Switching from Sony to Fujifilm: How One Camera Made Me Change Systems Entirely
I never imagined I’d switch camera systems. I’ve always believed that a camera is just a tool, and the skill of the photographer matters more than the brand printed on the strap. I wasn’t interested in gear debates or brand loyalty — I just cared about getting out there and making images I loved.
When I started photography, I chose Sony. Not because of allegiance or hype, but because it offered the features I needed at the time. As a keen hiker with a love for the hills and mountains, my first couple of years in photography focused on landscapes and woodland scenes, and Sony’s sharpness, dynamic range, and precision suited that perfectly.
For a long time, it felt like the perfect match.
Life with Sony: The Right Tool for My Old Style
Back then, my process was deliberate and technical. I’d head out at golden hour with a heavy bag of lenses, a tripod (much to my displeasure!), and a plan. I’d take time to position the camera, compose the scene, and fine-tune every setting.
Sony rewarded that approach. It gave me incredible clarity in my images. Shadows and highlights were beautifully rendered, and I could recover detail in post that I thought I’d lost.
For woodland and landscapes, it was everything I wanted — and more. I honestly thought I’d always shoot this way. Switching systems felt unnecessary, even absurd. Why change something that was working?
A Shift in My Photography
Over time, my interests began to evolve. I still appreciated a beautiful landscape, but I was drawn more and more to moments that happened in the everyday — a shaft of light cutting through a train station for example, or scenes I stumbled upon that told a story.
I wanted to be quicker, more responsive, and less weighed down. Carrying a heavy kit, swapping lenses, and setting up tripods felt increasingly like a barrier to those moments. I wasn’t falling out of love with photography — but I was falling out of love with my way of doing it.
The Fujifilm X100VI — Just a Side Camera (Or So I Thought)
Enter the Fujifilm X100VI. I didn’t buy it to replace anything. In fact, I told myself it was just a “fun” second camera — something light and stylish that I could throw in a bag for travel or casual walks.
But the first time I took it out, something shifted. The fixed 35mm equivalent lens forced me to work differently. Instead of thinking about which lens would suit a scene, I adapted my framing to what I had.
The tactile controls changed the rhythm of my shooting. Dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and aperture meant I could make adjustments without taking my eye from the viewfinder. It wasn’t about menu diving — it was about staying in the moment.
Then there were Fujifilm’s film simulations. Choosing a colour profile before I shot — and seeing it live as I worked — made me think about the mood of an image before pressing the shutter. I was composing not just with shapes and light, but with tone and atmosphere.
Two Systems, Two Mindsets
At first, I tried to balance both. Sony remained my go-to for landscapes and planned shoots. Fujifilm became my choice for street photography, travel, and the moments in between.
But the balance began to tip. Each time I picked up the Sony, I found myself slipping back into a more clinical mindset. I was slower, more methodical, and — if I’m honest — less excited.
On one particular photo walk, I took the Sony out, thinking I’d reconnect with that old style. But as the day went on, I wasn’t inspired. Even the landscapes that once lit me up felt flat. I kept thinking about how much I’d rather have the Fuji with me — how much freer, more creative, and more present I felt when shooting with it.
The Moment I Knew
The real turning point came on a trip where I brought both systems. The plan was simple: sunrise landscapes with the Sony, then a day of street and travel photography with the Fuji.
I shot the sunrise, packed the Sony away… and never took it back out. For the rest of the trip, the Fuji stayed in my hands. I wandered, explored, and shot without feeling weighed down — both physically and mentally.
That was when I realised I wasn’t just favouring Fuji for certain situations — I was actively avoiding the Sony.
From X100VI to X-T5 — Making the Full Switch
The X100VI was the spark, but the Fujifilm X-T5 was the moment I committed. After months of favouring the Fuji over my Sony gear, I knew I needed a system that could handle everything I shoot — not just street and travel.
The X-T5 gave me the flexibility I needed while keeping the things I loved about Fuji:
The same tactile, analogue-style controls
Access to Fujifilm’s full lens range
That unmistakable Fuji colour science
A lighter, more compact kit compared to my Sony setup
With the X-T5, I could shoot landscapes, documentary work, street, and travel without compromise. It wasn’t just a secondary option anymore — it became my primary system.
Why Fujifilm Fits My Photography Now
Switching from Sony to Fujifilm wasn’t about chasing better specs. In fact, Sony still outperforms Fujifilm in certain technical areas. But Fujifilm gives me something far more important for my style right now:
Tactile control – Physical dials make me feel connected to the process.
Creative colour straight out of camera – Film simulations mean I can create final images without heavy post-processing.
Lightweight and portable – A smaller kit means I take it everywhere, and I shoot more because of it.
Encourages instinctive shooting – I’m less worried about technical perfection and more focused on capturing the feeling of a moment.
Sony vs Fujifilm — For My Style
For me, the differences look like this:
Sony strengths:
Incredible image quality and dynamic range
Exceptional autofocus performance for a wide range of genres
Ideal for planned, technical work with full creative control
Fujifilm strengths:
Inspires creativity in the moment
Smaller and lighter kit encourages everyday handheld shooting
Beautiful colour science without extensive editing
Controls that keep me engaged with the scene rather than the menu
Lessons Learned from Switching Systems
I still believe a camera is just a tool — but I’ve learned that the right tool can shape your approach. It can change the way you see, the way you move, and the kinds of images you’re drawn to.
Sony was perfect for the photographer I used to be. Fujifilm is perfect for the photographer I am now.
The X100VI opened the door to a new way of working. The X-T5 let me step through it completely. Switching systems was never my goal, but it turned out to be the natural next step in my creative journey.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling uninspired, maybe the answer isn’t upgrading to the latest version of your current camera. Maybe it’s trying something that encourages a different way of working.
For me, Fujifilm reignited my excitement for photography and gave me a new photographic direction and mindset. It reminded me that gear isn’t just about specifications — it’s about how it makes you feel when you’re out in the world, camera in hand.