Fujifilm X-T20 Review - The best SLR style 4K Mirrorless Camera for the price?

Several months ago, Fujifilm launched the X-T20 locally with James Reid as their Ambassador. How does it stack 7 months later? Let's find out!

Fujifilm X-T20

Fujfilm X-T20 Specs

Sensor: 24MP - APS-C CMOS X-TRANS III Sensor

Optical Low-Pass Filter: No Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter

ISO: 200 - 12800( expands to 100-51200)

Display: 3″ Tilting Touch Screen

Electronic Viewfinder: 2360k dot Electronic viewfinder

Max FPS: 14 fps continuous shooting - Electronic Shutter

File Format: JPEG, 14-bit RAW & RAW + JPEG

Video Resolution: 4K - 3840 x 2160 at 30FPS 10 minutes, 1080p 23-60fps 15 mins

Memory: UHS-I SD card, SD, SDXC, SDHC

Built-in Flash: Yes

Connectivity: WiFi

Dimensions: 118 x 83 x 41 mm

Weight: 383g

Price: PHP 50,990 (Body only) / PHP 56,990 (Body + XC16-50 kit), PHP 67,990 (Body + XF 18-55 kit)

Disclaimer: This is a borrowed unit from Fujifilm Philippines for our honest review.

Build Quality / Design

Exposure Comp dial, Function button, Shutter release button, Power switch, Auto switch, Shutter speed dial, hot shoe, drive dial

The Fujifilm cameras have always had the same solid feel from the get go. The X-T, X-E and X-Pro line have always had the mostly metal build that adds the heft and weight that we love. The texture of the outer paint is textured that makes it feel premium. 

You can not go wrong with the ergonomics of this camera. Our only gripe is that if your nose is bigger than the eye cup distance and allows your nose to hit the display all the time. A bigger eyecup would have improved this.

It is noticeably smaller than the X-T2 and is roughly the same dimensions as the predecessor, the X-T10. From the X-T10 significant changes in specs internally like the new processor, the new sensor and the ability to shoot 4k!

Delete, Play button, diopter dial, View Mode button, AE-L, function dial, AF-L

Speaker, Tripod screw mount, Battery/SD card compartment latch

The new Acros film simulation was added which has lauded for its high contrast black and white film like look!

Meet The X-T20 the little brother to the X-T2!

The major differences between the X-T20 from the X-T20 are the following:

1. Number of buttons, dials and design - The ISO dial and the metering mode dial is relegated to buttons in the X-T20

2. The Tilting screen on the X-T20 only tilts up and down but never to the side.

3. The EVF of the X-T20 is smaller at 0.39 inch with a refresh rate locked at 54 and a magnification of 0.62x.

4. The maximum mechanical shutter speed of the X-T20 is 1/4000th of a second as opposed to the X-T2's 1/8000th of a second.

5. The buffer of the X-T20 can be filled with 65 JPEGs, 25 RAW files while the X-T2 can carry 83 JPEGs, and 33 RAW files.

6. The X-T20 does inherit the Autofocus system of the X-T2 but without the sixth custom autofocus setting.

7. The X-T2 Shoots 6K and downscales to 4K with a crop factor for video while the X-T20 uses the full width of the sensor but skips line and does not record a Log profile.

8. The X-T20 has a 2.5mm microphone jack while the X-T2 has a 3.5 mm microphone jack.

Battery Life

Battery life is rated at 330+ shots but we are getting 400 to 500 shots on one battery even with 8fps bursts and some 4K video recording. 4K video recording drains the battery quite fast.

Charging time of one battery is 2 hours from 0 to 100 percent. When using the camera's USB charging, 1 hour and 30 mins.

Performance

Body only for PHP 50,990! 

Because it has the same X-Processor Pro, and the the same processing algorithms, the performance is relatively near to the flagships but are constrained by the smaller size (which means lesser max temperature cooling), smaller EVF, and several other features. 

The X-T20 can only shoot up to 1/4000th of a second when using the mechanical shutter while the buffer of the X-T20 can be filled with 65 JPEGs, 25 RAW files, the X-T2 can carry 83 JPEGs, and 33 RAW files. This only truly matter when doing hardcore sports, action and wildlife photography where the subject's speed is out of the photographer's control. Otherwise the difference in features is quite minimal. We'd say that the X-T20 performs 80% of the flagship but without weather sealing.

Don't get us wrong though, this is more than enough for shooting your running pets and/or babies!

It also inherits the fast Single point/ Continuous Autofocus of the X-T2 and X-Pro 2 so autofocus in stills is fast and reliable though in video the autofocus struggles and hesitates. The latest Fujifilm camera, the X-E3 has new autofocus algorithm for continuous focus and is stated by Fujifilm to arrive on the X-T20 in the later part of 2017 via firmware update.

The auto white balance is good enough to be accurate 95% of the time. But for when I need to be precise, I just bring a color checker passport.

The camera never heated up on us when we shot 4K video and when we were pushing the buffer to it's limits.

Camera Samples

Temple in the Sky

Note: Flickr Links are on the caption of the sample images

Sensor technology and processing algorithms have reached the point where they are near each other and the difference in image quality now relies on the skills and knowledge of the photographer and on the quality of the lens used. It's a good thing that Fujifilm has decades of experience with Glass by providing them for Hasselblad, military and broadcasting applications. This shows in the images below.

Minimalism

This camera uses the same X-Processor Pro, X-Trans III Sensor and processing algorithms that are found in the flagships: the X-T2 and the X-Pro 2. This means this camera gets the same still image quality as the flagships when paired with the same lens, and the the same technique.

X-T20 + Voigtlander 58 SL II

ISO performance is similar to the X-T2 and the X-Pro 2. In most cases ISO 3200 gets the job done and would be the maximum ISO for grain the conscious. Personally, If I had to I would push it to 6400 but I wouldn't go further than that. ISO 6400 is noticeably grainy but acceptable.

Eyes

The increased megapixel count helped resolve more details. This coupled with the best Fujinon lenses will yield samurai sword sharpness in your photos.

After spending time with the local X-Photographers like sir Niko and sir Lito, I adopted using the Pro-Neg Standard film simulation for my JPEGs for more accurate skin tone. Of course, when you shoot RAW, you can easily apply any simulation in Lightroom.

Color

I do prefer the RAW converter of Iridient Developer better. Lightroom has gotten better through the years too.

See also: Fujifilm X-A3 Review - Best Consumer Grade APS-C Mirrorless Camera Under PHP 35K!

Pros - Small and compact, best value Fujifilm camera with 80 to 90% of flagship, 20+ lenses in Fujifilm ecosystem, 4K at 30fps, full auto mode switch, USB charging capable
Cons - EVF could be bigger, lineskipping in 4K,  no Log profile, SD card is at the bottom with battery

Verdict

X-T20 with the XF 27 f/2.8 Pancake! 

THE X-T20 is competitive camera in its price range. It looks like the X-T20 can do 85% of what the X-T2 can do at nearly half the price without weather sealing is a deal! So if you are looking for a versatile and powerful camera that focuses on stills but can do Casual 4K video, then the X-T20 should be something to consider!

Build - 4.25
Display - 4.25
Ergonomics - 4
Image Quality - 4.5
Video Quality - 4
Average - 4.25 / 5