What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
p.1 #1What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
Do you have sensors smaller than FF that see regular use in your kit? Do you use them exclusively? ILC or fixed lens? Is it the same mount as your larger kit or different? Do you have lenses specific to the camera or do you share the kit with a larger sensor? How do you use them? What pleases you about them? Tell us all about it.
My story:
I started digital in the long ago with APSC (silver Canon Digital Rebel, to be exact, a couple of days after it became available at Circuit City). Even when I moved primarily to FF, I maintained a crop camera as a back up and occasional wildlife option. With Sony, I hung on to the NEX-7 for a long time because I didn't like the physical control layout on the NEX-6 or a6xxx cameras. When it stopped wanting to be a camera, I took a long look and trial with Fuji. They had a lot to offer, and I was close to pulling the trigger, but then Sony released the a6700 and that won me back. I've been endlessly impressed with the little guy's capabilities since. And I am used to Sony's way of thinking, so the menus aren't an issue.
My kit:
a6700 (x2, I bought a second one with the recent sale)
Zeiss Touit 12/2.8 (love it, but it's a shelf queen now, standing by in case something happens to the Sigma)
Sigma 10-18/2.8 (great city lens)
Sony 20/2.8 (pancake snapshot perfection)
Zony 24/1.8 (sentimental fav)
Tamron 35-100/2.8 (recent addition, quickly became essential)
Sony 70-200/4GII (bug hunter)
Sony 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM (everything else hunter, often used with the 1.4x)
How I use it:
The 6700s, Sony 70-200GII and variable aperture GM are my wildlife kit. The Sigma, Zony, and Tamron are proving to be the perfect business travel combo, and family/friend adventure combo, and I'm feeling particularly lazy combo. I use the 20/2.8 when I want a conveniently small memory maker. All that makes up about a third of my shooting.
I wouldn't change a thing... except:
I have a long-time standing wish for a more substantial model. It doesn't have to be huge. a7II/rII size would be nice, with an improved, black-out free EVF, a stacked sensor (doesn't have to be new-the 26MP model Sony sells to Fuji would do nicely), at least 15fps in stills, big buffer, blah, blah, blah. The truth is, I'm more content with this kit than I am with the FF, which will undergo some major changes this fall.
How about you?
My story:
I started digital in the long ago with APSC (silver Canon Digital Rebel, to be exact, a couple of days after it became available at Circuit City). Even when I moved primarily to FF, I maintained a crop camera as a back up and occasional wildlife option. With Sony, I hung on to the NEX-7 for a long time because I didn't like the physical control layout on the NEX-6 or a6xxx cameras. When it stopped wanting to be a camera, I took a long look and trial with Fuji. They had a lot to offer, and I was close to pulling the trigger, but then Sony released the a6700 and that won me back. I've been endlessly impressed with the little guy's capabilities since. And I am used to Sony's way of thinking, so the menus aren't an issue.
My kit:
a6700 (x2, I bought a second one with the recent sale)
Zeiss Touit 12/2.8 (love it, but it's a shelf queen now, standing by in case something happens to the Sigma)
Sigma 10-18/2.8 (great city lens)
Sony 20/2.8 (pancake snapshot perfection)
Zony 24/1.8 (sentimental fav)
Tamron 35-100/2.8 (recent addition, quickly became essential)
Sony 70-200/4GII (bug hunter)
Sony 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM (everything else hunter, often used with the 1.4x)
How I use it:
The 6700s, Sony 70-200GII and variable aperture GM are my wildlife kit. The Sigma, Zony, and Tamron are proving to be the perfect business travel combo, and family/friend adventure combo, and I'm feeling particularly lazy combo. I use the 20/2.8 when I want a conveniently small memory maker. All that makes up about a third of my shooting.
I wouldn't change a thing... except:
I have a long-time standing wish for a more substantial model. It doesn't have to be huge. a7II/rII size would be nice, with an improved, black-out free EVF, a stacked sensor (doesn't have to be new-the 26MP model Sony sells to Fuji would do nicely), at least 15fps in stills, big buffer, blah, blah, blah. The truth is, I'm more content with this kit than I am with the FF, which will undergo some major changes this fall.
How about you?
Jun 30, 2026 at 12:59 AM
p.1 #2What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
It comes down to what good and less good features matter to you. I had the a6300 and it was great because of small size and functionality at low cost. Seems to me that with price increases, everything went downhill from there, since there are more versatile combinations with full frame, if buying used is ok for the money. I have a like-new A7RIII: the crop mode is plenty and everything else seems better. I really enjoy having a decent viewfinder.
Of course, there are great APS-C and FF lenses that feel balanced on APS-C: Sony 11, Samyang 18, Samyang 24, Sony 28, Sigma 30, Samyang 35, Samyang 45, Sigma 56, Samyang 75. But that became problematic in recent times because of so many newer options in full frame.
For example, the outstanding Sigma 56 is bulky enough that the Viltrox 85 Evo may as well get the call instead, and that lets you add the 1.5x reach on crop. Likewise, apples to apples, the Sigma 45 seems, for the most part, better than going with the older Sigma 30.
The Sony 11 is harder to move away from, because arguably it meets or beats the Viltrox 14, if/when you don't mind the round view for composition. At distance, that APS-C lens is badass even against the Viltrox 20. And it is f/1.8.
On full frame, if you want small, the 7Artisans 40mm f/2.5 is hard to beat. I don't know why nobody ever discusses that one.
Of course, there are great APS-C and FF lenses that feel balanced on APS-C: Sony 11, Samyang 18, Samyang 24, Sony 28, Sigma 30, Samyang 35, Samyang 45, Sigma 56, Samyang 75. But that became problematic in recent times because of so many newer options in full frame.
For example, the outstanding Sigma 56 is bulky enough that the Viltrox 85 Evo may as well get the call instead, and that lets you add the 1.5x reach on crop. Likewise, apples to apples, the Sigma 45 seems, for the most part, better than going with the older Sigma 30.
The Sony 11 is harder to move away from, because arguably it meets or beats the Viltrox 14, if/when you don't mind the round view for composition. At distance, that APS-C lens is badass even against the Viltrox 20. And it is f/1.8.
On full frame, if you want small, the 7Artisans 40mm f/2.5 is hard to beat. I don't know why nobody ever discusses that one.
Jun 30, 2026 at 01:48 AM
p.1 #3What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
just sold all my apsc sony kit a6700 + 4 lens and bought a new fuji x100vi, a have my pro kit a7iv + lens, but all i can say is i love the whole form factor of the fuji x100 and the image quality is great. i just love the fact that i now have a small candid camera with me all the time.
Jun 30, 2026 at 02:07 AM
p.1 #4What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
I have an A7CR with the Sony 35 2.8 as my mini EDC, work cam…stays in work bag. Recently added the Sony 28-60… also crazy small.
Jun 30, 2026 at 03:34 AM
p.1 #5What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
Don't forget the RX10IV (maybe a V coming up?)
Jun 30, 2026 at 04:10 AM
p.1 #6What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
My Sony FF A7Rllla is small enough that I wouldn't save much by going to APS.
My small sensor cam is my iPhone 17PRO MAX.
My small sensor cam is my iPhone 17PRO MAX.
Jun 30, 2026 at 05:22 AM
p.1 #7What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
Been there with the Fuji X system, loved the size and the images were excellent. AF was about 3 generations behind current state, and the EVF’s marginal; and it didn’t appear either was going to improve anytime soon. So I sold out and went to a Sony A7C2 with a couple smaller, lighter f1.8 and 2 primes and the 20-70/4 zoom as my revised “small” kit, which in actual use is essentially the same size and weight as the Fuji kit, at least within a few mm or a couple ounces here or there.
So far it seems a good move for me. Being FF, the f4 zoom shares the same net DoF as my APSC f2.8 zoom did. The evf on the little Sony is a lot better than the Fuji X’s were even though it’s regarded as marginal. The Sony is fully usable a good 2-3 higher ISO’s than the little Fujis as well, and of course AF is in a different league. I did give up 7mp of sensor resolution, but haven’t really noticed it at all. There are several convenient UI protocols on the Fuji that the Sony lacks, but I’ve figured out how to live with that lack. I am satisfied so far and don’t see myself ever going back to APSC or M43. If I do decide I need something smaller or lighter, I’ll just use my phone.
So far it seems a good move for me. Being FF, the f4 zoom shares the same net DoF as my APSC f2.8 zoom did. The evf on the little Sony is a lot better than the Fuji X’s were even though it’s regarded as marginal. The Sony is fully usable a good 2-3 higher ISO’s than the little Fujis as well, and of course AF is in a different league. I did give up 7mp of sensor resolution, but haven’t really noticed it at all. There are several convenient UI protocols on the Fuji that the Sony lacks, but I’ve figured out how to live with that lack. I am satisfied so far and don’t see myself ever going back to APSC or M43. If I do decide I need something smaller or lighter, I’ll just use my phone.
Jun 30, 2026 at 07:43 AM
p.1 #8What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
Jack Flesher wrote:
Been there with the Fuji X system, loved the size and the images were excellent. AF was about 3 generations behind current state, and the EVF’s marginal; and it didn’t appear either was going to improve anytime soon. So I sold out and went to a Sony A7C2 with a couple smaller, lighter f1.8 and 2 primes and the 20-70/4 zoom as my revised “small” kit, which in actual use is essentially the same size and weight as the Fuji kit, at least within a few mm or a couple ounces here or there.
So far it seems a...Show more →
the optical vf on my x100vi is better than any evf on any brand or sensor size. I love it.
Been there with the Fuji X system, loved the size and the images were excellent. AF was about 3 generations behind current state, and the EVF’s marginal; and it didn’t appear either was going to improve anytime soon. So I sold out and went to a Sony A7C2 with a couple smaller, lighter f1.8 and 2 primes and the 20-70/4 zoom as my revised “small” kit, which in actual use is essentially the same size and weight as the Fuji kit, at least within a few mm or a couple ounces here or there.
So far it seems a...Show more →
the optical vf on my x100vi is better than any evf on any brand or sensor size. I love it.
Jul 01, 2026 at 03:18 AM
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p.1 #9What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
My smallest is for video; I have three Blackmagic design cinema cameras with Super 16-size sensors (the OG BMPCC and two OG Micro Cinema Cameras). The so-called "crop factor" is nearly 3 compared with full-frame. It's possible to grab stills from these but they're something like 2 megapixels.
Small sensors are great for video with manual lenses as it's easier to nail and maintain focus on moving objects due to the greater depth of field at the same framing and aperture compared with full frame. I can even shoot f0.95 lenses (I have two) on these cameras and maintain focus on a moving singer, for example. The downside is that you need really wide lenses, like 10mm, for video.
Small sensors are great for video with manual lenses as it's easier to nail and maintain focus on moving objects due to the greater depth of field at the same framing and aperture compared with full frame. I can even shoot f0.95 lenses (I have two) on these cameras and maintain focus on a moving singer, for example. The downside is that you need really wide lenses, like 10mm, for video.
Jul 01, 2026 at 07:13 AM
p.1 #10What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
I tried out a Fuji APS-C kit for almost a year and in many ways I liked it. I had a XT-5 and an XH-2S, so a 40 MP APS-C very high pixel density camera and a 26 MP stacked sensor APS-C camera. The sensor in both these cameras are unique to Fuji, even though they are made by Sony. Both these cameras also have EVFs with viewfinders with higher resolution than Sony makes in any of their APS-C bodies.
Important to me, you can also get some lovely lenses from Voigtlander for Fuji APS-C. I had the 23 f/1.2, 27 f/2, 35 f/2 APO macro (my favorite), and 50 f/1.2. I miss the 35 APO macro, but part of my decision not to stay with Fuji APS-C is that as much as I liked these lenses, there are just more lenses and especially the small slow excellent Voigtlander lenses that are only available for FF. I love my Voigtlander 21 f/3.5 for FF and there is nothing like that for APS-C and I think I will love the announced Voigtlander 90 f/4 APO Lanthar, and a Voigtlander 40 f/1.2 pairs so nicely with those two lenses and there really isn't equivalents for any of those lenses for APS-C. So although I really liked the Voigtlander lenses for APS-C, I prefer the FF lenses.
With regard to AF lenses, I had a trio of zooms, (Sigma 10-18 f/2.8, Tamron 17-70 f/2.8, and Fuji 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS) and a trio of primes (Viltron 27 f/1.2, Viltrox 56 f/1.2, and Fuji 90 f/2) all of which were really nice performing lenses. For the zooms I really like the Sigma ultra wide angle and it performed well for me. I would recommend it for Sony shooters. I also was surprised how much I really like the Fuji 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS, just a lovely lens I would highly recommend and it is great for macro too. Sony has a pretty similar lens with the Sony 70-350 f/4.5-5.6 G, that I would highly recommend to Sony shooters and the Tamron, although it didn't impress me as much as the other two was totally competent and is available in Sony mount too.
For the AF primes, the Viltrox lenses were quite decent performers and cheap, but not at all smaller (and in fact a little bigger) than FF alternatives. If the size doesn't bother you I can recommend them for Sony as well. Unfortunately, the Fuji 90 f/2, which is a great lens has nothing like it for Sony. I suppose a FF lens like one of the 85 f/1.8's, however, would be pretty close.
So for AF lenses, Sony does have much of what I would need in an APS-C kit, but personally the lack of good MF primes and weakness of the sensor and the viewfinder in Sony APS-C cameras kept me from ever adopting Sony for APS-C.
Edited on Jul 01, 2026 at 08:11 AM · View previous versions
Important to me, you can also get some lovely lenses from Voigtlander for Fuji APS-C. I had the 23 f/1.2, 27 f/2, 35 f/2 APO macro (my favorite), and 50 f/1.2. I miss the 35 APO macro, but part of my decision not to stay with Fuji APS-C is that as much as I liked these lenses, there are just more lenses and especially the small slow excellent Voigtlander lenses that are only available for FF. I love my Voigtlander 21 f/3.5 for FF and there is nothing like that for APS-C and I think I will love the announced Voigtlander 90 f/4 APO Lanthar, and a Voigtlander 40 f/1.2 pairs so nicely with those two lenses and there really isn't equivalents for any of those lenses for APS-C. So although I really liked the Voigtlander lenses for APS-C, I prefer the FF lenses.
With regard to AF lenses, I had a trio of zooms, (Sigma 10-18 f/2.8, Tamron 17-70 f/2.8, and Fuji 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS) and a trio of primes (Viltron 27 f/1.2, Viltrox 56 f/1.2, and Fuji 90 f/2) all of which were really nice performing lenses. For the zooms I really like the Sigma ultra wide angle and it performed well for me. I would recommend it for Sony shooters. I also was surprised how much I really like the Fuji 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS, just a lovely lens I would highly recommend and it is great for macro too. Sony has a pretty similar lens with the Sony 70-350 f/4.5-5.6 G, that I would highly recommend to Sony shooters and the Tamron, although it didn't impress me as much as the other two was totally competent and is available in Sony mount too.
For the AF primes, the Viltrox lenses were quite decent performers and cheap, but not at all smaller (and in fact a little bigger) than FF alternatives. If the size doesn't bother you I can recommend them for Sony as well. Unfortunately, the Fuji 90 f/2, which is a great lens has nothing like it for Sony. I suppose a FF lens like one of the 85 f/1.8's, however, would be pretty close.
So for AF lenses, Sony does have much of what I would need in an APS-C kit, but personally the lack of good MF primes and weakness of the sensor and the viewfinder in Sony APS-C cameras kept me from ever adopting Sony for APS-C.
Edited on Jul 01, 2026 at 08:11 AM · View previous versions
Jul 01, 2026 at 07:22 AM
p.1 #12What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
I own the original A1 and A7RV.
Two weeks ago I went to Alaska for a week to see friends and left both of those behind. I brought my iPhone 17 Pro Max (and some ND filters) a $75 phone gimbal and a DJI drone. I have to admit it was nice not to have a lot of gear with me. I will probably do the same on a trip to Thailand in early 2027.
Moose by Bill Dyke, on Flickr
Mountains by Bill Dyke, on Flickr
Two weeks ago I went to Alaska for a week to see friends and left both of those behind. I brought my iPhone 17 Pro Max (and some ND filters) a $75 phone gimbal and a DJI drone. I have to admit it was nice not to have a lot of gear with me. I will probably do the same on a trip to Thailand in early 2027.
Moose by Bill Dyke, on FlickrMountains by Bill Dyke, on FlickrJul 01, 2026 at 08:29 AM
p.1 #13What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
a7V is the smallest camera I have. Otherwise I just bring the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Jul 01, 2026 at 08:38 AM
p.1 #14What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
The camera doesn't matter to me, I mostly use my crop lenses on full frame cameras.
I have a few crop sensor Sony cameras, but I don't like the smaller batteries.
Add to that, all my smaller batteries are about 10 years old. A little past their peak.
I have 3 crop lenses. A Sigma 18-50 f2.8, a Sony 18-200, and the Sony 70-350.
All of these lenses work well with almost any camera with a pixel count over 32mp.
I normally go to this set up when my back is out.
I have a few crop sensor Sony cameras, but I don't like the smaller batteries.
Add to that, all my smaller batteries are about 10 years old. A little past their peak.
I have 3 crop lenses. A Sigma 18-50 f2.8, a Sony 18-200, and the Sony 70-350.
All of these lenses work well with almost any camera with a pixel count over 32mp.
I normally go to this set up when my back is out.
Jul 01, 2026 at 10:09 PM
p.1 #15What's your APSC (or smaller) kit?
Steve Spencer wrote:
I tried out a Fuji APS-C kit for almost a year and in many ways I liked it. I had a XT-5 and an XH-2S, so a 40 MP APS-C very high pixel density camera and a 26 MP stacked sensor APS-C camera. The sensor in both these cameras are unique to Fuji, even though they are made by Sony. Both these cameras also have EVFs with viewfinders with higher resolution than Sony makes in any of their APS-C bodies.
Important to me, you can also get some lovely lenses from Voigtlander for Fuji APS-C. I had the 23...Show more →
Fuji almost had me with the X-H2s. Gorgeous EVF, lovely sensor with an even lovelier clear time with the silent shutter. I will say it was more attractive before the price hike. Still, if I had the power, I'd make Sony design a like model, but with their mount and AF system. I'd be all over it, even with the ridiculous price. I also fell in love with the APO-Ultron 35. It would've been my first lens purchase had I gone that route.
Still, I'm happier I didn't go that route, because I very likely would've tried to treat it the same why I treat my FFs (predominately manual primes outside of the two wildlife zooms) which would've gotten old fast. It's a similar story with the a7cr. If it had released first, I probably would've picked it up thinking I had both a cool little FF and a great APSC camera all in one without ever investigating what the 6700 can do, and it is much more than I realized. The clear rate's faster on the silent shutter and the sensor has more PDAF points slathered over a larger percentage. My little guys rarely miss, and, when they do, it's usually my fault.
I tried out a Fuji APS-C kit for almost a year and in many ways I liked it. I had a XT-5 and an XH-2S, so a 40 MP APS-C very high pixel density camera and a 26 MP stacked sensor APS-C camera. The sensor in both these cameras are unique to Fuji, even though they are made by Sony. Both these cameras also have EVFs with viewfinders with higher resolution than Sony makes in any of their APS-C bodies.
Important to me, you can also get some lovely lenses from Voigtlander for Fuji APS-C. I had the 23...Show more →
Fuji almost had me with the X-H2s. Gorgeous EVF, lovely sensor with an even lovelier clear time with the silent shutter. I will say it was more attractive before the price hike. Still, if I had the power, I'd make Sony design a like model, but with their mount and AF system. I'd be all over it, even with the ridiculous price. I also fell in love with the APO-Ultron 35. It would've been my first lens purchase had I gone that route.
Still, I'm happier I didn't go that route, because I very likely would've tried to treat it the same why I treat my FFs (predominately manual primes outside of the two wildlife zooms) which would've gotten old fast. It's a similar story with the a7cr. If it had released first, I probably would've picked it up thinking I had both a cool little FF and a great APSC camera all in one without ever investigating what the 6700 can do, and it is much more than I realized. The clear rate's faster on the silent shutter and the sensor has more PDAF points slathered over a larger percentage. My little guys rarely miss, and, when they do, it's usually my fault.
Jul 02, 2026 at 12:16 AM