Fujifilm FinePix X20: Review
Fujifilm FinePix X20 is a compact camera that relies entirely on premium image quality without compromising on aesthetics and deliciously vintage. Since our first contact with the Fujifilm FinePix X20, we were pleased to learn that it is basically a X10, one of the best premium compacts the past year, thanks to an excellent quality of construction, a refined design and especially excellent performance in low-light conditions.
Presented at the recent CES 2013 in Las Vegas, the Fujifilm FinePix x20 does improved ergonomics and an advanced electronic viewfinder. It has also been enhanced with a sensor based on one of the luxurious X-Pro1. While the camera’s Fuji X-Pro1 and X100S – the latter tries to read a short – have APS-C sensors, the X20 uses the brand new X-Trans CMOS II 2/3″, with 12 million effective pixels.
Table of Contents
Fujifilm FinePix X20: Design
For the FinePix X20, Fujifilm has used the same body of X10, to facilitate the transition from the old to the new model. Obviously, the ergonomics of the controls has been revised, marked by a more intuitive interface. It starts from the Q button which, as the most handsome X100S, allows you to access the shortcut menu, which displays 16 parameters, including white balance, sensitivity and color profiles (there are 10), all adjustable quickly and easily.
The building is always full of a vintage style, with materials and finishes of the highest quality. What is striking is the clever mix of retro and modern controls. The mode and exposure compensation can be selected by turning the two large metal rings on top of the camera, with the shutter button placed at the middle.
On the rear panel, we find the usual checks that we would expect from a modern premium compact, set around an LCD screen which unfortunately is “only ” 2.8″ and 460 thousand points, not removable, nor touch. We would have preferred larger and detailed, perhaps taking apart the last two shortcomings.
A real shame for a budget not up to the overall quality of this Fujifilm FinePix X20. As well as on the FinePix X10, X20 are also on the excellent Fujinon zoom lens f :2-2, 8 with focal length of 28-112 mm in 35-mm camera, a great choice for travel and street photography.
Fujifilm FinePix X20: Performance and Image Quality
One of the updates of the most appreciated Fujifilm FinePix X20, after that the sensor is the addition of Trans Digital Panel panel in the viewfinder. It is a highly transparent layer that displays key information, such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed, and the area of focus, but not only.
The text is changes color depending on the shooting of the scene, becoming green in very dark, so that it is always visible. Instead, when an error occurs, the information is displayed in red to help users. All useful devices, which allow us to continue to shoot comfortably without taking his eyes off the frame.
There is also a position sensor that detects if the viewfinder is used or not, eventually turning it off and going back to the LCD screen automatically. The viewfinder has 85% coverage from the scene being shot, rather than discrete, in addition to being synchronized with the zoom lens. Too bad only because of its location: a medium focal length optic come into view partially blocking it. Given the fact that this was the case with the FinePix X10, we are surprised of how Fujifilm has not acted accordingly.
As well as the FinePix X100S, even on the smallest X20 are a modern and efficient hybrid AF system, which passes automatically by the system phase detection in contrast to that, according to the brightness in the scene being shot. The focus is especially appreciable for rapidity, in particular, in poor lighting conditions, in which it is in aid technology BSI (Back Side Illuminated) which allows the detection of phase to collect all the necessary light, whatever the angle of incidence in large openings, to ensure even greater accuracy.
In our test shots, made both outdoors and in low light, or in a closed environment with different light sources, is most welcome in a photo shoot perfectly prepared and illuminated by Fujifilm, the small FinePix X20 has never missed a beat, a result really impressive. We also tried the manual focus, a situation where the technology comes in handy Focus Peak HighLight: in practice, on the rear LCD screen to highlight any areas with higher contrast, providing a guide for the focus in situations where it is really hard to tell if the subject is in focus.
The Fujifilm FinePix X20, as expected the Fujifilm X-series, produces images with realistic colors, with an accurate white balance in most situations and with an excellent ability to judge the exposure to the scene. Having a near-complete control of all shooting options, quickly accessible through manual setting rings or on-screen menus, as well as a wide selection of pre-defined profiles, you can see how easy it is immediate and unleash their creativity. Compared with the previous X10, we noticed dramatic improvements in dynamic range, wider, and in reducing the noise at high sensitivities.
In general, the photos appear softer, losing all the quality of image that the sensor can produce. At present, you will get better results for sharpness and resolution if you choose to process RAW files directly in-camera.
Conclusion
Now the Fujifilm FinePix X20 has introduced important improvements – new sensor and processing engine, hybrid AF, optical viewfinder ” smart ” – that make it even more competitive in the premium segment of compact cameras. The auto focus and performance improvements in the quality of pictures taken are immediately apparent, too bad only some flaw that makes us turn up their noses, starting from the small rear LCD screen and getting to the limited buffer that does not allow to fully exploit the high-speed in burst shooting, passing through the position of ” unhappy ” of the optical viewfinder and RAW support still limited (but trust in software updates in the short term).
Where to Buy Fujifilm FinePix X20
- 12MP 2/3-inch CMOS sensor
- 28-112mm equivalent F2.0-2.8 lens with manual zoom (4x optical zoom)
- ISO 100-3200 (expandable to 12800)
- 2.8" LCD with 460,000 dots
- 1080, 60 fps HD video
Overall
PROS : Excellent technological equipment, 20x zoom, Stabilizer effective.
CONS : LCD screens small and not detailed, Limited buffer for burst mode, Optical viewfinder " blocked " from the lens to the focal medium / long, RAW support limited.Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availablility information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of any products.
