Fuji X100 or X20?

cambsno

cambsno

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Really tempted by one of the above 2, but unsure which!!!

My D700 will be my preferred option most of the time, but feel like something different. Have a Rolleicord for something totally different and have toyed with a Leica M2 or M3, but that is an expensive route and dont think I can justify the expense. Plus, while film is fun, i do like digital! I just love the look of them though!

So, the above 2 Fujis do look similar to the Leica, but i dont know which one is best for me. The stories of the AF speed on X100 worry me, but then often these things are overrated. I like the look, and its a 'proper' sensor (ie. DX) - so DOF will be similar to my 2nd body (D300). It also has a shutter speed dial. I do like shooting primes (have 50mm & 85mm) but its basically a 24mm lens (so 35mm due to crop) which is wider than I normally shoot at.

The X20 looks great too (chrome), but its sensor is small - i just dont like the way that it wont match my dslrs (or the x100) in terms of f numbers/dof. It has not shutter dial, but is more versitile with the lens range. However, I am not a fan of the canon S95 I have for that reason.

Both are similarish in price, have looked through the x100 and x20 threads on here but still none the wiser.

I take a lot of pics of the kids, and it would be used on days out with them as well as 'general photography'. I shoot 99% of the time in manual mode, and would here. Wife would hopefully use it more too, as she is not too keen on the dslrs.
 
Have you tried them both out in a shop? I *would* have recommended Jessops for that but I don't know if any other Cambridge camera shops stock both :/ Only you can decide what's best for you, but I would recommend the enthusiast-centric X100 over the more P&S style X20. One look through the viewfinders of each would probably make your mind up :)
 
I'd take the X20 over the X100 any day of the week. The X100s would be a different matter.
 
In Zack Arias' review of the X100s, I asked him for his thoughts about the X20. He replied and suggested that I get the X100 instead of the X20.

@Chie – here’s how I described the x100 vs. x10 – The x100 is a photographer’s camera. The x10 is a photographer’s point and shoot.

I bought an x10 for my wife. It’s a nice camera. It really is. She didn’t care for it much and I haven’t touched it in 9 months. I’m letting my business manager take it because she needs a good point and shoot for an upcoming vacation.

The x20 is cool. It’s a nice little camera. But it’s not magical like the x100 is. Save your money. Sell a kidney. Be patient and get the x100s. Or…. Or…. Buy a used x100. I’d rather have a used x100 than a new x20. That’s not saying the x20 sucks. That’s saying the x100 is *that* much better.

Cheers,
Zack
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Here's the link to that (now) (very) famous review: A Camera Walks Into a Bar

I read that advice, digested it. Studied the two cameras a bit more. Sat and thought about why I wanted the camera (I have a Canon DSLR system and wanted a camera I could use everyday.) Decided that I need the reach of the X20 when I'm out and about to enjoy street photography and that pretty much made the decision for me.

I'd love to have an X100s, don't get me wrong. But that would be in addition to the X20 I have now and would be more a luxury than a need for me.

My two cents: know the power and limitations of each, know what you'll need them for, find out which one most answers your need and purchase the camera based on that choice. :) Have fun deciding! (Ad then have fun shooting!)
 
I sold my X100 and have an X100S & X20, my main views would be:

If you want to use a viewfinder then the X100 is FAR superior to the X20.
The X20's zoom is useful at times (I prefer the X100's fixed lens but that's personal preference)
The X100 produces sharper and slightly more film-like photos (editing would probably almost eliminate the difference)
The X100 feels like a Pro model, the X20 feels like a top-level P&S (which you'd prefer is personal choice!)
The X20 focuses quicker, especially in poor light.
The X20 has much better macro modes.
The X20 is much quicker in general operation.

I loved the X100 but after the X100S and X20 I would struggle with it's sluggish operation and few of its other quirks so I'd probably lean towards the X20 unless you can sell a kidney and get the X100S which is the best camera I've ever owned (including a 20k+ DSLR setup).
 
The really important factor is the fixed lens and you are already doubting whether it will meet your needs.
Not sure anyone can tell you what to do as you already know the differences and ideally need an X100s with a zoom!

Having owned an X10 and an X100 I would go for the X20 for my needs as the improvements over the X10 have been made in the right areas. Neither actually fits my needs as they are both too big and I now have an XF1 and live without a viewfinder (I'll wait and see how long that lasts!)
 
Speaking as an X10 (and D700) owner, it seems to me that the X100 and X20 are very different cameras, even if they do look similar. The X10, good though it is, is still very much a top end point and shoot, a very capable one at that. It's got a decent zoom range as these things go, however, I did find the viewfinder largely pointless as it has only 85% coverage and the view is obstructed by the lens - not sure if the X20 is the same although it does now have some exposure information in the viewfinder. As compacts go, they're not compact, but if you're also considering an X10 then that isn't an issue I guess.
From what I know of the x100, it operates completely differently to the X10 / X20 and as mentioned before, has a fixed prime lens. You need to think carefully whether you prefer a zoom or a prime lens, and then work backwards from there to make your choice IMO.
 
ricky1981 said:
I sold my X100 and have an X100S & X20, my main views would be:

If you want to use a viewfinder then the X100 is FAR superior to the X20.
The X20's zoom is useful at times (I prefer the X100's fixed lens but that's personal preference)
The X100 produces sharper and slightly more film-like photos (editing would probably almost eliminate the difference)
The X100 feels like a Pro model, the X20 feels like a top-level P&S (which you'd prefer is personal choice!)
The X20 focuses quicker, especially in poor light.
The X20 has much better macro modes.
The X20 is much quicker in general operation.
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Thanks all, what Rich writes helps a lot too.

Zoom is nice, but do often find myself taking a prime out rather than a zoom, so the x100 doesnt faze me. The only concern would be 35mm as I dont have that currently BUT it would be nice to have say a 35mm on one camera (x100) and the 85mm on the d700 to give me a good range.

Iq is key, i really want it to be close to a dslr or I wont use it. Also like the feeling of a pro model. Macro is irrelevant to me.

So all in all, while the x20 is the newer generation, most things point to the x100. It all depends about how 'sluggish' it is - which is subjective.
 
If you're after a family friendly option then the x20 would seem to fit the bill better.
I'm also looking for an easy to use all-in-one solution. Had a play with the x20 yesterday. The only drawback I could see was the absolute requirement for two handed operation.
For me the big difference is face detection. If your photos are going to be family orientated and you want other people to use the camera then you can just hand the x20 to anyone, it is easy to use and it will focus in the right place.
With the x100, I know I've got one, you need to give everyone else using it a quick lesson in focus and recompose!!
You would get better results handing over a DSLR for a casual phot than a x100 in my view. And I bet your wife would be happier with a DSLR too than the X100.

PS if the x100/s had face detection (or, at least a useable auto area option) it would be the perfect family camera in my view. I've no idea why it doesn't. Maybe saving it for the x100ss....
 
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I guess it boils down to a trade of between sensor size and the flexibility of a zoom lens. For me it was an easy decision. I bought the X100s. It's tactile in a way that few cameras can match. The sensor is superb.
 
Hi, If I could chip in on this thread.

Slightly different in know as I've not used a X100 or X100s but I use a X-E1 (18-55mm lens) that I'm sure you know has the same sensor as the 100s and produces images of astounding quality compared to other C-size camera images that I have seen.

I also use a X20 and to be perfectly honest I've never seen images from anything else (with the same size sensor) that even come close to the images produced by this camera. I've made prints larger than A3 from the X20 and while not quite as smooth as the prints from the X-E1 the difference is virtually undetectable at correct viewing distances. It's easily usable up to 1600iso and yes noise has started to show a bit by then but it's certainly not unacceptable and can be taken out with a bit of pp. Adding to that optically the X20 is superb even wide open, but close it down a stop and it's pin sharp right into the corners. The view finder is probably not as nice as the X100 but is still very good, and after all it's not the view finder that puts the light on the sensor.

If the choice were mine I'd go for the X20 without any doubt.
Purely my opinon of course for what it's worth, Hope this helps.
 
G.K.Jnr. said:
If the choice were mine I'd go for the X20 without any doubt.
Purely my opinon of course for what it's worth, Hope this helps.
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Nope, just confused things!!!:p

So far...

Looks - X100
VF - X100
Size - Both - x20 is smaller so easier to carry, but I do like large bodies
IQ - X100
Speed - X20
Cost - X100
Flexibility - X20 (zoom)

Though the X100s would be nice - cost is an issue and at that price may be more tempted by a x-e1 or even a leica m2 plus lens! I guess any camera will seem slow to me as used to D700 with good glass, but I guess the X100 wins - heart keeps saying that, and if i just dont get on with it I shouldnt lose too much.
 
cambsno said:
Nope, just confused things!!!:p

So far...

Looks - X100
VF - X100
Size - Both - x20 is smaller so easier to carry, but I do like large bodies
IQ - X100
Speed - X20
Cost - X100
Flexibility - X20 (zoom)

Though the X100s would be nice - cost is an issue and at that price may be more tempted by a x-e1 or even a leica m2 plus lens! I guess any camera will seem slow to me as used to D700 with good glass, but I guess the X100 wins - heart keeps saying that, and if i just dont get on with it I shouldnt lose too much.
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Hi, Sorry about the confusion as I said It's only my opinion. I'm sure you will make the right decision and enjoy what ever you get. They're both extreemly good cameras.
 
Well, have just bought an X100 from the forum... cant wait to have a play!
 
Don't think you could have gone wrong with either, Fuji have got a lot right with their cameras.
I even recently picked up an XF1 as it truly fits in my pocket (and rude not to at under £200) and find the images from that to be great but the X100 is a notch above.
 
Or about in therms of image quality? X20 has a very small censor comparing to X100, do you see the difference?
 
Not sure how much difference anyone will notice between A4 prints (or possibly even A3) from the X-20 and X-100. In terms of handling, I prefer the X-20 but that's possibly as much a familiarity thing as anything else. The extra flexibility the 28-112 (35mm EFL) the X-20 gives over the fixed 35mm (again, 35mm EFL) of the X-100 is also handy - even with the larger sensor of the X-100, there's a limit on crop zooming! As Chris points out, the XF-1 is also a fine camera and is truly pocketable.

Enjoy the X-100.
 
Slightly different in know as I've not used a X100 or X100s but I use a X-E1 (18-55mm lens) that I'm sure you know has the same sensor as the 100s and produces images of astounding quality compared to other C-size camera images that I have seen.
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Sorry but it doesn't, the X100s uses the Xtrans mk2, the X-E1 uses the mk 1 xtrans sensor the same as the X-Pro1.
One of the main differences being the on chip phase detect points for the dual focusing system on the X100s.

My two penneth? go for the X100s if your pocket allows if not go for the X100, there's rumoured to be a substantial firmware update on the way for it very soon that will speed up things and add a few features from the later cameras.
 
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magicaxeman said:
Sorry but it doesn't, the X100s uses the Xtrans mk2, the X-E1 uses the mk 1 xtrans sensor the same as the X-Pro1.
One of the main differences being the on chip phase detect points for the dual focusing system on the X100s.
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Hi, That's interesting I wasn't aware of that. I use a X-E1 so am I correct in thinking the resulting image quality is still the same with both the mk1 and mk2 sensors?
 
G.K.Jnr. said:
Hi, That's interesting I wasn't aware of that. I use a X-E1 so am I correct in thinking the resulting image quality is still the same with both the mk1 and mk2 sensors?
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I dont know personally, but apparently there is a slight difference in the files and of course the X100s has a fixed lens & a different shutter system.

The main difference is the on sensor phase detect focusing and the different focusing options it gives combined with the contrast detect focusing.

Also they run a different processor, we'll have to wait until next year when the X-Pro2 & X-E2 are released to find out.
 
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