FujiFilm X20 Pro Reviews

The Fujifilm X20 is a major upgrade to the X10, with a brand new 12 Megapixel X-trans sensor and EXR II processor providing improved image quality and low light performance as well as new shooting modes, 1080p60 video and faster continuous shooting. The new sensor's phase-detect AF points provide the X20 with one of the fastest and most accurate AF systems around, at least for stills. The other big improvement is the viewfinder, now enhanced with a digital overlay providing exposure and AF information. The viewfinder isn't as sophisticated as on some of the more expensive X-Series models and it's by no means perfect, providing only 85 percent coverage and suffering from parallax at close distances. But it's a big step up from the plain optical viewfinder of the X10. Few manufacturers have managed to achieve the blend of style, handling and technology innovation that Fujifilm has combined in the X20. With an Advanced optical viewfinder, super-fast hybrid AF and superb design touches like the combined zoom ring and on/off switch it provides the opportunitiy to get your hands on some of the best of what the X-series has to offer at a more affordable price. A viewfinder that displayed a 100 percent (or greater) view would have been even better and Fujifilm's continued indifference to video is disappointing, as is the absence of built in Wifi. If these things bother you, then models like Sony's RX100 II could be a better bet, but if you're not bothered by their absence, the X20 remains a cracking enthusiast compact well deserving of Cameralabs' Highly recommended Award.

Despite some minor issues with the viewfinder, noise reduction and a somewhat untrustworthy exposure compensation dial, the Fujifilm X20 is clearly more than just a minor upgrade to the Fujifilm X10. With its dependable build quality, impressive AF, excellent resolution and generally pleasing images, it's a welcome addition to an admittedly crowded market.

The Fujifilm X20 premium compact camera is a great choice for those who demand an optical viewfinder, but it can't keep up with the Sony DSC-RX100 in low light.

If your head has been turned by the headline-grabbing X100S, but you really, really want a zoom lens, then the X20 is on hand to more than satisfy your needs. £519 / $599 is admittedly a lot of ask for what is essentially still a compact camera at heart, despite all the fancy trappings, but for us the Fujifilm X20 delivers such a winning combination of old and new that offers so many important improvements over the original model that we can heartily recommend it for new and X10 users alike. Essential!

There's a lot to recommend the Fujifilm X20, especially if you're looking for a more old-school shooting experience in a digital compact or want an optical viewfinder and can't afford the X100S. It delivers very good performance, a nice feel, and a streamlined interface. But its image quality -- while very good -- doesn't make it stand out from the competition, and its video disappoints.

The Fujifilm X20 may look the same as the X10 on the outside, but the insides where all the technology lives has been significantly upgraded, replaced and re-worked, with the camera delivering better than ever image quality and improved continuous shooting speed. The camera delivers sharp, detailed images with bright saturated colours typical of Fujifilm, as well as good noise performance. Also, like the X10, the Fujifilm X20 has been introduced with a high RRP of £499, although this is less than the £529 RRP of the X10 when it was first launched. This is partly justified by the unique build quality and design of the camera, as well as it being one of very few compact cameras with a built in optical viewfinder. The price does make it an investment, being priced higher than a number of mirrorless and Digital SLRs, and we feel that it should include a 2 year warranty for peace of mind, although we can’t see any problems with the build quality. The Fujifilm X20 delivers high image quality, unique handling and features, as well as an optical viewfinder, in a well built and stylish camera, with full manual controls, raw shooting and flash hot shoe. If these are features you’re looking for, and have the money to invest, then the Fujifilm X20 comes highly recommended.

Overall, we can't help but like the Fujifilm X20, despite a few quirks. It's a capable enthusiast compact that offers just about everything that an advanced user would want, but Fujifilm has left enough automatic features to please the point-and-shoot crowd, as well. While there are still a few outstanding issues that we first raised in our X10 review, the new X20 still impresses us enough to earn our recommendation. The X20 is a pricey camera, and has hovered around its $599 list price since its announcement. That makes it about $100 more expensive than the Canon G15, Nikon P7700, and Pentax MX-1, and about the same as the Olympus XZ-2 and Sony RX100. If you're a casual shooter, then the cheaper cameras will probably suit you just fine. However, if you desire a larger sensor, more depth-of-field, an optical viewfinder, and a Hybrid AF system, then it's worth forking out the extra dough for the X20.

The Fuji X20 is a compact and powerful digicam that offers full creative control and a sense of classic style to the photographer. Featuring a new X-Trans CMOS imaging sensor and EXR processor, it has surpassed the wonderful performance that we saw with the X10. The new sensor also has allowed for increased image quality and low-light performance. It is a little larger than most compact cameras and with a MSRP of US $599.95, it is also priced much higher. While it is not for everyone, if you are looking for total control, outstanding performance, and awesome image quality from a compact camera; this may be the camera for you.

The Fujifilm X20 is not only the camera that irons out its predecessor's orb-related imaging issues, it's also the camera that pushes image quality up a notch to class-leading levels. The chunky, retro-styled build doesn't make the X20 the tiniest of models and the design, even just aesthetically, won't suit all tastes - but we're big fans and think its looks are just as stand-out as its images. The advancement of the camera's optical viewfinder with its digital overlay is also welcome, even if the limited field of view and inconsistent - yet unavoidable - presentation of focus areas can frustrate a little. Yet, and in context, we can't think of a better OVF in a camera at this price point.