Thinking of switching from Sony to Fuji? Why your Sony is enough.

Cinestill 50d film simulation

Fuji’s film simulations are pretty amazing. It’s the main reason why ppl are switching from Sony to Fuji systems - even though they enjoy some of Sony’s features better.

Take this. Fuji’s X100VI ( yes - the one that you can only pre-order for now & the most hyped camera out there) had record sales.

And Google searches for this camera are booming.

Why is this camera so popular? Well - I think it all boils down to the experience it provides. It looks like film, feels like film and kind of shoots like film. All you have to do is click into the scene. It provides a mindful and fun experience for hobbyists and pros alike.

And that’s exactly why you see so many ppl who want to switch from Sony to Fuji. Or want to purchase a Fuji camera besides their Sony.

If JPEGs were frowned upon a couple of years back and post-processing RAW files was the gold standard - now, we see more and more people reverting to straight out of camera shots, aka JPEGs. In our high-speed, deadline-driven era, the ability to nail beautiful colors straight out of camera is invaluable. Not to mention, simply feeling inspired by the colors on your LCD screen is a big plus.

Because not everyone wants to shoot pro, or at least not all the time. Because even pros want to take a break from post-processing when they shoot for fun. Honestly, that’s what prompted me to create these film simulation - When I shot for fun, I wanted film-like shots, on the spot. Not endless hours color grading my footage. That, and when I first tried Fujifilm simulations, I quickly realized I could create even more complex film simulations by using Sony's picture profile menu.

If you want to switch to Fuji from Sony - here’s the thing - your Sony is enough if you want to get film-like JPEGs. And you get to keep Sony’s performance while you’re at it.

You can check all film simulation for Sony here. Or check out the forum for more SOOCs!

Alright - let's get into the article - I want to hash out some pros of cons of Fuji vs Sony, and explain why your Sony might be enough for your needs!

Fuji vs Sony - Pros & Cons

Let's dive deeper into this comparison between Fuji and Sony. While both brands offer excellent camera systems, there are some key differences to consider.

Fuji Pros

• Out-of-the-box film simulations that are easy to use and look natural, organic.

• The design - c’mon, you can’t beat the look of Fuji cameras.

• Ease of use when it comes to creating film recipes.

Fuji Cons

• APS-C sensors have slightly less dynamic range than Sony full-frame

• Lens selection is narrower than Sony's E-mount system

• Some of the Fuji cameras lack in-camera body stabilization, which may lead to shaky footage, especially when shooting video.

• A smaller sensor a.k.a more noise.

Sony Pros

• Full-frame image quality is top-notch for low light.

• Sony offers more features to create complex film simulations.

• E-mount has a massive lens selection from all brands.

• Latest models have excellent AF, IBIS and video specs.

• Suitable for heavy-production and leisure use as well.

Sony Cons

• JPEGs need some work in-camera to match Fuji's film presets.

• Menus focus more on advanced features than ease of use.

• Bodies lack Fuji's analog look without 3rd party mods.

I've also conducted a detailed comparison of Fuji vs Sony film simulations. Take a look if you're interested in JPEGs with a color checker!

Why your Sony is more than enough

Improved color science & the ability to color-match 🎨

Source - color matching film simulations across Sony cameras

While Fuji may have had a head start with their color science & film simulations, Sony has come a long way in improving their color science in recent years. And you can see it clearly in the skin tones rendition, the biggest complaint amongst videographers & photographers. The Sony A7 IV, for example, offers much more pleasant and accurate skin tones compared to earlier generations.

Buuuut what do you do if you have an older model? There’s a solution. You color calibrate between cameras. I have an entire article that will teach you how to color-match your Sony cameras.

This step is crucial if you want to improve Sony’s colors. It will get you to a solid base.

Film emulations with the Picture Profile menu, White Balance & Color Filter settings

Your Sony has all you need to get in-camera film emulations and JPEGs that match your favorite film stocks. And you’re not limited by the base film simulations provided like with Fujifilm cameras.

P.S - So far we have 51 film recipes for Sony cameras, and more to come this summer.

Your Sony has all the tools needed, and more, to get incredibly versatile film simulations directly in-camera. And unlike Fuji, you're not limited to just the base film presets - with Sony, the sky's the limit for customization.

So - what settings do you need to use to create film simulations for Sony? You might be tempted to use the Creative Style / Creative Looks settings.

While the Creative Style settings provide an easy starting point, the Picture Profile menu offers much more nuanced control over parameters like gamma, saturation, color phase, color depth for each individual color channel (Fuji is limited only to the blue channel or color chrome which is a global option). And it works for both stills AND video.

To tweak even further, I also use the White Balance + Color filter settings.

Sure - working with the Picture Profile menu does require a bit more tweaking and effort, but the payout is total creative freedom and the ability to accurately recreate your desired film looks.

Can I get easy access to the film recipe settings?

One downside to Sony’s system is that the menu is not that intuitive and there is a learning curve with understanding the picture profile menu.

However, Sony provides 7-11 slots for Picture Profles (depending on your camera model, older cameras have less picture profile slots and options also) - meaning you can save the settings to your favorite film recipes in there.

Then, use the Custom Function Buttons (C1, C2, C3) for easy access to the Picture Profile menu. By assigning the Picture Profile menu to one of these buttons, you can quickly switch between different film recipes without having to navigate through the menus.

You might be thinking - But what about the White Balance settings? Can I save those as well?

Yes, you can. By using the memory recall mode, you can save up to 3 settings.

This way, you’ll be able to switch quickly between film recipes.

There is a complete workflow for this and I started creating short form content to cover the basics of these film simulations. Check it out here

Access to +50 film emulations

Cinestill 50d Film simulation

As mentioned before, with Sony you get access to all the film recipes I create, without being limited by the camera model. (the only limitation is if your camera doesn’t have the Picture Profile menu).

And that's the real beauty the Sony systems - their flexibility. Rather than being confined to a handful of preset film simulations like with Fuji, you have the ability to custom-craft your own unique looks using the advanced Picture Profile and White Balance settings. The possibilities are endless.

With the new update coming soon, we'll have +60 film recipes, but the list keeps growing as I create more. Curious to see how these look? Check out this article about the best picture profiles for Sony!

Creative expression

Cinestill 50d Film simulation

One thing I’ve seen over and over again is the idea to switch to Fuji from Sony due to a creative rut. Many ppl have mentioned on Reddit and other forums that their Sony is catching dust and with it, their inspiration for photography.

Well, your Sony is truly enough if you want to take film-like SOOC. Or if you want to play around until you find your own signature look.

Check out these shots taken by Sony film simulation users ⬇️

Kodak Vision 200T film simulation. JPEGs with exposure + grain adjustments.

T-Max 100 film simulation JPEGs. Captured by Jeff Stovall @ Cuchara.photography

So you can dust off your Sony - start with a base recipe and customize it from there OR create your own custom picture profile. If you want to switch from Sony to Fuji to get in-camera film recipes, but you like Sony’s features - give this a go first!!

Sony’s precision is just unbeatable

I’ve seen comments from so many folks who love Sony’s features - but want to switch to Fuji so they can play around with the film simulations and just shoot JPEG footage for fun.

Well, you can keep Sony’s precision, while also playing around with the film simulations. And Sony’s technical precision is just unbeatable.

Their full-frame sensors excel in the following ways

Low-Light Performance Sony sensors have incredible light-gathering ability, able to produce clean files even at absurdly high ISOs where other brands fall apart. This allows shooting in nearly any lighting condition.

Dynamic Range Tests show Sony outperforms virtually any APS-C sensor, capturing more detail in highlights and shadows simultaneously for maximum post-processing flexibility.

Autofocus Whether using stills or video AF, Sony easily tracks fast motion with extreme accuracy. Their latest algorithms secure focus even in challenging environments.

Stabilization IBIS across full-frame bodies delivers 5-6 stops of shake correction, a massive advantage over lenses alone. This allows much slower shutter speeds for sharper handheld results.

Overall Image Quality There's simply an astonishing level of detail, color fidelity, and lack of noise or aberrations even at pixel-level inspection.

No other mirrorless system comes close in overall technical quality. ( I might be biased, but that’s my take on the subject).

Lens Interchangeability is Unparalleled

While the ever-growing Fujifilm lens lineup is respectable, no ILC system compares to Sony's sheer Mount diversity. With the E-Mount, options range from:

• Native G Master primes and zooms from Sony delivering superb optics and build.
  

• Entire catalogs of autofocus lenses from Sigma, Tamron, Samyang and others designed specifically for full-frame Sony cameras.

• Affordable third party gems like the Laowa and Samyang manual focus lenses.
  

• DSLR classics through adapters like Canon/Nikon lenses.

• Vintage lenses.

My favorite combo for great JPEGs in my Sony camera, is the Sigma Contemporary lineup with the in-camera film recipes + occasionally a diffusion filter to soften the look.

You can customize your Sony’s look

While Sony bodies lack Fuji's analog look straight out of the box, you can cheat a little with accessories to customize the aesthetic of your Sony.

Camera skins with faux-leather and other tactile materials inspired by classic cameras are a great addition. I’ve done this with my Sony (add camera model) and here’s the look.

You can also add stickers on your buttons to give your Sony that classic look. Custom grips also add an analog camera touch. Top it all off with a vintage bag and you’ve transformed the surgical feel of Sony.

But what about grain?

Well, that would be a great feature for Sony to introduce - but I’ve tried to hack the way to get a grain texture on your Sony. Will upload an article all about that soon.

Don’t ditch your Sony system just yet

Zetra 100 film simulation

All in all - Sony cameras are a powerhouse - for videography and photography alike. Entry-level or budget cameras like the or ZV-EF 10 and mid-level cameras like the A7Cii or the A7CR (mid-level cameras) - all offer great value for their price point.

Ultimately, it all comes down to preference and necessity. But if you want to switch to Fuji for the film emulations, don’t ditch your Sony just yet!

Sony Film Simulation Recipes -PDF

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