- so I don't see that I'm going to lose any functionality by moving from a DSLR. In fact, I may gain a few things, given the fat that I like to remain unobtrusive during much of my shooting. <br /> I am torn between the Sony NEX-7 and the Fuji X-Pro1 and am leaning toward the former due to its slightly lower bulk. My friends at Pro Photo Supply are directing me toward the Fuji line. I'm in a bit of a quandary here, because this is a long-term investment, and I would deeply appreciate any learned guidance from others on this forum.</p>

<p>Jim, I was also thinking about the NEX-7, mainly for its rotating monitor and its adaptability to some Leica optics I use. Sony is slow at producing high quality optics for this otherwise fine camera and I don't know if your Canon primes can adapt to the NEX. Apparently the qualitative rendition of the smaller pixel count sensor of the Fuji is special and probably as good as the NEX. If you cannot fit other prime optics to the NEX, you might think of the Fuji which apparently has some fine optics (like the 35mm f1.4) to go with it. But that might be more expensive, should your Canon prime lenses be adaptable to the NEX-7. </p>

<p>Season's Greetings, Jim. <br>

I too, was debating between the Sony NEX-7 and the Fuji X-Pro-1, that is, until I attended a Photo Expo recently and actually handled those, plus the Fuji X-E1 and the Olympus OM-D EM-5. Frankly sir, I was not impressed by the size, speed and handling of the X-Pro-1, but <em>was</em> impressed with both the Fuji X-E1 and especially the Olympus OM-D. The Sony NEX-7 was also nice, but as others have said, the scarcity of quality Sony lenses to match that very nice APS-C sensor has made me reconsider Sony. The direct opposite is true of the OM-D however, as there are numerous <em>very high-quality</em> optics available (from Olympus, Panasonic, and a host of others via adapters) for the very nice OM-D EM-5. I tried it with the accessory Oly battery grip, and was quite impressed with the handling (not to mention weather-sealing) of that combo. I currently shoot a Pentax K-5 (for examples of my work, please contact me) and want a "travel" system that won't sacrifice image quality, particularly sharpness and detail. I think I'm leaning towards the Olympus system, however, the Fuji X-E1 was very nice as well, though not weather-sealed. I think the X-E1 addressed most of the weaknesses of the X-Pro 1 rather nicely (AF speed, Write speed, handling). The only omission was the hybrid viewfinder, I believe. Anyway, I highly recommend checking out the OM-D system. It is small, but the optics are some of the best I've ever seen in my 30 years in photography. Steve Huff has some reviews of this equipment that corroborate my opinion as well. Good luck to you. </p>

<p>I had that same dilemma between the X-E1 and the Sony. I thought the Fuji has a better EVF, build quality and traditional controls, but they don't have a compact standard zoom yet. So I passed on it and bought the NEX-6 with the 16-50mm (24-75mm equivalent) zoom. I use it as my intermediate camera between my iPhone and my D700 and have been very pleased with it. I looked at the NEX-7 but it had too many negatives: too high a pixel count, proprietary hot shoe and awkwardly placed record button being three of the most egregious. The NEX-6 is better in every way and cost less, too. I looked at Micro4/3 and there are some very nice models, but it's still a smaller sensor than Sony.</p>

<p>With NEX7 and appropriate lens adapter for your Canon lenses, you will be able to use your Canon lenses, in manual focus mode.</p>

<p>The Focus Peaking and the image magnification features of NEX7, will allow to make easy and acurate manual focus adjustments. This may not be fast enough for any sport or fast action photography, but for most of everything else it works well.</p>

<p>However, you could shoot at 10 frames per second, and get some sharp pictures, even in sport. This may require practice.</p>

<p>Hi Jim - I agree with Jon - the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Compact-Interchangeable-Digital-Camera/dp/B0096W1OCG?tag=battleforthew-20">$848 NEX-6</a> is good value for money, and, with a <a href="http://www.metabones.com/sony/buy-eos-nex-adapter">Metabones EOS to NEX smart adapter</a>, your Canon lenses will adapt to it seamlessly - with fully functional electronic aperture, EXIF, stabilization and autofocus.<br>

This adapter works with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NEX-7-Compact-Interchangeable-Camera/dp/B005IHAIEI?tag=battleforthew-20">NEX-7</a> as well.<br>

Like Steve, I am a micro 4/3 shooter (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-GH3K-Digital-Single-Mirrorless/dp/B009B0WREM?tag=battleforthew-20">GH3</a>), and am a big fan of Olympus/Panasonic lenses and the images I have seen from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Interchangeable-3-0-Inch-Tilting-Touchscreen/dp/B0074WDDN8?tag=battleforthew-20">Olympus OM-D</a>. That said, coming from a 7D, I would certainly understand if you prefer to stay with the larger APS-C sensor.<br>

Good luck with your decision!<br>

Bill</p>

<p>They are both fine cameras, with very different handling. I was choosing between these two back at the first of the year and I went with the NEX 7 due to the focus peaking feature, which is an absolute godsend if you manual focus.</p>

<p>I am not disappointed either. The NEX 7 is an incredibly versatile and small photographic tool. That being said, the NEX 6 is cheaper and will do just about everything the 7 will just as well. Supposedly better noise performance as well with the 16mp sensor. I must say however that using the 24mp sensor in the 7 is a treat.</p>

<p>The Canon adapter for the NEX is very interesting. Keep in mind that you probably wont want to mount any huge L zooms on the tiny NEX bodies but your primes should work just fine. I use the Sony LAEA2 adapter on my 7 sometimes with my two old Minolta AF lenses, a 50/1.7 and a 24/2.8. Adapters like this make the NEX a little bigger but they are still smaller and lighter then DSLR's. As a matter of fact, all the lenses I use on my 7 require some form of adapter. I dont own a single e mount lens. I believe the handling of the camera to still be worlds above a dslr.</p>

<p>A co-worker is just getting into photography and recently purchased a Canon 7D. He asked for some pointers so we both brought our gear up to work so I could go over some basics with him. Holding his 7D along with my 7 was an eye opener. The 7D was soooooo much bulkier and heavy, especially with the huge zoom he had on there. It has been a while since I used my 40D (sold when I moved to Sony) and I had forgotten how freaking big those things are.</p>

<p>I have posted this link before, but you can go here to see some of what I have been doing with the NEX 7 and legacy glass. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8539414@N07/sets/72157629936411965/</p>

<p>I wish I had some experience to share with the Fuji. It is a lovely camera and I almost prefer its retro looks to the more modern interpretation on the NEX 7. But I do believe the NEX to be infinitely more usable due to the huge grip. That really does make the camera easy to use. And I absolutely love the Tri-Navi button arrangement. It is very clever and the overall button arrangement is very customizable.</p>

<p>You probably cant go wrong with either the Sony or the Fuji. They are both excellent photographic tools and capable of producing world class photos in the right hands. It really does come down to which feels better in the hand.</p>

<p>Something to think about, Sony has changed its camera roadmap recently. They have ditched the 36mp A1x and the Mirroless A-mount camera to focus on a full frame NEX camera. It will supposedly be out in about 12-13 months, so a bit of a wait. But a NEX purchase now would hold you over until the FF comes out and then you would have a nice little backup to the NEX 9. That is assuming FF is anything you need or want.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

<p>I am bit older than you and have had 3 rotator cuff surgeries. I went with the nex 7 and adapter for my nikon glass. (small primes). I just purchases the Voigtlander 40 mm f2 a really great lens. Now I use the good glass that sony is lacking and have a small light weight bag to carry. As some one else stated focusing is no problem wth the peaking feature. I manually did everything with film and if you are like me, I like the control the manual lenses provide. The nex is the future of photography. I'm exttremely happy I went with it and will never go back to lugging all that big heavy stuff again.<br>

Dave</p>

<p>I am bit older than you and have had 3 rotator cuff surgeries. I went with the nex 7 and adapter for my nikon glass. (small primes). I just purchases the Voigtlander 40 mm f2 a really great lens. Now I use the good glass that sony is lacking and have a small light weight bag to carry. As some one else stated focusing is no problem wth the peaking feature. I manually did everything with film and if you are like me, I like the control the manual lenses provide. The nex is the future of photography. I'm exttremely happy I went with it and will never go back to lugging all that big heavy stuff again.<br>

Dave</p>

<p>All three systems (Sony, Fuji and m4/3) have their advantages and all of them produce images of a quality comparable to your 7D (if AF speed is not an issue). I'd go to a shop, take the bodies in your hands and see which fits best and then look at the lens program and see if what you find is what you want. I would not use your Canon lenses with an adapter. What's the point if you want to reduce weight and size and have the same big lenses as before?<br>

Personally I opt for the Olympus OM-D. The camera handels excellent, the files of the sensor are impressive, too, and you get a nice variety of small and sharp lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, Voigtländer and (in the near future) from Schneider Kreuznach.<br>

An cost saving alternative would be to reduce the lenses you already have to the 2 lenses you use most and buy a smaller and lighter Canon body.</p>

<p>To follow on from Stefan's thought. Why not sell all your big L zooms and get a few choice EF primes - 28/2.8 IS, 40/2.8 and 85/1.8, say - and you will have already reduced your load by 90%? No need to buy a new system at all! The EOS body is of course a lot bigger, but I doubt that was really the issue - probably all that fast L glass was/is.</p>

<p>I agree with Stefan about the OM-D system! One thing that the OM-D has that the others don't, is the superb 5-way Image Stabilization system integrated into the body, so it works with <em>any</em> lens! (Of course, if you shoot the majority of your work on a tripod as I do, then this is moot, but for those hand-held shots, it is marvelous. Frankly, I think this image quality between all the aforementioned systems is comparable, despite the smaller 4/3 sensor in the OM-D. It's still a 16 megapixel sensor, and I think that unless you are a sports photographer, the OM-D System will serve you well. That said, I also am researching the Fuji X-E1, but I always seem to come back to the superb ergonomics (especially with accessory battery grip ), build quality, weather-sealing, and lens selection of the OM-D system! </p>

<p>I have a Fuji X1 Pro coming today,age (64) and back surgery are making me rethink my needs,I'll post some comments when I have used it awhile...</p>

<p>Got the Fuji yesterday I'm very impressed with the pics and the quality construction of the camera,it's a keeper for me...</p>

<p>Sony rumors has a 'highly likely' tag attached to a rumor that the NEX7 will be upgraded about March of 2013. I'm holding on to see what happens. At the very least, if I don't like the new 7, the current 7 will be less expensive.</p>

<p>Btw, stick with Sony. If you have doubts, take a look at the sensor tests at DXO Mark. The Sony's are way ahead of the pack in sensor quality. I've been picking up my 5R over Canon 5D2 lately because the image quality is identical and the Sony weighs a fraction of what the full size 5D2 does.</p>

<p>First off, thanks to all who contributed to this discussion. I went with the NEX-7 and am having a great time with it. <img src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pdx_photoman/8365725193/in/photostream/lightbox/" alt="" />I've been thinking about using an adapter for my Canon lenses, but given the fact that weight is such a big part of my decision to make a move, I'm going to trade them in and get some basic lenses for the Sony, trusting that the availability of E-lenses will catch up to the camera technology. </p>