In the Field: Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Fujifilm X-T20 for Students

Student photographers, should you choose a full-frame DSLR or an APS-C mirrorless camera? MPB teamed up with Josh Edgoose and Shane Taylor from Framelines to compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Fujifilm X-T20. Over to you, Josh and Shane.

We thought we’d have two similarly priced options. They're both packed full of features, they've got high-resolution sensors and loads of lens options. The main thing I love about DSLR cameras is being able to look through the optical viewfinder and just see straight through the lens. I love the simplicity of that.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II has great image quality in low light situations. There is less noise, less grain and fantastic quality for its price. The LCD screen is at the top so you can easily reference the ISO, shutter speed and aperture. With the addition of the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM, also known as the ‘nifty 50’ lens, this setup is great for taking portraits, landscapes and street photography.

• The Canon EOS 5D is also good for wildlife photography. Check out our interview with landscape and wildlife photographer Oliver Kerner, who took the photo above using the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Another great advantage of DSLR systems is that they've been around for so long that there are loads of lens options. You can get a cheap set of primes and a zoom lens—there are just so many options. Also, because it is a slightly older camera, the file sizes are small, making it great for storing a lot of photographs.

But there are a few slight disadvantages. One is the memory card. Because it is an older camera it takes a CF card, but this can easily be overcome by purchasing a CF-to-SD adapter enabling you to use any SD card in the body. Another slight disadvantage is the size and weight. Compared to the more modern mirrorless systems, it seems bulky—making it a substantial package to be carrying around all day.

The Fujifilm X-T20 is a great option for students. I've used the Fujifilm X-T20 for a couple of years and I think they are great for a variety of styles: from portraiture to street photography. One of my favourite things about the Fujifilm camera is the film simulations, which are settings within the camera that make the JPEGS look more like analogue film. 

A great benefit of this camera is that it is a mirrorless camera, which means you are looking into a screen instead of looking through glass like the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Another great thing about the Fujifilm X-T20 is the manual dials, making it a great tool for students when learning photography. These manual dials are the same that used to exist on old film cameras and make it so you can adjust things like exposure, shutter speed and ISO. 

• Read our interview with street photographer Polly Rusyn, who uses Fujifilm camera gear—including the X-T20, for the photo above.

As well as being great at still photography, this camera has the ability to shoot in 4K video and has a built-in mic jack. You can also use the flip screen, which allows you to shoot at all different angles with ease. There are some cons, but I think they're pretty minor—one being its sensor is smaller than full-frame and the high ISO can get muddy sometimes. To find out more, read our Fujifilm X-T20 review.

Overall, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Fujifilm X-T20 are both good budget camera options for student photographers. You can find further options in our best cameras for students article.

Discover more camera gear guides on the MPB content hub, or get started with your MPB student discount.