Street Photography Showdown! | Nikon Zf vs New Fujifilm X100VI | Does Sensor Size Really Matter?

[@VolkswagenNut1969]

I’m one of those that needs the full frame of the Zf for my architectural work, but still have a light comfortable walk around camera when wanted/needed. It feels more solid, robust, heavy, but not overly so. Better autofocus than I have experienced with Fuji by a bit, and excellent low light performance that I frequently need. And the Zf, while bigger and heavier, is still just a fraction of the bulky boat anchors of the old DSLRs and even modern mirrorless cameras like Canons or Sonys (which used to be small and light but getting more massive every generation) I really like the Fuji, but the Zf tics all the boxes. 😉

[@wesleystreetshots]

The more I use the X100VI the more I realize the comparisons start to fall apart in lower light. Of course the interchangeable lenes too. Still love the Fuj, it has its use case, buy in many instances I'd prefer having my Zf or even X-H2. Travel and everyday street it's the X100VI though.

[@felm.974]

I feel that the ZF was way better but that's just my opinion. Also, I feel that a lot of these cameras are great, they are like kids, we should love them for who they are lol...I felt a little sad hearing this comparison as we as photographers should just enjoy every camera for what they offer and what they make us feel :) but we can all have opinions and it is okay to compare but I feel that us as photographers never seem happy lol... But going back to the video, the images were beautiful from both cameras, enjoy brother!

[@wesleystreetshots]

And in the end during the verdict that is exactly what I found out. That they are both great for what they are. That as photographers they are simply a tool. I love using both of these cameras! For all my paid shoots, it's the Z8 and Zf as my second body. The X100VI will only replace the Zf on some of my short trips or a family outing. I was amazed at the images that the X100VI was able to produce. While it's no replacement for a full interchangable lens system, wow! And I appreciate the complement! I really enjoyed making this and really discovering how much the gear didn't really matter.

[@felm.974]

You're welcome, I loved how nice the greens looked on the first photo comparison and also the shot of the guy with the bike and the lady in blue. But yeah, the main reason why I could never do two systems is that it would be hard for me to have to choose between which camera to use, but I understand that sometimes we need something smaller/more compact... I hope Nikon makes a smaller and lighter one, I know that would be hard to do bc of the mount but maybe they could make one like the ZFc but full frame and with better built. Question, what do you think is inside the ZF that's making it heavier, the 8-axis thing or the video features it has?.... I think they could make one without all of that lol.. but then people will complain like always lol.

[@wesleystreetshots]

@@felm.974 Absolutley I face that issue every time I go out to shoot for fun or for youtube. My Z8 is often too much camera to take out for fun and without a flippy screen the x100vi will stay home if I plan to video. They all have a use case and I am certainy lucky to be able to have them all. I think it's the build quality. The brass dials and all metal construction vs magnesium alloy and plastic on most modern cameras. Add the grip I feel is a must and it's approaching Z8 weight. lol. Oh I got the Zfc when it came out, but I was so diappointed in the build. I think Nikon over built the Zf after that feedback from many.

[@soulopticc]

I want to love the Zf over my xt5 but it's a struggle. The profiles and picture creator is just a let down. If they bring some decent film simulations out that would but if over the line for me.

[@wesleystreetshots]

@@soulopticc I am sure the photos are close after testing against the X100VI. I agree on the profiles. If I had the X-T5 I wouldn't change either. Not today. Now that is exactly what I did do haha but I wouldn't seeing how the files stack up. I do however love having the vlog capable flippy screen!

[@MoalemTeacher]

Great video, Wesley! I am waiting for a 30 MP full frame retro Nikon, but in a smaller, lighter body. But, as you demonstrated in the video, both cameras are very capable and one cannot go wrong choosing either.

[@wesleystreetshots]

Well said!!

[@alexmilesg3]

Nikon wanted to sell their GR grip... $130. That little thumb grip would have not changed the style of the camera, but they still decided to make the body flat.

[@wesleystreetshots]

I hear that! We still got a great camera in the Zf. Small grips but man it's a joy to use!

[@KibbitUpIt]

I'm waiting for a FF Nikon rangefinder. I really like playing around with vintage lenses

[@enshongmiranda]

That would be awesome. And if they just fit a 3-way tilt like on the Z8/Z9 then it would be perfect.

[@wesleystreetshots]

me too! I planned to do that on the Zf. The manual focus on it is fantastic. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. That would be a cool video too!

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

vintage lenses are very poor optically compared to modern lenses, not even mentioning AF.

[@wesleystreetshots]

@@ElementaryWatson-123 true very true, but regardless of the tech specs, some lenses just have a certain look to them and that is often because of the imperfections. But certainly agree.

[@janvirtanen9110]

Rangefinder needs lens with a rangefinder cam.

[@ReedBooksMusic]

Great video! I'm still waiting for my X100 VI which I ordered back in Feb. I think I'm going cancel my order and get the Zf. I have the XH2-S so I have access to Fuji sims if I ever want to shoot with them. Great photos as well, is there any place where you share your preset settings? I'd imagine it's pretty straight forward to customize as fuji's are once you find a starting point you like.

[@wesleystreetshots]

@@ReedBooksMusic I sold my X100VI a few months back. AF issues were a plenty and I couldn't trust it at night. The Zf is amazing. While it doesn't have the film sims, Nikon colors are great and very easy to edit in LR. I have a video coming out in a few weeks where I go through my workflow and share the basics of my look. But I'm thinking of making it for sale now that I've gotten it built for Canon, Fuji, Leica, and Nikon. X-H2 is also fantastic and you're right you're not gaining much having them both. Cheers!

[@ReedBooksMusic]

Thanks so much for the quick reply! I look forward to your offering!!! Cheers

[@alex.muntean]

In the first pictures, the ones with the plant and the blue car, the X100VI just looks more 3D, has more dimension and depth and the color tonality is better than on the Nikon. Might just be the editing, but in those examples, the X100VI is the clear winner for me.

[@wesleystreetshots]

That may be. It is a tighter focal length so that would make sense. More so than not, doing this comparison taught me that I should have never discounted APS-C. I love my Nikon gear but Fuji makes great cameras too!

[@seba3233]

Nice video . For outdoor walks, street and portraits of my little daughter, what do you recommend on Nikon Z f? Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 di iii vxd g2 or Nikkor z 24-120 f4 s

[@wesleystreetshots]

Thank you! I personally would recommend the Nikon 24-120 as it's optically superior and gives you 45mm more reach and 3mm more FOV on the 24mm side. You only lose one stop of light which is only a big deal in very low light and they are the same size! I have a review of the 24-120. It's an early video but there are some of my examples if you want to give that a watch. Thanks again.

[@seba3233]

@@wesleystreetshots thank you so much you cleared all my doubts I'm going to buy the 24-120 🙏🏼

[@wesleystreetshots]

@seba3233 it's a fantastic lens!!! Happy to help!

[@jasonbokar7482]

Need to get you a Clemson hoodie!! :)

[@wesleystreetshots]

@@jasonbokar7482 Go Gamecocks!!! Hahaha.

[@jasonbokar7482]

@@wesleystreetshots :) I pull for each team except when they play each other! :) On the topic of Zf vs X100v (I have only the V) - I love them both and they’ve travelled with me a lot this year. I think I’ve probably used the Zf a touch more often.

[@wesleystreetshots]

@@jasonbokar7482 same here to be honest. I've had AF issues with my X100VI so I chose the Zf more often after the initial allure wore off. Sold it and just picked up the Q3. Lol. GAS is killing me like always.

[@jasonbokar7482]

@@wesleystreetshots I’m with ya… I have the Q2 too… 😃

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

"Does the sensor size matter?" is akin to asking "does the maximum lens aperture matter?" Of course, it does, a lot.

[@13tinypixels]

Can you take a pic of a backlit subject with the sun behind the subject using the fuji wide open at f/2.0 Use the ND filter and on board flash to over power the sun I hear the fuji has a leaf shutter so high speed sync shouldn't be a problem. Can you also do a review with the fuji teleconverter and wide angle lens attachments? Thanks

[@wesleystreetshots]

Those are great suggestions! Taking note right now. I am not sponsored or anything so I would have to buy the tele and wide converters for it. But I will look into that! And certainly I have a headshot shoot coming up soon so perfect time to do that with the backlit subject! I've never tried the built in flash when I had the X100V. Just never had a use for it. It would be an interesting test.

[@marcia1101]

This video makes me want both cameras. I know what matter is the final result and what we want to take picures of. Today I took very great picures of a heron catching a fish near to my house with a canon t5i and 75-300 mm lense. I love my dslr camera, I think I dont need a full frame or a mirroless. I love to see the actual scene through the lenses. But I was searching for a small camera for taking picures of causal moments. Family, friends...Even though my camera is not a full frame it's heavy if we carry around for hours. About the zf I know it's a mirrorless and probaly heavy too, but the experience might be amazing. But now I came to reality again and I am considering to buy one more lense, an 10-18 and a flash. Who knows at the end of the year I buy an X100VI...

[@wesleystreetshots]

I'm glad you liked it! It's hard to go wrong with the camera options we have today. The Fuji is the perfect family travel camera. So small. But the Zf I love so much. Such a versitile camera and still smaller than DSLRs as well as other Nikon mirrorless bodies. Thanks!

[@MiguelClarke]

If you tried to replicate your existing 75-300 setup you would end up almost 1 pound heavier. Plus, Nikon doesn't have a 75-300, they do have a 70-180 f/2.8 that is supposed to be incredible and 40% lighter than the 70-200. The ZF is only 4 ounces heavier than your Canon. Keeping in mind that photography is "not about the gear", I find the ZF very enjoyable to shoot for fun. I traded my Nikon D3 for it but kept my D800 because I didn't know if I would be ready for the mirrorless switch. As it turns out, I am. Better AF, lenses and a more functional screen makes shooting more fun...for me. With a 40mm f/2 (or 28mm f/2.8) this setup is as light as anything I've carried. So that's my ZF pitch. If I were to buy anything other than Nikon, it would be Fuji. If my priorities were lightness and travel, the Fuji would be much easier to incorporate. Fuji has had professional shooters drooling over their best in the business JPEGs for years. So this will all come down to your use case. For me, I'll shoot paid portraits and family sessions. The Zf will become a much better backup for what I do and will be the only camera I grab when I want to have a fun outing.

[@wesleystreetshots]

@@MiguelClarke well said!!!

[@marcia1101]

@@MiguelClarke Yes, I agree with you.

[@debraiversen9214]

Most of us can't even get the X100vi

[@wesleystreetshots]

Absolutely I know. I got mine late and that was after pre-ordering as soon as it became available on Best Buy. I hear they will be more available soon however as Fuji planned better for high demand!

[@debraiversen9214]

@@wesleystreetshots Well I ordered mine 8 hours after launch. B&H says they have no ETA

[@wesleystreetshots]

@debraiversen9214 oh wow!! You're in line though. You're going to love it when you get yours!!!

[@debraiversen9214]

@@wesleystreetshots I caved and bought one on Ebay with the best deal I could make.

[@wesleystreetshots]

@@debraiversen9214 I'm glad you got one! I wish you didn't have to deal with scalpers!!

[@nickdual]

I subscribed

[@Vader965]

if 35mm works for you ...

[@wesleystreetshots]

It may not be my favorite focal length but I've adapted to it over the years having the x100v as well. I prefer 85mm actually but the tighter streets of Europe for example really make that focal length too tight. I feel like I can take any focal length and make it work for me. As photographers that how we do it!!!

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

35mm works for me on FF, but on APS-C it's equivalent to 52mm, which is too long for general use. My favorite are 16-35mm and 20-40mm zooms.

[@victorlim5077]

The Nikon Zf photos looks much better. Need more post work though. Looks like a pretty good vlog camera the Zf based on the early clips.

[@wesleystreetshots]

I think the photos are close. I didn't want to do a tone of local edits in post because I was to try and keep the shots similar in post, but agree. And for video absolutely the Zf shines so far!!