Re: A Tale As Old As Time - Help me find my first Fuji
stvnleesmth wrote:
Hey Everyone.
I am looking to grab my first Fuji camera. I shoot primarily Canon for digital and a smattering of point and shoots and slrs for film, but looking to find a camera that I can take with me most everywhere that is not my larger Canon set-up or film.
I am probably looking at an older set-up when it comes to Fuji, and just looking for a little more guidance than what I can find on Youtube and facebook groups.
I THINK I have nailed it down to either the X100F or the X-E3. I have thought about an X-Pro 2 but still think I want something a little smaller even though the X-Pro is still smaller than my current canon line-up of primes and 70-200, etc.
I am looking on input for anyone who has shot with one or both...is there something that I should consider? I like that the X100F is a fixed lens, all in one package. The OVF is nice, and the ND filters are nice, but not 100% needed for me, just nice to have. I also just like the overall look and "vibe" of the X100 a little more. The X-E3 is smaller, and I can choose the prime lens I want and am not stuck to the 35mm equivalent. I shoot a lot of 28mm or 50mm on my full frame canon, and a use the 28mm a lot on my older crop bodies. The other nice thing about the X-E3 is if the X-Pro 4 ever comes out, I would at least have glass that could be used on that body.
Looking to just document family life, throw in a bag when we travel, and take pictures when I see an image that needs to be captured. I hate using my phone camera and just want something that will either be in my bag or around my neck most of the time.
For the use you describe, unless you are completely certain that you will always be happy with one the 23mm focal length, I'd lean toward the XE3.
When it comes to size you can make an XE3 kit very small by putting the 23mm f/2.8 or the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lenses on it. IIRC it may actually end up being slightly lighter and smaller (in at least some dimensions) than the X100 options. Plus you retain the option to choose the lens or lenses that suit your photography the best.
You can also better match your favorite 28mm FF vocal length with the XE by using the very small 18mm f/2 lens.
The X100 bodies are very nice — I have used one of the earlier models a bit and I was quite tempted by them. They have a more complete set of manual controls than the XE bodies and feel a bit more solid. But I've also had the opportunity to use a couple of the XE models (my original XE1 and later on the XE3), and they are also very competent cameras, especially for the use you describe.
I relied on the XPro2 as my primary camera for street and travel photography for several years and I liked it a lot. But I would not recommend it in your case, since nothing you describe suggests that the desire for the hybrid viewfinder would override your desire for a smaller camera for your described uses.
If you wanted a slightly larger, very flexible, and somewhat higher level option — and I'm not sure that you do — you could also take a look at the XT5, which is what I use these days.
Apr 20, 2026 at 12:24 PM
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