Fujifilm’s recently announced X-T20 camera has created a bit of a stir as it seems to cram most of what’s good about the company’s X-T2 camera into a smaller, more affordable package. The two cameras are aimed at slightly different markets - the X-T2 is higher-end - but do you really need the extra it gives you?

We’ve created this handy table so that you can see the exact differences in the key features of the two cameras.

Fuji XT-2 and XT-20: Spot the difference

	X-T2	X-T20
Sensor	24MP X-Trans III	24MP X-Trans III
Shutter	1/8000	1/4000
EVF	x0.77, 2.36M dots, 100fps	x.062, 2.36M dots, 60fps
LCD	3″, 3:2, 1040K dots, 3-way tilt	3″, 3:2, 1040K dots, 2-way tilt
Touchscreen	No	Yes
Film Simulation	ACROS Grain	ACROS Grain
AF-C Customisation	5x preset, 1x custom	5x preset
Continuous Shooting	8fps, 83 frame buffer	8fps, 83 frame buffer
Liveview Continuous Shooting	5fps, 130ms blackout	3fps, 280ms blackout
Movie	4K 30p F-Log	4K 30p, 10 min limit, 100Mbps
Card Slot	Dual UHS II	Single UHS I
Weather Resistant	Yes	No
Battery Grip	VPB-XT2	No

Fujifilm X-T2 or X-T20: Which should you get?

As you can see the specification of the two cameras is very, very similar, so it is a bit confusing as to which one you should buy. The key thing to note is that in terms of image quality, both of the cameras should offer identical performance, assuming they both have the latest firmware. Both the X-T2 and X-T20 use the same 24-million-pixel X-Trans III sensor and both have the same ISO 100-51,200 extended sensitivity range (not listed above). So if you use exactly the same exposure settings, then there should be no difference between the images taken on the two cameras.

With the image quality tied, it comes down to how you will use the camera and what you will shoot. Landscape photographers may find no real difference between the two camera in practical use, although weather resistance and larger viewfinder of the X-T2 maybe enough for some landscape photographers to opt for it over the X-T20.

It is really when it comes down to photographing action, and shooting video, that the differences start to take hold. The Fujifilm X-T2 has a faster maximum shutter speed of 1/8000th sec., which should help to freeze action that bit better.

Live view shooting is much better on the X-T2, with the more advanced camera able to shoot at 5ps, 2 fps faster than the X-T20. The X-T2 has almost half the blackout time in between shots, when compared with the X-T20. Being able to use UHS-II cards in the X-T2 should also mean that the buffer clears faster after a burst of shots, allowing you to be back shooting again much quicker. We hope to be able to do a side by side test of this to see just how big, if any, difference there is between the two cameras.

Then there is the battery grip of the X-T2, something that the X-T20 doesn’t have as an accessory option. For photographers it isn’t a huge deal - you can always carry a couple of spare batteries. However, for videographers, the battery grip is really what separates the X-T2 from the X-T20. The grip offers the addition of a headphone jack for audio monitoring. It also increases the maximum recording time of 4K video from 10 mins up to 30 mins. The reason for this is to do with the extra heat that the batteries generate; using the batteries in the grip reduces the internal heat in the camera, which allows it to shoot for longer.

Conclusion:

With no difference in image quality it comes down to what you will be taken photos of, and the conditions in which will you will take them. Obviously the Fujifilm X-T2 is more of a workhorse, and the weather sealing in particular will appeal to the hard working street and landscape photographer. However, at around £800 (body only) the X-T20 is around £700 cheaper than the the X-T2. When you take the difference in price in to consideration, the fact that the X-T20 is capable of produce the same quality of image it makes it look something of a bargain.