Istanbul never stops moving, and neither does my camera. Over time, I’ve realized that the city itself dictates my photography — the rhythm of the streets, the way light falls through windows, the reflections in metro cars and tram lines. And for capturing all of this, the XE-4 paired with my favorite lenses — 27mm and 18mm — has become indispensable.

When I step out with the XE-4, the city feels like a live canvas. The compact body and small lenses allow me to move without hesitation, to react to fleeting gestures or sudden pockets of light. Unlike the Sony, which often encourages slower, more deliberate shooting, the XE-4 keeps me alert, quick, and engaged. I can capture dozens of frames in the time it might take to set up a single composition on the larger body.

Light is everything. I try to start shooting about two hours before sunset, when the city glows softly but still has enough contrast to shape forms and silhouettes. It’s during this golden window that the streets, the buildings, and even the ordinary people transform into something cinematic. Reflections off glass panels, the soft diffusion of sunlight through trains, the glow of café lights — these are the details that the XE-4 loves to record.

Lens choice shapes the story. The 27mm gives me immediacy, a way to place myself in the scene without intruding. The 18mm offers a wider narrative, letting me include the architecture, the crowd, or the fleeting expressions of passersby. Both lenses are light and fast, ready the moment inspiration strikes. They let me stay focused on composition rather than fumbling with gear.

What makes this experience truly rewarding is the intimacy between camera, lens, and environment. A small body in my hand encourages me to explore corners I might ignore with a larger setup. I crouch, step back, shift perspective — each adjustment deliberate, each frame considered. Yet, the spontaneity of the city ensures that no shot is ever completely predictable. The unpredictability is part of the thrill.

Ultimately, it’s about more than just gear. It’s about being present, noticing light and movement, and letting the XE-4 respond to my intent. Small lenses, a compact body, and the right light — combined with the pulse of Istanbul — create moments that are fleeting, layered, and entirely alive. And in these moments, photography feels effortless, even as every frame challenges me to see a little deeper, to frame a little better.

Because at the end of the day, the joy isn’t just in the city, the light, or even the lenses themselves — it’s in having a camera that makes you want to look, to notice, and to capture. The XE-4 is that camera for me.