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The X-T50’s size makes it a no-brainer to take with me. Photo: Mitchell Clark |
Most photographers have faced the dilemma: do I take my camera with me, or do I hope my phone will be good enough? In some ways, it’s a good problem, but I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling a little guilty on the days I leave the camera at home. Sorry, whoever I’m going to see. Lugging around this piece of equipment all day just isn’t worth the really lovely pictures we’d get of whatever we’re doing.
I bring this feeling up because I’ve noticed something while testing the Fujifilm X-T50: I haven’t once had that conversation with myself. Am I having dinner with friends? I’m taking the X-T50. Is it board game night at the local bar? I’m taking the X-T50. Am I simply going for a walk around the block? What the heck, might as well bring the X-T50.
This enthusiasm isn’t just because it’s my job to review it. A lot of it comes down to its size and weight and the fact that its image quality is substantially better than my iPhone 15 Pro’s. I wouldn’t add another item to my every day carry if it only made my photography experience marginally better (looking at you, broken Canon G5 X Mk. II currently sitting in a drawer somewhere).
This isn’t coming from someone who’s just discovering midsize APS-C mirrorless systems after shooting full-frame DSLRs their whole life. For years, my personal camera setup has been a Fujifilm X-T3 with the 16mm f1.4 all but permanently fused to it. It’s not a massive setup; it easily fits into whatever backpack I’m taking out for the day or weekend and only weighs 906g (roughly 2 lbs). That’s in the ballpark of a single full-frame 24-70mm f2.8 lens by itself.
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I don’t usually take my camera to restaurants, but because the X-T50 is so easy to bring along I was able to capture this tower of chicken wings in all its glory. Cropped to taste Photo by Mitchell Clark |
But the X-T50 takes it a step further. It’s a mere 696g (just a hair over 1.5 lbs) when paired with the new 16-50 kit lens. Swap on my beloved prime, and it’s still 50g lighter than the X-T3 setup. The body is also noticeably more compact in the hand.
The size and weight make a specific type of shooting – let’s call it vacation photography – easier. I had no problems swinging the X-T50 out in front of me to take a selfie of my wife and I, or holding it in awkward positions to get perfect composition on a food picture. It’s not that I never do those things with larger, heavier cameras, but there’s a confidence that comes with being able to effortlessly support a camera with one hand.
Knowing that the X-T50 works well for this kind of photography made me want to take it on more casual outings, not just ones where I knew I’d be getting good pictures. Its relatively small size also makes it less intimidating than the traditional big, heavy-duty camera, which is an important consideration when I’m going to be around strangers and friends of friends.
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Selfies are almost as easy with the X-T50 as with my iPhone. And the image quality isn’t even close. Photo: Mitchell Clark |
To be clear, it’s not like I ever forgot I was carrying the X-T50 around. It’s not a Ricoh GR III that can disappear in a coat pocket or even an X100-series. But in some respects, that’s a good thing. A camera hanging comfortably around my neck was actually even more convenient than my phone; I didn’t have to dig it out of my pocket and fumble for my iPhone’s less-useful-than-promised Action button. (Seriously, we’re almost a year in, and I can’t launch the camera with a quick double-tap?)
It feels like Fujifilm has struck an important balance here. Obviously, I’m a photography enthusiast; if push comes to shove, I’ll take a big camera out, and you won’t hear a word of complaint from me. But it seems like the company is trying to woo smartphone users with the X-T50, enticing them with the promise of easily selectable looks via the film simulation dial.
If it wants them to enjoy the experience of using a dedicated camera, it can’t be a burden to bring to brunch or a casual get-together. Thankfully, the X-T50 has proven to be a welcome companion, instead of a brick of obligation.