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While Canon and Sony may dominate the camera market, there are two other brands that beginners often look at: Fujifilm and Nikon. Which one of these is best for beginner photographers? This article will offer you some considerations.
Before we start, please keep in mind that all Fujifilm X cameras have a “crop” APS-C sensor. This is smaller than the 35mm full-frame sensor found in many Nikon cameras. Nikon also offers cameras with APS-C sensors. But things might start to diverge when comparing Fujifilm X cameras to full-frame Nikon cameras.
We’ll discuss the differences in sensors for beginners towards the end of this article.
Ease of learning
It’s important to be able to “ease in” to photography and the principles of exposure before being thrown in the deep end. And with most Fujifilm cameras, you will be thrown into the deep end.
That’s because Fujifilm X cameras lack the PSAM mode dial found on most digital cameras. This dial makes it easy to understand which exposure mode you’re in and which exposure variables are changing.
Thousands of people have gone through my Fujifilm photography courses, and this is the number one pain point. How do I switch between Shutter Priority and Manual? I can’t figure out how to switch my aperture to Auto! It’s very intuitive for seasoned photographers, but new photographers sometimes struggle with it.
Thankfully, there is one Fujifilm X camera, the X-S20 (and older X-S10), that does have a PASM dial. This makes the operation of the exposure modes much easier for beginners.
On top of that, most Fujifilm X cameras also don’t have a full Auto “point-and-shoot” mode. It’s up to you to pick an exposure mode and know how to get there. The exception to this is the X-T30, X-T30II, X-T50, X-S10, and X-S20.
All Nikon cameras (except for the “professional” bodies) have mode dials or switches and full Auto modes for simple point-and-shoot operation when you need it.
Price of entry
The second most important factor (or maybe the most important) is budget.
It’s difficult to make an apples-to-apples comparison because of the differences in sensor size. Comparing APS-C cameras like the Fujifilm X-S20 with kit lens ($1,699 at B&H) and the Nikon Z50II with kit lens ($1,047 at B&H), the Fujifilm camera is significantly more expensive.
But when you compare the high-end APS-C Fujifilm X cameras to the high-end full-frame Nikon cameras, now Nikon is a lot more expensive (but offers significantly more features). You probably won’t (and shouldn’t) be going straight for the high-end cameras. But if you decide to upgrade in the future, keep this in mind.
If you end up with a full-frame Nikon camera, you’re going to pay more for the lenses. That’s just because the lenses are physically larger than the Fujifilm X APS-C lenses. However, Nikon offers a great lineup of affordable and well-made lenses for their APS-C cameras. And because Nikon has been making these cameras for much longer, there are more options for lenses.
Menus & controls
Fujifilm’s menus are a bit of a mess, but Nikon’s menus are even worse.
Does this matter? It might, but I wouldn’t make it a deciding factor. Both cameras offer custom My Menus along with the ability to customize their quick menus. This makes up for that. Read this article on Fujifilm menu customization and this one for Nikon menu customization.
Fujifilm cameras do offer more opportunities for control customization, but this is something that can hinder beginner photographers. The simple layout of Nikon cameras makes it easy to learn and shoot. As you grow, however, you may appreciate the customization options that Fujifilm offers.
I love the dials that are found on most Fujifilm cameras. If I want to change the ISO or Exposure Compensation, I can just rotate the physical dial to the required value. Most Nikon cameras don’t have these; you need to press the corresponding ISO or Exposure Compensation button and then rotate a dial to change it. However, Nikon Z cameras offer touchscreen exposure controls that Fujifilm doesn’t.
Image quality
I wouldn’t worry too much about this. If you want to study sensor test charts for hours to look for what are mostly imperceptible differences, knock yourself out. I think that, as a beginner, your time would be better spent studying light, composition, storytelling, etc. Find your style and then identify the camera that fits it. If you can’t compose a photo or use the exposure modes, then it doesn’t matter how good the sensor is, no one is going to care about your photos.
Both camera brands have great image quality considering their differences in sensor size. What I will say is that, if you want to stylize your photos in the camera (rather than in post-processing), Fujifilm’s film simulations are so much more useful and fun than what Nikon offers.
Sensors & Resolution
Fujifilm is committed to at least 40MP in all future X cameras; Nikon is, for now, hanging on to several models that are 24MP, with their most expensive cameras at 45MP.
Having more megapixels doesn’t make a camera objectively better – don’t buy a camera based on the megapixel count. Sure, 40MP is great if you want to do some extreme cropping on your images all the time without losing too much resolution. You have a lot of pixels to work with.
However, if every image your camera records is 40MP, that’s going to require more storage and will require more memory when processing, slowing down your computer.
If you don’t need to crop every photo, 24MP is plenty big for most applications and without the penalty of storage and performance. It’s been the standard for close to 15 years.
I’m not saying one is better than the other, but this is an important consideration when deciding between Nikon and Fujifilm. If you want to start in Fujifilm, you’re going to be shooting 40MP images unless you hang on to their older cameras forever.
Growth opportunities
You’re just starting your photography journey. Then what? Which camera system will allow you to take your photography even further?
This one is difficult to answer.
There are countless professional photographers using the Fujifilm X system, so don’t think that investing in an APS-C camera system will limit your abilities later on down the road. But this isn’t true for everyone. It’s something that you’re just going to have to assess on your own for what you want to do with your photography.
The Fujifilm X system is a bit more limiting in terms of lineup. They have a lot of camera models, but they’re mostly different ways to interface with the same features. There are some feature differences between the different models, but you don’t get the range of different applications like you do in the Nikon system. If you start with a Nikon APS-C camera, you can use your lenses on a full-frame camera and vice-versa. And there’s just more room to jump up and down in the lineup.
Conclusion
When looking at Fujifilm or Nikon as your first camera, don’t pick one based on specifications alone.
Do you want simple operation without all the confusing controls? Nikon might be a better choice, except for like the Fujifilm X-S20.
What about the price? A Nikon APS-C camera is going to be much friendlier to your bank account as your first camera. But if you grow into that system and eventually switch to full-frame, you’re going to be investing more money.
Photographers who want to style their images in the camera rather than in post-processing are going to love Fujifilm’s film simulations. However, you’re committed to 40 megapixels with any new Fujifilm cameras, which may be overkill for your use.
I know this article presented a lot of “this camera is great for this, but the downside is this,” and that may not have solidified anything for you. But I hope these points helped you see what’s important when choosing between Nikon and Fujifilm for beginner photographers.
Best Fujifilm cameras for beginners
The Fujifilm X-S20 (B&H Photo) has a mode dial, full auto mode, and a bunch of advanced features you can start using when you’re ready for them.
If you’re ready to learn how to change exposure modes in Fujifilm cameras, then I’d recommend the X-T30II (26MP, you may need to search used) or X-T50 (40MP). These have an Auto switch for when you get stuck and need point-and-shoot.
Use these Fujifilm camera tutorial courses and the coupon code “blog20” for 20% off.
Best Nikon cameras for beginners
I’m going to recommend mirrorless cameras here since those are the way of the future.
The Nikon Z50II (B&H Photo) is a very easy APS-C camera to learn on, and since it’s new (as of this writing), it has a lot of the advanced features found in more expensive Nikon Z cameras. This should let you hang on to the camera for quite some time.
If you’re looking for a full-frame camera, the Z6II (B&H Photo), despite being replaced by the Z6III, is more than capable and a great camera for starting your photography journey. Prices have come down since the Z6III came out.
Use these Nikon camera tutorial courses and the coupon code “blog20” for 20% off.
Do you have any other questions, comments, or suggestions? Please let me know in the comments.