Manuel focusing is very easy an fast - once you are used to it. Move the Focus-Field to the area you want, press the AEL-/AFL-Button for pre-focusing and then turn the dial on the backside of the X20 for fine-focusing. You will see the area immediatly in magnification and if you use the peaking-function you will see very clear if you are in focus or not.
Excellent video! Very informative. I just bought an X-20 and you have shown me a few shortcuts to access often used functions without having to go through nested menus. You've helped a lot, and made using this great little camera even more enjoyable. Thank you, you have another subscriber.
When the flash is up, push the right side of the four-way-button on the backside of the X20. Then choose the point "FORCED FLASH". This will only work in single-shot-mode. Hope it help's.
Thank you for your very comprehensive review of the features of the X20. I bought one. I am very happy with it except for one thing which you did not mention; poor battery life. The battery is a very small Li-ion. If I use the camera intensively it runs out of charge in about 2.5 hrs. I recommend anybody who intends to do heavy shooting to buy at least 2 extra batteries for a full days use. Fortunately this battery is widely available and non-Fuji branded versions are quite cheap online.
Thanks for this comprehensive review. I came here to see what the viewfinder looks like (I only have the X10) and you provided it! One small note for non-German speakers: when Ralf says "auto-focus" I thought he was saying "out-of-focus". Don't worry, that's just the German accent pronunciation of "auto focus".
Thanks Ralf, fantastic and comprehensive review from someone that has clearly spent some time with the camera, a stark contrast to some of the more mainstream reviews of the camera that just summarise the marketing material.
@Jason: Everything is ok with your viewfinder. This minimal softness is the result of the screen with the infos (shutter-speed, aperture, AF-Point). Between the two prism is the extra thin LCD-Element. And if you look very critical, you will recognize this as a minimal softness. The viewfinder of the X10 is this bit more sharper, because the X10 doesn't have the informations in the viewfinder.
I have both the RX100 and the X20 The X20 is one of the most beautiful retro style camera out now. It produces nice Fuji colors and images quite sharp as well and macro mode very nice. Auto focus is very fast and lens is nice and fast. I wish it just had on/off button instead of via lens. Wish focal range a bit longer to. So it is almost as good as Sony RX100 but it is a joy to use and easy to use and a beautiful camera. Has a viewfinder which RX100 does not have and is ok to use in sunlight
Thanks Rolf. A really, really helpful and comprehensive ‘tour’ of this camera. I have been thinking about getting one for some time, and now I think I will. If only my German was as good as your English…….!!
@Payhole: Optical viewfinder, manuel Zoom, Handling und Design are the main-reasons why a lot of photographers buy the x20 instead the RX100. But your are right, the picture-quality of the RX100 ist very good and the price is almost the same. For me the X20 is not my prime Camera, but the always-in-the-pocket camera and so I don't need the best picture-quality but a "nice" camera, and in this way the X20 fits my needs better. But again, the RX100 is a real good camera.
Your reviews are so thorough. Thanks for the time you put into reviewing these products, I wouldn't believe you have left much information out of your review.
outstanding review!! i just picked up a used one today, & i'm falling in love with this camera everything is so well thought out and easy to use, your review prompted me to go and find one. i will do a follow up after i have so fun moving from a snapper to a photographer with this jewel....
I must say that your review is the most comprehensive on the X20. I love my new X20 and I'm at a learning curve right now but thanks for the great review. We are planning a visit through Chile to see an school friend from many years ago. I like the camera the most because it doesn't scream look at me I'm a photographer. Thanks again and please do more reviews in English! Spanish was hard but German I think my I.Q. would really be tested. :)
@Bart: If you dont't need the turnable touchscreen of the XZ-2 and want a camera with a optical viewfinder, go for the X20. It's a real good camera with a nice design .... and there are no other interesting or better options.
Thank you for your response and putting my mind at rest, its greatly appreciated. Wonderful review by the way. I had been considering purchasing the X20 since its release and finally decided to order one after watching your review.
Excellent review,,more like a tutorial, very useful,just bought an X20 and this is a condensed version of the users guide.Would like to see more regarding white balance settings and adjustments. JJ
Got mine few days ago. Very very nice - I must say I prefer the On/Off switch like the X100/s - one might want to review images when lens cap is on - On X20 you have to take lens cap off to turn on and view images. Would also have liked to see image affect like in the Sony RX100 like Water Color etc. Focus is very fast - do find Auto WB a little warm on both X100 and X20 but in X20 one can cool so fine. So a real competition for Sony RX100 - Fuji better lens but Sony bigger sensor - nice review
Turn Continuous Focus off ... same with Image Stabilization ... set it so it only works when you are about to take the photo, ie. shutter half way down
It's a Motion Picture camera Icon ... note the film roll/magazine part of the icon ... not a video camera icon ... although of course it accesses the video function. :-)
not many cameras, have video capability , with viewfinder & manual focus zoom.. so for shooting photo's & video .. it will be a great companion for my Canon 550DSLR..the bulid quality is i plus too
Wow!! You should officially create video user-guides for all cameras (and all other gadgets)!! Excellent image samples on your Flickr page as well! Thanks Ralf
great review Ralf, & good to hear that german accent again, i had a great german friend years ago , named joseph tretin. all the very best John Radford
I played with X10 and most of the X series cameras last year in Japan, no problem changing to English, would imagine the X20 will be the same, just be careful with warranty, my HS20EXR from Japan states on the box "Japanese Only Warranty"
Any news on the update or Fuji X30?? I heard a rumor last summer that Fuji was working on the update and it would have at least a 1 inch sensor - Fuji wants to compete with the very popular Sony RX100/M2 - I think they really can if they come out with at least 1 inch sensor and keep the current lens F2.0-F2.8 - just add Tilt-LCD - ND-Filter - maybe some improvements to viewfinder - On-Off button instead of current Lens On-Off system - more art filters - higher resolution LCD - hope they do not change the look or style - maybe a lens-cap like Olympus Stylus 1 where one does not have to take it off it opens up like a butterfly - faster image processor - and Wifi / NFC and keep the price below the RX100m2 Of course Touch LCD would be really nice but I think hell will freeze over before Fuji and Sony put that feature on their nicer cameras (except for the Sony NEX5/r/t) I own both RX100 and Fuji X20 - and love both - I must say that Fuji does better when fully zoomed in lower light as lens is faster at F2.8 vs F4.9 - so the advantage of the 1 inch vs 2/3 inch sensor disappears quick unless one is at 28mm - The X20 is a real nice camera but Fuji has to do something to pick up sales and a larger sensor and other enhancements would do the trick
Ralf, Thanks for the review. Your reviews are through and comprehensive. At this moment, your review of the Fujifilm X20, is the only comprehensive review available in English. Your English is effective, pleasant and easy to understand. Unfortunately, the Google automatic translation of your web site is not up to your standard. It requires some knowledge German to be able to follow the material on your site. Thanks again. Harry
Any word or rumor on a X30? Sony reportedly have a RX200 coming out a faster lens ar F1.8-2.8 which is great news. So Fuji hopefully has aX30 in the works with a 1inch sensor
Amazing review! What do you think about the video quality compared to Canon PowerShot G15? I've seen some extremely impressive hd video samples from the G15, but from the X10 I've mostly seen horrible ones.. very disappointing. Do you think the X20 can be as good as the G15? And do you think the video quality will be better or the same as on the X100? I've seen some really impressive hd samples from the X100 too.
As I said before your review of the X20 was the most detailed on the web. If you could please just tell me how I could get the flash to work? When I pop it up it never flashes or maybe there is a setting I have missed. I have read the manual PDF but with no luck. It just might be the rookie in me that is missing something. Thanks for any info you can give me.
Hi Great video i too have found it very useful for learning the X20 much better than the manual. My only grip with the X20 is that the picture review only stays on 1.5 seconds, which is too short a time to know whether to keep the shot or take another, any suggestions. Regards Ed
One thing always puzzled me. x10's sensor has dimensions of 8.8mm per 6.6mm i.e. its diagonal is 11mm which is roughly 0.43 of an inch. Why on earth it's called a 2/3" sensor?
Is there a setting to turn off the screen and only have it turn on automatically after you take a picture just to view them? Would be nice to save some battery like that.
I saw on your flickr account that you also took some pictures with the Olympus stylus xz-2. How do you compare this fuji x20 with the Olympus xz-2. I’m thinking of buying one of these camera’s and my feeling says to buy the x20. What do you think? Or maybe you have other ideas in that price range?
Superb review, thank you for it. I have a question: I LOVE manual focusing, but it doesn't look like this camera does traditional manual focusing (i.e. turning the focus ring on the lens) so my question is how much of a difference is it, in terms of length of time, in getting a shot in manual focus? Considering you have to push buttons to manual focus on this camera.
Why would be the advantage of the Fuji X20 over the Sony X100? Since it seems both the image quality and definitely the video quality of the Sony X100 is superior to the Fuji X20 and the price is about the same. What am I missing here?
I have just purchased an X20 but I have one minor niggle in what I believe is otherwise a near perfect compact. The optical viewfinder is not quite as sharp as I was expecting, there is an overall softness to the optical viewfinder that the dioptre adjustment cant remove, its perfectly usable but I was just expecting it to be sharper. Am I expecting too much from this kind of viewfinder or does is sound like the alignment within the viewfinder is slightly off with my X20?
Excellent review! Trying the x20 i was a bit confused about the M mode, it seems the LCD does not represent the actual exposure, but rather a predetermined expuse chosen by the camera. Do you know how to actually preview the exposure you have dialed (aperture plus shutter)?
Hi Ralf Nice review is there a way to change time of display for the picture after you take it. I found it disappearing too quick for me . Do you think it's safe to try canon speedlight on x20 or do I need fuji speedlight to work with x20? Thanks and regards
Is there any Filters Function on X-10? because i'm little confuse to choose between X-10 and X-20.. Looks not "big different" but big different on the prize.. Thank you Ady, Bandung, Indonesia
No you don't ... if you hold the playback button for a few seconds the camera boots without the lens extended, so you can review images... this is the same for all fuji x cameras, don't need to turn them on to review images.
Manuel focusing is very easy an fast - once you are used to it. Move the Focus-Field to the area you want, press the AEL-/AFL-Button for pre-focusing and then turn the dial on the backside of the X20 for fine-focusing. You will see the area immediatly in magnification and if you use the peaking-function you will see very clear if you are in focus or not.
Excellent video! Very informative. I just bought an X-20 and you have shown me a few shortcuts to access often used functions without having to go through nested menus. You've helped a lot, and made using this great little camera even more enjoyable. Thank you, you have another subscriber.
I just gifted this to myself as a birthday present.. Thanks for explaining it very well. I don't even need owners manual..
When the flash is up, push the right side of the four-way-button on the backside of the X20. Then choose the point "FORCED FLASH". This will only work in single-shot-mode. Hope it help's.
Thank you for your very comprehensive review of the features of the X20. I bought one. I am very happy with it except for one thing which you did not mention; poor battery life. The battery is a very small Li-ion. If I use the camera intensively it runs out of charge in about 2.5 hrs. I recommend anybody who intends to do heavy shooting to buy at least 2 extra batteries for a full days use. Fortunately this battery is widely available and non-Fuji branded versions are quite cheap online.
Thanks for this comprehensive review. I came here to see what the viewfinder looks like (I only have the X10) and you provided it! One small note for non-German speakers: when Ralf says "auto-focus" I thought he was saying "out-of-focus". Don't worry, that's just the German accent pronunciation of "auto focus".
Yes, you can use flashs from other brands. The only thing: You have to set the point "EXTERNAL FLASH" in the "SHOOTING MENU" to "ON".
Thanks Ralf, fantastic and comprehensive review from someone that has clearly spent some time with the camera, a stark contrast to some of the more mainstream reviews of the camera that just summarise the marketing material.
@Jason: Everything is ok with your viewfinder. This minimal softness is the result of the screen with the infos (shutter-speed, aperture, AF-Point). Between the two prism is the extra thin LCD-Element. And if you look very critical, you will recognize this as a minimal softness. The viewfinder of the X10 is this bit more sharper, because the X10 doesn't have the informations in the viewfinder.
great detailed review. I wish this camera has a flip/touch screen, Wifi, and HDR mode. Maybe X30.
I have both the RX100 and the X20 The X20 is one of the most beautiful retro style camera out now. It produces nice Fuji colors and images quite sharp as well and macro mode very nice. Auto focus is very fast and lens is nice and fast. I wish it just had on/off button instead of via lens. Wish focal range a bit longer to. So it is almost as good as Sony RX100 but it is a joy to use and easy to use and a beautiful camera. Has a viewfinder which RX100 does not have and is ok to use in sunlight
Great video! Very informative and your English is exceptional.
perfect, Ralph, your shortcuts are so useful. I watched with X20 in my hand and found all the shortcuts.
Thanks Rolf. A really, really helpful and comprehensive ‘tour’ of this camera. I have been thinking about getting one for some time, and now I think I will. If only my German was as good as your English…….!!
This was a great video on the X20. I was thinking of picking up a used one for a nice compact travel camera in 2021. Thanks for the detailed info.
@Payhole: Optical viewfinder, manuel Zoom, Handling und Design are the main-reasons why a lot of photographers buy the x20 instead the RX100. But your are right, the picture-quality of the RX100 ist very good and the price is almost the same. For me the X20 is not my prime Camera, but the always-in-the-pocket camera and so I don't need the best picture-quality but a "nice" camera, and in this way the X20 fits my needs better. But again, the RX100 is a real good camera.
Your reviews are so thorough. Thanks for the time you put into reviewing these products, I wouldn't believe you have left much information out of your review.
This is probably the best X20 review ever, danke schoen! And yes, I do come from the future - 2021 to be precise ;) Very well done!
A very detailed review which shows all the options, which is rare,
many thanks
C'est bien sure que je vais acheter ce Camara juste après avoir vu votre vidéo de presentation, Merci Beaucoup !!!
Thanks Ralf. Very very helpful review. I've just ordered a silver X20 so looking foward to using it soon.
You are absolutely right. The battery of the X20 ist very small and has few power. And you should take at least two extra-battery with you.
outstanding review!!
i just picked up a used one today, & i'm falling in love with this camera everything is so well thought out and easy to use, your review prompted me to go and find one.
i will do a follow up after i have so fun moving from a snapper to a photographer with this jewel....
I must say that your review is the most comprehensive on the X20. I love my new X20 and I'm at a learning curve right now but thanks for the great review. We are planning a visit through Chile to see an school friend from many years ago. I like the camera the most because it doesn't scream look at me I'm a photographer. Thanks again and please do more reviews in English! Spanish was hard but German I think my I.Q. would really be tested. :)
one of the best X20 reviews on youtube!
@Bart: If you dont't need the turnable touchscreen of the XZ-2 and want a camera with a optical viewfinder, go for the X20. It's a real good camera with a nice design .... and there are no other interesting or better options.
Thank you for your response and putting my mind at rest, its greatly appreciated.
Wonderful review by the way. I had been considering purchasing the X20 since its release and finally decided to order one after watching your review.
Excellent review,,more like a tutorial, very useful,just bought an X20 and this is a condensed version of the users guide.Would like to see more regarding white balance settings and adjustments. JJ
Thank you.. Excellent... I ordered and await this camera. Thanks to you my startup time will be greatly shortened
Many thanks Ralf! I have just purchased a second-hand X20 on eBay, and i shall be trying out all the features. Wonderful review! x
great review, best on the x20 yet. i have one on pre order. should be any day. thanks for your review.
Got mine few days ago. Very very nice - I must say I prefer the On/Off switch like the X100/s - one might want to review images when lens cap is on - On X20 you have to take lens cap off to turn on and view images. Would also have liked to see image affect like in the Sony RX100 like Water Color etc. Focus is very fast - do find Auto WB a little warm on both X100 and X20 but in X20 one can cool so fine. So a real competition for Sony RX100 - Fuji better lens but Sony bigger sensor - nice review
My 2 cents worth, I have programmed the Fn button to film simulation. The menu buttons first choice is ISO for most of the programmes.
Turn Continuous Focus off ... same with Image Stabilization ... set it so it only works when you are about to take the photo, ie. shutter half way down
It's a Motion Picture camera Icon ... note the film roll/magazine part of the icon ... not a video camera icon ... although of course it accesses the video function. :-)
Best review i have ever seen, extraordinary! thank you.
not many cameras, have video capability , with viewfinder & manual focus zoom.. so for shooting photo's & video .. it will be a great companion for my Canon 550DSLR..the bulid quality is i plus too
Wow!! You should officially create video user-guides for all cameras (and all other gadgets)!!
Excellent image samples on your Flickr page as well!
Thanks Ralf
Thank you for putting this together, excellent review.. I ordered one yesterday!
just ordred one x20. Hope it is so good as stated in all reviews and tests. Cannot wait... :-)
@amonrei: Yes, you are absolute right. I've missed this point in my review ....
Excellent review. Thank you SO much. I just received my X20 today, and this video has made my life so much easier. A+
great review Ralf, & good to hear that german accent again, i had a great german friend years ago , named joseph tretin.
all the very best John Radford
Best camera reviews on the web.
I played with X10 and most of the X series cameras last year in Japan, no problem changing to English, would imagine the X20 will be the same, just be careful with warranty, my HS20EXR from Japan states on the box "Japanese Only Warranty"
nice review Ralf I have an x10 but I want a x20 now!
Any news on the update or Fuji X30?? I heard a rumor last summer that Fuji was working on the update and it would have at least a 1 inch sensor - Fuji wants to compete with the very popular Sony RX100/M2 -
I think they really can if they come out with at least 1 inch sensor and keep the current lens F2.0-F2.8 -
just add Tilt-LCD - ND-Filter - maybe some improvements to viewfinder - On-Off button instead of current Lens On-Off system - more art filters - higher resolution LCD - hope they do not change the look or style - maybe a lens-cap like Olympus Stylus 1 where one does not have to take it off it opens up like a butterfly -
faster image processor - and Wifi / NFC and keep the price below the RX100m2
Of course Touch LCD would be really nice but I think hell will freeze over before Fuji and Sony put that feature on their nicer cameras (except for the Sony NEX5/r/t)
I own both RX100 and Fuji X20 - and love both - I must say that Fuji does better when fully zoomed in lower light as lens is faster at F2.8 vs F4.9 - so the advantage of the 1 inch vs 2/3 inch sensor disappears quick unless one is at 28mm - The X20 is a real nice camera but Fuji has to do something to pick up sales and a larger sensor and other enhancements would do the trick
Looking forward to you book about the X20
Excellent TUTORIAL as well.
Ralf,
Thanks for the review. Your reviews are through and comprehensive. At this moment, your review of the Fujifilm X20, is the only comprehensive review available in English. Your English is effective, pleasant and easy to understand. Unfortunately, the Google automatic translation of your web site is not up to your standard. It requires some knowledge German to be able to follow the material on your site. Thanks again. Harry
Any word or rumor on a X30? Sony reportedly have a RX200 coming out a faster lens ar F1.8-2.8 which is great news. So Fuji hopefully has aX30 in the works with a 1inch sensor
Amazing review! What do you think about the video quality compared to Canon PowerShot G15? I've seen some extremely impressive hd video samples from the G15, but from the X10 I've mostly seen horrible ones.. very disappointing. Do you think the X20 can be as good as the G15? And do you think the video quality will be better or the same as on the X100? I've seen some really impressive hd samples from the X100 too.
Just discovered your reviews! They are great. Very detailed. How does the X20 compare to the Pentax MX1? I can't decide.
As I said before your review of the X20 was the most detailed on the web. If you could please just tell me how I could get the flash to work? When I pop it up it never flashes or maybe there is a setting I have missed. I have read the manual PDF but with no luck. It just might be the rookie in me that is missing something. Thanks for any info you can give me.
Got it. It is a little beautie. Thanks Ralf
My freunde, fair play to you ☝️👍💯💯💯very helpfull and clear. Very good job. Pleasure to watch. Thank You 👊🍻
Very good video, very informative
Hi
Great video i too have found it very useful for learning the X20 much better than the manual.
My only grip with the X20 is that the picture review only stays on 1.5 seconds, which is too short a time to know whether to keep the shot or take another, any suggestions.
Regards
Ed
Thank you. I just bought an X20 second hand with no instructions
Ralf>i just bought X20 and notice Q button is flat compare to others buttons.Is this normal or not right?Regard Archie
One thing always puzzled me. x10's sensor has dimensions of 8.8mm per 6.6mm i.e. its diagonal is 11mm which is roughly 0.43 of an inch. Why on earth it's called a 2/3" sensor?
Nice job on the review
Is there a setting to turn off the screen and only have it turn on automatically after you take a picture just to view them? Would be nice to save some battery like that.
Thank you for this complete review.
What a great intro you had made!! Thanks!
I saw on your flickr account that you also took some pictures with the Olympus stylus xz-2. How do you compare this fuji x20 with the Olympus xz-2. I’m thinking of buying one of these camera’s and my feeling says to buy the x20. What do you think? Or maybe you have other ideas in that price range?
Great video The hot-shue only fore Fujii flash or can I use other brands?
Btw it was me who asked about the hot-shue. Thanks Ralf.
Superb review, thank you for it. I have a question: I LOVE manual focusing, but it doesn't look like this camera does traditional manual focusing (i.e. turning the focus ring on the lens) so my question is how much of a difference is it, in terms of length of time, in getting a shot in manual focus? Considering you have to push buttons to manual focus on this camera.
Ralf,
Are there any plans to produce an English version of your X20 book 'Kamerabuch Fujifilm X20' ?
The X20 is not a Video-Profi. If your main-goal are videos, I think the X20 is not the best choice. The X20 is definitely a PHOTO-Camera.
Why would be the advantage of the Fuji X20 over the Sony X100?
Since it seems both the image quality and definitely the video quality of the
Sony X100 is superior to the Fuji X20 and the price is about the same.
What am I missing here?
Thanks for the English version!!
Brilliant review-thank you!
I have just purchased an X20 but I have one minor niggle in what I believe is otherwise a near perfect compact. The optical viewfinder is not quite as sharp as I was expecting, there is an overall softness to the optical viewfinder that the dioptre adjustment cant remove, its perfectly usable but I was just expecting it to be sharper. Am I expecting too much from this kind of viewfinder or does is sound like the alignment within the viewfinder is slightly off with my X20?
Hey Ralf: Thanks fore the rewiev. The hot-shue only fore Fujii flash or can I use another brand?
Thanks for the detailed review. Your English is very good!.
EXCELLENT REVIEW!
Excellent review! Trying the x20 i was a bit confused about the M mode, it seems the LCD does not represent the actual exposure, but rather a predetermined expuse chosen by the camera. Do you know how to actually preview the exposure you have dialed (aperture plus shutter)?
Is it possible to change the language of the camera menu because Im thinking of buying one in Japan? A reply would really be appreciated
thanx for review
Hi Ralf
Nice review is there a way to change time of display for the picture after you take it. I found it disappearing too quick for me .
Do you think it's safe to try canon speedlight on x20 or do I need fuji speedlight to work with x20?
Thanks and regards
Thanks Ralf.
Is there any Filters Function on X-10? because i'm little confuse to choose between X-10 and X-20.. Looks not "big different" but big different on the prize..
Thank you
Ady,
Bandung, Indonesia
Can you please tell me if the HD video is smooth? I saw some sample video's and it is kind of stuttering.
How is the image quality compared to LX7 and XZ-2?
Question: When in autofocus, is there a way to move the focus point while looking through the viewfinder or can this only be done on the LCD screen?
have you tried to take pictures of people moving, did the auto-focus stay in focus?
Yes, you have to use the AF-C.
Thanks for the review mines in the mail as we speak!
great review.. thanks..
can you turn the eye sensor off and on?
No you don't ... if you hold the playback button for a few seconds the camera boots without the lens extended, so you can review images... this is the same for all fuji x cameras, don't need to turn them on to review images.
Have fun and take some beautiful pictures with the beautie ;-)
thanks, very through review.
3:17 Does anyone know how to display the information on the X20? Mine doesn’t have that.
Thanks.
hello, how do you move the auto focus for AF? i need help please. thanks
hey i'd like to know if x20 have built-in wifi or not (for direct image transfer from camera to smartphones). thanks!
No, the X20 has no built-in WiFi.
x20 or xz-2? which is better?
how to manual focus in viewfinder??