Fujifilm X-T200 review
Fujifilm X-T200 review - Fujifilm at the beginning of this 2020 has given a lot to do, presenting 3 products of the X series all with their own distinct target audience. I'm talking about X-T4, X100V and X-T200, which I will tell you about in detail right below. If the first is intended for an advanced audience, the second for those looking for style and quality for street or travel photography, the small X-T200 can instead be considered the link between Fujifilm's professional and amateur world.
The Fujifilm X-T200, like all mirrorless X series, presents itself with an appearance that recalls the past despite being a camera designed for the new generations of photographers and videomakers. It was born, in fact, with the intention of making the approach easier for those who are preparing to make the leap from the world of smartphones. The choice of a large display with a prompt response from the touch panel is not accidental. But the X-T200 is also much more, offering both shooting modes for the beginner and advanced functions and a respectable video sector.
The equipment on board the X-T200 could easily make you think of a much higher-end product than the one in which it is positioned, but in reality there are important differences compared to the older sisters. And to the smaller ones.
The sensor, for example, is not the same X-Trans aboard Fujifilm's flagship products but a more classic 24,2 million pixel CMOS. Seeing only the number of pixels, one might think that it is the same as the previous model (X-T100 born in 2018), but this is not the case. This is an updated version with 3,5 times faster reading capacity and which, not least, has allowed us to raise the maximum ISO sensitivity up to 25,600.
The new sensor also made it possible to improve the video aspects, bringing the format 4K to record up to 30 fps and reducing the rolling shutter effect during shooting. About video X-T200 also allows you to record in HDR and take advantage of a sort of "digital gimbal", which uses stabilization algorithms and the internal gyroscope to intervene and soften the footage.
Photographic side with the X-T200 we can shoot in burst at 8 frames per second and take advantage of the new system autofocus covering the entire sensor area and which is now equipped with Eye Detection and Face Detection functions.
Another of the main features of the new X-T200 is its display by 3,5 inches, fully articulated and in 16: 9 format. The resolution has also been increased, which reaches 2.76 million points and which ensures exceptional color rendering and brightness that allows clear viewing even in bright light. Considering the wide format, when you shoot in the 3: 2 format be aware that two black bands will appear on the sides. Fujifilm also worked well from the point of view of the sensitivity of the touch panel that it is reactive and replicates the experience of using a smartphone quite well.
Design & Ergonomics
The X-T200 is a small mirrorless very light which, despite being similar in design and functionality to its bigger sisters, differs above all in the choice of materials and dimensions. And this is one of the reasons that makes the X-T200 a cheaper camera than products like X-T30 and especially X-T4. In a certain sense we can also make the same speech for the similarities with X-A7, many features in common on the practical side but different on the design. And in this case the price is higher. Precisely for these reasons I have defined the X-T200 a perfect link between the two ranges of products of the Japanese house.
The body of the X-T200 to be so light - just 370g with battery and card included - it is composed largely of plastic materials and the sensation to the touch is in fact not the best. Nevertheless, I must admit that it is well structured and certainly offers a good practicality of use even if the dimensions are really minimal. On the back of the camera body there is space almost exclusively for the large display and there is no classic four-way selector, but only a small joystick and two other buttons. Considering that the size of the keys are reduced to a minimum, it is certainly a good thing that there are few of them, otherwise they could be accidentally pressed. But the protagonist is the display from which we can fully manage the camera and for which no more buttons are needed than we find. Also interesting is the choice of offering it in 16: 9 format, the ideal solution for those who vlogging or for those who love to take a lot of selfies.
The dials on the top profile of this small mirrorless camera offer the main controls, aperture, shutter speed, shooting modes and the large dial on the left side - by default - allows you to navigate between the various shooting modes. film simulation. By moving this ring on the display we will preview the performance of the current simulation and of the alternative ones, so as to facilitate the choice for each situation. As in all cameras, dials and buttons can also be customized as desired via the menu. For example, I immediately set the ISO values on one of the two buttons on the right of the electronic viewfinder.
I also really liked the new lens I tested the X-T200 with: I'm talking about the Fujinon XC35mm f / 2. It is a lens that goes perfectly with this mirrorless, for size, design and above all for the image quality. But we know that Fujinon lenses are a guarantee from this point of view, even the smallest and cheapest ones. For beginners it is certainly a very valid alternative to the more expensive brother of the XF series.
Buy on Amazon Fujifilm FUJINON XC35mmF2 Black Interchangeable Lens, 35mm, f / 2, X Mount, Black
Image quality
Unfortunately, I had to carry out the practical test of this X-T200 at home because of the situation we are experiencing. And it's a shame because such a camera is perfect to carry around, to hold around your neck and not feel it; it is fast and silent, an excellent companion for street photography for example. I will try, if possible, to expand the gallery of sample images as soon as possible. I close this speech immediately, because here what interests us is to see what the new Fujifilm X-T200 is able to offer from the point of view of image quality.
We all expect a lot from an X series camera by now, even from the lower-end ones. And the X-T200 is no exception. The detail definition is very good, as is the usual arrangements Film Simulation they are a plus that no one else can boast of and I found the dynamic range to be good too. Working on RAW files you can recover details in both shadows and highlights while preserving good quality of the file. The automatic dynamic range expansion modes are also useful in this regard.
From the point of view of the experience of use, the only note to make for a camera of this range is on the management of the autofocus. A novice user may get lost in trying to understand something among all the available modes, some that may even seem to contradict others. Basically there are four AF modes: single point, zone, one for tracking and one called all. Then there is a menu for selecting the number of focus points, 117 or 425, with the second option only usable with single point mode. For those not accustomed to technical issues, some doubts could certainly arise and it could take a little time to figure it out. But this discourse makes me go back to reiterating the concept that this camera can be good for both the novice and for those who are more experienced and is able to independently evaluate which AF setting is suitable for each situation. Staying on the AF topic, I found the touch focus system is very precise and practical, especially in the Still-Life sector. On the other hand, I love less the possibility of activating the shutter through the touch panel because there are more times I accidentally photograph than I wanted. But this is a speech that applies to all cameras that offer this feature, not just the small Fujifilm.
But let's get to the point: as far as the ISO sensitivity of this X-T200 I noticed the first defects at 3200 ISO, but still nothing striking. The details begin to soften towards ISO 6400, which is also where the noise makes its appearance in a noticeable way.
As already mentioned, working on RAW files - I did it using Camera RAW - we can certainly intervene decisively to reduce noise at the highest sensitivities and thus allow us to shoot even in low light conditions with a certain tranquility.
Below is another series of examples in which I show you how I recovered RAW camera images, how the small integrated flash behaves and how easy it was to shoot through the app. Cam Remote by Fujifilm to take a self portrait of me. The app is available for both iOS and Android.
Conclusions
Fujifilm with the X-T200 is clearly targeting novice photographers, but offering a product that hides great potential and that will be able to satisfy for a long time. With this mirrorless a beginner photographer can approach this world, grow up and consider in the future to keep this model perhaps as a second body to always have with him. It can be suitable for a family who wants to have a good camera to take on vacation, but also to create quality content for social networks.
The price is higher than that of entry-level DSLRs that we can find even for a few hundred euros, but the difference is that this entry-level camera has very little. As I have already said it is certainly suitable for those who do not have great knowledge, but knowing how to exploit it, the X-T200 will satisfy you fully. It is clear that it does not have the same look & feel as its bigger sisters, but the list price is interesting: 869€ with its standard optics (XC15-45mm).
Ideal not only for budding photographers, but also for the videomaker thanks to good quality video solutions and thanks to the 16: 9 display it is really pleasant to watch. It is no coincidence that Fujifilm for this camera also offers a ready-made kit for vloggers which also includes a small GorillaPod tripod, a 16GB SD card and a Rode VideoMic GO microphone.
Fujifilm X T200
Pro 
- Compact and lightweight
- 16: 9 articulated display
- Design
- Good image quality
- Ease of use
- Interfaccia Touch Screen
- USB charging
Cons 
- Traditional and non-X-Trans sensor
- Materials
- Buttons too small
