The Sony a7 vs XT1 is what we shall be comparing today. So, on the one hand, we have the pro camera from Sony, although now quite antiquated. And, on the other hand, we have the XT1 from Fujifilm which is also one of Fuji’s least advanced models as well.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony has gone its usual mirrorless camera route and the Sony a7 is a real fine piece of camera that fits into modern day photography. Fuji, on the other hand, looks like they are trying to woo the purists (DSLR lovers) into the mirrorless camp. You can easily tell by the way Fuji nicely combines elements from a classic DSLR with sophisticated mirrorless features.
In all, we have two cameras that are worthy of our attention and we are more than excited to compare the two of them for you in order to help you make the better choice.
As you can tell from their time of manufacture, the Sony a7 and Fuji XT1 are both a little old in camera years. They’ve been around for quite a while. So, our duty today isn’t just to compare the two cameras. But based on our findings, you will also come to find if these cameras are still worth buying in 2019.
Would you like a comparison on two amazing beginner cameras? Check this out.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Comparison Overview
So, if you can’t stick around for a long time, this section is for you. We are going to be running a short summary of the entire article we’d be going into today. Of course “short” is relative as this is a pretty lengthy review.
Now, we would actually advise that you hold on till the end and milk all the information you can from this article. In the end, it will help you make a most informed decision as regarding where your hard-earned money goes. But if you can’t though, that’s fine. We still got you.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Where These Two Cameras Get It Right
These cameras both take wonderful stills although they come with different sensor sizes and resolutions. They come with RAW support which is nice. Plus, they also feature a face detection focus that’s great for giving the face the best exposure and what not when doing portraiture.
The viewfinder on these cameras are great although the Fuji XT1 seems to be sharper. They both have a 100% coverage though which is sweet.
The screens articulate, thankfully. However, we would have loved to see full articulation and touch sensitivity. It’s no real biggie though.
Besides these, both cameras come with AE bracketing. They also come with an external flash shoe with which they can attach an external flash if need be.
There’s a port for a microphone on each camera which is great for stellar audio quality in your videos. And then each camera comes with built-in WiFi for easy transfer of files.
Lastly, both cameras are weather-sealed.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Where The Sony a7 Does It Better
The Sony a7 comes with a full frame sensor and a sharper sensor at 24 megapixels which makes it great for cropping and printing large sized photos.
It also has a higher ISO range with a larger sensor pixel area as well which naturally gives the Sony a7 the lead when it comes to performance in low light. Its screen resolution is sharper as well, and the camera also has the higher max shutter speed.
Unlike the Fuji XT1, the Sony a7 has a port for headphones with which the user can monitor sound without having to lug around an external monitor. And talking about video, the Sony a7 is far better for video than the Fuji XT1, making it the better choice for videographers and cinematographers.
Autofocus is a lot faster on the Sony a7 with a smoother tracking of moving subjects. AE bracketing is also better as well.
For wireless connection, the Sony a7 adds Near Field Communication (NFC) to its built-in WiFi which it comes with. It also comes with smartphone remote control which is a really nifty feature.
Finally, weather-sealing is more robust on the Sony a7.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Where The Fuji XT1 Does It Better
The Fuji XT1 is the better camera when it comes to continuous shooting although not by much – just by 3 frames. Its battery life is stronger as well although just by 10 shots. Another area where the Fuji XT1 has a small margin of advantage over the Sony a7 is in its viewfinder. It has the slightly sharper viewfinder.
As for memory cards, you’d be happy to know that it supports UHS-II memory cards – an important feature that’s missing on the Sony a7. Transfer rate is unbeatable on the Fuji XT1.
Another advantage of the Fuji XT1 is that it does not experience the rolling shutter effect which the Sony a7 suffers by virtue of its full frame sensor.
Lastly, the Fuji XT1 is a budget purchase for photographers who cannot afford to spend so much on a pro camera for now. Plus, it’s also the lighter, more compact camera of the two although both are about the same size anyway.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Where Both These Cameras Get It Wrong
Neither of these cameras comes with an image stabilization system.
Neither of these cameras comes with a built-in flash.
Also, it’s a bit of a drawback that neither of these cameras has a fully articulated or touch sensitive screen.
Lastly, both these cameras suck in the battery department, averaging just about 350 shots per single charge. Well, that’s to be expected in mirrorless cameras.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Our Opinion On Price/Value Ratio
Let’s see how these cameras do in terms of their price/value ratio. First off, the Sony a7 and Fuji XT1 are quite affordable, all things considered.
We have the Sony a7 which costs about seven hundred bucks for the body. We also have the Fuji XT1, on the other hand, which sells for about three hundred dollars.
There are some sellers who might want to sell a new camera to you at a thousand bucks but we don’t consider that a good price/value ratio. There are some used cameras that are still in excellent conditions that sell for far less. Especially for a camera that isn’t pro level and is this old, we think that’s a better deal.
So, in summary, as long as you are able to get a good deal on any of these cameras, you should be getting a fantastic deal. Although a little antiquated, both of these cameras still have admirable qualities for those looking to launch into photography or even get a backup camera that works.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Comparative Brand Strengths
Now, let’s talk a bit about the two companies behind these cameras – Sony and Fujifilm. First off, they are strong Japanese brands as are most camera companies. Over the years, we have seen them make some pretty good cameras over the years. However, from study and observation, it’s easy to see where the strengths of these companies lie.
In the natural order, let’s start with Sony. Sony is mostly a mirrorless company. The brand has a wide plethora of mirrorless camera offerings that are some of the best in the industry right now. And another thing about them is how they tend to go for full frames a lot. Sony has only very few crop sensors, and probably no micro four thirds, instead most cameras are full frame which is amazing.
Sony has zeroed in on resolution and low light performance as two main benefits that form its USP. Sony has a lineup of high resolution cameras in its alpha R series and another line up of low light sensitive cameras in its alpha S.
And then we have Fujifilm. You must have heard of the famous Fuji colors. Well, that’s no myth. The famous Fuji colors are real. Right out of the camera, even without any form of editing, Fujifilm cameras produce such wonderful colors.
However, the biggest observable attribute about Fuji cameras is their classic look. If DSLR lovers who are not keen on the whole mirrorless cameras ever consider testing the mirrorless waters, it would most likely be on a Fuji camera as it provides the perfect compromise.
Fuji cameras are known to look old school and classic with really familiar layouts that make them super easy to use.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Comparison Table Of Major Specs And Features
Sony a7 |
Fujifilm XT1 | |
| Announcement Date | 22nd January, 2014 | 14th April, 2014 |
| Sensor Size | Full Frame CMOS Sensor | APS-C CMOS X-TRANS II |
| Sensor Resolution | 24 Megapixels | 16 Megapixels |
| ISO | 100 – 25600 | 200 – 6400 |
| Mount | Sony E Mount | Fujifilm X Mount |
| Electronic Viewfinder Resolution | 2359k dots | 2360k dots |
| Continuous Shooting | 5 Frames Per Second | 8 Frames Per Second |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
| LCD Screen | 1.230k dots | 1.040k dots |
| Sensor Pixel Area | 35.65µm2 | 23.04µm2 |
| Headphone Port | Yes | No |
| NFC Connection | Yes | No |
| Smartphone Remote Control | Yes | No |
| Time Lapse Recording | With the optional app | Yes |
| Support for UHS Memory Cards | None | UHS-II |
| Battery Life | 340 shots | 350 shots |
| Dimensions | 127 x 94 x 48 millimeters | 129 x 90 x 47 millimeters |
| Weight | 474 grams | 440 grams |
| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Which Situation Is Each Camera Better For?
Sony a7 |
Fuji XT1 |
| The Sony a7 is a wonderful semi-pro camera in our books. This is because, considering all the advancements that have gone on in the world of photography from the time this camera was manufactured, the Sony a7 might not satisfy the average professional photographer right now. The Sony a7 is wonderful for taking stills whether they be landscapes or architecture. With a full frame sensor, this camera captures such scenery beautifully. For portraiture work as well, the Sony a7 is wonderful. With the shallow depth of field which this camera lends, portraits always turn out amazing. This is an amazing camera buddy for the studio. Another set of photographers who would benefit from the Sony a7 are those who have to crop a lot or those who have to print in extra large sizes. 24 megapixels gives the photographer enough detail to be able to crop pretty aggressively without losing too much detail. Sony has cameras with much higher megapixel counts but 24 megapixels is still a great count. Another area where the Sony a7 shines is in low light. The Fuji XT1 is not as great. This is not surprising considering that this is a Sony camera and it also comes with a full frame sensor. For video, the Sony a7 does pretty well. It’s not the most outstanding in that category but all things considered, it does pretty okay. We would recommend it over the Fuji XT1 though when it comes to video. This camera is not great for shooting wildlife, sports, or any other activity involving intense movement. | The Fuji XT1 is a great camera that we would recommend to a DSLR lover who is still skeptical about diving into mirrorless cameras. If you think you’re ready to give mirrorless cameras a try, then consider giving the Fuji XT1 a try. Because autofocus is a little slow, we’d advise that you keep this camera away from situations where you need autofocus pretty swift. It works perfectly for weddings though so if this is why you want to get the Fuji XT1, go ahead. Although a great workhorse, the Fuji XT1 might not be the camera to use for extensive professional work. This is because it only comes with one storage slot which could be inadequate if you have a lot of work to do professionally. We already explained that the Fuji XT1 does not take the best videos. But if you want to make the best of the Fuji XT1’s video, you’d have to work on your lighting. In all, we recommend the Fuji XT1 if you need a great workhorse with a classic feel, something that looks and feels like a DSLR. It’s a pretty small camera too, even smaller than the Sony a7. So, it’s a great choice if you need a camera to carry around for daily photography. |
| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
This brings us to the end of the comparison overview section. If you want the devil in the detail then keep reading as we go into the full detail in the following sections.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Which Features Do They Have In Common?
In this section, we discuss the areas where these cameras share similarities.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 1: Tilting Screen
Both of these cameras come with tilting screens which makes the camera easier to use at awkward, inconvenient angles. The only limitation with these cameras is that their screens don’t articulate completely. They only tilt to some degree.
As for touch sensitivity, the screens of these cameras are not touch sensitive either. Again, for a camera in these times, this is a big limiting factor. Having a touch sensitive makes it easier to interact with your camera. It also makes interaction with your camera faster as well.
Consider when you have to adjust focus when shooting video for instance, with a touch sensitive screen it just becomes much easier and convenient.
One more thing we will consider is screen resolution. The screens of these cameras are quite sharp. However, the Sony a7 has the sharper screen at 1.230k dots. Of course, this is not the sharpest any screen can be which means that you will suffer a little with the Fuji XT1. It’s not such a huge difference though.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 2: Electronic Viewfinder
Being mirrorless cameras, the Sony a7 and Fuji XT1 both use electronic viewfinders. The viewfinders work great and there are no problems with it. It’s probably one thing that DSLR lovers would hate about using a mirrorless camera but these viewfinders are only getting better and many photographers are keying into them.
Let’s talk about the electronic viewfinder of the Fuji XT1 for a second. We love how the screen switches to the EVF really fast. It’s so swift, it’s like the moment you bring the camera to your eye, the electronic viewfinder immediately appears and that’s really cool.
At 2359k/23560k dots, these viewfinders are pretty crystal. Plus, they also have a 100% coverage. We are sure your experience with the electronic viewfinders will make you very happy.
Get the Sony a7 here! Get the Fuji XT1 here!
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 3: RAW Support
The Sony a7 and Fuji XT1 both come with RAW support and take the most amazing photos. Of course in today’s world of photography, RAW support is a must for every camera as everyone now shoots in RAW.
There are several advantages to shooting in RAW which you already know so we won’t go in depth into.
Now, comparing these cameras, it’s easy to expect that the Sony a7 will outperform the Fuji XT1 by a wide margin in this feature. And when you consider the fact that the Sony a7 comes with a full frame sensor and a sharper sensor, you might be tempted to agree.
This is not to say that you’d be wrong. However, we found something really impressive when we checked out RAW photos from the Fuji XT1.
RAW photos are usually supposed to come out flatish and muted because of their nature, i.e. they are usually unprocessed and uncompressed. This is why they require a level of processing before you can use them.
However, with the Fuji XT1, imagine when we saw RAW photos fresh from this camera looking colorful and sharp even without being worked on at all. The famous Fuji colors are not a myth after all. They truly pop such that even the RAW photos in-camera still look quite stunning.
Another thing about the Fuji XT1 is that has a selection of settings to help you take better images. These settings include negatives, black and white, sepia, etc. However, this film selection mainly works in JPEG but then, it doesn’t mean that you can’t use this in RAW. Just select “RAW plus” when using those film selections.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 4: Dynamic Range
When it comes to dynamic range, Sony and Fuji use different metrics and designations to measure dynamic range in their cameras. Based on that, therefore, we will be discussing the dynamic ranges of these cameras one after the other.
We will be beginning with Sony because it uses a more familiar dynamic range system that we know.
Sony a7 has an impressive dynamic range of 14.1. Usually, a good dynamic range begins anywhere from 12 stops to 14 stops. And if the dynamic range is anything close to 15 stops like the Sony a7, then the camera must be amazing at preserving your highlights and shadows.
Although excellent dynamic range is a normal characteristic of full frame cameras, the Sony a7 is one of full frame cameras with the highest dynamic ranges you’d find. You’ll enjoy using this camera in the outdoors.
Now, to the Fuji XT1, Fuji uses a pretty interesting system to describe its dynamic range which it refers to as the D-range. This range begins at 100% and goes all the way to 400% although it only comprises 3 levels – DR100 (100%), DR200 (200%), DR400 (400%).
All three ranges are only available in manual mode though. In auto D-range mode, the camera would only be able to choose between the DR100 and the DR200, meaning the DR400 is left out.
Another thing to note about the dynamic range of the Fuji XT1 (and its big brother, the XT2) is that not all ranges are available at all ISOs. For DR100, you’d have to be working at an ISO range of 200, at least. The DR200 needs an ISO range of 400 while the DR400 needs an ISO range of 800.
That said, how does this D-range technology work in practice? Well, it does pretty great actually. But, as expected, the high ISO values required sometimes becomes a challenge in the sense that it sometimes leads to noisy photos.
Altogether though, the D-range technology is a great one.
Get the Sony a7 here! Get the Fuji XT1 here!
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 5: High Max Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is pretty important for your photography as you know. Usually, a wide range of shutter speeds is desired because it makes it easier to create all kinds of effects. From crisp photos of moving subjects to photos where you want to simulate that feeling of speed, a wide range of shutter speeds is the route.
In this case, the Sony a7 has a higher max shutter speed of 1/8000s while the Fuji XT1 has a max shutter speed of 1/4000s. It’s not a huge disadvantage to the Fuji XT1 as you’d hardly even have to use up to 1/4000s while doing your photography.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 6: Continuous Shooting
Both these cameras do about the same when it comes to continuous shooting. The Fuji XT1 is only about 3 frames faster than the Sony a7. But, of course, even though that is a small difference, the Fuji XT1 is still going to be a better camera for shooting intense activity.
However, altogether these two cameras are not great for wildlife or sports. We won’t recommend for such activities as the frames per second are not enough.
It could be useful for other kinds of photography though where you want to catch raw emotions and photos of the moment. Other than that, it might be best to get another camera if you’re into such scenes.
Get the Sony a7 here! Get the Fuji XT1 here!
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 7: 1920 x 1080 Full HD Video Resolution
The Sony a7 and Fuji XT1 both shoot video in the 1080 full HD video resolution. Yup, none of these cameras shoots in 4K which might or might not be a big deal depending on the kind of photographer you are.
Nonetheless, let’s allay your fears. Full HD is still a wonderful resolution to shoot in even in 2019. In fact, as of now, many are still of the opinion that 4K is overrated, explaining that 4K is not exactly perceptible to the naked human eye.
Whatever your persuasions though, let’s get to how these cameras perform individually in video mode. Beginning with Sony a7…
Sony a7 |
Fuji XT1 |
| The Sony a7 comes with a microphone port as well as a port for headphones. This is important for the audio aspect of your video. An external microphone helps for excellent sound while the headphones help to monitor sound to ensure it’s the best. In cases where audio quality is priority this can help you eliminate the need for an external monitor. In frame rate, the Sony a7 records 60 frames per second which is pretty fast and also means that you can create a slow mo effects with your videos. In terms of autofocusing, the Sony a7 is fantastic which means that you can use it to take a video of yourself. As you know, in videos like that, you have to depend on autofocusing since you can’t exactly use manual focusing when taking a video of yourself. In low light, this camera is quite good, thanks to a number of factors including its full frame and large sensor pixel area. Lastly, the screen of the Sony a7… It does contribute to your videoing experience in your interaction with the camera. The only thing we’d like to point out here is that modern professionals would miss the absence of touch sensitivity on the Sony a7 as it would have made the camera easier to interact especially for video. Now, to the bad, the Sony a7 suffers the rolling shutter effect as most full frame cameras do. You should be careful with lateral, side-to-side movements when shooting video with the Sony a7. Ensure that neither your subject nor your camera has to move sideways to avoid the rolling shutter effect. | The Fuji is not an impressive camera for video at all. If you expect to also be using your camera for video, then we might have to recommend the Sony a7 over the Fuji XT1. We did find though that if you can work on getting excellent lighting, you should be able to make your video come out rather nice. But the lighting has to be really good. For autofocusing, the Fuji XT1 is a little slow. But that might not really be a big deal since everyone uses manual focusing for video. But it comes with focus peaking though which is great for manual focusing. The bitrate of the Fuji XT1 is really poor at about 38 megabits per second. Of course, this isn’t great for post as it limits the amount of detail you can work with. In addition to the usual frame rates (60 frames per second, 30 frames per second), Fujifilm also has also added frame rates to the XT1 which include the 50, 25, and 24 frames per second. With these frame rates, you’re able to edit your video in places like Europe without having to convert the frame rate first. Now, one thing about this camera is that the battery isn’t quite strong. So, you’re going to have to be changing the battery from time to time depending on how long you’d have to use it. Now, if you’re going to be using a tripod with your camera for your videos, which is most likely, there’s a small ish. The way the door of the battery in relation to the tripod means you always have to disassemble the camera from the stand before you can change batteries. That can be a really long and annoying process to repeat every time. |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 8: AE Bracketing
These cameras come with the AE bracketing feature which is important for when light intensity varies. Of these two cameras though, the Sony a7 performs better when it comes to AE bracketing.
The Fuji XT1 only gives about three pictures for its AE bracketing while the Sony a7 gives about 5 photos. This makes the Sony a7 the clear winner in this category as it gives you more options for the photographer to pick from.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 9: Wireless Connection
In these cameras, there is built-in WiFi which allows you to transfer files from the camera to other devices via internet. You won’t need to use cables as the wireless transfer makes the process clutter-free and hassle-free as well.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 10: Weather-sealed Bodies
Both of these cameras are weather-sealed to help keep the camera somewhat protected in the case of an iffy weather. Now, here’s the thing, weather-sealing varies from camera to camera.
For instance, between the Sony a7 and the Fuji XT1, there is a varying degree of weather-sealing. The Sony a7 has a more robust weather-sealing than the Fuji XT1. The Fuji XT1, on the other hand, only has a minimal level of sealing.
This, naturally limits your use of the Fuji XT1 in inclement weather. While the Sony a7 can withstand a significant downpour, the Fuji XT1 is not built to withstand that.
Altogether though, we always like to remind photographers that weather-sealing is not water-proofing. The fact that a camera is weather-sealed doesn’t mean you can leave your camera out in the rain for months.
Get a water-proof pack to keep your camera in in case of a downpour.
Get the Sony a7 here! Get the Fuji XT1 here!
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 11: No Image Stabilization
Now, this one is a bit of a disadvantage, these cameras do not come with any form of image stabilization. This presents a problem when you need to use your camera handheld. Of course, there will be some involuntary, inevitable camera shake but image stabilization would have helped with that.
With the absence of this, therefore, there are two options for the photographer. You’d either have to go with a tripod stand or get image stabilization. Of these two, a tripod stand is actually your best option. It’s more affordable and does the best job at image stabilization.
The other option, which is also more expensive is to get image stabilization. Lenses are expensive but these give real-time stabilization which can help in composing your frames correctly.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Feature 12: Focus
These two cameras behave quite differently when it comes to their focus systems. You probably have a clue from all we’ve said so far but this section goes a little more in depth to explain.
The Sony a7 has a total of 117 focus points. And, as you know the more the focus points a camera has, the faster the focus system of the camera is and the easier it is for the camera to focus on moving subjects. It’s also quite important when shooting videos since you’d be working with manual mode. More focus points make it easier for you to zero in on all the areas you want to focus on.
Not surprisingly, the Sony a7 has a fast autofocus system – much faster than that of the Fuji XT1. Of course, it does struggle in low light, however, it’s still quite manageable in low light.
The only challenge (which isn’t such a biggie, by the way) is that the camera uses a knob to adjust focal points. A touch sensitive screen would have made things so much easier but we guess a knob would have to do.
As for the Fuji XT1, the camera has a slower autofocus system in comparison to the Sony a7. So far, there have been mixed reactions to the Fuji XT1’s focus system. While some believe that it’s not so slow, others are not having it. How the autofocus works for you would have to depend on how you like to shoot then.
But there’s some good news though. The Fuji XT1 comes with focus peaking which is great when you’re using a manual focus mode.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Get the Sony a7 here! Get the Fuji XT1 here!
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Unique Features
We proceed now to discuss the unique features of each of these cameras. This is probably where you would be making your final decision so you want to pay rapt attention.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Features Unique To The Sony a7
Full Frame Sensor
This is definitely a plus for the Sony a7 as a full frame sensor naturally gives a camera some advantages over smaller frame sensors. From a shallow depth of field to a more encompassing field of view, photos taken with full frame cameras are always mesmerizing. It’s no wonder professionals insist on them.
Nonetheless, they are notorious for their rolling shutter effect especially when shooting videos of subjects moving laterally. Plus, full frame sensors make for large cameras and expensive cameras too as they cost a lot to manufacture.
However, we’ve got to hand it to Sony, they did a pretty fine job fitting such a large sensor into a relatively small body. It’s also quite compact which makes it really easy to carry around as a daily camera.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
24 Megapixels Sensor Resolution
A 24-megapixel sensor resolution is great for any camera and a blessing for most photographers. Many megapixels mean that you’re able to do some aggressive cropping and some large printing as well.
For photographers that are into such kinds of work, the Sony a7 works. It’s also wonderful for studio work as well, producing really sharp and well detailed photos.
Of course, there’s also downsampling. There might be times when you need to downsample a particular photo for a faster upload or to suit some requirements on some platforms. 24 megapixels gives enough room to permit downsampling without a consequential downgrade in the quality of the photo itself.
Near Field Communication
Near Field Communication (NFC) is pretty much similar to built-in WiFi. It also allows you transfer files from your camera to other devices without using a cable. The only difference here is that near field communication does not require the use of an internet.
The fact that NFC does not transfer files via the internet is great as it makes things even easier for the photographer. So, in areas where internet services aren’t steady, you can use NFC to achieve a contactless transfer of files from the Sony a7 to other devices that are NFC-related.
Get the Sony a7 here! Get the Fuji XT1 here!
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Smartphone Remote Control
With the Sony Smartphone Remote Control app, you get to trigger your shutter, compensate for exposure whether in aperture or shutter mode, set a 2-second timer, or even transfer a JPEG photo to your phone.
In simple terms, you are now using your phone as a remote control for your camera. You can even livestream a feed from your camera on to your smartphone which helps you retain remote control with your smartphone.
You’d have to set it up an account first to be able to use this feature (as well as the built-in WiFi). But once you can get that done, you can be sure to enjoy the feature to the max.
ISO Of 100 – 25600
Like most Sony cameras, the Sony a7 has a pretty high ISO range. Sony cameras are usually known to perform excellently in low light and so does the Sony a7 even though it’s not the sharpest in Sony’s lineup.
The Sony a7 does well in low light, giving noise-free photos at ISOs of 100 stops up to 3200 stops. Even up to 4800 stops, photos sill come out looking quite clean. This is quite impressive.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs Fuji XT1 – Features Unique To The Fuji XT1
APS-C Sensor Size
The Fuji XT1 has a smaller sensor than the Sony a7. The sensor is a crop sensor which some might see as a small disadvantage. It naturally lacks a shallow depth of field, higher dynamic range and ISO sensitivity that full frames come with. Plus, it also has a tighter field of view than full frames which is another thing. However, the difference between these frames isn’t so staggering.
And then again, crop sensors have their advantages when it comes to cost and size. Cameras with crop sensors weigh less, are smaller in size, and typically cost less both for the initial purchase and running costs as well.
16 Megapixels
16 megapixels isn’t such a bad sensor resolution even though it’s not mind blowing. It’s just okay for most purposes except you intend to carry out some serious editing work in post.
For instance, 16 megapixels doesn’t exactly give enough room to do some serious cropping. Cropping this photo even to 12 megapixels would definitely tamper with the quality of the photo. This is one of the reasons the Fuji XT1 might not attract the attention of many professional photographers.
16 megapixels also might not be enough to print really large sizes of photos. Of course, you can print in fairly large sizes up to 11 by 14 inches and maybe even do a 30 by 40 decently well. The Sony a7, on the other hand, would do up to 40 by 60 inches pretty good.
Get the Sony a7 here! Get the Fuji XT1 here!
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
UHS-II SD Card Support
The major benefit of UHS-II SD cards is their speed. These cards are super fast and are much more stable in their transfer rate. Some even average up to a 245 megabyte per second transfer rate. With this, you can transfer up to 32 gigabyte of data in a little over 2 minutes and at the end of the day, you’d only be spending about 15 minutes max transferring the entire day’s work into another device.
This is a huge time saver that many photographers would definitely appreciate.
ISO Of 200 – 6400
The Fuji XT1 is definitely not the best camera in low light. The camera is only good for average lighting at best and will perform quite terribly in low light. Whether for stills or for videos, it’s best to go for the Sony a7 if you’ll be shooting in low light mostly.
In stills though, the Fuji XT1 does quite well in low light. Video mode is another story entirely.
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Unique Pros
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Pros Unique To The Sony a7
- The Sony a7 comes with a full frame sensor.
- It also has a sharper sensor resolution at 24 megapixels, great for cropping and printing in large sizes.
- Max ISO is 25600 stops.
- LCD screen resolution is sharper on the Sony a7 at 1.040k dots.
- Higher max shutter speed as well at 1/8000s.
- Comes with a headphone port for monitoring sound without having to bother with an external monitor.
- Larger sensor pixel area contributes to its low light performance.
- Near Field Connection aids contactless transfer of files in times where internet service isn’t stable.
- Great video capabilities.
- Faster autofocus.
- More robust weather sealing.
- Comes with smartphone remote control.
- Better AE bracketing function than that of the Fuji XT1.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Pros Unique To The Fuji XT1
- Better continuous shooting ability.
- Stronger battery life although not exactly by much, just 10 shots.
- It’s the lighter and more compact camera of the two.
- Has the sharper viewfinder resolution, again not by much though.
- Supports UHS-II memory cards which cuts down end-of-the-day transfer time to a bare minimum.
- No rolling shutter effect unlike the Sony a7.
- The more affordable option of the two cameras.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Unique Cons
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Cons Unique To The Sony a7
- Continuous shooting ability is poorer than that of the Fuji XT1 at 5 frames per second.
- Battery life is not quite as strong as that of the Fuji XT1.
- Does not support UHS memory cards which can really slow down end-of-day transfer.
- Experiences rolling shutter effect due to full frame sensor.
- The more expensive option of the two cameras
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Cons Unique To The Fuji XT1
- Sensor resolution is just 16 megapixels which is neither great for cropping nor for printing photos in large sizes. Also affects picture quality a little.
- ISO range is quite narrow and video capability in low light is unimpressive.
- No headphone port for monitoring audio when shooting video. You’d have to use an external monitor.
- No NFC for transfer of files in the absence of internet.
- Video capability is poor.
- Autofocus is quite slow on the Fuji XT1.
- Weather-sealing isn’t quite as robust as you find it on the Sony a7. Be extra careful in the event that it rains.
- No option of smartphone remote control on the Fuji XT1 unlike the way you have it on the Sony a7.
AE bracketing only produces 3 pictures while that of the Sony a7 produces 5 photos.
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Pros
Sony a7 |
Fuji XT1 |
| Built-in WiFi makes wireless transfer of files possible via the internet. | Also comes with built-in WiFi. |
| Articulating screen makes the camera easier to use although it lacks touch sensitivity. | Also comes with an articulating screen and lacks touch sensitivity. |
| External flash shoe makes it possible to use an external flash if need be. | Also comes with an external flash shoe. |
| RAW support available. | Also features RAW support. |
| Comes with a viewfinder. | Viewfinder also available. |
| Face detection focus feature available to make your portraits come out even nicer. | Face detection focus also available. |
| LCD screen is pretty high resolution. | Same goes for the Fuji XT1. |
| There’s a microphone port which helps with the sound quality of your videos. | Microphone port also available. |
| Weather-sealed for fortification against the elements. | Also weather-sealed although not as robust as the Sony a7’s. |
| Comes with AE bracketing. | Also comes with AE bracketing. |
| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
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| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Common Cons
Sony a7 |
Fuji XT1 |
| No image stabilization which could become a little problematic sometimes. | Also lacks image stabilization. |
| No built-in flash. | Also no built-in flash |
| LCD screen is not touch sensitive which would have made it easier to interact with the camera. | Also non-touch-sensitive LCD screen on the Fuji XT1 as well. |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – General Feeling Among Users
Sony a7 |
Fuji XT1 |
| It’s easy to tell that the Sony a7 was a much loved camera by the majority. The camera got so many commendations from users who were, obviously, happy campers. The first major thing we noticed, even before they began talking about the functions, was that customers loved the design and handling of the camera. It looked retro but still modern. Plus, it came in quite light and compact. So, though a full frame, this was a camera they found easy to carry around which was definitely a plus for the Sony a7. This camera is so small and compact, it fits into your purse just fine. That said, we move now to how customers found the performance of the Sony a7. You could tell that this was another part where customers were impressed. First, the stills, Sony a7 users loved their camera. The full frame sensor together with the megapixels of the sensor worked together to help the Sony a7 produce photos that users loved. Interestingly, there were only few complaints about the lack of image stabilization. It seemed everyone was able to work around that somehow and so will you, eventually. Now, to the bad. It was mostly about battery life. Regardless of the good stuff they had to say about the Sony a7, nearly everyone had something to say about the battery life. Sony does not seem to have that aspect of its cameras sorted yet. | The Fuji XT1 was applauded for size. According to a customer, they were able to store their camera along with the lens inside their coat pocket without even needing a camera bag. In fact, the overall layout of the camera looked great. Dials were easier to locate, controls were also easy to locate and use as well. It seems the retro/modern hybrid look Fuji employed paid them off well. Another thing about the body of this camera is that it’s great for photographers with large hands. Its grip seemed such people better despite the fact that the camera is actually quite small and compact. Autofocus seemed to be one area where everyone faulted the Fuji XT1. It’s terrible at following moving subjects and many users said as much. But then again, there was focus peaking though which impressed many users which made manual focus great. As for image quality, pictures were quite good in customers’ eyes. Dynamic range was pretty good and a few less demanding customers even seemed to be okay with the ISO sensitivity of the Fuji XT1, but that was mostly for stills though and not for video. In fact, talking about video, we didn’t find many customers discuss the video capabilities of this camera. Finally, if you’re a DSLR lover and you’re scared, you might want to borrow a leaf from some of these users of the Fuji XT1. A good number of users who got the Fuji XT1, in comparison to the Sony a7 were DSLR users who wanted to venture into mirrorless cameras. Good news is that most loved it and you most likely would too. |
| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
Sony a7 Vs XT1 – Conclusion
To bring this to a close, we’re sure you probably already made your choice on which of these cameras you’d want to own and that’s cool. However, here is our opinion on these cameras and which we think you should you get based on our findings.
Alright, first off, the Sony a7 and Fuji XT1 are great cameras, no doubt. It just really depends on what the kind of photographer you are and what you want with your camera.
That said, for the better all-round camera, we’ll definitely hand it to the Sony a7. It is a great camera for stills, and nearly all kinds of photography from architecture, portraits, landscape, etc. It’s also great for cropping and large prints due to the number of megapixels it comes with.
Besides that, the Sony a7 is the camera to consider if you have to work constantly in low light especially if you do more of videos. The Fuji XT1 is okay in low light, however, it’s not so great in terms of video capabilities.
The Fuji XT1, on the other hand, has a more specific market as it seems Fuji is specifically targeting DSLR lovers. It looks and feels like a DSLR without all the heft. The camera is great at stills but not as good for video. If that’s something you can do without, then you might want to consider the Fuji XT1.
The Fuji XT1 is a much more affordable camera when compared to the Sony a7. And so, we also think you might want to consider the Fuji XT1 over the Sony a7 if you’re on a tight budget for now. It will give you everything you need to enjoy your first voyage into photography for a nearly giveaway price.
Sony, on the other hand, is a more expensive venture especially considering that it’s a full frame and then all the glass you’d have to get as well (Sony’s glass are expensive).
Yeah, that about sums up everything we have to say concerning this review. We hope you learned one or two things?
| Get the Sony a7 here! | Get the Fuji XT1 here! |
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