Alongside the Fuji X100S, the new Fuji X20 was unveiled at CES 2013. The X20 is a point and shoot camera that uses a 2/3″ 12MP X-Trans sensor and has no anti-aliasing filter. It features a bright 4x zoom lens (28-112mm equivalent) with a f/2-2.8 max aperture.
The X20 captures full HD 1080/60p video and offers a 2.8″ 460k-dot resolution LCD, along with a sensitivity range covering ISO 100-12,800. There is also an optical viewfinder with an LED overlay for those who would rather put the eye up to the camera.
The retro styling of the camera, makes it one of the best-looking advanced compact cameras out there. It also feels great in the hand and offers plenty of access to controls on the camera’s body to limit the menu diving.
Of course, the X20 maintains the nice manual zoom lens ring, which also doubles as the power switch. Simply rotate the lens from the off position to the first focal length marker of 28mm and the camera powers on. Rotate back to the “off” position and it powers down.
Autofocus and shutter response times are very fast for a point and shoot. I was quite impressed with the focus acquisition during my short time handling the camera.
The excellent autofocus speed is likely attributable to the phase-detection sensors built into the actual image sensor. Some manufacturers are doing better with this implementation than others, and Fuji has managed to be near the top of the pile with the X20.
Another cool feature is a lens hood with filter threads built in for those who want to add polarizers or other filters to their point and shoot.
The Fuji X20 has a lot going for and, at first blush, appears to do a solid job improving on the popular Fuji X10. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to go more in depth the Fuji X20 at a later date.
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Looking forward to a future review on the Fujifilm X20. I would just like to add that I think the term “point and shoot” should not be used when discussing cameras types especially because it is a loaded term with derogatory connotations. Point and shoot is a mode of operation not a type of camera. The vast majority of DSLR users operate their cameras in Auto, Program, Aperature or Shutter Priority modes and rely on autofocus: in other words they point and shoot. Some argue that small sensor cameras are by definition “point and shoot” cameras. However, 35mm film cameras which is the reference format for today’s so-called “full frame” sensor cameras, were introduced as an amateur format for small portable film cameras. It would be more useful to typify cameras according to their film/sensor size: 1/2.3″, 1/1.7″, 2/3″, 4/3″, half frame APS-C, full frame, medium format, et cetera (although each of these have their misleading connotations as well). A photographer may use a DSLR as their primary camera and a smaller camera as a sidekick–or not. It’s better to leave presumptions and perceptions about what is and what is not a serious photographic tool at the door because any camera can be used for serious and creative photography.
An excellent comment Bernard.
Anyway, the best camera is the one you have with you and nobody cares looking at a grat shot with what it has been taken.
So…..everything is ‘point and shoot’ by your own definition? Macro photography is mainly manual focus. Sport Photography requires pre-focus on certain areas before the subject arrives and you use multiple shots as it comes to focus point. Specialist lenses for each to add to the body. I really just want to know about the camera on a ‘hands on’ and don’t really care how it’s ‘defined’, I’ll use it my way if it fits the bill regardless, like most people, but that’s me. Rene – fully agree second line.
please don’t post as a review when it’s nothing more than a press release. as is it’s a waste of everyones time to repeat what is clearly available at the Fuji site
The X10 was great – so the X20 should be better – but…
…And there’s always a big “But” with modern “image capturing devices…
I have one, very simple question for Mr. Fuji (senior), in Japan – that question is:
Will the FujiFilm X20 come complete with a “Proper” Printed, paper, Instruction Book?
Preferably written in English, for us poor, exiled, English (or English-speaking), Expats…
A positive answer would be so appreciated – though I won’t hold my breath whilst waiting for one…!