X-T1 + 55-200: National Geographic Quality image taken by X-shooter Milan Miki Denkovski and shared at the FR facebook photostream here
_ _ _
The X-series cameras are great for travelling. So no surprise, that the Travel Photo Section at the FXF is the most popular one.
But which are the Top 10 cameras for Travelers according to the National Geographic?
Well, their list starts with the Fujifilm X-T1, because:
Classy, retro styling in the form of a 1970s film SLR. But instead of optics, the camera uses a pentaprism, which holds one of the best electronic viewfinders yet.
This camera is quick—its autofocus is quick, its image review is quick, and it shoots tons of pictures in a row without hanging up.
The small size of the camera and lenses means that, even if you decide to carry the whole system with you on your travels, your bag will be less than half the size of a standard DSLR’s.
Pro Tip: Fujifilm cameras have very nice film-emulation modes for their in-camera JPEGS. Try shooting in JPEG + RAW with the camera set to Classic Chrome. These JPEGs have a wonderful color palette that looks like old Kodachrome slides. If you don’t like the color, you always have the RAW file to process however you like.
Later in the list, they mention also the Fujifilm X100T, because:
If you aren’t interested in carrying a full camera kit when you travel but still want to exercise your artistic side, go simple. Try this non-interchangeable-lens camera that boasts a 35mm-equivalent field of view and a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. This retro-looking camera boasts Fujifilm’s X-Trans CMOS sensor array. It’s a radically different way of separating colors, leading to small-sensor image quality that rivals its full-frame competitors. Only having a single field of view might seem too simple, but limited choice can often lead to better pictures. It’s nice not to be burdened with carrying too many lenses and accessories.
Pro Tip: I have always gone very basic, one camera and one lens. . —David Alan Harvey, Magnum photo collective member and longtime National Geographic photographer.
The other cameras in the list are: Canon EOS M3 :: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II :: Sony Alpha a7R II :: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 :: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 :: Sony Alpha a6000 :: Olympus TG-3 :: Sony DSC-RX10
Read all at National Geographic
14 Responses
While I do not disagree these 2 cameras should be on the list. The list seems to have some odd choices and some models that in my opinion should clearly be there. I know this is a Fuji blog but if I were making this list I would put the Sony RX100 in the list for its size and versatility and except for the zoom range it is basically the same as the RX10. I also would never have put one of the Canon mirror-less options in as they have nearly no native lenses. If you are putting them in the Nikon mirror-less options can do the same by allowing the use of all of their F mount lenses with an adapter and to me are a better camera. I probably would have put a proper DSLR in there too as it is nearly all mirror-less options. Also potentially the best camera option for diving would be the Nikon AW1 due to its waterproofing up to 15m.
Its National Geographic making the list. nothing to do with a Fuji blog.
I know that but there was no way I could easily see to leave a comment on the original but wanted to share my thoughts and see if anyone else agreed with me. What did you think of the list?
I like the X-T1. Quite happy travelling with it.
I think you might have missed the point here, NG’s list is for travel cameras, therefore they have clearly taken size and weight as a prime rule.
I agree, NG (or the guy who wrote the article) seems to have some gaps in their knowledge of photographic equipment. It’s random at best, like advice from your uncle with a new hobby.
Don’t see anyone using the RX100/RX10 in rain/show or so, it has basically no grip and will start hurt your fingers when you hold it too long. Aside from when it;s freezing cold you won;t be able to press the shutterbutton at all.. Should look at travel aspects like this.
So yes, X-T1 is all valid but for battery life…
Everybody should look at their own travel aspects. Nobody was disputing the ‘validity’ of a X-T1 for travel purposes. The comment above is questioning the other camera’s in the list.
The way anyone likes to travel, or what one likes to do during their traveling, (..freezing cold?) is as diverse as the people or photography itself. And thus, so is the best tool for the job. From iPhone to Medium Format or heck, people have dragged Large Format plate cameras up mountains.
I used an RX100 mk3 in Greenland on a mountaineering expedition last winter and it was perfect (albeit with an after market thumb grip) so here’s one person using it in low temperatures
Why do people often call it Travel Camera. It´s a camera. I mean aps was a decison of the 90ies based on better film technologies, now in the digital age we really benefit from this decison. Yes ist small – why not? If you call it travel camera you could say national geografic is one of the best toilet papers in the world.Sorry
It isn’t about the sensor… I would imagine that National Geographic is defining a Travel Camera as a camera that makes a great camera to take with you while traveling. Thus, size and form would be criteria.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this wrong? The X-T1 has an electronic viewfinder in place of a pentaprism.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentaprism
That’s sort of the whole point of mirrorless, ain’t it?
You are totally correct about this. They probably meant it had a top “pentaprism-style” viewfinder instead of a rangefinder, but by mistake wrote that it has an actual pentaprism.
I’m surprised they didn’t give in and call the iPhone the best travel camera.