Choosing an Everyday Camera: Is Fuji Best?

If you’re into cameras, gadgets, and tech, chances are you’ve heard the term “everyday carry.”

Everyday carry, or EDC, covers the gear you pack for your daily adventures.

However, it’s more than a packing list. Selecting items for your EDC takes purposeful intent and research.

Furthermore, each item serves a purpose or potential purpose and requires a dedicated place in your daily bag.

Many photographers, including me, take an EDC approach by including a daily driver camera in their bag.

As we’ll discover, it’s not the same as packing a camera bag full of all the bits and pieces needed for a shoot.

It’s more about always having the camera with you – safely stored in your regular commuter bag.

However, the big question is: what’s the best camera for everyday carry?

What’s more, is Fuji the best camera choice for an EDC kit? Let’s find out!

The EDC Movement

 

The concept of everyday carry items isn’t new.

For generations, folks have carried essential daily items in their bags: purses, handbags, fanny packs, and totes.

Some people prefer to carry only what fits into their pants pockets, even if that means their pockets are bulging full of kit.

Others, like myself, prefer to pack their essential everyday carry items into a suitable sling, backpack, or market tote.

It’s also important to completely disrupt gender stereotypes and the notion that women need to carry more in their bags than men. It’s the 21st century, for crying out loud!

I know an equal number of men who carry their daily essentials in a bag of some sort.

I’m definitely one of them – more on that and my OCD later.

With social media’s expanding influence in recent years, people are taking their everyday carry process and philosophy to new heights.

Everyday carry, or EDC as it’s more commonly known, is a booming industry.

TikTok, YouTube and Instagram accounts flourish on the EDC concept, with influencers promoting the best EDC items, bags, and goods.

Some of the best EDC channels provide breakdowns of the best gear, including water bottles, pocket knives, torches, notebooks, stationery, battery banks, cables and chargers, skincare products, and tech gadgets.

The tech category is massive and covers everything from phones and tablets to laptops and gaming devices.

EDC also includes camera gear that’s ideal for nomadic creatives.

Including cameras and lenses in the EDC mix is a tricky formula.

Typically, EDC kits are kept minimal to optimize the freedom to explore without being compromised by excessive weight or bulk.

Camera gear is typically big and bulky and can quickly disrupt the delicate EDC ecosystem.

Balance is essential, so the best EDC camera isn’t necessarily the biggest and best on the market.

Why I Love EDC

I’ve been a fan of EDC for a long time now – I think it’s a result of my early years growing up in the Scouting movement.

I always carried a box of waterproof matches and a Victorinox Swiss Army knife with me when out and about.

That and the ability to purposefully pack a hiking bag with essential travel and survival items pushed me firmly towards an EDC lifestyle.

As a result, I’m a pro suitcase packer by trade!

I love EDC as it’s a lifestyle choice that perfectly suits my geeky side and the desire to always have my tech on hand.

However, my EDC philosophy might be a little extreme compared to some – let me explain.

A crucial part of everyday carry is having a suitable bag to neatly and securely hold all your daily items.

Some opt for a high-quality backpack with many internal pockets, compartments, laptop sleeves, and bottle pouches.

They settle for one bag and stick with that setup for all situations, from going to work to catching up with friends.

I completely agree with this approach; however, I have a little problem with buying too many EDC bags.

My bag of choice depends on my intended activities and destinations for any given day.

For example, I’m sitting in a hospital cafeteria, writing this article on my MacBook.

My partner is in for a day procedure, and I have a few hours to wait until she is discharged.

My EDC for the day is safely stored in my Belroy 24L Classic Backpack

Plus. My MacBook Pro slips into a 14” Belroy padded laptop sleeve and slides into the rear laptop pocket.

I also pack a Belroy Desk Caddy as my tech pouch, which holds my battery bank, portable SSD, laptop power pack, cables, pens, pocket knife, and more.

I also have my Nintendo Switch in its case in case I get bored or the wait is longer than we anticipated.

The front pocket of my backpack holds my AirPods, keys, wallet, and phone.

We traveled here by Uber, so I needed to ensure everything fit in my backpack and wasn’t too heavy.

Everything has a place and a purpose – I might be a little OCD.

It’s a great setup, leaving ample room for my camera if I decide to include it.

However, tomorrow may be a different story. I might decide to travel light and completely revamp my EDC approach.

In that event, I’d swap to my Crumpler Billy sling bag, which has far fewer tech items and includes a Fujifilm X-E4 and a single prime lens.

As it turns out, a vital element of the EDC lifestyle is to allow time to plan for your EDC requirements.

I like to carry my EDC camera with me at all times. I didn’t bring a camera today, though, because photographing my partner’s medical procedure is not appropriate!

Depending on my daily bag, I may first store the camera in a pouch to protect it from bumps and dust.

Alternatively, it fits neatly into the main pocket of my (many) slings, giving it a perfect low-profile vibe for street photography.

• Best Fuji Kit for Capturing Street Scenes

Do You Need An EDC Camera?

An everyday carry camera (EDCC) isn’t just for hipsters who carry a film camera on a leather strap all day.

However, the bearded oat milk latte crowd is onto a good thing with their EDCC trends.

For the rest of us, an everyday camera is perfect for walking to the office or school from the train station.

Or perhaps you cycle to work and pass through a nature reserve or parklands.

An EDCC is ideal for commuting, as we often travel to and from work during golden hour sunlight.

Early starts give you golden sunlight and long, deep shadows falling east to west.

Depending on the time of year and climate, fog and low ground cover mist are often seen early in the morning.

At the other end of the day, as the sun sets in the west, the golden light intensifies again.

The sunlight passes through smog, dust, and particles flying around the earth’s atmosphere.

As a result, the light is filtered and casts a golden glow – hence the name.

Skin tones pop during the golden hour, and the world is cast in a warm tone.

Shadows fall from west to east, and in city centers, long shadows fall from tall buildings.

Often, when at home, we don’t feel like grabbing our camera and heading out first thing in the morning or as the sun sets.

However, half the work is done if you’re already out and about on your daily commute!

Even if you intentionally head out for a photo walk, your EDC gear is with you if you need lip balm, a Field Notes journal, or a battery top-up on your iPhone.

Rather than use a camera sling or backpack as an EDC chariot, opt for high-quality, durable (non-camera) bags that suit your style.

As the above example shows, my EDC kit makes the most of pouches, pockets, and sleeves in a non-camera bag to keep everything organized. The same goes for my EDCC!

Why Not Just Use A Smartphone?

While having the right smartphone is a big part of everyday carry essentials, it’s not always the best option for photographers.

Don’t get me wrong; smartphone photography is fantastic thanks to the impressive advancements in phone cameras and AI enhancement.

However, photographers and visual creatives deserve the right tool for the job – another philosophy of EDC life.

Packing a suitably compact and capable digital camera ensures that you have the best camera possible if you see the opportunity to take a shot.

The other benefit of an everyday carry camera is that you can consistently work with your preferred camera.

In doing so, you’ll experiment more, test your skills often, and have a reason to regularly have a camera in your hand.

It’s an especially great way to become familiar with a new camera or system.

• What Are the Best Compact Cameras?

Is Fuji Best For EDC

There are a couple of essential considerations when selecting the best EDC camera (EDCC).

First and foremost, it’s essential to think about the style of photography you intend to capture.

A telephoto zoom isn’t necessary if your daily commute takes you through urban and inner city areas.

If you like to travel light and keep your EDC weight to a minimum, picking up your new full-frame mirrorless beast and f/1 prime isn’t the right choice either.

EDC cameras must suit the creative nomad’s style, intent, and approach.

As a street photographer, I prefer to always work with smaller cameras and compact prime lenses.

That’s why Fuji X Series cameras and lenses are the best for me.

I’ve chosen to carry a Fujifilm X camera as a daily driver for the better part of a decade.

Whenever possible (when not visiting a hospital), I carry my Fuji EDCC (FEDCC) in my bag of choice.

Fujifilm X100

One of the most popular FEDCCs is the Fuji X100 range of fixed-lens mirrorless cameras.

The Fujifilm X100 was the first X Series camera, which launched Fuji’s current fame as a manufacturer of premium digital cameras and lenses.

The X100 camera series has all featured a fixed 23mm f/2 Fujinon lens, film simulations, and classic rangefinder styling.

The current generation Fujifilm X100 VI boasts impressive specs and performance, making it a bit of a sleeper (a sleeper refers to a product that looks simple but hides some remarkable power).

I recently reviewed the X100 VI, and now I want one!

The X100 VI hides flagship power, including the 40MP X-Trans 5 CMOS sensor, X Processor 5 brains, and 5-axis image stabilization.

Putting aside performance, it’s a delight to shoot with and weighs only 520g (1.15lb).

The camera’s compact size makes it ideal for any size EDC bag, sling, or backpack.

• The Fujifilm Single Lens Challenge

Fujifilm X-T Series

Even some larger X Series Fuji cameras make excellent everyday carry cameras.

Known for their compact size and weight, the Fuji X-T and X-Pro series have also appeared in countless EDC kits.

Despite being the flagship Fuji photography camera, the X-T5 is incredibly user-friendly, versatile, lightweight, and compact.

Be sure to check out our X-T5 review for the full details.

What EDC Camera Does Greg Carry?

I currently rock the older Fujifilm X-E4 as one of my EDC cameras – yes, I have multiple!

The X-E4 is around the same size as the X100 but takes the full range of Fuji X Mount lenses.

One of the best lenses for my EDC approach is the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8.

The pancake prime lens is Fuji’s smallest and lightest, with a 40mm full-frame equivalent focal range.

It’s ideal for street, landscape, quick portraits, and capturing daily life.

However, Fuji has several other fast and compact primes ideal for everyday photography.

The second FEDCC in my collection is the teeny-weeny Fuji X70. I’ve had this camera almost since it launched, and it’s the pride of my collection.

It’s smaller and lighter than any other Fuji camera but takes beautiful images with excellent Fuji color reproduction.

It fits into any of my EDC systems and is so tiny I’d be one of those EDC nerds who prefer to carry everything in their jean pockets, including the camera.

• Best Ways to Personalize Your Fuji Kit

What To Look For In An EDC Camera

Whether you choose a Fujifilm, Canon, Sony, or Ricoh camera as an EDC shooter, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Here’s a quick list of the features that an EDCC should possess.

• It’s lightweight and compact enough to fit snuggly into a smaller EDC sling or a pouch inside a larger EDC backpack.
• Rugged and durable to survive your daily nomadic rituals.
• Compact fixed-lens cameras are the most popular EDC choice; some can fit into a tech pouch or sling.
• If your EDC camera takes interchangeable lenses, opt for smaller, lighter, compact primes or zooms. Pancakes are best!
• Your EDCC should allow for manual control of the exposure triangle to optimize image outcomes.
• RAW file capture is preferable for better outcomes when editing images in software like Adobe Lightroom.
• Ability to charge the camera via a USB-C charger or power bank.
• Always include a spare battery, memory card, and a cleaning cloth in your camera EDC kit.

All Packed Up

At the end of the day, any camera you choose as your EDC is the best camera as long as you have it with you as much as possible.

That way, you’ll be more enticed to notice the compositions, color, and light as you go about your daily rituals.

The more you take your camera out, the more you get to practice the fundamentals of photography.

That, in turn, will elevate your skillset, knowledge, and creative output.

Most importantly, get out and about with your camera as much as possible.

You can carry it on a shoulder strap, in a posh EDC bag, or pack it into your Peak Design or Wandrd camera bag.

Either way, always have your EDCC with you so you never miss the shot!