Everybody likes the Fujifilm X100 series … and I bet very few still use a 9 year old Sony NEX-7. Due to the Lock Down caused by COVID-19, I went back to my camera closet and grabbed the NEX-7 to see how it can (or not) compete with the much loved Fujifilm X100F and the very beautiful Olympus Pen-F. Sony NEX-7 was my first Sony mirrorless camera years ago. I always loved the tri-Nav dials of the NEX-7, and always wished, hopelessly, that Sony will bring back this feature in their newer A6xxx series. Although I have an A6500 today, I decided to see how the older NEX-7 compares to the X100F and the Pen-F.
I paired the NEX-7 with the SEL20mm f2.8, and the Pen-F with the M.Zuiko 17mm f1.8. White Balance set to Auto. Fuji and Sony lenses set to f2.8 , Olympus lens set to f1.8. All set to Spot Metering.
Here are few shots with the 3 cameras
To my eyes, I see that the Fuji is the most inconsistent in terms of metering … the Olympus delivers the most natural colors and has the most consistent metering. The Sony is still a very good competent after 9 years of being launched. In terms of sharpness, I would say, in this specific combination of lenses the M.Zuiko 17mm f1.8 delivers the best sharpness wide open. Note that the 20mm f2.8 Sony is not one of the best Sony lenses and everybody knows that the X100F (and previous X100 series) lens is not that sharp compared to the new X100V.
ISO 12800 samples with 100% crop
Here are 8 sets with the 3 cameras at ISO 12800, all shot handheld
SET #1
my preference for Set#1 : Pen-F
SET #2
my preference for Set#2 : Nex-7
SET #3
my preference for Set#3 : Nex-7
SET #4
my preference for Set#4 : Pen-F
SET #5
my preference for Set#5 : Pen-F
SET #6
my preference for Set#6 : Pen-F
SET #7
my preference for Set#7 : Nex-7
SET #8
my preference for Set#8 : Pen-F
Conclusion
Again , I was surprised how inconsistent the Fujifilm metering was compared to the other cams. Surprisingly, we can see how well the Pen-F performs in high ISO compared to the larger sensors of the X100F and NEX-7. Nevertheless, and after 9 years of being launched, the NEX-7 is still an excellent performer. In terms of colors, I find that the Pen-F delivers the most natural colors of the 3.
If you have to choose one camera among the 3 today, What would you choose, and Why ?
HMeyephoto 