The best Fujifilm cameras in 2020: from X-mount mirrorless to GFX medium format

(Image credit: Fujifilm)

JUMP TO:

X-mount mirrorless
Compact cameras
Medium format

How do you pick the best Fujifilm camera when there are so many to choose from? It's so much easier to pick the best Fujifilm camera once you split the range into different types, and that's just what we're going to do right here.

Fujifilm does make point and shoot underwater cameras and some of the best compact cameras for enthusiasts, and we've included our favorites in this list. Mainly, though, we concentrate on Fujifilm's mirrorless X-mount models and its high-end GFX medium format cameras.

In recent years, Fujifilm has staged a remarkable comeback as one of the industry's top camera brands, and it's probably best known for its mirrorless cameras, which take interchangeable lenses. These come in two sizes: Fujifilm's X-mount APS-C models and its professional medium format cameras.

The APS-C X-mount cameras are the most popular and affordable. The more advanced models like the X-T3 and X-T30 have mini-DSLR styling with a conventionally placed (electronic) viewfinder, while the entry-level models like the Fujifilm X-A5 and the new X-A7 have a smaller rectangular shape and ditch the viewfinder. There is an ever-increasing number of X-mount lenses for these cameras, and you can check out the best Fujifilm lenses in our separate guide.

The hot news right now is that there is a new Fujifilm X-T200 model, which bridges the gap between two groups of X-mount cameras. One group is easy-to-use X-A models, like the X-A5 and Fujifilm X-A7 for novices or people upgrading from smartphones. These cameras are easy to use but they don't have viewfinders, which some photographers will expect. The second group is the D-SLR style X-T models like the Fujifilm X-T30 and X-T3. These do have electronic viewfinders are better for more experienced photographers but not so easy (or so affordable) for first-timers.

The new X-T200 bridges the gap perfectly, combining novice friendly design features like a large vari-angle touchscreen display with the electronic viewfinder and powerful autofocus and video features found on the more advanced cameras. This camera replaces the Fujifilm X-T100, which has always been a favorite of ours and will stay in this guide while we wait for a review sample of the X-T200 for testing.

At the other end of the scale, Fujifilm has also pioneered the introduction of medium-format digital cameras into the mainstream market, and we've included the big but beautiful GFX 50R and the expensive but ground-breaking GFX 100 in our list.

As usual with our buying guides, we start off with the camera we think is the best all-round choice for most people, followed by a couple of cheaper options for those whose pockets aren't so deep. After that, we head into specialist territory with different cameras aimed at different types of user.

So if you don't see the right camera for you straight away... keep scrolling!

The best Fujifilm camera in 2020

X-mount mirrorless

Image 1 of 6

Image 2 of 6

Image 3 of 6

Image 4 of 6

Image 5 of 6

Image 6 of 6

1. Fujifilm X-T30

The X-T30 is small, compact, well made and remarkably powerful

Small size & traditional design

Excellent image quality

Autofocus performs well

No in-body stabilisation

Right now, the Fujifilm X-T3 is the most powerful camera in Fujifilm's X-mount camera range, but we rate the smaller X-T30 as the better buy for the majority of photographers. It's the replacement for the much-loved Fujifilm X-T20, with slightly more resolution, vastly improved autofocus and the ability to shoot at up to 30fps with its electronic shutter and 1.25 crop mode. It's like a mini-version of the X-T3 (below), but it's a lot smaller, a lot cheaper and doesn't give away that much in either features or performance. The 4K video capabilities are improved too, and while the X-T30 can't quite compete with the bigger X-T3's professional level video capture, its autofocus is actually slightly more advanced. If you want a small, affordable, all-round APS-C camera that's right at the cutting edge with image quality and features, this is it. We reckon you'll also be charmed by the X-T30's old-school external shutter speed dial and exposure controls.

Read more: Fujifilm X-T30 review

Image 1 of 6

Image 2 of 6

Image 3 of 6

Image 4 of 6

Image 5 of 6

Image 6 of 6

2. Fujifilm X-T3

The most powerful APS-C mirrorless camera you can get

Advanced autofocus

4K video at up to 60/50p

High-speed shooting

No in-body stabilisation

The Fujifilm X-T3 is the APS-C mirrorless camera with everything. Well, practically everything. It doesn't have in-body image stabilisation (only the older Fujifilm X-H1 has that), but it does have a powerful autofocus system that covers the entire image area, the ability to capture 4K video at up to 60/50fps and 4:2:0 10-bit quality internally for pro-level videographers, a super-sharp new 26.1 back-illuminated APS-C X-Trans sensor, and all wrapped up in a neat, compact and really well-made body. It's perfect for sports and video, but supremely well adapted to general purpose photography too. If you're looking to upgrade your existing camera and you want the best you can get without the expense of a full frame camera, this is it.

Read more: Fujifilm X-T3 review

Image 1 of 7

Image 2 of 7

Image 3 of 7

Image 4 of 7

Image 5 of 7

Image 6 of 7

Image 7 of 7

3. Fujifilm X-T100

It's a neat and affordable DSLR-style mirrorless model that's rather good

Stylish, lightweight design

Includes high-resolution EVF

Simple, clean design

4K video limited to 15fps

The X-T100 has just been superseded by the newer and more advanced Fujifilm X-T200, but it's still on sale at the moment, and at very good prices. The fact is, if you've been shopping around for a while, you'll have discovered it's not so easy to find a mirrorless camera with a viewfinder at an affordable price for novices, and this is why we love the X-T100. It’s compact, lightweight and simple to use, yet features a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and a tilting touchscreen – and all at a very attractive price. There are some limitations. The X-T100 uses a regular CMOS sensor rather than Fujifilm's more advanced X-Trans design, but more seriously its 4K video capture is limited to 15fps, so don't get this for shooting 4K video. Paired with the dinky little Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens, though, the X-T100 makes a great-value camera kit that’s a particularly good travelling companion, whether you’re trekking into the hills or flying to the other side of the world.

Read more: Fujifilm X-T100 review

Image 1 of 6

Image 2 of 6

Image 3 of 6

Image 4 of 6

Image 5 of 6

Image 6 of 6

4. Fujifilm X-A5

Perfect for beginners, fashionistas and Instagramers

Smart selfie mode

Clever Eye AF feature

No viewfinder

4K video limited to 15fps

This is another Fujifilm model that has technically been superseded (by the Fujifilm X-A7) but is still on sale, and at prices which make it better value than ever. A thing of beauty, the Fujifilm X-A5 has a gorgeous retro design with some really clever touches, like its 180-degree tilting touchscreen and Portrait Enhancer for selfies, as well as an advanced autofocus mode that finds the subject's eye. As we’ve come to expect in X-series cameras, there’s 4K movie capture but it’s somewhat hamstrung by a 15fps frame rate. The megapixel count for stills is pretty impressive at 24.2MP but, in keeping with the compact lightweight design, there’s no viewfinder, so you have to rely on the LCD for composing shots. With more stamina than various other X-series cameras, this one has a battery life of around 450 shots. If you're moving up from a smartphone, you won't miss the viewfinder but you will love the image quality. The Fujifilm X-A7 is more powerful, comes with a much larger vari-angle touch-screen display and more advanced 4K video. The X-A7 is definitely worth considering too, but it is a lot more expensive.

Read more: Fujifilm X-A5 review.

Best Fujifilm camera: Fujifilm X-Pro3 — (Image credit: Fujifilm)

5. Fujifilm X-Pro3

The retro classic with a unique viewfinder

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 26.1MP | Lens mount: Fujifilm X | Screen: 3in tilting touchscreen, 1,620k dots | Viewfinder: Hybrid OVF (95% cov, x0.52 mag) and OLED EVF (100% cov, x0.66 mag, 3.69m dots) | Max continuous shooting speed: 11fps mechanical shutter, 20fps electronic, 30fps with crop | Max video resolution: 4K UHD | User level: Enthusiast/Professional

Superb retro design

Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder

Novel 'hidden' screen

Expensive and specialised

Also a thing of beauty, and right at the top end of the price scale, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 attempts to recapture the handling and shooting experience of classic rangefinder cameras but with the latest digital technology. The new model improves on the previous X-Pro2 with Fujifilm's latest 26.1MP X-Trans sensor, improved autofocus and a unique rear screen design which folds flat against the body in normal use to 'hide' the picture you've just taken and display instead a digital representation of the film packet lids we used to slot in the backs of our film cameras – one for each of Fujifilm's Film Simulation modes! You can flip the rear screen downwards for image playback and shooting, as it happens, so this isn't quite as radical a design as it sounds, but the hybrid electronic/optical viewfinder is still unique to Fujifilm cameras and what helps set this camera apart as a photographic tool. This is a camera you buy for the experience of using it, though – it's an expensive indulgence!

Read more: Fujifilm X-Pro3 review.

Compact cameras

Image 1 of 5

Image 2 of 5

Image 3 of 5

Image 4 of 5

Image 5 of 5

6. Fujifilm X100F

This fixed-lens compact camera has real old-school charm

Hybrid viewfinder

Sumptuous image quality

LCD doesn't tilt nor respond to touch

No 4K video

If you like the classic 35mm equivalent 'street' photography focal length, you don't have to get a mirrorless camera. The Fujifilm X100F is the latest of the company’s highly acclaimed X100 compact camera series, and it comes with a fixed 35mm equivalent f/2 lens, a 24.3MP APS-C format X-Trans image sensor and a clever hybrid viewfinder that combines optical and electronic modes. A hybrid viewfinder might sound complicated, but good as they are, electronic viewfinders just don't give the clarity of an optical viewfinder system, and this one also lets you see 'outside' the frame – one of the key selling points of the legendary Leica rangefinder system, and one which helps you anticipate the action more effectively. The overall layout of dials and buttons on the X100F is perfectly suited to demanding enthusiast photographers. Build quality is pretty epic as well, making the X100F one of the very best high-end compact cameras in the world... and we do hear rumors that an even better replacement is on its way.

Read more: Fujifilm X100F review

Image 1 of 4

Image 2 of 4

Image 3 of 4

Image 4 of 4

7. Fujifilm XF10

It's like an X100F but less than half the price

Super-slim

Great value

No viewfinder

Autofocus not the fastest

If you love the idea of the Fujifilm X100F but you're not so keen on the price, the little XF10 could be the answer. It's a much more modest camera, without the viewfinder of the XF100 or its old-school shutter speed and lens aperture dials, but the XF10 does still have a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and a very handy 28mm equivalent f/2.8 lens. Its two really appealing features, however, are its extra-slim body – which can easily slide into a jacket pocket, or even a trouser pocket – and its much lower price. It's easy to focus (sorry!) on its slightly sluggish autofocus and limited features, but where else will you get a pocket-sized premium quality APS-C camera at anything like this price? Surprisingly, the XF10 doesn't seem to have captured the public's attention like Fujifilm's other cameras, but we think at this price it's terrific.

Best Fujifilm cameras: Fujifilm XP140 — (Image credit: Fujifilm)

8. Fujifilm XP140

The XP140 delivers creative effects and eye-popping design

Healthy level of protection

920k-dot LCD screen

4K video 15p only

No manual control

Fujifilm's cameras aren't all high-end models aimed at high-minded photographers. The design of the Fujifilm FinePix XP140 is fun and kid-friendly, making it a solid choice for family holidays, but this doesn't mean it skimps on imaging tech. It's a capable little camera, able to shoot 4K video (albeit at a disappointing 15p) and equipped with an impressive 5x optical zoom lens with an equivalent focal range of 28-140mm, and all this comes at an extremely friendly price tag. A new scene recognition mode helps the XP140 assess what it's photographing (which goes some of the way towards compensating for a lack of manual controls), and the controls are well laid-out and easy to use, even when in murky underwater conditions. For the price, this is a great camera for families, beach holidays and underwater adventures.

Read more: Fujifilm announces the XP140

Medium format

Image 1 of 6

Image 2 of 6

Image 3 of 6

Image 4 of 6

Image 5 of 6

Image 6 of 6

9. Fujifilm GFX 50R

If ultimate quality is all you care about, the GFX 50R takes you a step closer

Breathtaking resolution

Build and handling

Leisurely autofocus

Size and cost

Unlike practically every other camera maker, Fujifilm does not make full frame cameras. Instead, it leaps straight from its APS-C models like the X-T30 and X-A5 to a much larger medium format sensor in its GFX models. The first was the GFX 50S, but we really rate the newer GFX 50R, not just because it has a neater rectangular shape but also because it's only three-quarters the price! OK, so the price tag looks excessive compared to regular cameras, but it's a breakthrough for medium format cameras – and the larger sensor delivers a level of image quality that just blows you away the first time you see it (and for a long time after that, too). It's big, it's heavy, and it's not that fast to use, but it's designed for a more considered kind of photography. The GFX 50R is in this list because it's brought medium format quality within the reach of many more pros and advanced amateurs than ever before.

Read more: Fujifilm GFX 50R review

10. Fujifilm GFX 100

It's expensive, but not for medium format. It's also quite exceptional

Incredible resolving power

Full frame 4K video

Controls may divide opinion

In-body stabilisation isn't foolproof

We can't put the GFX 100 at the top of this section because its size and its price put it well beyond the scope of the average photographer. But in the world of medium format photography (sensors larger than 35mm full frame), it's a positive bargain. It's also a groundbreaking camera that changes our expectations about what medium format cameras can do. Its 100-megapixel resolution has challenged our own testing procedures, its in-body stabilisation is a medium format first, and its hybrid AF (thanks to a recent firmware update) is a huge step forward. On the downside, while the in-body stabilisation is valuable extra insurance against camera shake, you'd be unwise to rely on it, and while the body is relatively compact, when it's matched up with Fujifilm's medium format glass, the combination gets quite tiring for prolonged handheld use. But this camera's image quality is simply spectacular, and once you've seen what it can do, any handling quibbles are instantly forgotten.

Read more: Fujifilm GFX 100 review