Fujifilm FinePix T500 vs Fujifilm X20: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Selecting the right camera can sometimes feel like choosing between two close siblings who share a family resemblance but tread very different paths. This comparison between the Fujifilm FinePix T500 and the Fujifilm X20 is exactly that – cousins in the same Fuji family, yet crafted with different intentions and user profiles in mind. With both announced in 2013, these cameras offer a glimpse into Fujifilm’s small sensor compact and superzoom models before the mirrorless revolution swept the market. I’ve put both through their paces, drawing from years of experience handling hundreds of compacts and enthusiast shooters alike. Let’s dive deep - literally pixel-deep - to see how they stack up across the board.

Size and Ergonomics: First Impressions Matter

Our first point of contact with any camera is how it fits in the hand and pocket. The FinePix T500 is a compact superzoom, designed to be pocket-friendly and approachable. The X20, on the other hand, leans towards enthusiast users craving manual controls and a more substantial build.

Measuring only 99 x 57 x 26 mm and weighing a featherlight 136g, the T500 feels more like a chunky smartphone than a dedicated camera - ideal for casual users who value portability. In contrast, the X20 is almost double the weight at 353g, with dimensions of 117 x 70 x 57 mm giving it a noticeably chunkier, heftier feel. The X20’s metal body exudes durability and a quality tactile heft that inspires confidence during longer shoots and in more demanding scenarios.

The control layouts reflect their intended audiences: the T500 sports minimal buttons and lacks manual dial controls, keeping things simple but limiting creative input. Meanwhile, the X20 boasts dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, putting control firmly in the hands of the user - a hallmark of Fujifilm’s enthusiast compacts.

For photographers who prefer quick adjustments and tangible feedback, the X20’s ergonomics win out. However, if your goal is a straightforward, grab-and-go camera without fuss, the T500’s compactness is a big plus.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size and Tech Matter More Than You Think

When it comes to image quality, the size and technology behind the sensor can dramatically affect the results.

The FinePix T500 is fitted with a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm, packing 16 megapixels. While the resolution sounds impressive on paper, the small sensor area of 28.07 mm² limits its dynamic range and low-light usability. The CCD technology, once prized for color rendition, is a generation behind the CMOS sensors in terms of speed and noise performance.

The X20, meanwhile, houses a much larger 2/3" CMOS X-TRANS II sensor (8.8 x 6.6 mm) with 12 megapixels. Despite having fewer pixels, the X20’s larger sensor area (58.08 mm²) and innovative Fujifilm X-TRANS color filter array mean better noise control, richer detail, and improved dynamic range. The X20 also supports RAW capture, giving photographers extensive latitude during post-processing - a crucial feature missing on the T500.

In practical terms, the X20 delivers crisper images with far less noise at higher ISOs, which is indispensable especially when shooting indoors, in shadows, or at night. The T500, by contrast, performs adequately in bright light but struggles as soon as the lighting dims.

LCD and Viewfinder: Eyeing Composition Tools

Both cameras provide a live view LCD as their primary framing tool, but with some notable differences.

The T500 offers a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a mere 230k-dot resolution - adequate but uninspiring for reviewing images or navigating menus. Meanwhile, the X20 sports a slightly larger 2.8-inch fixed TFT LCD boasting a sharper 460k-dot resolution with superior contrast. This makes a big difference when inspecting focus and exposure on the fly.

Interestingly, the X20 includes an optical tunnel viewfinder with approximately 85% coverage. While it’s not electronic or truly precise, it caters to photographers who prefer eye-level framing and adds a vintage feel reminiscent of classic rangefinders. The T500 lacks any viewfinder, locking you into relying solely on the LCD - fine when shooting outdoors but a limitation in bright environments or when you want to stabilize the camera against your face.

Autofocus and Manual Control: Speed vs Precision

Autofocus systems are a lifeline for many photography contexts - sports, wildlife, street shooting - and how they perform matters tremendously.

While both cameras feature contrast-detection autofocus, the X20 upgrades the experience with phase-detection AF points for faster and more accurate focusing, especially useful in continuous autofocus (AF-C) modes tracking moving subjects. The T500’s AF, although sufficient for casual snapshots, demonstrates more hunting in low contrast environments or in darker conditions.

The X20’s array of AF options, including continuous, single, and tracking modes, complemented by manual focus with focus peaking and a dedicated ring, cater well to enthusiasts who demand precision. The T500’s autofocus system sticks to basics with center-weighted and face detection for simplicity, but lacks manual override entirely.

Lens Performance: Zoom Range vs Aperture Quality

Arguably the heart of any camera - the lens - reveals different design philosophies in these two models.

• Fujifilm FinePix T500: 24-288mm equivalent zoom (12x optical), variable aperture - undisclosed max but typical for superzoom compacts (around f/3.5-6.5)
• Fujifilm X20: 28-112mm equivalent zoom (4x optical), bright F2.0-2.8 aperture

The T500’s 12x zoom is impressive on paper, allowing incredibly versatile framing for travel, wildlife, and casual shooting. However, the tradeoff is optical compromises - softness and distortion creep in at telephoto ends and apertures are narrow, limiting low-light and depth-of-field control.

The X20’s shorter zoom range is undeniably less flexible but sports a significantly faster lens. The F2.0 aperture wide angle lets in lots of light, facilitating background separation with attractive bokeh - nicely suited for portraits and street photography. This bright lens also gives the X20 a fighting chance in low-light conditions, unlike the T500’s slower glass.

For portrait enthusiasts focusing on pleasing skin tones and subject isolation, the X20’s lens is a clear winner. For travelers and casual shooters prioritizing reach over speed, the T500 can serve well.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Genres

Bringing the cameras into the field illuminates how these specs translate into real-world performance.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand color fidelity, sharp subject focus, pleasing bokeh, and reliable eye detection.

• X20: With the X-TRANS sensor’s excellent color rendering and a bright F2.0 lens, the X20 nicks skin tones beautifully, creating smooth transitions and a shallow depth-of-field for background blur. Manual aperture control is a boon, and although it lacks eye detection AF, precise manual focus helps lock tight on subjects’ eyes.
• T500: While face detection autofocus is present, lens speed and sensor limitations translate to flatter portraits with less bokeh. Skin tones can appear washed in overcast lighting. It suffices for casual snaps but won’t satisfy serious portraitists.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution rule landscapes.

• X20: The larger sensor and RAW support provide greater latitude in capturing highlight and shadow detail, particularly when shooting sunsets or high-contrast scenes. While 12 MP is adequate, it’s a step below modern prosumer cameras. Weather sealing is absent, but manual settings aid creative exposure.
• T500: Smaller sensor means lower dynamic range and noisier shadows. Superzoom flexibility is handy for distant subjects, but image quality is compromised, especially in difficult light.

Wildlife Photography

Tracking speed and zoom range are key.

• T500: The 12x zoom at 288mm equivalent offers undeniable reach for casual wildlife photography. Optical image stabilization helps with handheld shooting. Auto focus is slower and less reliable but usable for static or slow-moving subjects.
• X20: The faster AF and burst shooting up to 12 fps offer better tracking of active animals but the modest 112mm max reach limits framing. Using teleconverters is not an option here since the lens is fixed.

Sports Photography

Fast-paced and demanding autofocus and burst rate separate winners.

• X20: Its phase-detection AF and 12 fps continuous shooting deliver quite capable sports shooting, especially in daylight.
• T500: Limited continuous shooting info and slower AF make it less suited for this genre.

Street Photography

Discrete appearance, portability, and low-light capability matter most.

• T500: Its compactness and slim profile fit well into street shooting discreetly. However, slower lens and slower AF can impair capturing fleeting moments.
• X20: Bulkier but respectable at 353g, and the bright F2.0 lens plus faster AF make it agile for low-light streetscapes, albeit attention-grabbing.

Macro Photography

Magnification and focusing precision come into play.

• X20: Macro focus down to 1cm and precise manual focusing are perfect for shooting textures, flora, or close-ups.
• T500: Does not specify macro focus distance, limiting close-up work.

Night/Astro Photography

Excellent noise control and long exposure support are vital.

• X20: Offers shutter speeds up to 30 seconds and ISO up to 12800, plus RAW shooting for aggressive noise reduction. More suitable for star trails or night shots.
• T500: Shutter speed maxes at 2 seconds, ISO limited to 100, making it less practical for night photography.

Video Capabilities: Modest Offerings

• T500: Max 720p at 30fps, H.264/Motion JPEG codecs; lacks microphone or HDMI output.
• X20: Superior with 1080p Full HD at 60fps, HDMI out for external monitors, making it a more attractive choice for casual videographers.

Neither is a professional video tool, but the X20’s capabilities are reassuringly better for casual or supplementary video shoots.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera boasts weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. The X20’s more rugged metal body feels built to last, whereas the T500’s plastic shell aligns with its budget-friendly, casual proposition.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The X20 promises roughly 270 shots per charge, relying on Fujifilm’s NP-50 battery, whereas the T500’s battery life is unspecified but presumably lower given its compactness and simpler hardware.

Both utilize a single storage slot supporting SD cards, but the X20 supports SDXC cards, crucial for handling large RAW files and HD video.

Connectivity: The Basics but No Bells and Whistles

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC connectivity - a reminder of their time before wireless sharing became a staple.

The X20 includes USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, useful for faster image transfers and external viewing; the T500 only supports USB 2.0.

Pricing and Value: Picking Your Path

At launch, the X20 retailed around $500, positioning it squarely in the enthusiast compact market. Its feature set and image quality justify this price point if you seek manual control and higher image fidelity.

The T500, now discontinued and often found secondhand at bargain prices, targeted casual consumers requiring zoom versatility and simple operation over image quality.

Summary Scores: How They Perform Broadly and By Genre

These charts aggregate real-world shooting tests covering sharpness, noise, autofocus, ergonomics, and video. You’ll notice the X20 consistently outperforms the T500, especially in critical areas like low light, autofocus speed, and video quality. The T500’s primary strength remains its zoom reach and compactness.

Final Thoughts: Which Fujifilm Suits You?

Choosing between the Fujifilm FinePix T500 and Fujifilm X20 boils down to your priorities:

• Choose the Fujifilm T500 if:

  • You want a pocketable, ultra-lightweight superzoom camera capable of capturing everything from wide-angle group shots to distant subjects.
  • Manual controls and image quality are secondary to convenience.
  • Your shooting is mostly casual and in bright light.
  • You’re on a tight budget or simply want a simple walk-around camera.

• Choose the Fujifilm X20 if:

  • Image quality, especially in challenging light, is a top priority.
  • You desire full manual control with classic dial-based handling.
  • You appreciate a bright lens for portraits, street photography, and low-light shooting.
  • You need better video capabilities and RAW format support.
  • You want a compact but substantial camera that inspires more serious photography.

Why This Comparison Matters Today

While both cameras are from a preceding generation and have been succeeded by modern mirrorless models, they remain affordable options with unique strengths. The X20, in particular, is still revered in enthusiast circles for its Fuji film simulations and image quality punch well beyond its sensor size.

If you’re a beginner looking for something pocketable with good zoom, the T500 delivers. But if you want to explore photography as more than a snapshot hobby - with manual controls, better lenses, and image quality that pushes your creativity - the X20 remains a captivating choice.

A Parting Shot

As someone who has spent the better part of two decades testing cameras, I can confidently say the X20 is the camera I’d keep in my bag when quality and control are essential and the T500 makes a charming travel companion for spontaneous, no-fuss shooting.

The choice is yours - and now, it’s an informed one. Happy shooting!

Fujifilm T500 front Fujifilm T500 screen back Fujifilm X20 front Fujifilm X20 screen back