Fuji FinePix X20 Black Digital Camera

The Fuji FinePix X20 Black Digital Camera is a stylish yet functional camera and follows in the footsteps of the highly acclaimed X10. While the X20 offers minimal physical changes to its classy, retro design, it does present a few new enhancements. The 12 megapixel, 2/3-inch X-Trans CMOS II sensor inherits the same design and features of the high performance sensor found in the X-Pro1 and is ...

The Key features

• NEW Advanced Optical Viewfinder with a Digital Trans Panel
• NEW 12 megapixel 2/3-inch X-Trans CMOS II sensor
• Intelligent Hybrid AF in 0.06 seconds (*3)
• Improved EXR Processor II
• High quality fast f/2.0-2.8 lens
• 4x FUJINON manual barrel zoom lens
• 2.8inch High Contrast LCD monitor (460K dots)
• Pop-up Super Intelligent Flash
• Fast start-up time of 0.5 seconds (*4), shutter time lag of 0.01 seconds
• Super Macro mode (1cm)
• Motion Panorama 360
• 8 Advanced Filters
• Q button for frequently used menu items
• Function (Fn) button
• NEW GUI showing the focal distance, aperture value and shutter speed in sync with the zoom ring or command dial rotation
• Advanced SR Auto mode with 64 shooting patterns
• Full HD video (60fps)
• Manual focus during video recording
• Output for Stereo Microphone (sold separately)
• Focus Peak Highlight function on the LCD screen
• Available in all black or two-tone black and silver
• 4 types of shutter sounds - Lens Shutter, Focal Plane Shutter, Mirror Up and Silent Shutter

Video: The Fujifilm X20

The main features in more detail

(1) Advanced Optical Viewfinder with real time shooting data for improved usability and a bright view
Despite its compact size, the FUJIFILM X20 sports a bright and clear optical viewfinder with a horizontal apparent field of view of 20 degrees and coverage of 85%. It is synched to the zoom lens and comes with an eye sensor for enhanced usability.

The X20’s viewfinder also has a newly-developed Digital Trans Panel, which is less than 1mm in depth and is highly transparent. It displays the shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focusing area and other shooting information so that users can continue shooting comfortably without having to take their eye off the action. The Digital Trans Panel automatically switches the colour of information in the shooting frame according to the scene and shooting conditions. Normally displayed in black, in especially dark scenes the shooting information is automatically displayed in green for enhanced visibility; and when an error occurs, the displayed information changes to red.

(2) Premium image quality with edge to edge clarity and minimal noise
The X20 features FUJIFILM’s newly-developed 12 megapixel 2/3-inch X-Trans CMOS II sensor. The highly random nature of the unique colour filter array eliminates the need for an optical low-pass filter, while maintaining high resolution images with edge-to-edge clarity. Optical low-pass filters have traditionally been used in conventional sensors to reduce false colour and moiré effects, however this also means sacrificing image quality.

The X20 uses a Lens Modulation Optimiser to reduce optical effects such as lens diffraction, which occurs when light passes through a lens. Even at an aperture of f/8, the X20 retains sharpness and texture in the fine details, drawing out the full potential of the lens.

The sensor's excellent sensitivity is coupled with the processor's advanced signal processing capacity to reduce noise by more than 30% (*2) compared to its predecessor. Even shooting in low-light (e.g. indoors or at night) at a high ISO setting, the X20 will produce a clear image with minimal graininess.

(3) High-speed features and Auto Focus in as little as 0.06 seconds (*3)
The newly-developed X-Trans CMOS II sensor has built-in Phase Detection pixels for high-speed AF in as little as 0.06 seconds (*3). Furthermore, its BSI (Back-Side Illuminated) sensor structure means the Phase Detection pixels can gather sufficient light, whatever the angle of incidence, at a large aperture, to deliver high-precision AF. The Intelligent Hybrid AF automatically switches to Contrast AF when the subject or scene demands it to ensure that the camera always auto-focuses at the highest speed and precision levels possible.

A Focus Peak Highlight feature is available to help photographers manual focus by highlighting the area of the image currently in focus. It provides a guide for situations where it’s difficult to tell whether the subject is correctly focused; allowing users to adjust manual focus easily whilst viewing the LCD monitor.

The EXR Processor II delivers performance speeds twice that of the previous generation processor (*5). The X20 offers super speedy response times, with a start-up time of approx. 0.5 seconds (*4), a shutter time lag of 0.01 seconds and a shooting interval of 0.5 seconds. The X20 also delivers an impressive burst rate of 12 frames per second at the full 12 megapixel resolution.

(4) High precision f/2.0-2.8 4x manual barrel zoom lens
Incredible attention to detail has been paid when designing this high precision lens. It’s made up of 11 glass elements in 9 groups, including 3 aspherical lens elements and 2 extra-low dispersion lens elements. The result is an ultra bright lens with a wide-angle maximum aperture of f/2.0 and telephoto maximum aperture of f/2.8. FUJINON's proprietary HT-EBC coating is applied to the lens, it effectively controls flare and ghosting from appearing on images.

The optical 4x manual zoom lens allows users to determine precise composition quickly and instinctively, and the use of metal for the lens barrel and its internal structures provides a really smooth zooming action. In Super Macro mode you can get as close as 1cm from your subject, for stunning close-up shots.

The X20’s unique image stabilisation mechanism shifts 5 lens elements compensating for camera shake by up to 4 stops, it also effectively prevents motion blur while stopping vignetting and loss of image resolution that usually occurs during camera shake compensation.

Additionally, the X20’s lens incorporates 7 diaphragm blades which enable you to create a beautiful soft ‘bokeh’ effect to make your subject stand out off the background perfectly.

(5) Artistic photography
This exciting new camera features FUJIFILM's proprietary Film Simulation modes. Users can choose from ten different modes which simulate the effects of traditional Fujifilm films. Including colour reversal film effects (Velvia / PROVIA / ASTIA), professional colour negative film (PRO Neg.Std / PRO Neg.Hi), monochrome filters (MONOCHROME, Ye filter, R filter and G filter) and SEPIA.

Also available on the X20 are the Advanced Filter functions; users can choose from 8 different artistic effects which can be previewed on the LCD screen:

• Pop Colour - emphasises the contrast and colour saturation
• Toy Camera - creates shaded borders as if you were taking a photo on a toy camera
• Miniature - adds a blur to the top and bottom for a diorama or miniature effect
• Dynamic Tone - giving dynamic gradation for a fantasy finish
• Partial Colour – this feature selects one colour and takes the rest of the shot in black and white. Colours can be selected from red, yellow, green, blue, orange and purple
• High Key - enhances brightness and reduces contrast to lighten tonal reproduction
• NEW Low Key – creates uniformly dark tones with a few areas of emphasised highlights
• NEW Soft Focus – blurs the focus of the image edges to create a softer effect
• A separate Multiple Exposure function offers users the chance to combine two separate subjects into one photo, offering great artistic expression.

(6) Full HD Video Shooting

The X20 can shoot Full HD Video (1920 x 1080) at 60fps, for smooth video capture. Shooting at the high bit-rate of 36Mbps results in reduced noise and enhanced image quality that reveals every detail from individual leaves in the trees, to subtle changes in facial expression.

Many of the features available when shooting stills are also available while recording video footage. You can take advantage of a number of the Film Simulation modes and exploit the brightness of the lens to shoot videos with a dreamy ‘bokeh’ effect. The NEW Movie Scene Recognition feature can automatically recognise six types of scene and optimise the settings for beautiful results, under a variety of shooting conditions. What’s more the Intelligent Hybrid AF feature is activated during video recording and an optional Stereo Microphone can be attached to capture sound perfectly.

(7) Elegant design and sophisticated operating system
Manufactured in Japan from strong, yet lightweight, die-cast magnesium alloy, the X20’s upper control deck and camera base are superbly designed and add a real sense of style and elegance to the camera. The mode dial and zoom ring have been ergonomically designed and precision-milled from solid aluminium; the exterior is finished with synthetic leather, which is durable and resilient. The two-tone version of the X20 has a specially-formulated silver finish which is applied with a coating that creates the premium feel of thick steel.

Composing and viewing images via the LCD is a pleasure thanks to the X20’s high-contrast, 460K-dot, 2.8-inch Premium screen, with a wide viewing-angle and an enhanced GUI menu system. The X20 also features a ‘Q’ button which can call up frequently-used menu items such as ISO settings, and a ‘Fn’ (Function) button which allows users to assign features frequently used while shooting.

The camera’s aspect ratio can be selected from 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1 (square) to accommodate a wide range of photographic styles. The camera also features an Advanced SR Auto mode, which detects not only the main subject but also whether it is moving or stationary to automatically optimise the focus, exposure, ISO and other settings

*1. Fujifilm research. Compared with X10 and conducted in f/8.
*2. Compared with the X10.
*3. FUJIFILM research based on CIPA guidelines and conducted in “High Performance” mode.
*4. Quick start mode
*5. Compared with the EXR Processor Pro.