Olympus OMD VS Fuji X100

Most people may not need a dedicated camera but some of us want them to improve their photography skills. They don’t have to be expensive too since we can start from the entry level or budget range such as Olympus OMD Vs Fuji X100. These cameras are great for beginners or those who want a dedicated camera aside from the smartphone one. If you are also considering the two, let’s see below about which you may like better. 

In this comparison, we are going to talk about:

  • What to Prepare for Beginner Photography
  • What are Olympus OMD and Fuji X100
  • How are the Camera of Olympus OMD and Fuji X100
  • How are the Specs of Olympus OMD and Fuji X100
  • What are the Features in Olympus OMD and Fuji X100
  • How are the Performance of Olympus OMD and Fuji X100
  • Olympus OMD Vs Fuji X100

Photography Equipment for Beginner

There are so many good cameras out there and you can choose any model that seems to work best in the application. Professional photographers who will capture their shots and edit it for other people or for a professional purpose will want something they can rely on such as being able to shoot at high ISO or is fast enough to capture fast moving subjects. For the new enthusiasts, we can start with entry-level cameras and every basic equipment you will need to accompany the activities. 

Since we are interested in photography, the first you want to have is the camera. There are many options to consider but most beginners are buying DSLR or mirrorless, especially those on the entry level. The main difference between the two is how they work since mirrorless have no mirror so we are using EVF here instead of the optical viewfinder. Features and ability wise they are very similar and nowadays we can find them starting around $300 to $700 on the budget range.

Because our camera is using a detachable or interchangeable lens, you will need to invest some on the lens too. Do note that the lens is a very crucial part of the camera system and can affect your pictures a lot because it is what focuses the light to reach a sensor in your camera. Lens prices vary but usually people buy a kit lens that zoom, a prime lens without zoom, and a telephoto lens. Kit lens is a great starter as it gives you ideas on what to use or buy in the future.

For those who are going to do an adventure and develop their skills while finding lots of subjects or scenes to capture, never forget to buy a camera bag. Many cameras come with a kit so they have the bag too and this is crucial as you bring it somewhere, yes even to the street events in your area or to a relative and friend’s wedding. If you have a more specific journey such as shooting landscapes, the ideal bag is a hiking backpack that can store lots of items.

Today’s camera is digital so instead of stored on a film the picture will be stored in the memory card. Having at least two memory cards is wise because it means we can have a backup when the one in our camera is full or when something happens to the camera. It is crucial because memory error is quite annoying when you want to chase an event, especially if you are into wildlife or sports, we recommend to stick with 64GB capacity or larger.

 Olympus OMDFuji X100
Product Dimensions4.7 x 2.8 x 3.3 inches
4.98 x 2.12 x 2.93 inches
Shipping Weight1.1 pounds
15.7 ounces
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About Olympus OMD and Fuji X100

Now when you are ready to start the journey, it is time to get the camera first. There are many brands to consider or models to choose from so in terms of options we are not lacking in alternatives. It is safe to put a budget range because it makes the choice easier. We can also shop based on the camera brands, lens that you want to use, or the camera ability itself yet, for the entry level most of them are going to be very similar to each other.

Camera manufacturers are continuously improving their products and releasing new models such as Sony with its growing Alpha line or Olympus with its OMD line and Fujifilm with its X-mount series. These names are no stranger anymore in the market with many relying on the system both on the more casual and professional level. What you need to do is matching the camera with the application or starting from the one that fits best in the pocket. 

For those who want to get started with the photography hobby and need a reliable camera, the Olympus OMD and Fuji X100 cameras are good options to consider. The OMD stands for their digital mirrorless made by Olympus and the camera we are talking about today is one of the most popular OMD EM10 Mark II. This camera is quite an old release so the price is getting quite affordable now but performance wise still adequate to be your entry camera.

On the other hand Fuji X100 is probably on another side of beginner photography which is in the middle of casual users. This is a very compact camera and was released 5 years earlier than the OMD EM10 Mk II that we are going to compare it with. It is a very attractive choice for street photography or travelers who want to have a dedicated camera in their bag. In comparison both are probably made for two different types of users with their own strong points.

Olympus OMD and Fuji X100 Design

The most attractive part of Fuji X100 in a glance is the design because it looks like a point and shoot which is in a sense and this is a great way to do your street photography since most people won’t feel too intimidated when posing for the shot. The OMD EM10 Mk II is not a huge camera as well but it certainly looks more serious. This mirrorless camera is pretty with the classic design and kind of looks like the smaller variant of Fuji X-series such as X-T10.

Handling is good on both cameras and since the X100 is meant to be compact, it has a fixed lens or specifically a 23mm lens with a widest aperture of F2. The OMD EM10 Mk II is interchangeable so we can use other lenses it is compatible with and this is why if you are more serious about the hobby then an ILC will be a great choice. Price wise the Fuji X100 is quite difficult to find in new condition and at a reasonable price.

Olympus OMD and Fuji X100 Specs

However, this camera is certainly special, moreover when it was first launched in 2010. Both of these Olympus OMD and Fuji X100 cameras are using different sensors and what’s surprising is that the smaller X100 is actually using an APSC while the EM10 Mk II is the same to its predecessor by using a micro four third sensor. The pixel count is also different since X100 is 12MP while Olympus is 16MP so there will be some differences on the image taken by these cameras. Read also: Olympus Vs PEN here.

Olympus OMD and Fuji X100 Features

As for the interesting features, X100 has a hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder and it is very interesting that a DSLR probably should have the same feature as well. This viewfinder is interesting because it is not only showing the camera information but also the captured images; it is very smart too because once your eye moves from the viewfinder, the image is shown on the rear LCD instead. In OMD EM10 Mk II, we love its 5-axis image stabilization and weather-sealed body.

Also a very useful feature in this camera is Focus Bracketing which allows you to capture 3 to 999 frames at a focus differential 1 to 10. This function is to stack multiple photos together in order to increase the depth of field on macro shots.

Olympus OMD and Fuji X100 Performance 

In real life, the sensor does make quite a difference especially when shooting at high ISO. Fuji X100 is surprisingly very good for indoor shooting and the image quality after you view them on a computer is also great. The OMD EM10 is also amazing but side by side the photo won’t look the same and in comparison the crop is different as well as the color. The larger X100 shows more of a scene but the color looks more vivid on the Olympus camera. 

Performance wise while X100 is very pleasing when shooting an object that is far from the camera, this camera somehow struggles to stay focused on a closer subject and this can be frustrating since the picture comes out blurry. To avoid this issue we can just stick to the auto focus since the manual focus seems not so reliable. Additionally, if you plan on shooting RAWs, this camera is also very slow and the battery will be out before the day ends.

Olympus OMD Vs Fuji X100

Both these Olympus OMD and Fuji X100 cameras are very reliable and fun to take pictures with. The specs are quite different along with the handling but overall OMD EM10 Mk II is a superior camera, especially if you are more serious about the hobby. It is more reliable when focusing, better color out of the camera, can use various different lenses, and also has an image stabilization to help when shooting handheld.

- Builtin 5Axis image stabilization for sharper images
- 2.3 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.62X magnification
- Silent mode (disables all shutter sounds)
- 8.5 frames per second burst shooting;AF system type high speed image AF (contrast detection / on chip phase difference detection)
- 12.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- Newly-developed lens offers a focal length of 23mm (135 equivalent: 35mm) and a widest aperture of F2. Made from molded glass, the lens contains 8 elements in 6 groups
- Hybrid Viewfinder combines the window-type "bright frame" optical viewfinder, and the electronic viewfinder system
- HD Movie Mode; capture 720p video

Conclusion 

The decision is all yours because the X100 is a very attractive choice for street photographers yet the price is something a mid-range and budget professional cameras are usually at so the OMD line such as OMD EM10 Mk II is a very good option to go for both on what it can offer and also the price point.

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