The Fujifilm X-T200 review

From the Fujifilm X-T100 to the Fujifilm X-T200

A while back Fujifilm released the second version to their entry-level mirrorless camera body aimed at bloggers, vloggers, and lifestyle content creators. To me, the Fujifilm X-T200 was a welcome upgrade to the X-T100 released about a year and a half before the Fujifilm X-T200. The Fujifilm X-T100 was a compromise in features and nothing special to add to the Fujifilm mirrorless camera lineup.

I have a feeling that Fuji adjusted to consumer feedback and released a way better take on a great initial idea. Despite a couple of down points with this camera, it is a dream for content creators who want and need to take their creation to another level. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of the Fujifilm X-T200.

In this blogpost and review, I will be evaluating the following camera body aspects

• Ergonomics
• Both standard and extra features
• Image quality for both video and photo workflows
• Usability of camera 

Ergonomics of the Fujifilm X-T200

Overall feel

The feel of this camera is excellent. It offers a somewhat different finish from the higher end models like the X-T3 and X-T4. However, I have to conclude that the XT200’s front and back grip are the culmination of Fujifilm learning of their past mistakes from cameras like the X-T30. The body form benefits from all the things that I would like in a camera.

LCD and EVF

The LDC and EVF on the Fujifilm X-T200 are both top-notch. Especially for a camera in this price range. At 2.36 million dots of resolution, the EVF is crisp, sharp, and easy to read. The LCD is bright and easy to discern even in highly lit situations.

Battery placement and memory card placement

It seems inevitable that the tripod screw would be so close to the battery and memory card door. It just is not fun to have a battery die while you have a camera like this on a tripod. I wish that Fuji could come up with a way to fix this problem, but it does not seem likely when you need to get the form factor of this type of camera to a bare minimum. All Macro photographers, product photographers, and landscape photographers beware.

Weight

This camera is surprisingly light with a solid feel. I never felt that the construction was chintzy at all. At 370g/13oz, with the memory card and battery, it feels light and sturdy.

The Fujifilm X-T200 in use

Battery life with the legacy NP-W126S is what it is – OK. Make sure that you are ready to switch out batteries when shooting. There is also a built-in flash which is a “nice to have” option when you are in a pickle. However, it is a good thing that Fujifilm includes a flash hot shoe for more customizable Flash photography applications. 

Input and output options

Input/output options include HDMI output. There is a USB-C jack that not only transfers files and charges the battery but allows you to attach an adapter to have headsets. There is a microphone jack as well. These types of Input/output options, on a camera that retails at an MSRP of $699US, is amazing.

Knobs and buttons

The X-T200’s button placement is very well thought out. However, three buttons have a weird feel when in use.

The power button is recessed and does not feel sure when you press it. This unsure feeling is accentuated by the fact that the startup time on this camera is not the fastest. I found myself often wondering whether I had started up the camera at all. I would end up pressing the power button again only to find out that I was turning the camera back off.

Similarly, the video record button is not recessed but very low to the surface of the body. This video button style does not inspire confidence, and you are never quite sure whether video recording is activated or not.

For me, these two points were small disappointments. Hopefully, a firmware update will wind up at least fixing the slow responsiveness of this camera in general so that these button designs will not be such a burden.

Menu system

The menu system on the X-T200 is that of the more consumer end cameras by Fuji. It is pretty good but offers a bit less customizability. I have always liked Fuji’s implementation of their shooting menus so there is not much to say here. Just be informed that some of the more in-depth functions of the flagship cameras are not in this menu system.

Huge touch screen improvements for Fuji in general.

I believe that Fuji has really listened to public feedback on their touch screens in general. The X-T200 really demonstrates this. Menu navigation and even shooting using the touchscreen is really way better than on older Fuji models with touchscreen functions. The reaction is snappy, sensitivity is nice, and everything that I expect from good touch screen implementation is there. For touchscreen functions, bravo Fuji!

Shooting with the Fujifilm X-T200

Shooting in manual mode for a photography workflow worked very well. It does not take a lot of time, and one can easily get used to the customizable knobs on the X-T200. Automatic stills photography use is also excellent. I found the camera would always make the right decisions in general.

When the camera was in video full auto I did not always find the camera making the right decisions for video shooting, however. All was good for focus, but exposure auto was often slow to react. This was a bit of a disappointment for me as the initial camera specifications list screamed vlogging and lifestyle video.

Image samples from the Fujifilm X-T200

These are several image samples taken with various lenses. They include the Fujinon 18-55mm kit lens, the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens, and the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4. Although this camera does not share the same sensor and the Flagship X-T3/XT30 and X Pro cameras, the dynamic range of this camera’s sensor is very good.

I shot many of these samples overly dark and overly bright to see if recuperating light would be effective. I was able to get light and to tone light down when shooting my images in RAW. Click the images to see a larger version of the sample.

No I.B.I.S. but a really nice image stabilization option anyway

Although the X-T200 does not offer I.B.I.S., it offers two modes of image stabilization. One is electronic stabilization, and another that is called the “gimbal” function. Both are excellent. Although they are not physical five-axis stabilization, these electronic stabilization functions are outstanding. Do not underestimate both modes. Remember that the gimbal function crops in on the image though. Anyone looking for a stabilized video or even stills image will not be disappointed.

The X-T200’s Focusing performance

This small inexpensive camera offers eye autofocus detect. The eye auto-detection function is useful in both video and photo workflows. The eye-detection system on the X-T200 is excellent and could readjust to nail focus on all that I could throw at it. In AF-C, it offered a sort of smooth rack from one focusing point to the other. Although some might see this as slow, I found it gave a natural look to each change in adjustment.

Also, a small point to be noted: For a camera to offer such great focusing features, not only for 1080 shooting but also for 4K uncropped video is unprecedented.

Video image quality of the Fujifilm X-T200

Although it does not offer some of the high-end video codecs of it bigger brothers, both 1080 and 4K video are very good. Sample video can be seen in the video that accompanies this review.

This leads me to addressing the elephant in the room. A camera that has a flip screen, is lightweight, offers good 4K uncropped video, and decent eye auto-detect continuous focus, will be on the wishlist of every blogger, vlogger, and lifestyle content creator out there. This camera is really made for those who want to document with an additional oomph in their production quality.

Fujifilm X-T200 slow-motion video quality

The Fujfilm X-T200 also offers 120FPS slow-mo. As with all cameras in this price range, I will have to tell you to not buy this camera for its slow-motion functions. The lower bitrate makes for somewhat shabby slow-motion footage.

Conclusion

The Fujifilm X-T200 is an amazing stills and video camera. If you can get past the somewhat slow system responsiveness, and some quirky button implementation, this camera is great for beginners all the way to intermediate-advanced stills photographers. It offers many functions that you would expect in much more expensive models from manufacturers like Sony and Canon. It has a beautiful and stylish vintage finish and feel as well. By also being on the Fujifilm X mount lens system, it is a camera that has a great deal of room to grow.

What can also not be ignored is its potential to be a lifestyle or vlogger’s camera. The Fujifilm X-T200 offers so many features that vloggers need.

The real amazing thing about this camera is what it gives for the price. With such a low price, it becomes hard to argue to not buy this camera. I will highly recommend this camera for all beginners. So much so that I will have to amend a blog post I did about 2 months ago on the 5 mirrorless cameras beginners should consider.  Although I still stick to the five cameras I recommended, the X-T200 becomes number 6 on the list.

The Fujifilm X-T200 pros and cons

Watch the video review of this camera on my YouTube channel