Video: Fujifilm X100V vs Sony A7C for Travel Photography

For travel photography, sightseeing and tourism, which type of mirrorless camera is better—interchangeable lens or fixed-lens compact? To find out, photography YouTuber James Popsys heads to Newborough Beach in North Wales with the Fujifilm X100V and Sony A7C. Watch the video and check out James’ imagery below.

Testing Criteria

I'm on the hunt for a travel camera—a camera I can use for holidays, family days, and other such occasions to document what's going on. I have some criteria for a camera like that, and these two, broadly speaking, fit the bill.

The criteria is relatively straightforward. I want it to be small, and these cameras certainly fit the bill. I want the lens on the camera, whichever camera it is, to be sharp. I want it to be small, and I also want the lens to be moderately fast. It doesn't have to be f/1.2, but I want it to be fast enough that it's capable of taking really nice portraits, shallow depth of field, and also capable of performing well in dimly lit restaurants or at night, basically situations where you want to take photos while you're travelling.

Fujifilm X100V Impressions

The Fujifilm X100V is more comfortable to hold, and I think the ergonomics of the Fujifilm X100V are better. It seems to me like Fujifilm with this camera, basically looked at the ergonomics first and then worked out how to get the electronics in the camera after that, which I think is the right way to do it. I took this Fujifilm X100V away with me on holiday a few weeks ago, and I really enjoyed it. It's a fantastically fun camera. And it’s very easy to carry around all day.

Sony A7C Impressions

When it comes to the A7C, I think what they've done is they've taken a full-frame sensor and said, “Right, how can we get the most amount of stuff in the smallest amount of space around that sensor?” That will form the basis of a relatively basic camera. The A7C has a hilariously small viewfinder that needs a magnifying glass to see properly. It also lacks a front dial, which is a big missing feature for many photographers. But what’s great about the tilting screens like you get on the A7C is that you can frame up in portrait mode, low to the ground, without breaking your back, which I very much appreciate.

Conclusion

My primary mission today has been figuring out what it feels like to hold the Fujifilm X100V compared to the Sony A7C. If you're anything like me, you take most of your photos handheld and how they feel in your hand matters. 

The Fujifilm X100V is fantastic for portraits, and the face-detect autofocus was fantastic. I suspect–in fact, I know–that the Sony A7C would be much the same. I know that both of these cameras are capable of portraits, as I know that they're both capable of landscapes.

The output of the Fujifilm X100V is fantastic. From what I found, it is absolutely on par with the Sony A7C, and I just love using it more so than the A7C. I do think, though, that given that I already have the A7C, I should just get over the fact that the viewfinder is small, it doesn't have a joystick, and there's no front dial. I should learn to live with those things and just use it as a travel camera. 

That said, if you're the owner of one of the X100V cameras, I completely get it. I understand why so many people love it. A fantastically fun thing to use, very impressive as well.

What are the key differences between the Fujifilm X100V and Sony A7C?

The X100V has a fixed 23mm f/2 lens, while the A7C is an interchangeable lens camera. The X100V also has superior ergonomics and dials.

Which camera produced better image quality in the review?

The reviewer found image quality to be on par between both cameras, with no noticeable difference.

What are the advantages of the Sony A7C over the X100V?

The A7C has a full-frame sensor, a tilting screen, and the ability to change lenses, which provides more versatility.

What are the advantages of the Fujifilm X100V over the A7C?

The X100V is more portable, has better ergonomics and controls, and is fantastically fun to use, according to the reviewer.

Which camera did the reviewer prefer overall?

While image quality was similar, the reviewer preferred shooting with the Fujifilm X100V overall due to its superior ergonomics, handling, and enjoyable user experience.

Looking for more travel photography content?

This article is part of the MPB guide to travel photography, our comprehensive look at the travel photography genre with advice, recommended camera equipment and interviews with some of the most exciting travel photographers today.