 |
| Fujifilm X-T20 |
FUJIFILM had an incredibly busy 2016, updating its X-Pro series with the X-Pro2 and the X-T series with the X-T2. The manufacturer has followed up with a flurry of New Year announcements and key among these is the all-new FujiFilm X-T20 – the direct replacement to the now-discontinued X-T10. It slots into the X series as a simplified, more affordable alternative to the X-T2 and looks virtually identical to its predecessor with a boxy, high-shouldered design. However, there is more than meets the eye to this new model, and beneath its skin lie a number of differences that are intended to give it wider appeal with aspiring amateur and enthusiast photographers.
It’s equipped with the same 24.3-million-pixel X-Trans III CMOS sensor that features on other current X-series models, such as the X-Pro 2 and X-T2, and this provides an ISO range that runs from 200-12,800, expandable to ISO 100-51,200. The good news here is that the X-T20 no longer restricts raw-format recording between ISO 200 and ISO 6400 like the X-T10, and the improvements Fuji has made to the noise-processing algorithm are said to lower noise levels at high ISO. By implementing Fuji’s latest X-Processor Pro imaging engine, the X-T20 springs into life slightly faster (0.4sec) with a minimal shutter lag of just 0.05sec. You might think the continuous shooting speed has also increased, but it continues to rattle out a burst at 8fps with continuous autofocus during shooting, which is the same as that in the X-T10.
The X-T20’s autofocus system has been brought bang up to date with a larger phase-detection AF area and updated algorithm delivering an ultra-fast AF speed of 0.06sec. The number of focusing points has been dramatically expanded from 49 in the X-T10 to 91 points – expandable to 325 – with the central area of 49 points using phase-detection AF pixels. There’s the usual single point and wide/
tracking AF area modes to choose from, not forgetting zone AF, which gives you the option to select between a group of 3x3, 5x5 or 7x7 AF points. For the fastest focusing in zone AF area mode, users will want to select the central 3x3 or 5x5 AF zones that work with the on-sensor phasedetection AF pixels. Added to this, the X-T20 introduces fi ve custom AF-C modes to enhance focus tracking when shooting moving subjects, just like the ones we’ve witnessed before on the Fujifi lm X-T2. Unlike its senior relative, you’re not given the option to manually adjust the tracking sensitivity, speed-tracking sensitivity or zone-area switching to create your own custom preset.
At the rear, the 3in, 1.04-milliondot screen features two-way tilt manoeuvrability and now benefi ts from being the touchscreen type. By turning the touchscreen setting on you’re given the option to control the position of the focus point or fi re the shutter in shooting mode, and by using fi nger gestures, much like you would on a smartphone or tablet, you can view and enlarge images easily in playback mode. The X-T20’s centrally placed electronic viewfi nder is the same 2.36-million-dot OLED unit previously seen on the X-T10, but differs from the X-T2 in having a smaller 0.62x magnification. The viewfi nder shows extensive exposure information, including an electronic level and live histogram, and the information display rotates when shooting in portrait format.
Other features include built-in Wi-Fi, full HD and 4K video (100Mbps), a silent electronic shutter capable of exposures up to 1/32,000sec, digital split-screen focus assist, as well as the full suite of fi lm simulation modes that can be used both when shooting stills and recording video.
Design and handling
The design of the X-T20 bears all the hallmarks of the X-T10. The top and base plates are made of lightweight magnesium alloy, which give it a solid and robust feel in the hand, and in typical Fuji fashion the body is based around traditional analogue controls, with top-plate shutter speed and aperture dials complemented by an aperture ring on most Fujinon lenses. There’s no ISO dial like you get on the X-T2 and you’ll find a function button takes the place of where the movie-rec button was on the X-T10. The drive dial on the top-plate now has a video position to switch between still and video recording, and the exposure compensation dial also has a new ‘C’ position to allow compensation of up to ±5EV using the front command dial. In all other respects, it’s much the same as the X-T10 and continues to cater for beginners and experienced photographers alike with a top-plate mode switch that’s used to toggle between auto and manual-exposure modes.
First Impression
With the X-T10, Fujifilm found the perfect balance of performance and price – an EVF-equipped camera with SLR-style features, but one that was still very affordable. In an effort to go one better, Fuji has implemented its latest sensor and processor technology, reworked the autofocus system, introduced 4K video, added a touchscreen and looked to add a series of subtle body refi nements. As you might expect, this comes with a higher price, but at £300 more than the X-T10 was at the time of
launch, the X-T20 is a slightly harder pill to swallow.
launch, the X-T20 is a slightly harder pill to swallow.
From our hands-on experience with the FujiFilm X-T20, we got the sense it has come on quite a way from the X-T10. It feels responsive and better equipped for shooting fast-paced subjects in challenging situations where time is of the essence. Having the touchscreen to shift the AF point around the frame
is helpful, but it can be disabled. The X-T20 has many of the advanced features today’s novice and aspiring enthusiasts desire without stepping too closely on the X-T2’s toes. For those whose budget can’t quite stretch to an X-T2, the X-T20 looks set to be the next best thing. We’re looking forward to testing it soon.
0 comments:
Post a Comment