Fuji XF1 or X20?

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Thegreatroberto

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Hi
Sometimes lugging arround the Nikon D700 and a load of glass does get tiring!

So, the small Fuji X series appear to get a resonable write up, and I'm sort of down to these two.
Anything down from the D700 is going to be way smaller and lighter, and something that fits in my pocket even better.
So, apart from the size and perhaps how they handle, is there much in performance and IQ between these two. Not least as Currys have the XF1 at £130 at the moment. Making it about half the price of the X20
OK, so this is not goiing to replace the D700. It's for those days when photography is not my main reson for going out!
Any experience of both would be usefull.
 
My main camera is a D3100 with selection of lenses. I purchased a XF1 a few weeks ago and am very happy with the results. An ideal camera to put in my pocket when going out and not wanting to take the DSLR. Obviously the XF1 has limitations but still gives some excellent results.
DSCF0326 by icksilver, on Flickr
DSCF0243 by icksilver, on Flickr
A couple of recent shots with the XF1
 
I'm in a similar situation, but I'm leaning towards the x20, purely due to it having a viewfinder which is useful in bright sunlight. IQ wise I imagine them both being incredibly similar, and its saft to say that the fuji X series as a whole is excellent in terms of glass and IQ
 
I sold my xf to get an x20... then when I actually got to the shop to buy it I wasn't actually that impressed.

Imo, I would go with the xf1 as it will go in your pocket comfortably...
 
Both lovely camera's and both produce great images, already bought the XF1 and it's lovely to use, just difficult seeing the LCD screen in bright light. What I like about the X20 is a brighter lens and view finder, downside not really a pocketable camera. Pocket ability would just edge it in favour of the XF1 for me, as would the insanely low price.
 
I did originally go towards the x20. And yes the viewfinder is nice. But so long as there are no major issues with the xf1 what is it you get (or don't get) for double the price with the x20?
Don't see it myself. Looks like I could be off to Currys shortly!!
 
Can't comment on the XF as I've not had one, but speaking as a fellow D700 user, I love my X10 to complement the bigger SLR. The image quality at low ISO's is excellent, medium and higher ISO's are usable for snaps, and the twisting zoom is far preferable to the electric ones used on most other compacts. The viewfinder on the X10 isn't much use, apart from on sunny days, but I think the X20 one now has some exposure information visible in it. The AF is meant to be better as well, hopefully the battery life is better because it's pants on the X10.
In terms of pocketability, the X10 / X20, aren't really unless you have large pockets or wear a big coat everywhere. I bought a funky Fuji leather case which looks the part!
 
Thegreatroberto said:
I did originally go towards the x20. And yes the viewfinder is nice. But so long as there are no major issues with the xf1 what is it you get (or don't get) for double the price with the x20?
Don't see it myself. Looks like I could be off to Currys shortly!!
Click to expand...

In my opinion I think the XF1 is superb value for money, I'm not sure there is anything else out there with the same spec, at the same price ! In short, great quality images in a lovely little body, nice bright f/1.8 at the wide end, although it does drop pretty quick as you start to zoom. So neat and small, no excuse not to have it in your pocket at all times, something you can't do with the X20.
 
My reasons for getting the xf1 were the same as the OP - sometimes I just didn't want to lug around a huge backpack.

I've been really impressed. For example, this was taken today


rape at the windmill by damianmkv, on Flickr

Of course my d7000 could've done better ( the sky for example ) but I can slip this in my pocket and not have backache at the end of the day, nor be as conspicuous when out and about.
 
damianmkv said:
I can slip this in my pocket and not have backache at the end of the day, nor be as conspicuous when out and about.
Click to expand...

Yes have to agree with you there, great for getting those photos unnoticed .
 
I have an X10, it's a brilliant camera, thinking of upgrading to either the X20 or X100s.
 
Thegreatroberto said:
Sounds like the upgrade might be a xf1 at £130
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If you do buy from Currys make sure they have it in stock. On two occasions I was told by a Currys sales assistant they did not have a particular camera in, on both occasions I asked them to go and check the stock. When they did check, they found they did have the Camera's in after all.
 
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Get the XQ-1, best of both worlds! XF1's small form with the X20's sensor and AF system! Having owned an X10 and an XF-1 I'm really loving my XQ-1 - a much underrated and underused camera.
 
I have 2 XF-1s and an X-20 (as well as having had an X-10). The 2 under consideration are slightly different animals with the XF slipping comfortably into almost any pocket while the X-20 slips into only large coat pockets. Either is capable of producing A3+ prints which are hard to tell apart from those produced by some DSLRs. TBH, the price of the XF from Currys compared to the cost of the X-20 makes it a bit of a no-brainer unless a VF is a must have. On the subject of the VF vs the rear screen, I have used the XF pretty much as far South as one can get in Europe (Southern Crete) in early June and had no problems using the rear screen to compose. While the X-20 carries some information in its OVF, it's missing a few things such as the level (which reduces its usefulness for me.)
 
jonbeeza said:
If you do but from Currys make sure they have it in stock. On two occasions I was told by a Currys sales assistant they did not have a particular camera in, on both occasions I asked them to go and check the stock. When they did check, they found they did have the Camera's in after all.
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This morning I checked stock of each colour in my local branches via the Currys website. The tan ones were marked as out of stock everywhere (nationally) but when I visited the New Malden branch to pick up my chosen colour they had at least 3 boxed tan XF1's.

Presumably the staff essentially use the same stock checking system that drives the website which suggests it doesn't work very well!
 
Enjoy!
 
Going to. Bloke at work brought one in today.
Some of the "creative" look fun, but I'm expecting to get bored with them quickly!
And it can shot raw!!
 
It can but as with all the Fujis, its JPEGs are great!
 
Nod said:
It can but as with all the Fujis, its JPEGs are great!
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Have to agree with you there, mind you I find I seem to be agreeing with you frequently ;) But yes the JPEGs certainly are brilliant, I was just looking at the photos of the kids taken with the XF1, and the detail is just so good. I was impressed with close ups, the eyes looked sparkling and bright, and skin tone was spot on.
 
I'm an agreeable chap!
 
Just picked up the xf1 from my local PC world. First impressions are good. Nice solid feel. Just awaiting the battery to charge!
 
damianmkv said:
You'll love it :)
Click to expand...
Yep. You're right. Love the size and weight.
Not sure about the "exr auto" mode. Is it clever or just for p and s merchants?
Like the look of some of the advanced filters, but reckon I'll be bored of those quickley
 
Haven't played much with the EXR Auto mode but when I have, I've found it delivers very good results - certainly better than just P&S quality! Give it a try - it's easy enough to switch away from it if/when you want a bit more control yourself!
 
Done the double exposure mode. Easy to use as well. Want to try the filtered b&w modes as well.
 
Great little camera......have even heard that some people sell them, regret it, then go and buy another one:D
 
Trick is to keep the first (tan in black case) then supplement it with another (black with tan case...) Cameras are now in matching cases which fit absolutely perfectly and match the leather finish of the cameras the cases contain.
 
By tan, you mean red... Buy a red...sell a red.. Regret it... Buy a red ( tbc )

You spin me right round baby right round...

:D
 
silverman said:
Great little camera......have even heard that some people sell them, regret it, then go and buy another one:D
Click to expand...

I have not sold mine, but I gave mine to the missus as she fell in love with it. She has only taken it out once, while I have taken the replacement Panasonic out every day ! The sad things is, every time I go out, the little XF1 is lying there on the missus's dressing table. I could not bear it any longer, I put it back in it's box and put it out of sight. I reckon she will get fed up with it soon, and she will probably give it me back. Can't wait to get my hands back on the little beauty, and I am talking about the XF1 not the missus !
 
Red is the best... especially when it's the only one they have left and he knocks you a tenner off the price as it's 'ex display' :D

So that makes the b*****k that I dropped less sizeable. And I got a cool little manfrotto pixi tripod out of it too.

Oh, and as for the colour, watch this space ;)
 
Whatever they have in stock! I only bought the second one because they were so cheap and I wanted one to match the upholstery in the car. Not sure I'll get away with a similar ploy if Fuji ever release an XK body or compact in cream leather jacket!
 
I must admit I like the Black best Red second then Tan. I think it would look great in deep Purple :)
 
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