Some Things I Like And Dislike About My Three Cameras—The Fujifilm X-T4, Nikon Z7 And Olympus E-M1 Mark III,

Alphabetically, from left to right: Fujifilm X-T4 with the 16-55mm f/2.8 lens; Nikon Z7 with the
24-70mm f/4 lens; Olympus E-M1 Mark III with the 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens. (click to enlarge)
Looking at the three as configured, they are not too different in size and weight.

I use my one or more of my cameras almost daily.  Often times while using them, I think about what I like about a particular camera and what I may not like.  I'm sure we all do.  That said, from my own personal experience as well as what I've read, saw and have heard from other photographers I know, I've come to the conclusion that a) all digital cameras are really, really good and any one of them will serve my (our) needs 90% of the time and b) more significantly for me, it's the little things about a camera that make a difference.  In other words, the usability factor, that seems to make the most difference for me.

First of all, I like all of my cameras and enjoy using each of them.  All are excellent tools and fine 'picture taking machines.'  Additionally, we as photographers, have the best cameras and lenses that have ever been created on this planet available to us today.  I don't want you to think I am dissatisfied or unhappy or am complaining.  Quite the contrary.  I'm thrilled I have the features and abilities at my disposal that were never before available.  In fact, I don't understand why some think today's cameras are not good enough!  They are more than good enough for all of us.  

Every camera and lens is a compromise.  It is your job to pick the right compromises to fill your particular needs.  If you have a camera with which you are unhappy, you picked the wrong compromises.  I don't think any camera can serve all masters.

With that in mind, I thought I would aggregate my thoughts as to what I my like and dislike about my cameras.  Your likes and dislikes may greatly differ.  Mine are personal to my way of using these tools and the types of photography I practice.  In other words, just my preferences, not necessarily yours.  I've also found that my likes and dislikes can change with time.  Things that used to bother me no longer do.  I thought you might find the list interesting, especially if you own and use any of these three cameras.

If you have additional likes and dislikes, please comment so I can add them to the list and others who may be considering one of these cameras can derive benefit from your comments.  None of my dislikes is a deal breaker.  As I said, I like each one and each one is capable of producing technically excellent images.

Here are my thoughts with the cameras listed in alphabetical order:

The Fujifilm X-T4.  Notice how I have to cock my wrist backward for my index finger to 
find the shutter button.  I don't find that comfortable but I knew this when I bought the camera.
(click to enlarge)

Fujifilm X-T4 

The lens I use most is the 16-55mm f/2.8. This is an excellent general purpose optic.

Likes 

This is the camera I most enjoy using.  It has to do with the controls and dials.  They just work for me in a very intuitive way.  They are old school, film camera kind of controls, which is the kind I learned photography using.  Also, I used these kinds of controls for 30 years and they seem more natural to me that those on modern digital cameras.  YMMV

I really appreciate Fujifilm's commitment to update firmware, improve and add new features even on cameras that are no longer the current models.  The Kaizen commitment by Fujifilm says something to me about the culture of the company and means a lot to me as a customer.

Three dials to control shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation easily.  Excellent!  Other cameras may have only two dials which causes compromises in shooting.

The way the images look straight out of the camera.  Very pleasing to my eye.  I admit that with today's sophisticated editing software platforms that we can make any camera's image files look basically like any other.  But, out of the camera, the image files just have a look I really like.

The Q-menu and its ability to be modified, reduced in number of options, etc.

The in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS).  Another invaluable feature to me.

Fewer features than other manufacturers who seem to throw in everything they can think of.  Most of the time, for me, less is more.  Too many choices and features can degrade the experience.

The film simulations.  I'm an old film shooter so I can appreciate these very much.  I used to use Kodak Vericolor III Professional film when I shot with my Pentax 6X7.  The Fujifilm simulation Pro Neg Std. is very, very similar.  Natural colors, relatively low saturation and contrast.

The My Menu feature.  This allows me to place my most used menu items in a very convenient place to find them quickly and easily.

The green 'level line,' which acts as an artificial horizon.  It is inobtrusive and effective.  If you want, it is present all the time.  If you need 3-D leveling, you can invoke that as necessary with the push of a function button.

The Focus Bracketing automation.  This is nice!  No guessing as to how many images need to be made to capture all of the depth of field you desire.

The ability to make 2-shot brackets.  I have mine set to normal and 3 stops under.  That seems to take care of my needs without having to shoot 3 or 5 shot brackets.  The two stop brackets can be shot normal and plus or normal and minus exposures.  This is a huge step from what Fujifilm started with in the X-T1 with only a 3-shot bracket of 1 stop each.  

The Joystick.  Wonderful!

The configurability of buttons and dials.  It seems unlimited and I take advantage of it.

I can have the histogram and horizon line on the EVF or LCD at the same time.  Invaluable to my way of shooting.

The larger battery.  Nice

Charging the battery through the camera if necessary.  A nice extra feature.

Again, secondary to the camera, the Fujifilm lenses are, in general, excellent in every way.  They are a nice size, very well engineered, render the finest detail and are sharp.

Dislikes

The fully articulated LCD screen.  If I could change only one thing on this camera, that would be it. The 3-way articulating LCD mechanism on the X-T3 is about perfect for photographers.  We still photographers aren't narcissistic and need photograph ourselves like the video people seem to need.  No offense, video people.

I used to like the body shape but after owning an X-H1, I much prefer a larger grip protruding forward and a more forward position of the shutter button.  It feels much more natural and comfortable.  You don't have to rotate your wrist backwards to reach the shutter button.  This is what Fujifilm just did with the newly introduced Z-S1 camera.  I hope they continue this trend.

I'm not sure I'm still a fan of the X-Trans sensor.  I just don't see any advantages of it today.  In the past with moiré it seemed to make a difference, but I think now it is just a bit more troublesome than necessary when working with editing software.  If the X-Trans sensor was better than a Bayer Array sensor, Fujifilm would have used it on their top-of-the-line GFX100 and GFX50 cameras.  But they didn't.

Lack of custom settings (C1, C2, etc.).  However, the only way to implement this, as they did in the X-S1, is to remove the traditional control dials and replace them with a PASM dial.  I don't think I would want that.  But it would be nice to have the ability to change a number of saved menu items with a single turn of a dial.

The cameras buttons still need some work.  I don't think they rise above the camera body quite enough in some instances so I add some Sugru to raise them slightly, which makes them much easier to find and more intuitive to the touch.

Not having a really good wide angle to moderately long zoom lens in the vein of Olympus' 12-100mm f/4.  I would wish for a 16-140mm f/4 lens from Fujifilm with excellent optical qualities and IS to work in conjunction with the X-T4, X-S1 and X-H1.  I would be willing to pay for it as well as a good lens would be expensive.

The fact that you don't get a battery charger with an $1800 camera.  What's with that?  Seems out of character for Fujifilm to save in that area where everyone has an expectation of a battery charger coming with the camera.

The Nikon Z7 configured with the 24-70mm f/4 lens. (click to enlarge)

Nikon Z7 

The lens I use most is the 24-70mm f/4 S lens. This is an excellent general purpose optic.

Likes 

I love gorgeous image quality!  In fact, it is better than I really will ever need but I do appreciate what this sensor and image process delivers.  Outstanding!

The 46mp sensor with the ability to resolve the smallest details and crop in really close, if necessary.  There is just something about clicking that 100% magnification button to jump deep into an image and see those tiny details that you never before were able to see.

The menus.  Owning and using Nikon DSLRs in the past, the menus are easy and familiar to me.  They are very similar to all of the past Nikon cameras' menus I've used.  Straightforward.

IBIS.  Very nicely done.

The Joystick.  Again, invaluable to my way of using the camera.  In fact, I don't think I would buy any camera in the future that doesn't have one.

I like the body shape and how it fits in my hands.  It feels natural.  It feels good to hold and use.

I like the two-way tilting LCD screen.  It's not fully articulated, which is one of my pet peeves about cameras today.

From everything I've read and seen, all of the new S mount lenses are excellent.  Every one of them, it seems.  This is really good for the future.  The 24-70mm f/4 S and the 14-30mm f/4 S lenses that I own are excellent in every way.  I don't see a need to upgrade to the f/2.8 versions of these lenses.  They are excellent but expensive.

The fact that the FTZ adapter is so well engineered that most of the AF F-mount lenses work flawlessly with it on a Z body.  That is hugely important as Nikon builds out its S line of lenses.

The My Menu feature.  This is a first in a Nikon for me and having this feature makes finding most used menu items quick and easy.  Very much appreciated.

The size and weight of this camera.  It is about the same size as my Olympus.

The buttons feel really easy to find and push.  Just right in my opinion.

Dislikes 

I don't like the fact that I can't remove all data and icons from the EVF or LCD to see your entire image unobstructed (can with the Z6II and Z7II).  You can't do it but I don't understand why Nikon doesn't issue a firmware update with this corrected?

The LCD only tilts is two ways.  I would like them to implement a tilting mechanism similar to Fujifilm's that allow the LCD to tilt up, down and to the right.  That way, the camera can more easily be used at eye level, down low or up high horizontally or vertically.

Lack of the current unavailability of a few desirable lenses, namely a 70-200mm f/4 S lens, a 105mm f/2.8 macro S lens and something like a 150-600mm f/5.6 S long telephoto.  That said, I use a few F mount lenses and they work perfectly.

More customizable buttons and more choices for customization of the existing buttons.

The size and weight of F-mount lenses (which have to be used until the lens line is more fully filled out).  Physics dictates most of the size of a lens as the optics have to cover the diagonal of the sensor plus some additional to take care of the IBIS.

Focus tracking still could use improvement but that is only a concern if I'm photographing birds in flight.  Don't get me wrong, the focus tracking does a very good job.  It is not the best in the industry, but if you want the best (Canon R5 or Sony A9), prepare to pay a lot more than this camera costs for it.  Remember, compromises.  You get to choose which ones you want to make.

3D horizon representation is too large on the LCD.  I would like a simple line as is implemented in the Fujifilm cameras—narrow, unobtrusive, convenient but effective.

Cannot have the histogram and horizon icons on the EVF or LCD at the same time.  You have to scroll through the Display button to bring each up separately.  I find this inconvenient.

The E-M1 Mark III configured with the 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens (click to enlarge)

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III (I'll call it the 1.3)

The lens I use most is the 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens. This is an excellent general purpose optic that also has the benefit of focusing extremely closely.  This is probably the best all around lens I've ever owned, bar none.

Likes 

The resolution and image quality produced by the 20mp sensor and image processor is probably sufficient for 90% of photographers today and certainly sufficient for me.

The 1.3 has every type of feature I could ever want on a camera;  an amazing array of features, in fact.  Specifically, I love the Pro Capture feature that allows you to buffer images before you fully press the shutter.  Additionally, I like the Focus Stacking feature where the camera does the bracketing and combines the images into one in-camera.  There are several others that are just as amazing.

The availability of Custom Settings (C1-C4).  I have programmed these and use them every time I use the camera.  I find them invaluable for speed in changing a large number of settings instantaneously.

My Menu—another feature I find invaluable.  I can assign my most used menu items and find them quickly.  Combine this with the Super Control Panel (SCP) and the Custom Settings and very seldom do I have to go into the menu system to make changes.

The body size and weight are about perfect for me.

The body shape and how it fits in my hands feels natural.  It feels good using it.

The weatherproofing of the camera is second to none, from what I see and read.  My 1.2 has been soaked in the past and was unaffected.

The 'joystick' is invaluable to my way of moving the focusing points around the EVF and LCD.

The ability to customize every button and dial on the camera to pretty much any function.

The 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens; It is on my camera 90% or more of the time; an amazing optic.

The sizes, weights and quality of the lenses is highly desirable to me.

I think the lens build quality and weatherproofing is second to none from any manufacturer

Secondary to the camera itself, the Olympus lenses, arguably and IMHO, are pound for pound, millimeter per millimeter, the best lenses on the market today.  Panasonic's lenses are right up there as well.

Dislikes 

For as much as I like the features on this camera, I think it actually has too many features. I seldom use most of them.  I've been out photographing and even have forgotten that the camera has a certain feature that would have been beneficial and forgot I could have used it!  

Too many features causes a bit of confusion as when some features are activated, the menu items for other features are grayed out.  If you can't quickly remember which affects which, you can find yourself aggravated.  Happened to me last month.  I wanted to invoke a feature.  It was grayed out and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what I had to turn off so this feature could be activated.  I ended up picking up my 1.2 and using it instead.  That shouldn't happen.

The menus have so many options that it is hard to remember where to find items quickly.  

However, I'm sure this is a necessity due to the large number of features built-in.

I'm not a fan of fully articulating LCD screens;  This would be the first thing to go if I had the power to do so.  Sorry video people.

The inability to customize the Super Control Panel (SCP), which is Olympus' version of 

Fujifilm's Q-menu and Nikon's i-Menu, which can be customized.

The lack of a third rotating command dial which makes one use the existing two dials for three functions (shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation).  This has to be done through the use of a 1/2 lever switch on the back of the camera which is less than optimum.  In fact, this is the second thing I would change on this camera.  Three dials are imperative for efficiency and speed of use in my way of shooting.  And don't tell me its because of the small size of the camera.  If Nikon, Fuji and Sony can do it with similar sized cameras, Olympus can as well.

The two generation old EVF.  Why would you put out a brand new camera with such an old EVF?  Sensor as well, for that matter.

I would like to see both card slots at the UHS-II level.  I'm not sure why Olympus put out this camera and kept one card slot at the old, slower read/write speed level, especially since this camera can take up to 60 fps.

Olympus sold the camera division!  How bad is that?  Now, let's see what JIP not only says, but what they actually do!

There may be other things, but these are the ones that most easily come to mind.  As you just read, it is all mostly minor stuff.  None of them would cause me to buy, not buy or sell a camera as I have found all three cameras have the capability to produce excellent images.  If there is a failure, it's me not the gear.

Did you notice that I didn't mention digital noise nor dynamic range.  Noise is a non-issue since the emergence of the latest AI based noise reducing plug-ins—even at ISO6400 on m4/3 cameras.  They are truly remarkable.  As for dynamic range, I have not found it lacking in any of these three cameras where I could complain about what they already provide for us.

Did you also notice I didn't mention anything about one memory card versus two?  Why?  Because XQD and CFExpress cards are so robust and so reliable, they almost never, ever fail.  (I've only read about 1 documented failure so far as I could find.)  SDXC cards fail more often, but I've never had one of those fail either in 20 years of digital photography and more than 200,000 images.  A non-issue.  If anyone has any solid information with documentation about XQD or CFExpress card fails, please leave a comment.  I would like to find out more.

As I said, I think today's cameras are so good that no one should complain about theirs. If they do, they've bought the wrong camera for their purposes.  My dislikes are just niggles that to you and others, may not be a concern at all.  I just compiled this list as a point of interest to those of you who may use one or more of the same cameras as do I.

Join me over at my website, www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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