Professional image quality and a timeless design—the new Fujifilm X-T20 mirrorless system camera offers ambitious photographers a wealth of innovative photo and video features.
Hidden inside the compact body is a 24.3-megapixel X-Trans1 CMOS III sensor, which, when paired with high-quality FUJINON lenses, promises impressive image quality. The new X Processor Pro provides the necessary performance boost to quickly process the high-resolution data. It also enhances the camera’s response time and enables advanced features such as 4K video and even more finely tuned film simulations. Mechanical control dials and the touchscreen display ensure comfortable operation, allowing the photographer’s creativity to flourish.
The new autofocus system complements the fast and precise 91-point autofocus system (with a maximum of 325 points) with five AF-C settings, allowing the continuous autofocus behavior to be adapted to the specific subject. This makes it even easier to capture moving subjects.
Compact and lightweight camera with an SLR viewfinder
The design of the X-T20 embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Fujifilm X Series in every respect. The camera is compact and lightweight, yet robust. Its durability is emphasized by the top and bottom plates, which are made of a sturdy aluminum alloy.
Three precision-machined metal control dials contribute to the X-T20’s high-quality appearance. Users can use them to adjust shutter speed, exposure compensation, and other shooting parameters while taking pictures.
The mode dial has been expanded to include a “Video” function, allowing users to quickly switch between photo and video recording. New on the exposure compensation dial is the “C” setting, which allows for compensation in third-stop increments of up to +/- 5 stops using the front control dial. The standard exposure compensation dial allows for adjustments of up to +/- 3 stops.
Convenient for both beginners and experienced users:
The AUTO selector lever activates the fully automatic Advanced SR Auto mode, in which the X-T20 automatically selects the most appropriate settings for the current shooting situation.
The camera also features a high-resolution real-time viewfinder with 2.36 million pixels, 0.62x viewfinder magnification², and a lightning-fast response time of just 0.005 seconds. Users can choose whether they prefer a preview of the final image, including all effects, or a more realistic representation. The viewfinder brightness automatically adjusts to ambient light when desired. When shooting in portrait orientation, the displayed shooting information automatically realigns—an advantage offered only by electronic viewfinders.
The camera’s built-in flash is located in front of the viewfinder; its smart auto flash automatically adjusts the amount of light to suit the subject.
Intuitive operation via touchscreen display
The X-T20 features a 7.6 cm (3-inch) tilting touchscreen LCD that offers photographers many creative shooting options, such as shooting overhead or close to the ground. When the touchscreen is activated, one of the following shooting and playback modes can be selected:
Shooting Modes
Focus Area Selection: The user selects the active focus point directly on the display by tapping the corresponding area of the image.
Touch Focus: The camera focuses on the tapped area of the image.
Touch Shot: The camera focuses on the tapped area of the image and takes the photo.
Playback Modes
Swipe: You can swipe your finger across the image to view photos one after another.
Zoom In: Tapping twice zooms in on the image and centers it on the focus point.
Pan: When the image is enlarged, you can move the frame with your finger.
Zoom in: When you spread two fingers apart on the display, a section of the image is enlarged.
Zoom out: When you pinch two fingers together on the display, the enlarged image is reduced again.
These functions are automatically disabled when the touchscreen is turned off.
Even while recording video, you can use Touch AF to shift the focus to a different area of the frame or keep a moving subject continuously in focus.
Outstanding image quality
At the heart of the X-T20 is the high-resolution 24.3-megapixel X-Trans1 CMOS III APS-C sensor. Its unique pixel arrangement minimizes color aberrations and moiré without requiring a low-pass filter that would reduce resolution. This allows the high resolution of FUJINON lenses to be fully utilized.
Fujifilm’s color technology, built on over 80 years of research and experience in color film production, ensures natural skin tones, pure sky blue, and rich green. The camera captures colors exactly as the photographer saw them at the time of shooting. The new ACROS mode delivers black-and-white images of outstanding image quality with fine tonal gradations, deep shadows, and excellent detail reproduction.
The X-T20 can create a grain effect that mimics the look of analog film. Two settings are available: Strong and Weak. Both can be combined with any of the film simulations. The film grain effect is also available in the camera’s built-in RAW converter for post-processing.
The X-T20 captures stunning images even in low light. Optimized signal processing allows for sensitivities up to ISO 12,800 without any loss of quality. Additionally, extended settings are available up to ISO 51,200. Even at very high sensitivities, the images are characterized by minimal noise, rich blacks, and subtle color gradations.
Image quality is further enhanced by Fujifilm’s LMO technology (Lens Modulation Optimizer)3. This technology optimizes the image based on lens data and corrects aberrations—such as diffraction blur—to enhance resolution and create a three-dimensional sense of depth in the photo.
Improved autofocus for dynamic subjects
The X-T20 is equipped with the new X Processor Pro, which delivers a significant performance boost. With a power-on time of just 0.4 seconds⁴, a frame rate of 0.25 seconds⁵, a shutter release time of 0.005 seconds, and an AF speed of 0.06 seconds⁶, the camera responds exactly as the user intends.
Compared to the previous model generation⁷, the number of AF points has been increased from 49 to 91 (a maximum of 325 points is possible). The 40 AF points in the center (approximately 40% of the image area) are equipped with particularly fast and precise phase-detection pixels. The AF algorithm has been completely redesigned. The camera now focuses reliably even in backlit conditions on low-contrast and finely textured subjects such as bird feathers or fur.
The contrast-detection autofocus, which covers about 85 percent of the image area, operates significantly faster and with even greater precision, as the readout speed has doubled compared to previous models.
Users can choose between the AF modes “Single-point” (for pinpoint focusing), “Zone” (for dynamic subjects), and “Wide / Tracking.” In “Zone” mode, the photographer selects a 3x3, 5x5, or 7x7 focus area within the 91 AF points. In Continuous Autofocus (AF-C), the camera continuously focuses on the subject as long as it remains within the selected zone. “Wide/Tracking” combines the “Wide” single-shot AF mode (the camera automatically selects the focus point from among the 91 AF points) and the “Tracking” continuous AF mode (the camera uses all 91 AF points to continuously track a subject in the frame). When this mode is active, the camera continuously focuses on the subject, regardless of whether it is moving up or down, left or right, toward the camera, or away from it.
In AF-C mode, the X-T20 offers five preset settings that allow you to optimize the accuracy of Tracking AF according to the specific scene:
Preset 1: Standard setting for normal subjects.
Preset 2: The AF ignores obstacles and continues tracking the main subject (ideal for situations where objects in the foreground temporarily block the focused Lens).
Preset 3: Mode for subjects that accelerate rapidly or decelerate abruptly (e.g., motorsports).
Preset 4: Setting for subjects that appear suddenly (focus priority is given to subjects that appear relatively close to the camera within the selected focus area).
Preset 5: Ideal for subjects moving at varying speeds in a variety of directions (e.g., soccer or other field sports).
When face detection is enabled, the camera detects faces in the frame and focuses on the eyes. This feature includes three options: AUTO, Right Eye Priority, and Left Eye Priority. In AUTO mode, the camera automatically focuses on the eye that is closer to the camera.
When taking close-ups, the camera automatically switches to macro mode to maintain a consistently high focus speed.
High-resolution 4K video recording
The combination of the sensor and image processor allows for video recording in both Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) and 4K (3,840 x 2,160). Recording 4K videos at a high bitrate of 100 Mbps is very simple: The user selects “Video” mode using the mode dial and enables the “4K Video” option in the menu. The Full HD mode, which offers less detail but is still high-resolution, provides six different frame rates: 59.94p / 50p / 29.97p / 25p / 24p / 23.98p. When the X-T20 is connected to an external HDMI monitor and the “HDMI Rec Control” option is enabled, it outputs a clear HDMI image when the shutter button is pressed.
Just like photos, videos can also be enhanced with the popular film simulations. “Classic Chrome,” for example, gives video footage a classic photojournalistic look, while the ACROS black-and-white mode produces finely graded monochrome images with rich blacks. There are a total of nine film simulations to choose from.
Exposure can also be controlled manually while filming. By adjusting the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity, you can achieve exactly the desired result. During video recording, the focus operates particularly smoothly, contributing to a natural-looking sequence.
Creative Shooting Functions
For artistic shots, the X-T20 features eight creative filter functions as well as a “Multiple Exposure” function that superimposes and merges two images. With the interval function, users can capture time-lapse footage at any interval ranging from one second to 24 hours.
The silent electronic shutter offers ultra-short shutter speeds of up to 1/32,000 of a second. This makes it possible to capture images with a shallow depth of field even in situations with excessive light. Since there are no mechanical parts, the camera makes no sound when the shutter is released—ideal conditions for Schnappschüsse of shy animals and sleeping children.
Among the X-T20’s special features are three focus-assist functions: the digital split-image viewfinder, the magnifier, and the focus peaking function. The latter highlights contrast edges in color (white, red, or blue) during focusing. Both functions are ideal for subjects that are difficult to focus on.
Built-in Wi-Fi
With the X-T20, transferring photos and videos to smartphones, tablets, or computers is a breeze. Using the free “Fujifilm Camera Remote”*9 app, images are transferred from the camera to a smartphone or tablet with just the press of a button. Users can view the photos and videos stored in the camera on their smartphone and select them for transfer. To help users remember exactly where a particular shot was taken later on, the geocoordinates recorded by the smartphone can be saved in the image files.
The smartphone also serves as a remote control, allowing the user to trigger the camera and adjust key shooting settings. This is handy not only for group photos and selfies, but also, for example, for creating dramatic long-exposure shots in the evening.
Photos can be sent from the camera to an instax SHARE smartphone printer and printed there. Using the camera’s Wi-Fi function,10 images can also be easily backed up to a computer.11
Product Features of the FUJINON XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
This compact zoom lens covers the frequently used focal length range from 18mm wide-angle to 55mm telephoto*. The optical design consists of 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses and 1 ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lens. The edges of the seven aperture blades have been rounded to ensure the highest image quality.
The high-speed autofocus features a linear drive that focuses on the perfect subject in just 0.1 seconds. Focusing is silent, making the lens ideal for video recording as well.
The optical and mechanical design is groundbreaking: Despite a fast aperture of F2.8–4.0, the 18–55mm XF zoom lens is very compact. This fast and handy lens consistently delivers outstanding image quality under a wide variety of conditions. It’s also ideal for shooting in low light and for subjects with aesthetically pleasing background blur.
The lens features an optical image stabilizer (OIS) that allows for a shutter speed up to 4 stops slower by effectively compensating for camera shake and thus preventing blurry images. Like the other XF lenses, it features an aperture ring that allows the photographer to easily adjust the aperture even while looking through the viewfinder.
