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One year system camera - One year with the Fujifilm X-T20

This report is about my personal highlights and experiences from one year with the Fujifilm X system. Among other things, I will talk about my selection criteria for buying a new camera system and explain why I decided against the Sony Alpha series. I will show you some of my photos and videos from different areas of photography. The article will answer the question why I sold my DSLR and how I managed the switch to the digital viewfinder.

Jonas Video Creator - Foto Koch

Why a new system?

I worked with Canon DSLRs for four years before my time with Fujifilm. First mainly with the EOS 700D, then later with the Canon EOS 7D. At the time I bought the 7D, it was already several years old, but the features and high-quality workmanship had convinced me. After two years of intensive use and many travel miles, I faced several problems.

  1. I constantly felt that my photos were not coming into proper focus. I'm not sure if it was my way of focusing, the AF on the camera, or the lens I was using. The result was often blurry images.
  2. The salty air at the seaside and my risky use of the DSLR were the reason that the flash would not open and some buttons were broken.
  3. I have traveled many thousands of miles with the Canon DSLR. In most cases with two full frame capable lenses, filters, triggers and tripods. You probably know how fast you get to a 13 kg photo backpack. Actually, it's a miracle that I got the backpack into the carry-on luggage on the plane every time. My problem was the size and the weight. On family vacations, I often had to decide whether I really wanted to lug everything around or just take pictures with my smartphone.
  4. I wanted to focus more on video. The Canon EOS 7D didn't give me enough options, including no continuous video autofocus


While all this was going on, I looked around the market to see what alternatives were available.

Information:

Clicking on the photos will open them enlarged. If the sample photos were taken as RAW, you will find the download link below the photo. The image rights remain with the photographer!

RAW download

The road to the Fujifilm X System:

On the internet I read many reviews, watched videos and clicked through sample images. The Sony Alpha system was the first one that caught my interest. I could decide between the 6000 series (APS-C) and the Alpha 7 series (full frame). While I definitely wanted an upgrade to my 7D, switching to full frame was too expensive for me. Besides, I wanted something small and compact that would give me more flexibility when traveling. Not to be forgotten when buying a new camera are the lenses. Full-frame lenses are much larger, heavier, and more expensive than APS-C lenses.

For the mirrorless Sony APS-C Cameras I had the choice between three models A6000, A6300, A6500. All of them sound nice, but where is the difference now? This very question kept me busy for several weeks. The technical differences are easy to figure out. My question was rather: Which one is the best for me? What do I really need? Better a more expensive camera or invest the money in better lenses? After I asked a photo dealer to repair my 7D, I happened to come across a brochure of the Fujifilm system, which I had not even considered before. There, I picked up both the Sony and Fujifilm to see how the cameras felt in my hand. I knew that I would have to compromise and part with the massive handling of the DSLR. The Alpha 6000 series has its advantage - for me - in the video functions and sensor stabilization (A6500). The  Fujifilm X-T20 was more pleasant to me from the operation and it fit better in my hand. Therefore, I opted for an optimum between photo and video performance - the Fujifilm system. After a weekend of testing, it was clear to me that it would be a camera from the Fujifilm system. What excited me the most during the short test phase was the excellent and fast autofocus for portraits.

The X-T20 or X-T2 ?

Once again, I was faced with the decision of whether I should rather reach for the bigger brother or whether the T20 is the better choice for me. I decided on the X-T20 a year ago because of the price/performance ratio. Since I have been working at Foto Koch, I have also been working a lot with the Fujifilm X-T2 so I want to look back at this decision.

The sensor of both cameras is identical, so both cameras should also achieve the same image quality. The advantages of the X-T2 lie less in its technical features and more in its feel and features. The X-T2 has one more adjustment dial than the X-T20. This is convenient when things need to be done quickly. The display of the X-T2 can also be folded sideways, but not completely. Two memory card slots give the photographer the option of writing the photos to two SD cards and thus creating a backup. The handling of the X-T2 is more comfortable for me than that of the T20, as it is larger and fits better in the hand. But that would be a step back for me, further away from my goal, so I would probably opt for the X-T20 again today. Another advantage of the T2 is the splash-proof housing, especially in view of my salt water experiences. Nevertheless, I don't spare the X-T20 and so far it has survived everything well if you look after it after use. The most critical experience so far was when I was filming while snowboarding and fell in deep snow. The camera and the Lens (XF23 F2) were full of snow! I removed the snow as quickly as possible before it could thaw and neither the camera nor the lens suffered any damage. The X-T2 is of course the better camera, but each photographer must decide for themself whether they need the additional features and whether they justify the extra price.

My scope of application of the X-T20

First of all, I want to describe the situations in which I use the X-T20. Not every time I take the camera with me, the whole day should revolve around photography, for example at family celebrations, on (non-photo) vacation or simply when I can't take a large camera with me. For this purpose I have the Fujifilm X-T20 and the small XF 23s F2 in my backpack for this purpose. This gives me flexibility and allows me to capture moments unobtrusively. If I have a larger project ahead of me and I have the option of using an X-T2, X-H1 or a full-frame camera, then the X-T20 is used as a backup, time-lapse or making-of camera.

My highlights of the X-T20 and the Fujifilm system

Noiseless shooting

I can use the advantages of a mirrorless camera, such as silent shooting. This has the advantage that in some situations I don't draw attention to myself and don't disturb anyone or can take more authentic pictures, as no one notices that I've triggered the shutter.

Eye/Face autofocus

One criterion of my switch away from the Canon DSLR was focus for portraits. With the Fujifilm X-T20, I no longer worry about this because the camera automatically focuses on the face and even the eye if you want. While this feature is not as innovative as the eye autofocus on the current Sony Alpha 7 models, it is a milestone over a DSLR. The X-T20 also offers plenty of focus points.

Fujifilm picture looks

The Fujifilm system is known, among other things, for the camera's internal JPG development. There are several to choose from. From desaturated to black and white, you can find exciting image looks. As a self-confessed RAW photographer, I underestimated this feature at first, but now I occasionally shoot "only" JPGs with the Fujifilm looks. It's simply quicker and still turns out well! You can also send the JPGs directly to your smartphone. That's not possible with RAWs.

Digital viewfinder

A huge change at first, but later a real helper. I find it much easier to take photos with a digital viewfinder, as you can see the finished image in front of your eyes and can therefore better assess the exposure. This is especially great for beginners, as you can learn how to use the manual mode much more quickly, as you can see all the changes immediately and can experiment with them to a certain extent. Although you have to get used to the new viewfinder image for a while at first, you later realize the advantages of this digital viewfinder.
Another very practical feature is the button directly on the viewfinder, which allows you to quickly change where the image is to be displayed. You don't have to spend ages searching for this function in the menu. There are three options to choose from: Viewfinder - Display - Automatic with eye sensor.

Choice of high quality lenses - manual aperture

The Fujifilm lenses cover all the shooting ranges that I need. I now use the 23 F2 95 percent of the time, both for photography and video, because it's super compact and exactly my focal length range. I personally really like the feel of the manual aperture ring! However, I don't use it much as it is usually set to F2. For all automatic fans, you can also set the aperture to automatic.

I would also describe Fujifilm's range as manageable, and I mean that in a positive sense, because the X system is in APS-C format and all cameras can be used with all lenses. There is no permanent distinction between full-frame and APS-C.

Lenses from third party manufacturers

For all shooting areas where Fujifilm does not offer a suitable lens, there are manual lenses from third party manufacturers, such as Zeiss, Samyang, Walimex and others. I have an extreme Samyang wide angle which cost only a third of the Fujifilm wide angle zooms and is ideal for astrophotography. If you want to use your existing lenses from another system on the new camera, then Fujifilm is the wrong system for you. Sony offers much more possibilities in terms of adaptability.

Advantages of a system camera

Switching to a mirrorless camera system comes with some changes. System cameras, like all X cameras in the Fuji system, often have a wider range of functions than SLR cameras. These advantages are especially noticeable in the selection of focus points and the tracking of moving objects. For example, all settings and elements that can be seen on the display are also shown in the viewfinder on system cameras. Of course, the compact dimensions and light weight of the X-T20 and the new lens series should not be forgotten.

Retro design

Finally, I would like to say something about the design of the X-T20. It's certainly not a buying criterion for every photographer, but I find the silver body and retro design very chic. I added a Gariz half bag, a release button and a leather wrist strap to the camera.

Filming with the Fujifilm X-T20 system camera

A large part of my work is creating videos. In August 2017, I implemented a large project with the X-T20. I filmed in Full HD at 60fps and with continuous autofocus. The camera was mounted on a compact gimbal for this purpose. The equipment for this video shoot fit completely into a small backpack. Gimbalcamera with 23mm, Video lightreflector. The project was realized - except for one scene - with the 23mm. The biggest advantage when filming is the compact size of the camera. Especially when moving the camera with the gimbal, the low weight is very pleasant and the system is very versatile. Compared to Sony system cameras, I partly miss the LOG color profiles, but for many beginners and even advanced users, this feature is not relevant.

Video functions of the X-T20

The X-T20 can record 4K videos. I hardly use this feature at the moment, but I find it important that a current camera offers this function. You can record the sound of an external microphone via the 2.5 mm microphone input. Attention 2.5 mm! Why Fujifilm didn't include a standard 3.5 mm jack here is questionable, but with an inexpensive adapter, it's not a problem. I recommend a short adapter cable instead of an adapter plug. This protects the input jack! The X-T20 also has a practical tool on board for manual focusing. The focus peaking! This feature is now built into many system cameras and helps with focusing by marking the focus plane with a colored edge lift (also called edge over-sharpening). In addition, zebras can be displayed in both photo and video mode to evaluate the exposure. These mark areas that are too bright or too dark.

My conclusion about the Fujifilm X-T20

For me, the Fujifilm X-T20 is a great travel camera and suitable for all applications where I want to have a compact and flexible camera with me. The Fujifilm system gives me a wide choice of lenses and upgrade options, such as the X-T2 or X-H1. The image quality is first class and the APS-C sensor is sufficient for many shooting areas.

The X-T20 has already surprised me in some cases, whether as the main camera in my video project "Danke Augsburg - Danke Heimat", or as a backup camera with super video quality, so that I am considering using the X-T20 more often as a main camera again.


more sample images of the X-T20:

Action photography in Switzerland

Travel photography Djerba


Nikon Z - The new full-frame system is here
Sony Alpha 7 III - The best entry-level full-frame camera?
Top 5 travel tripods

JJ | 08 2018

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