The Fujifilm X10 and the Fujifilm X20 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in September 2011 and January 2013. Both the X10 and the X20 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 2/3 sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 12 megapixels. Show Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.  Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X10 and the Fujifilm X20? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers. Body comparisonThe physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X10 and the Fujifilm X20 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter. Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver). In this particular case, the Fujifilm X10 and the Fujifilm X20 have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. However, the X20 is slightly heavier (1 percent) than the X10. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X10 nor the X20 are weather-sealed. The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there. The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Sensor comparisonThe size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider , and have richer than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses. Both cameras under consideration feature a 2/3 sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 3.9. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3. The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 12 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the X10 and the X20 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the X20 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 4 months) than the X10, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves. The X20 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation. The Fujifilm X10 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Fujifilm X20 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800 (no boost). Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Like most digital cameras, the X10 uses a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. In contrast, the X20 employs a more randomized X-Trans layout of photosites, which according to Fujifilm helps to minimize moiré. Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators. Sensor Characteristics Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution (MP) Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Fujifilm X10 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/30p20.511.3245502. Fujifilm X20 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.110.9-462463. Canon G16 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.011.7230544. Canon G15 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.911.5165465. Canon G12 1/1.7 10.0 3648 2736720/24p20.411.2161476. Fujifilm X30 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.411.2-312497. Leica D-LUX 6 1/1.7 10.0 3648 27361080/60p19.810.8-303438. Panasonic LX7 1/1.7 10.0 3648 27361080/60p20.711.7147509. Panasonic G10 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.14115210. Panasonic GF2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i21.210.35065411. Panasonic LX5 1/1.7 10.0 3648 2736720/60p19.610.813241 Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the X20 provides a faster frame rate than the X10. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the X10 is limited to 1080/30p. Feature comparisonApart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The X10 and the X20 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm X10, the Fujifilm X20, and comparable cameras. Core Features Camera Model Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) Control Panel (yes/no) LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) LCD Attach- ment Touch Screen (yes/no) Max Shutter Speed * Max Shutter Flaps * Built-in Flash (yes/no) Built-in Image Stab 1. Fujifilm X10optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y 2. Fujifilm X20optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y 3. Canon G16optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.2/s Y Y 4. Canon G15optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.1/s Y Y 5. Canon G12optical n2.8 / 461 swivel n 1/4000s 1.1/s Y Y 6. Fujifilm X302360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y 7. Leica D-LUX 6optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y 8. Panasonic LX7optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y 9. Panasonic G10202 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n 10. Panasonic GF2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n 11. Panasonic LX5optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y Y Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
Both the X10 and the X20 have zoom lenses built in. Both optics have identical focal length range and aperture specifications (7.1-28.4mm f/2.0-2.8). Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture. Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X10 and the X20 write their files to SDXC cards. Connectivity comparisonFor some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X10 and Fujifilm X20 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer. Input-Output Connections Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Fujifilm X10Ystereo / mono--mini2.0- 2. Fujifilm X20Ystereo / mono--micro2.0- 3. Canon G16Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y-- 4. Canon G15Ystereo / mono--mini2.0- 5. Canon G12Ystereo / mono--mini2.0- 6. Fujifilm X30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-- 7. Leica D-LUX 6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0- 8. Panasonic LX7Ystereo / mono--mini2.0- 9. Panasonic G10Ymono / ---mini2.0- 10. Panasonic GF2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0- 11. Panasonic LX5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
Both the X10 and the X20 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The X10 was replaced by the Fujifilm X20, while the X20 was followed by the Fujifilm X30. Further information on the features and operation of the X10 and X20 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm X10 Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm X20 Manual. Review summarySo what is the bottom line? Is the Fujifilm X10 better than the Fujifilm X20 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants. Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm X10:
Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X20:
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X20 emerges as the winner of the match-up (4 : 1 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one. X10 01:04 X20 How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X10 and the Fujifilm X20 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop. In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X10 or the X20 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. Expert reviewsThis is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice. Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts. Other camera comparisonsDid this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Specifications: Fujifilm X10 vs Fujifilm X20Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features. |
