Fujifilm X-T20: Features
Looks can often be deceiving and there’s much more to the X-T20 than first meets the eye. Lurking beneath its high-shouldered body lie a number of refinements that are intended to give it mass market appeal with aspiring photographers who’d like to improve their skills. At the heart of the X-T20 is the same 24.3-million-pixel X-Trans CMOS III chip as used in other X-series models such as the X-Pro2 and X-T2. Though it’s not uncommon to see sensor technology filtering down to other cameras in a manufacturers lineup, this is the first time on a double-digit X-T series model we’re given the opportunity to shoot in raw right through the ISO range and not be restricted to raw format recording between ISO 200-6400 like we were on the X-T10. The sensitivity range on the X-T20 spans ISO 200-12,800 and there’s the option to expand it to ISO 100-51,200.
The X-T20 shares an almost identical body to the Fujifilm X-T10 that it sets out to replace
By inheriting Fujifilm’s latest X-Processor Pro imaging engine, the X-T20 is able to spring to life in a slightly hastier 0.4secs. It has a shutter lag of 0.05sec and a shooting interval time of just 0.25secs. The continuous shooting speed remains at a brisk 8fps, however if you switch from the mechanical shutter to the camera’s electronic shutter it’s possible to rattle out a faster continuous burst at a rapid 14fps. As we’ve seen on some previous X-Series models, the mechanical focal plane shutter has a 1/4000sec limit whereas the electronic shutter allows you to shoot up to 1/32,000sec.
The X-T20’s main menu has received a face lift. It’s like the menu you get on the XPro2 and X-T2
The X-T20’s hybrid autofocus system is brought bang up to date with a larger phase detection AF area and updated algorithm delivering an acquisition speed of 0.06sec. The number of focusing points has been increased from 49 in the X-T10 to 91 points – expandable to 325 – with the central area of 49 points using phase-detection AF pixels. Contrast-detection points are employed outside this area and there’s the usual single point and Wide/Tracking AF area modes to choose from, not forgetting Zone AF, which gives users the option to select between a group of 3×3, 5×5 or 7×7 AF points on a 7×13 grid. Much like the X-T2, single and continuous AF modes are selected from the front of the body and you also get five custom AF-C modes to enhance focus tracking when shooting moving subjects. The difference between the X-T20 and X-T2 is that you can’t manually adjust the tracking sensitivity, speed tracking sensitivity or zone area switching to create your own custom AF-C preset.
The X-T20’s screen can be tilted upward and downwards for high and low angle shooting
So what else is new? Turning to the rear of the camera reveals the X-T20’s 3in, 1.04-million-dot screen. Increasing the resolution from the 3in, 920k-dot screen of old is one area of improvement, but it’s the way it supports touch functionality that’s the big talking point – a feature its senior relative, the X-T2, doesn’t even have. With the touch screen activated you’re given the option to control the position of the focus point or fire the shutter in shooting mode, while in playback mode you can use finger gestures like you would on a smartphone or tablet to scroll through shots and magnify images. What the touch screen doesn’t allow you to do is navigate the main menu or select options from the camera’s quick menu.
A function button replaces what used to be a movie-record button on the X-T10
The X-T20’s centrally positioned electronic viewfinder is the same 2.36-million-dot OLED unit previously seen on the X-T10, but differs slightly from the X-T2 in the way it has a 0.62x magnification as opposed to 0.77x. It provides dioptre adjustment and an eye sensor that can be used for automatic switching with the rear screen. The displayed information in the EVF rotates depending on your shooting orientation and there’s a view mode button to switch between LCD only, EVF only or the eye sensor.
The X-T20 with the Fujinon 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS XF lens coupled to the front
Elsewhere, you’re provided with access to the Acros black & white simulation modes that weren’t available on the X-T10, and for the second time on an X-series model there’s the option to record 4K UHD video (3,840×2,160 pixels) at 30, 25 or 24fps for a maximum duration of 10 minutes. Full HD (1,920×1,080) at up to 60fps is also on offer using the full width of the sensor, with the bit rate for 4K and full HD standing at 100Mbps. Unlike the X-T2, which has a 3.5mm stereo microphone and two SD card slots, the X-T20 holds onto its 2.5mm microphone port and single SD card slot.
