FujiFilm X20
Price: Rs 39,999
Specs: 12MP CMOS, ISO 12800, 28-112mm F20-F2.8, 1/4000 sec, 1080p, SD card, RAW
At first sight the Fujifilm X20 looks a lot like the X100S. But then this is a very different camera and comes with something the X100S does not have - a zoom.
The X20 has a 28-112mm lens, which gives a decent range for amateur users. The lens ring is also the on-off switch for the camera. This is not a new concept, but is a bit awkward when you have to open the lens to playback pictures.
The camera comes with all the settings you would see on a DSLR and also has RAW format if you need to tweak after shooting. Once in the aperture or shutter priority modes you have two rings to change the parameters. The same work when you are in full manual. This camera has a 3-inch LCD as well as a viewfinder, which strangely shows you a part of the lens all the time.
The camera has a real fast auto-focus and unlike the X100S this works even in macro. But try the camera in Full Auto and you realize that the low-light quirk of the X100S is carried over here. The camera has a default setting of ISO 800, as if to say it knows you are going to shoot in low light. However, the low light images are not at all bad in this camera and we captured some in pitch darkness. We were really impressed by the subtle results and tone variations. The colour reproduction in the pictures is also great.
But with both cameras we noticed that it is better to check on a larger screen to be doubly sure about what you have clicked. Often, the pictures appear sharp on the cameras LCD, but are a bit blurred when seen on a larger display, a bit like some of the smartphones today. So don't blindly trust the results.
Overall, X20 is a camera that will let you do much more than the X100S, which we have recommended for hobbyists. In fact, the X20 is a good premium compact for amateurs who want to go a step up but not buy a DSLR.
Rating: 4/5
Bag it or junk it: Good premium compact option
