Considering picking up an X20 - trading my RX100 vI - Good Idea?

Even trade RX100 v1 for Fuji x20

  • Good trade - Fuji is better

    Votes: 1 33.3%
  • Bad trade - Sony is better

    Votes: 2 66.7%
  • Equal value and equal quality

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    3
I've owned both cameras for a short while, long enough to get a good impression (I've been shooting my X10 for more than three years now). If you're OK with the form factor and the handling of the Sony I'd say stick with the RX100 - the 1" sensor clearly wins over the 8.8 * 6.6mm X-Trans sensor, especially in low-light (at the faster, short end). I personally prefer the handling, OVF, fast AF and awesome f2-f2.8 manual zoom lens on the X20 or my trusty old X10. To me the little Fujis are a joy to handle (manual zoom, dials) and shoot, the IQ in sufficient light is good enough for decent A3 prints and I don't care too much about the extra IQ, form or handling of the Sony. One thing to keep in mind is that the jpgs from the X20 look a bit overprocessed SOOC and some folks including myself prefer the jpgs from the X10; even though the X20 gives you native 12MP vs. the semi-12 MP from the EXR sensor (X10). You could always shoot RAW though - Lightroom is your friend, especially when it comes to bringing those highlights back (the X20 tends to underexpose though, even more so at higher DR settings - see below). Another thing to be aware of are Fujis extended DR (dynamic range) settings. Even in good light DR settings of 200 or even 400% can result in pretty noisy shadows; I usually left it at 100% or picked 200% in a pinch - just don't expect any DR miracles from a pea sized 12MP sensor.
(I returned my X20 two weeks ago because of a flawed OVF the seller didn't notice. Looking forward to get my third copy.)
 
Last edited:
Right now I'm leaning toward keeping the RX100. I'm drawn to the handling of the X20 more than anything else. But then I keep going back to "what am I gaining vs my E-M10?". The only thing I come back with is zoom range in a smaller package. I have the Panasonic 12-32 so with that lens mounted the size is pretty close, just not the tele range.

What I should probably do is just wait until I can pick up a Panasonic LX100. :hmmm::dash2::doh:
 
More often than not the IQ from the little Fujis is just good enough for the casual stuff. Did I mention the fun part :laugh1: ? Regarding the LX100 I rather stick with my X10, another X20, or the NEX-7 with a prime lens and wait what comes next.
 
For me the first two RX100 versions were never in the running. No eye level viewfinder is a deal breaker for me, though not for others, I realize. So it depends on what is most important to you. As Ken said, and I agree, the X10 has a decided jpeg advantage over the X20, though if you shoot raw it doesn't matter. I really liked both the Fuji cameras. As for the LX100: I have it and I love it. It is fast, responsive, and fun to use. And costly. Being in the middle of a financial pinch, I may sell it and get an X10. I prefer an optical to an electric viewfinder in all cases, anyway, and just put up with EVF on cameras I otherwise like a lot.

One quirk to be aware of on the little Fujis is that you sometimes cannot shoot wide open in very bright light because the leaf shutter cannot travel the distance to open and close all the way at those apertures at shutter speeds above 1/1000, a mechanical limitation of the shutter itself. Once I knew the limitation, it wasn't an issue (you can screw an ND filter onto the front of the lens), but for some people it is.

Good luck in choosing.. You can't go wrong with any of them really; it's a matter of what is important to you. I'd sacrifice the larger Sony sensor for the joy operating the X10/20. In the end I got the LX100 to try to have it all. While it's a wonderful camera and loads of fun to use, the Fujis are champs in the fun factor, I think.
 
More often than not the IQ from the little Fujis is just good enough for the casual stuff. Did I mention the fun part :laugh1: ? Regarding the LX100 I rather stick with my X10, another X20, or the NEX-7 with a prime lens and wait what comes next.

Definitely heard you about the fun part. That's kind of why I reference the E-M10, I really enjoy shooting it and might just get a small bag and the little 35-100 to go with my 12-32.
 
Definitely heard you about the fun part. That's kind of why I reference the E-M10, I really enjoy shooting it and might just get a small bag and the little 35-100 to go with my 12-32.
That sounds good to me, David - small, light and simple. One of the great things about the NEX-7 is that it's almost impossible to drop that thing, it sticks to my hand like glue, no need for a strap. It's just a pity that the 20mm (30mm FOV) Sony pancake is no match for that picky 24MP sensor, even though there seem to be better copies out there than the one I've just returned. Gotta check some more samples, pretty tiring after a while.
 
While fun is a big part of having a camera. Part of what I'm looking for with this camera is also the convenience factor. I'm often on the road going here and there for a client meeting and want something I can just grab and stick in the glove box. So any of these options would work.
 
Back
Top