The Fujifilm X-T20 may very well be my perfect camera. After coming to terms that I could not justify the expense of an X-T2, and after being tempted to buy a used X-Pro2 but holding off, a posting for a used X-T20 popped up on Craigslist. Hmmm...even though I had always set my sights to Fuji's top of the line offerings, nonetheless I obsessively poured through the X-T20 reviews and YouTube videos. Something became apparent; I am now a mid-range kinda guy.
The X-T20 Craigslist Guy lived in Boston. I had to drive my daughter back to her college in Boston. It was meant to be. In the single most efficient use of a drive into Boston, I deposited my daughter and drove home with a camera.
Here are the five reasons I bought this camera:
1. Flippy Screen
My first Fuji was an X-E1 because I felt a certain affinity with the rangefinder style of body. I later bought a used X-T1 and was amazed by the big EVF. Recently I bought a used X-Pro1 because I missed the rangefinder style, but I also found that with the X-Pro1 that I missed the articulated LCD. Even after decades of photography I never became comfortable holding the camera to my face, feeling self conscious. The X-T20's articulated and touch screen LCD appeals to me as my preferred way of shooting is to hold the camera at waist level, looking down on the LCD flipped to a 90 degree angle. Set the camera to use electronic shutter and now I am very much in my photographic comfort zone with no camera at my face, visible and no shutter sound, audible.
![Fujifilm X-T20 X-T1 X70]( "Fujifilm X-T20 X-T1 X70") |
| Flippy screen parade! |
2. Discrete
With the 27mm, the X-T20 is the perfect size to slip into my messenger work bag or into a coat or fleece pocket. Similar to holding the camera to my face, I've never been comfortable displaying a camera around my neck or over the shoulder. I prefer it if no one sees I have a camera or notices me taking a picture. This is not a "street" thing, its just how I quietly roll.
![Fujifilm X-T20 size]( "Fujifilm X-T20 size") |
| Paired with the 27mm, the X-T20 transforms into a little travel buddy |
3. Nostagia
My first "real" camera was a Pentax Super Program. This camera was with me in college when I left for a year abroad in England. It was with me when I backpacked around Europe. I had it during all the trips back and forth to various places while maintaining a long distance relationship with a beautiful and intelligent woman I met while at UEA, Norwich. It was the camera that was with me when I finally married that English woman, who was now my wife. It was the camera I took on our honeymoon in Scotland and the camera that documented the first years of our marriage, our travels, and our life together. It was the camera captured images of our daughter after she was was born and as she became a toddler. Even though I have owned many cameras since, I still have my Pentax Super Program, and the Fuji X-T20 is to me, in size and design, the modern day equivalent of my old Pentax.
![Fujifilm X-T20 and Pentax Super Program]( "Fujifilm X-T20 and Pentax Super Program") |
| Different systems, different generations, same vibe |
4. New Tech
The X-T20 has the "guts" and speed of the X-T2 for half the price. I've pretty much been a stills photographer but want to explore video. While I don't care about 4K specifically, the X-T20 can double as a capable video cam. Weather sealing would be nice, but otherwise it has the perfect combination of size and features, and in every respect is my "Goldilocks" camera. Just look how it fits so neatly in the lineup between my X-T1 and X70. Not too big and not too small. Just right.
![Fujifilm X-T20 X-T1 X70]( "Fujifilm X-T20 X-T1 X70") |
| The lineup |
5. The Images
With a 24 MP sensor, an excellent lineup of lenses, Film Simulations, and fast and accurate AF with full manual controls, the X-T20 is powerful, portable, and discrete enough to be with me and be used.
This week, I slipped the X-T20 with XF27mm lens in my fleece pocket and snapped these pics during a college tour with my son. No one noticed the camera. No one noticed me taking pictures. No one was embarrassed that his dad was being a tourist during a college tour.
