PenGun wrote:
Have you used any of these cameras? It seems a large stretch to make recommendations on stuff you have just read about.
The feature stuff amuses me. The results are what matter, I don't even use auto focus all that much as I don't like where it focuses a lot of the time.
There is a large selection of Fuji X examples in my sig link.
I've never touched a digital Fuji system (other than point and shoots). I've used a Sony Nex-6 (Precursor to the a6000) and Nex-5R (same as the NEX-6 without the EVF and a couple of controls) with good results. I've also used an Olympus micro 4/3 system briefly (it was a friend's) but not something as nice or quite as recent as the OMD).
No, I don't consider myself an expert. I was mostly giving an opinion based mainly on specs and some familiarity with the Sony system. Fuji users are absolutely free to overrule or add counterpoint to anything I say.
Though the selection of Fuji X-mount lenses may be a bit small so far, I do agree that they do seem a little more well-rounded than what Sony currently offers, though most Fuji lenses are quite pricey (but I suppose you get what you pay for). The problem with the Sony E-mount selection is that half of the cheaper lenses aren't that great, and the only alternative to these at many focal lengths is expensive Zeiss glass. And the lack of any really fast/wide primes. And a Zoom with a max aperture of f2.8. No idea why the latter doesn't exist yet (though the simple explanation for both is that such lenses are obviously more expensive to make). So yeah. I'd be nice if Sony stepped up its game with it's non-Zeiss branded lenses.
Feature-wise and shooting performance-wise, it's pretty tough to compete with the Sonys from a value perspective. But I do agree that many of these features are not crucial to the end result in many cases. However, as this is a tech enthusiast site (rather than a photography site)...
If you do want to pick up more high quality fast primes in the near future, or if a fast zoom (f2.8 ) is important, then yeah, perhaps the Sony system is not the best. If you you have a bit deeper pockets (can afford the lenses), then Fuji could very well be the best choice, or a Micro 4/3 to save you a bit of $$ vs the Fuji.
However, future lens purchases and f2.8 zoom aside, I still think the Sony kit for $1700 is probably the best bang for the buck out of the 3 kits the OP listed.
PenGun wrote:The more I look at mft, the more I am impressed with their system. Shoot, you could get the new pancake zoom 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ with an EM-10, which is an awfully good camera. And it looks awfully good in silver. Man, for $800 you get the body and the lens.
You can get the Sony a6000 with the Pancake zoom for $800 as well. Sure the Sony kit zoom is not that great, but then neither is the 14-42mm EZ Oly (though perhaps a bit better than the Sony). However, the a6000 is the better body vs the EM-10 (if you care about things like faster auto focus (partly due to hybrid phase/contrast detect), faster burst rate, larger sensor, etc). The one thing the EM-10 body offers is internal lens stabilization. But I have no idea how well the cheaper 3-axis stabilization works vs the 5-axis in the EM-5 and EM-10.