Coming from Nikon D5200 + iPhone 17 Pro — help me pick a mirrorless system (Sony vs Fuji vs Nikon Z) ?
Hey everyone,
Looking for some real-world advice here, not just spec-sheet comparisons.
I currently own a Nikon D5200 with a small collection of lenses:
• Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
• Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6
• A couple of Soviet manual lenses (Helios 44-2, and a Pentax SLR lens with an M42 adapter ring)
• A flash unit
Problem is, I haven’t touched any of this gear in years. It’s just too heavy and bulky to carry around day to day, so without really planning it, my iPhone 17 Pro basically replaced my DSLR for everyday shooting. It’s just always in my pocket and good enough for most things.
Lately though I’ve been reading up on mirrorless systems and realized the bodies are way smaller and lighter than I expected, so I’m seriously considering getting back into “real” photography. A few thoughts/questions:
• I like the idea of full-frame, which pulls me toward Sony (A7 line seems to be the sweet spot)
• But I keep reading that Fujifilm has a different color science / more “film-like” rendering that a lot of people love, even though it’s APS-C
• I’m also aware Nikon Z exists and might make sense since I already have some Nikkor glass, though I know F-mount to Z-mount adapting isn’t seamless
What I care about:
• Size/weight (this is literally why I stopped using the D5200)
• Image quality good enough to notice a real step up from iPhone computational photography
• Decent lens ecosystem, including compatibility (or at least a good adapter story) with my old Nikkor/M42 lenses if possible
• Not necessarily chasing video, mostly stills — travel, everyday life, maybe some hobby stuff
So — Sony, Fuji, or Nikon Z? Would love to hear from people who made a similar jump from an old DSLR/phone combo into mirrorless. Any specific body/lens recommendations appreciated!
Thanks in advance 🙏