Fujifilm X-T20 Review

Fujifilm has taken a lot of the beautiful stuff from the X-T2 and packed it in a lighter, cheaper body to give us the X-T20. This is similar to what the company did when it followed up the X-T1 with the X-T10 model.

Fujifilm has scarcely missed a beat by unveiling the X-T20 a little over four months after the X-T2 was released. This is in contrast to the company’s previous practice of allowing a gap of 16 months between the debut of the two cameras, as it did with the X-T1 and X-T10 models.

Should anyone who bought an X-T2 feel guilty about their decision, or are there enough differences between the two models to justify the distinction?

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Fujifilm X-T20 Features

The X-T20, like the X-Pro2 and the X-T2, is equipped with Fujifilm’s most recent APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor, which has a resolution of 24.3 megapixels. It provides a significant increase in resolution over the X-16.3MP T10’s sensor, bringing the new camera to par with most of its rivals.

The ISO range has also been increased, with a native sensitivity range of ISO200-12,800, as opposed to ISO200-6,400 on the X-T10. While the expanded range stretches to the same sensitivity limits of ISO100-51,200, there is some welcome news here as well – unlike on the X-T10, where the expanded range was restricted to JPEG files only, the X-T20 allows you to shoot raws as well as JPEGs at this.

Fujifilm X-T20 Build Quality

Fujifilm has decided to experiment with and develop an existing design for the X-T20 instead of going back to the drawing board and coming up with an entirely new one as they did with the X-Pro2 and X-T2 cameras. This is something that we have seen them do with previous models.

Because of this, the X-T20 adopts the slightly slumped, DSLR-style shape of the X-T10, giving it the appearance of an X-T2 that has been instructed to cut back on its consumption of chocolate biscuits.

The X-T20 does not have weather-sealing like the X-T2 but has magnesium top and bottom plates. These magnesium plates, along with a comfortable (if modest) grip and the tactile covering that is used, give the X-T20 the impression of being an excellent and high-quality piece of equipment; it does not give the belief that it is a cheaper version of the X-T2.

Because Fujifilm chose to keep the design of the X-T10 relatively unchanged, the X-T20 is equipped with a sufficient number of controls located on the body but not an excessive number of contrmassive The huge dial for adjusting the shutter speed is located along the top plate and to the viewfinder’s right. It has settings ranging from 1 to 1/4000 of a second in addition to Bulb, Time, and Automatic.

Fujifilm X-T20 Autofocus

One could be excused for assuming that Fujifilm would equip the X-T20 with a less sophisticated autofocus (AF) system compared to its flagship brothers; however, this is not the case since the X-T20 features the same highly developed technology as the X-T2.

Because Fujifilm has made significant advancements in the previous year with its focusing systems, the upgrade in the autofocus system that is included here compared to the one that was included on the X-T10 is a pleasant change.

The hybrid autofocus system uses phase-detection and contrast-detection points, with up to 169 phase-detect points arranged in a large square formation (13 x 13) in the camera’s center. These phase-detect points are supplemented by two grids of 6 x 13 contrast-detect points on either side, delivering a total of 325 focusing points across a large frame area. This is an increase from the X-T.

Fujifilm X-T20 Performance

The X-T20 uses Fujifilm’s tried-and-true TTL 256-zone metering technique, which achieves excellent results regardless of the contrast level of the subject matter being photographed. The photo tends to be underexposed here, but we will accept this to prevent the highlights from being blown out. We can restore the detail in the shadows afterward.

If you want to take a lot of portraits, the metering on your camera should be set up so that it gives you a tendency to overexpose the photo to get a more pleasing high-key outcome.

However, fine-tuning the exposure is simple; as we’ve discussed, all you need to do is set the exposure compensation to “C,” and it will be straightforward to make adjustments. The advantage of using a mirrorless camera is that the electronic viewfinder (EVF) displays the exposure in real-time. This means you won’t be subject to any unpleasant surprises while analyzing your photographs.

Fujifilm X-T20 Image Quality

Even while the X-16-megapixel T10’s sensor produced satisfactory images, the X-24.3-megapixel T20’s chip is an improvement that should not be overlooked. It utilizes the same X-Trans CMOS III sensor as the X-Pro2 and X-T2, so the image files produced by the X-T20 have excellent levels of detail, even when shot at higher sensitivities. This places them in a favorable position compared to images produced by APS-C competitors with resolutions of comparable size.

The dynamic range of the X-T20 is also excellent, and once you’ve imported the photo into Photoshop, you have a lot of leeways to restore lost detail. We discovered that it was feasible to repair a respectable amount of shadow detail in photographs using JPEG files, but raw data gives an even greater latitude.

When working with raw photos captured at a low ISO, you will most likely have up to about four stops of latitude to work with. However, this latitude will decrease if the sensitivity is increased beyond ISO1600.

Please don’t overlook that Fuji has its Dynamic Range option, which is compatible with JPEG and raw files. However, there is a catch: if you wish to utilize the most potent DR400 option, the essential sensitivity will go to ISO800. On the other hand, the moderate DR200 level performs somewhat better at ISO400.

If you are willing to shoot at ISO800, the DR400 option may keep a lot of highlight and shadow detail in a scene with a lot of contrast if you use it in such a situation. The results are adorable.

Fujifilm X-T20 Specs

Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Body material	Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution	6000 x 4000
Other resolutions	4240 x 2832, 6000 x 3376, 4000, x 4000, 4240 x 2832, 4240 x 2384, 2832 x 2832, 3008 x 2000, 3008 x 1688, 2000 x 2000
Image ratio w:h	1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	24 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	X-Processor Pro2
Color space	sRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter array	X-Trans III CMOS with primary color filter
Image
ISO	Auto, 200-12800 (expands to 100-51200)
Boosted ISO (minimum)	100
Boosted ISO (maximum)	51200
White balance presets	7
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, normal
File format	JPEG (Exif 2.3)Raw (RAF format, 14-bit)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	325
Lens mount	Fujifilm X
Focal length multiplier	1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD (RGBW)
Live View	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	0.93× (0.62× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution	2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)	1/32000 sec
Exposure modes	ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual
Built-in flash	Yes
Flash range	5.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe or wireless)
Flash modes	Auto, forced flash, slow synchro, flash off, rear-curtain synchro, commander
Flash X sync speed	1/180 sec
Drive modes	SingleContinuous HighContinuous LowBracket 1Bracket 2Double ExposurePanoramaAdvanced Filter 1Advanced Filter 2Movie
Continuous drive	8.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (10sec. / 2sec. Delay)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weightedAverageSpot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes (+/- 1 to +/- 3)
Videography features
Resolutions	3840 x 2160 (29.97p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 1920 x 1080 (59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Format	H.264
Modes	3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 36 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 36 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 36 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 36 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 36 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 36 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 60p / 18 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 50p / 18 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 30p / 18 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 25p / 18 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 24p / 18 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 23.98p / 18 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (Micro HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	No
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n
Remote control	Yes (via smartphone, cable release)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	NP-W126s lithium-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA)	350
Weight (inc. batteries)	383 g (0.84 lb / 13.51 oz)
Dimensions	118 x 83 x 41 mm (4.65 x 3.27 x 1.61″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes (Setting: Interval, Number of shots, Starting time)
GPS	Optional
GPS notes	via smartphone

Fujifilm X-T20 Verdict

You would be wrong to assume that Fujifilm’s X-T20 is a camera that makes concessions in any way, shape, or form; this is not even close to being the case.

Certain concessions have indeed been made in comparison to the X-T2; for example, there is no weather sealing, the magnification on the electronic viewfinder (EVF) is not as excellent, and there is only a single card slot; in addition, the buffer will not allow you to shoot for as long.

But once you take up the X-T20 and start shooting with it, you won’t get the impression that it’s the X-inferior T2’s sibling. These drawbacks will be deal-breakers for some people who want to spend the extra money on the X-additional T2’s capabilities.

Fujifilm X-T20 Pros & Cons