Big test
PERFORMANCE: EXPOSURELATITUDE Shots were taken with the X-T200 and 15- 45mm giving an exposure of 1/320sec at f/9, ISO 200. The camera bracketed the +/-4EV in 1EV steps and the Raws were processed and exposure corrected in Lightroom.
-3EV
-2EV
-1EV
The X-T200’s Raws had a decent amount of exposure latitude, with underexposed shots recovering better. The corrected +3EV shot lacked saturation, the highlights remained blown out and the blue sky picked up a colour cast. We saw a better showing with the +2EV shot, where the highlights looked fine and the colour cast was less significant, while the +1EV shot looked the same as the correctly exposed frame. For underexposure, tonality, saturation and detail rendition was good, even with the -4EV shot, and quality improved noticeably with the -3EV shot. There was greater noise in the shadows and this was also the case with the -2EV shot, although the noise was finer and smoother. The -1EV shot looked identical to the correctly exposed frame.
0EV
+1EV
+2EV
+3EV
or lever – a feature that’s welcome even though it’s on the small side and I found I needed to adjust my handgrip to use it comfortably. Overall handling is good, whether you prefer using a touchscreen or physical dials and menus, although its smallness might be an issue for those with larger hands. It’s true, however, that the three main control dials on the top-plate are unmarked, which might be confusing to start with. The fourth control dial is labelled and this is the mode dial where you can set PASM exposure modes, movie, Advanced SR, Scene Position (SP) and Advanced Filter modes. Two of the unmarked controls are command dials: the front one is around the shutter button and second is placed at the rear right corner of the body for thumb use, and they can be dedicated to different shooting operations. They also come into play during menu and
Qmenu operation and in playback. During shooting, the front dial can be used for program shift and aperture/ shutter speed selection, and the rear dial for compensation or shutter speed selection. The unlabelled dial on the body’s far left is the function ( fn) dial and what this does depends on which mode the camera is set to. In its default setting in Advanced filter mode, it changes the filter while in the SP mode scene selection is adjusted. In PASM settings, it lets you scroll through the Film Simulation modes. But, typical of Fujifilm, the fn dial can be set to 25 other functions, so you have plenty of choice if you don’t like the default. The camera’s rear has six more physical buttons, including two function buttons, each with 45 options, but most of the back panel is taken up by the 3.5-inch 2760K dot touch vari-angle monitor that folds out
and swivels for high- and low-level shooting. Plus it can be swivelled to face forward; ideal for vloggers and selfie fans. Size doesn’t always matter, but there is no denying that the X-T200 16:9 format monitor is impressive. It produces a lovely image that shows well even in bright light for composing and image reviewing. You’d expect video features in new cameras and the X-T200 doesn’t disappoint with 4K, Full HD and microphone/headphone sockets – the latter via a USB-C dongle. The latest firmware also makes it compatible with Fujifilm’s Webcam app (Windows andMac) so it can be a high-quality webcam, too. 4K video is downsized from 6K, so quality is impressive and Full HD’s appeal is broadened with a digital gimbal mode that reduces camera shake and an HDR feature that helps even out high-contrast scenes. Currently, the X-T200 is sold with the compact XC15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ zoom or in a vlogging kit with a mini tripod a microphone. Turn the camera on and the lens pops out by to its working position. Zooming can be done by the largest of the two ribbed barrels; the other is for manual focusing. On the X-T200, zooming can also be done with a collar around the shutter button, so there’s a choice of zoom control. There’s a built-in image stabiliser with a claimed 3EV benefit and in our tests that proved accurate. Optically, it's a decent performer and delivers sharp images, especially at the shorter focal lengths and at mid apertures. Sharpness is less impressive towards the 45mm setting and the lens suffers frombarrel distortion and fringing that can be resolved in software. However, the overall performance of this camera/lens combination rates highly, delivering consistently well- exposed, sharp and richly saturated images. It’s an enjoyable camera to use, too, especially the monitor, which is only 0.5 inches bigger than most cameras’, but it gives the impression that it’s much bigger. WC
Final word
Verdict The Fujifilm X-T200 is a very good, capable camera that has a broad appeal. It’d make a great upgrade for smartphone users with its large touchscreen and ease of use; mirrorless newbies coming from a DSLR background will enjoy the array of physical controls; and existing X Series owners who want a lightweight backup body will find the X-T200 a camera that will be familiar to them. Whatever your perspective, there’s much to like about the X-T200, including its nice price and, maybe most importantly, it produces high-quality images. 23 /25 FEATURES Big articulating touchscreen, 24.2 megapixels and capable AF are highlights 23 /25 HANDLING Generally good, but multi-controller is on the small side and the compensation dial can be moved unintentionally
1600
3200
23 /25
PERFORMANCE Consistently good focus and exposure performance from the camera, while ISO performance was decent, too VALUE FOR MONEY The X-T200 is an impressive and more- than-capable camera OVERALL The X-T200 rates highly in the value-for-money stakes and will suit entry-level photographers as well as mirrorless newbies
24 /25
93 /100
25,600
51,200
PROS Portable, out-of-camera JPEGs look lively, widescreen monitor, USB charging, easy to use, value for money, 4K video CONS Some minor points of handling such as the small focus lever
Issue 80 | Photography News 23
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