Switching Camera Brands – A Big Decision

17 Mar

This is a blog post I didn’t expect to be writing so early in 2025, but here we are—I’m switching camera brands. At the beginning of the year, I was convinced I would stick with Fujifilm, give it the full year, and see how things panned out. However, after experiencing a series of issues, particularly with my Fujifilm X-H2S, I’ve had to make a tough decision.

To be clear, this wasn’t an easy choice. I’ve had some fantastic moments with Fujifilm, and I genuinely love their cameras. But when my main workhorse starts failing me at crucial moments, it becomes impossible to ignore.

Fujifilm X-H2s (left) Sony A7 IV (right)

The Breaking Point

My final straw came during a client shoot for a coffee company. Everything was going smoothly until my X-H2S suddenly froze—completely unresponsive. The only way to get it working again was to pull the battery out. I tried again, and it froze a second time. Luckily, my client didn’t know much about cameras, so the moment passed without issue. But for me, it was a major problem. As a professional, missing a shot due to camera failure isn’t an option. I needed something more reliable.

This wasn’t an isolated issue either. At the end of last year, autofocus problems with the X-H2S were a real struggle. While firmware updates improved things, they never reached a level where I could fully trust the system. With client work piling up, I realised I needed something that just works.

The Switch to Sony

So, after much thought (and yes, testing out Sony cameras before making the leap), I’ve switched to the Sony A7 IV. The two biggest reasons for this move are reliability and autofocus. Sony’s autofocus is widely recognised as the best in the industry, and for my workflow, that matters. While I do enjoy manual focusing for filmmaking, if I’m paying for autofocus in a camera, I expect it to be rock-solid.

I managed to find a great deal on a used A7 IV, so I made the purchase. That said, I don’t yet have a lens for it—so if you’re a Sony shooter, I’d love to hear your recommendations! What should be my first Sony lens? Let me know.

A New Creative Spark

Beyond reliability, this switch has also sparked something unexpected—excitement. I didn’t anticipate feeling this energised about a camera change, but sometimes, a fresh start brings new creative inspiration. When I first got my X-H2S, I took it everywhere, capturing everything in sight. But over time, that excitement faded. With the A7 IV, I feel that creative spark reigniting, and that’s something I really appreciate.

What’s Next?

For those who follow me for my Fujifilm content—don’t worry, I’m not abandoning Fuji entirely. I still have my X-H2S (for now), and my X100VI, which I absolutely love. However, I do plan to sell the X-H2S at some point, possibly replacing it with something like the X-T3 for a more casual, hobbyist experience. If you have recommendations for a solid Fujifilm body to pair with my existing lenses, let me know!

Ultimately, this is all part of my journey as a photographer and filmmaker. My YouTube channel has always been about my user experience and how gear helps me tell stories. I’ll be diving deeper into my Sony experience in future videos, but for now, this is where I’m at.