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How Much More Acuity In A 40MP Fuji X Sensor

I am looking at X-Trans X series sensors. I am not looking at the Fuji medium format sensors.

Increased acuity reveals more texture and finer detail. It is most noticeable when making large prints, or with heavy cropping.

It is least put to the test in portraits, because the elements are so large in the frame that the eye makes up detail easily. It is most put to the test in subjects with fine detail such as in landscapes.

So what is the difference in perceived sharpness and fine detail rendering between a 40MP sensor (like in the Fuji X-H2 or X-T5 or X-T50) and a 24MP or 26MP sensor (like in the X-T3, X-T4, X-S10, or X-S20)?

Sensor size definitely affects image quality and allows for more cropping. But what about the number of pixels? Is a higher MP (megapixel) count better?

A 24MP X-Trans III sensor is 6,000 x 4,000 pixels. An X-Trans IV sensor is 6240 x 4160 pixels. An X-Trans V sensor is 7728 x 5152 pixels.

Compared to the two smaller megapixel sensors, the X-Trans V sensor has 50% more area. But it is not area that determines extra sharpness. It is linear resolution that determines acuity. In other words, how much longer the longest side is, all other things being equal. And the 40MP sensor translates to approximately 33% more linear resolution.

In photography, acuity refers to the sharpness and clarity of an image, particularly in the details and fine edges. Acutance, a closely related term, describes the edge contrast and the perception of sharpness in an image.

In film photography, some chemical developers increase micro-contrast on edges and give the viewer a perception of increased sharpness. Sharpness tools in applications like Photoshop do a similar thing.

Anyone show has played with the sharpness sliders in Photoshop or Lightroom or any of the other tools knows that is possible to introduce a white halo around edges. If that is done carefully it can increase the apparent contrast between dark and light edges.

Either way, acuity and acutance are related to the ability of the human eye to see and compare the sharpness of different images. After all, if the human eye can’t see the difference in acuity between a lower megapixel image and a higher megapixel sensor then there is no difference in practical terms.

So to repeat, increased acuity is most noticeable when making large prints, or with heavy cropping.

Oh yes, and then there’s the fact that lenses need to be able to resolve that detail. For lenses that can resolve a Fuji 40Mp sensor, see this article: Fuji X-Mount Lens Release Dates: A Complete List.

Covent Garden Street Performers

The headline in one of the newspapers that feature this photo is ‘Covent Garden Celebrates 50 Years of Street Performance Amid Renewed Licensing Concerns’

I was asked to photograph the street performers to publicise the event due to take place on Sunday 11 May to mark 50 years of modern street performance in Covent Garden.

The performers were great to work with and for the photo at the top of this page my only direction was to choose the backdrop and tell them to bunch in from the sides and stay as close as possible from front to back so they would all be in focus.

The photos lower down this page are them getting ready, like any artists do.

The Event Will Take Place On 11th May

The photos I was asked to take are to publicise the event that will take place on Sunday 11th May 2025 with performances from past and present artists, including poet and performer John Hegley, who began his career busking in Covent Garden in the 1980s.

The Square has a proud history and has delighted millions of visitors and launched the careers of household names – names like Eddie Izzard, Dynamo, and Stomp. So the all-day event on 11th May has a pedigree stretching back 50 years. That’s 50 years since public awareness saved Covent Garden from being turned into offices and allowed artists to come in an fill the space.

Renewed Licensing Concerns

And now Covent Garden’s street performances are threatened by Westminster Council’s 2021 licensing scheme, which would make the performances vulnerable to being shut down.

It has already happened on Leicester Square.

After 50 years of successful self regulation the Covent Garden Street Performers Association wants recognition of their proven success in self regulating.

And it’s pretty obvious that the public likes things just as they are.

Look at the photo I took, the photo at the top of this page.

I asked the performers to arrange themselves. But nobody asked the crowd to gather.

The crowd gathered all by itself because the performers are entertaining.

After years and years of street performers entertaining the crowds, the crowds gather, which is proof that people like and them want them – just as they are.

So mark 11th May on your calendar and get down to the Square for what the performers do best.

Testing The Canon EOS R50

The R6, which I have, is full frame. With card and battery it weighs 680g. It doesn’t feel heavy when working with it. If you are going our specifically to shoot then it’s OK, but if you are just going out wandering then you are going to notice it. It is not so light you can take it with you without finding yourself weighing up whether you want to carry that weight.

The Ricoh GRIII is so easy to carry that you really can forget you have it with you. But it doesn’t have a viewfinder. I’ve got a TTArtisan viewfinder that slips into the hotshoe but it is hit and miss because you have to line it up very carefully to make sure you are actually pointing it at the subject.

Most of the time I work off the rear screen and that works OK except when the sun is shining on the LCD. When that happens I am shooting blind and just judging by eye where the camera is pointing. That’s not as easy as you might think although I have more hits than misses now I have done it enough times.

Still, I like a viewfinder.

The R50 weighs 375g with lens and battery, And the lens throat of the R50 is the same size as the R6 and all the R range of cameras. So any lens that fits the full frame R6 will fit the R50 even though sensor on the R50 is APS-C.

Here’s a test shot. 1/1600 second at f1.8 and ISO 200 with the RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens with evaluative metering and auto white balance. The image links to the image file so you can see it bigger when you click on the image. And then see it bigger still when you click again.

Test shot of leaves on a tree shot with Canon EOS R50 with RF 50mm f1.8 lens.

What Do I think Of The Camera

  • The camera feels heavy for its small size (it’s very small) like a little heavy lump.
  • The grip is small but the camera feels reasonably secure held in one hand.
  • The dedicated ISO button to the right of the shutter button is so flush with the body that I have to lift my eye off the viewfinder even to see where it is. And it is not easy to press, and I do not have sausage fingers.
  • I like the flippy-out screen and the ability to turn the screen to the back of the camera so the screen is protected.
  • The viewfinder doesn’t feel small or pokey – that;’s a big plus for me.
  • I could probably get more out of the settings if I sat down with someone who knew the menus inside out. I’ve had the 50mm on it for a few days and now the 16mm and both feel comfortable on the camera. I wouldn’t put a 28-70mm on it though.
  • I charged the battery when I got the camera and I have shot 164 shots and the battery info says it is still fully charged. I tend to review shots in the viewfinder, and not every shot. So the LCD isn’t getting much use for image reviews. That may be part of why the battery is doing well. Of course, it might suddenly go to zero, and it is does I will update this.
  • The images are a bit different to the R6, a bit more compressed. But then I am shooting compressed RAW. I’ll try an experiment with that if I get time.

Would I Keep It

The answer is no, and not for any of the reasons for and against that I enumerated above., What I missed, and didn’t know how much I would miss it until I reviewed the photos I took under ‘stress’ conditions, is in-body image stabilisation (IBIS). I found that I really need it.

Maybe if I were to get my hand in with a lot more shots I might do better, but I feel like I am battling against something that doesn’t need to be a problem because several small cameras do have IBIS.

Maybe with the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS Macro STM lens or the Canon RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM lens because they are image stabilised. But then I would cutting down my lens options to just a couple of choices.

There are longer lenses that are image stabilised, but the body can’t take big lenses comfortably, in my opinion. And there are RF-S lenses designed for the DX sensor, but they don’t have big open apertures.

Bottom line is the IBIS is good because it opens up a whole world of stabilised shooting. So no to the Canon EOS R50. I wished it were otherwise because the camera is so small and light. But no.

Why I Sent Back The Fuji X100VI

It’s the latest in a line of X100 cameras, but with a higher megapixel sensor and in-body image stabilisation. So what is not to like?

The problem with experience is that once you have it, you can’t un-experience something. And I had experience of the X100s, that I took everywhere with me.

It was, for me, the almost perfect travel camera because it was almost two dimensional. Instead of a big lens sticking out, the lens was almost flush with the body.

Plus, it had a dedicated leather case made by Fuji. With the camera in the case it was a neat package one could put in a travel bag knowing the camera was protected.

So with that history I bought the Fuji X100VI as a go-anywhere camera. Now I am wondering why on earth Fuji changed the design of the leather case.

First, you may have read that the case for the V fits the VI.

The Fuji site on this page says that it fits. It says ‘Compatibility X100VI / X100V’

And on this page for the VI it says the VI is compatible with ‘Leather case LC-X100V’

And it is true that the Fuji X100VI fits the leather case. That is, you can slip the camera into the lower part of the case and it fits.

However, the hinged flap at the bottom of the leather case should allow access to the battery/card compartment cover. It doesn’t because the leather case was designed for the V, and the VI is a tiny bit bigger.

So the leather cases does not allow one to open the compartment because the bottom of the leather case covers a couple of mm of the end of the battery cover.

To change battery or card one would have to take the leather case off. That’s not good but it’s not the end of the world.

And if that were the only problem I would put up with it.

On earlier X100 series cameras, the top of the case was attached to the lower part by two press studs. When one opened the case, the top part hung down. It didn’t obstruct anything and it was securely fixed in place.

When you wanted to close the leather case you just flipped up the top part.

But Fuji changed the design, and the top is not connected to the bottom part at all with this new case design.

Are you getting this? Do you see what the problem is?

Let’s suppose you are out with the Fuji X100VI (or the X100V) in its leather case. You don’t have a camera bag or any other kind of bag with you. You are just out walking and you have your camera with you. It is a summer’s day and you are in your shirt sleeves.

You come across something you want to photograph. To actually use the X100VI camera you have lift off the top part of the case. Then you have to think of somewhere to put it. And where exactly? Shove it in a pocket? It’s too big for that.

An important part of why I was attracted to this camera is that it is a good camera, has a viewfinder, and it has a lens that hardly sticks out.

And it has a case, which would mean I could carry it anywhere protected. But for some unfathomable reason, Fuji changed the design and ruined a perfectly good system.

I have searched reviews and forums for people discussing this huge design flaw, and I can’t find any mention of it. I am mystified. Am I the first person to have ever noticed this?

Of course, maybe a lot of people don’t even want to use a leather case. That’s OK – it takes all kinds to make a world. But I do like a case.

When I am carrying a more substantial camera like my Canon EOS R6, I carry it in a Billingham camera bag.

And if I am carrying a small camera like the Ricoh GRIII, I have the Ricoh leather case. It really does mean I can slip the Ricoh in a pocket. The case even has a belt loop, so I can carry it hands free and pocket free. Still, the camera only weighs 277g.

Back To The Fuji

The bottom line is that because of the design fault in the leather case, I returned the camera. and I am wondering what to do next. My head is all over the place. With a Canon R50 or R10 I I could put a small prime on the camera and that would be a tiny package. Or I could go for an Osmo Pocket Three or even use my phone. Or get some Fuji goodness with an X-T30.

As someone once said to me when I was trying to decide between two options, it’s a good question and it’s a choice between good and good.