I got delivered today the X20 and want to capture my first impressions below. This will then be supplemented later by a further impressions and experiences.
First, the requirement specifications:
is sought
- A camera with optical viewfinder, so you can check the shot in bright sunlight even when skiing and on the beach
- The small! should be. We are looking for a successor for me much appreciated IXUS75 as Always-In-Camera
- The fast !! is the auto focus and the shutter lag
- Which offers a (reasonable) resolution. Therefore need to find a resolution that is just so high that the image quality meets my standards and in low light and high ISO is still an appealing image quality with minimal noise offers
- Their objective a practical focal range offered in ordinary optical quality
- And at the lowest possible size
- A compact camera is possible - a system camera as well.
Jack of all trades?
After a long search, I was met with the X10 and then had me - when I heard about the upcoming launch of the successor to X20 - retained.
Whether my expectations are true, I can find out in the coming days and weeks.
First impressions:
- It is relatively small. Since I have relatively small hands, it fits comfortably in your hand. With larger hands might have difficulties. Very useful is a small "handle" of rubber on the back which supports the thumb. This improves the grip and prevents slipping, which can happen with other cameras in some smooth surface camera. It has a lot of metal in my hand and I have a high impression.
- It's easy. I compare apples to oranges here, because I often have a Canon 40D with heavy 17-55 1: 2.8 lens carrying around. The area of application is similar to that of the focal length forth. The image quality is hardly worse in small X20. The advantage of an SLR often outweighs the additional weight NOT.
- The display is bright and easy to read in the menu settings. The setting of the date and time succeed quickly.
- The first function test is successful. The focus is much faster than the already not slow IXUS. - If an image reproducing the quality of the display is also very pleasing. Bright, rich in contrast.
- A bit of bother at the image reproducing the relatively slow zoom function and the relatively low speed, if you want to move the picture in a zoomed image to check about the focus.
- The images succeed - even at first somewhat difficult exposure situations - in P mode with plausible exposures. The desk lamp not outshone. The first impression shows a surprisingly large range of contrast.
- The metallic lens cap fits "tired" and reminds me of the value of my Leica M6 with her 1: 1.4, 50mm lens.
- The switching is performed by rotating the lens. It is to overcome a significant resistance. An accidental activation should be excluded.
- The zoom lens runs "tired".
- The optical viewfinder makes a good impression. The image is bright and sharp crack. The coverage by the lens is small and hardly disturbs. The diopter compensation has a wide adjustment range. The display of information is gratifying. The focus-Peak in manual operation, with the advertised offensive is not yet so well solved.
- The eye sensor, which switches off the display when approaching the viewfinder works well pleasing.
The first impression is very good. For a (final) evaluation, it is of course too early. I therefore call on the (preliminary) still enjoy 5 star with caution.
More soon ...
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First Corollary:
High praise that a printed (!!) manual is attached that explains the functions of the camera with clear graphics and comprehensible German. An index is missing. It helps then to download the free digital handbook. [...]
So I had the eye sensor off accidentally while playing around, which switches off the display when approaching the optical viewfinder. Using the search function, the keyword was found quickly and reactivated the eye sensor.
The operating structure is plausible manner. The partially foreign symbols have to befriend something.
More soon ...
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Second Corollary:
The shutter sound can be adjusted. Sound # 2 has a certain similarity with the blanket closure of a Leica M. I'm pretty sure that Fuji has sampled the. Somehow nice. Quite apart from that, it is a discreet and pleasant sound.
The macro function enables the function "super macro" comparatively small distances between the lens and the subject and thus high magnifications. The small compared to APS-C sensor allows a relatively large depth of field in macro range.
Have only experiences with the low-light properties. The X20 has a relatively light and flash AF illuminator. From the Ixus and also of my Canon 40D (in flash mode) I'm used to an inconspicuous infrared light. My little girl (5 months) shocked anyway by the relatively bright flash of the LED assist light.
There are yet no tendency for white-washers effect, which has in some (older) copies of its predecessor X10 caused trouble.
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So far I have made with the X20 only JPGs and no RAW. First RAW experiences I'll do with the X20 soon. The camera allows most developing RAW files in the camera. I'll check it out.
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A few impressions:
The X20 was not purchased as a "movie camera". Now I have but once jokingly used the movie feature. The result surprised me. The focus was set on the camera spontaneously and flexibly to the faces of my children. The exposure was "intelligent". Although in the background was a bright window, it has "recognized" that the faces should be exposed in the foreground and has this properly exposed. More might soon do so.
A bug has struck me. Provided it is given no "human factor", it has a software bug. So it does not save the settings so far, if you programmed the position C1 on the dial. At least, if you set to B / W and programmed sharp contrasts and a little more sharpness. After switching on again it is again set to "Standard". Strange ...
Particularly beautiful are the results in the S / W mode.
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A few days later: the most important! The image quality ...
We should not compare apples with pears. Cameras with large sensor are clearly superior in many respects to those with a small sensor. You do, however, also considerably more effort in Lens (simplistic: more glass!). Physically you get nothing for free. And at this point it's just simply handicapped in a camera with a 4x Crop.
I demand a front camera that he just is not the limiting factor in most designs, if one uses it with a little care and understanding. If you are traveling with a camera and a runs a wonderful motif on the way that you missed because you do not have the specific and accurate for ideal matching camera case, but "only" the Always-Here, then bites you in the butt and is acidic. My approach: An Always-In-Camera must always be so good that it allows large prints and keep up with the variety of lighting situations. In my many years of experience with photo albums and partly also large prints from the APS-C format, I am sure that the images of X20 enough to make on photo books a double page, without having to come to terms markedly compromises. Reduced to a sentence: The X20 runs also from the image quality is more than good from the affair. She brings sharpness, contrast, pleasant colors. Even at full aperture, the result is absolutely useful. Backlit subjects are well resolved. Now I have made about 200 pictures and respected mainly due to the different lighting situations. Conclusion: The X20 met extensively with the image quality forth my requirements in an outstanding manner.
- The autofocus is fast - but every now and then he has his difficulties. In low light or little contrast in the scene there is no focus. Then you have to "help". These occasional problems are not so great that I would like to deal with the manual focus. Because with the I'm not well understood. Here I make clear that I have for years photographed with a (analogue) Leica M6 and I enjoy working and often in focus by hand. The manual autofocus is in the X20 a crutch ...
-> I'm staying - based on the total package - (still provisional) in the 5 stars.
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Supplements: The Q (like Quick) button provides direct access to the main sub-menus. The upper thumb scroll wheel can be quickly changed in the menu options. Now, after a few hundred Cartoons I can report that so a brisk access to key settings must be taken to be used in practice again and again. Touch screen is not missed thanks to this solution.
The image quality in low light is also good because the "anti-shake" function works effectively. Fortunately, they can be also (by increasing the Q Menu) off, which is recommended when panning or when shooting from a tripod.
Again the sensor: Despite the "size" of only (8.8x6.6mm), the noise is low. Neglecting to 800 Asa, about it more. With 12,800 Asa, however you start with an exposure time of 1/10 (which can hold up well thanks to image stabilization) and full aperture more light than can be perceived by the eye. The noise is then clearly pronounced. The X20 has since but with PRO LOW LIGHT an interesting feature to offer that works surprisingly well. It takes four pictures in succession on the same and this together, so that noise "factored out" is. Miracle does not bring this technology. The result is still "muddy", relatively fuzzy and unattractive. If one compares it but with your own eyes, you have an amazing amount more detail in the dark passages than by eye. Therefore, no deduction ...
+++++++++++++++
With further weeks apart a preliminary final vote. The jack of all trades, it is not. But a very functional, reliable and fast camera with good image quality.
For image quality I have now made a first photobook, were added to the large prints of images that I had made with the X20. The quality is great. Even in direct takeover of JPG files. So far I have had no experience with the development of RAW. I will be likely to stay that way.
What is still missing for penny!? There are several reasons. The non-existent (in height) of the viewfinder parallax annoying sometimes at distances of up to one meter. It is clear, however, if one looks at the screen briefly and slightly corrected (switching the eye sensor is very fast). The reliability of the AF in dim lighting could be better also a tad. The time between point and shoot might be a bit faster. And sometimes I wish a slightly larger exemption effect (larger sensor). These criticisms, however, are marginal and do not bring me to deduct a point because the price-performance ratio is good.
+++++++++++++++
Well after about 8 weeks now and a thousand pictures a supplement, which leads to a deduction of points. And I've gone through a development process. Initially, the concern was scarce, with increasing experience they have grown. Then I waited, if the indignation is so great that separate me from the camera. So far it has not come.
To get straight to the point: I'm not quite satisfied with the autofocus. The AF is in certain situations simply not very fast and could be more reliable. If you activate face detection, the effect is again greater. Even without GE is the speed but also the reliability is not optimal. I would recommend anyone to try this feature and see if the other qualities - in particular the optical - compensate for this weakness. I like the X20 and will keep it. But the AF has "room for improvement".
+++++++++++++++
Now, after more than 5 months a new addition:'ve made my peace with the AF function found. After I decided to turn off the face detection principle (thanks for the tip, Frank) works focusing better. Namely faster, more predictable and reliable. Unfortunately not as good as my now already come into the years DSLR with the magnificent 17-55 1: 2.8 lens. But just almost "good". Nevertheless, it remains in 4 out of 5 stars.
