Is M-10 significantly better than Fuji mirrorless?

[bherman01545]

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I have owned every Digital M from the M8 to the M10-P, and every FujiFilm X100 model as well.

IMO

The Fuji X100, X Pro1-3 are the most 'Leica-like' of all the cameras out there, and I think that is by design.Fuji also is very responsive to their customers, so firmware updates are many.

With that said, I have always favored Leica for the following reasons:

1.) Quality of their glass

2.) Build Quality

3.) Customer Service (I've had great luck with the US CS Team)

4.) Pedigree and Brand

5.) Simplicity - Menus are exactly what you need and nothing more

6.) I learned photography on a similar camera, and my brain is wired that way. Anything more simply interferes with my vision

Fuji's are great cameras. Many pros use them. Their glass is also stellar and their OOTC Jpegs are superb.

 

As it has been said many times, the best camera is the one which makes you want to pick it up, go out and make lots of images with it.

[Steven Seven]

I am sensing a bit of wishful thinking here... I've been using Fuji cameras for a long time, and currently own an X-T3 with a nice collection of Fuji primes. At the same time, I recently had an opportunity to shoot with an M10-P and fell in love with the rangefinder shooting style. I took a lot of photos with it before returning it to its owner, and compared them to my X-T3. In addition, I downloaded a ton of M10-p RAW files from sites like dpreview. I only used RAW, by the way. My conclusion was that Leica is not where you'd go if you're shopping for a better image quality. Fuji RAW files, despite coming from a smaller sensor, have consistently more dynamic range and it's especially noticeable in the highlights. M10-P gives you very limited ability to recover blown highlights, which is unfortunate. Fuji sensors also produce nicer noise, it looks almost film-like, making high-ISO images more pleasing than Leica's. Another issue is color. I know, it's subjective, but Fuji RAW files require much less tweaking to bring them to **my** taste.

Another point I disagree with is the build quality. X-T3 holds its own against M10-P just fine. I would even give it extra points for not being as heavy for the sake of being heavy and I think I liked Fuji's shutter a bit better too. The same thing applies to optics. I only used 50mm Summilux on a Leica and while it's a fantastic lens, it's not optically better than Fuji's equivalent XF 35mm f/1.4.

The reason I still want a Leica has nothing to do with those things. I absolutely loved the rangefinder experience, the process of slowing down, enjoying the smoothness of a real, mechanical focus ring and throwing away the distractions of digital conveniences. There's just as much value in these intangible things as megapixels, autofocus, dynamic range, etc. Let's just accept that and stop marinating in fantasies about superior sensors/optics/build/etc.

[M11 for me]

. . . and what about the specific Leica look? Is the Fuji look as good?🤯

Indeed: A friend of mine, an Monochrom and M9 shooter who has Fuji as well claims that it is all in the head. All the colors that might be a bit different can be adjusted by means of profiles. And when I compare with my Canon work at events (mainly people photos) the skin color comes much better with Canon than with Leica, I think. I have to do less in Lightroom (I use Canon EF 135mm, f/2.0) 

I love the M10 for its size and weight and built quality and after all image quality of course.

Edited January 31, 2020 by M10 for me

[budjames]

I switched to Fuji X from Canon Pro DSLRs about 6 years ago. I've owned a number of Fuji X cameras and Fuji XF primes and zooms. Here is the list of Fuji cameras I owned:

X100S, X100T and X100F
E-X2
XPro-2
XT-1, XT-2 and XT-3
XH-1

I fulfilled a lifelong wish to own a Leica M with the purchase of my first Leica, the M10 in November 2017 along with Summicon 35mm and Summilux 50mm lenses. After relearning how to manual focus and zone focus, I was hooked on the simplicity, construction quality and image quality of the M10 and Leica lenses. In the Spring of 2018, I purchased a second M10 and a few more Leica primes after selling off my entire Fuji X kit.

I acquired a mint-condition used SL and Vario-Elmarit 24-90 lens in October 2019. I sold the SL to purchase the SL2 and Summicron SL 35mm lens.

Fast forward today, I have been extremely happy with my move to Leica. They are very expensive, but when I look back to the continual upgrade cycle of Canon and Fuji systems, it's not as bad. Fortunately, my wealth management practice provides me with the resources to invest in Leica gear and take nice vacations with my family to pursue my travel photography interests. My GAS is over as I'm very satisfied with my move to Leica. 

Regards,
Bud James

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/budjamesphoto.