Fujifilm X-S20 preliminary evaluate: Digital Pictures Evaluation

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Product images by Shaminder Dulai and Brendan Nystedt
Fujifilm has debuted its enhanced midrange APS-C mirrorless mannequin, the 26MP Fujifilm X-S20. This interchangeable lens digicam has improved video options and a brand new vlog mode, however does not stray from the unique very a lot. The X-S20 retains the deep grip, approachable design, plentiful ports, and in-body picture stabilization of the X-S10 (although its grip hides an even bigger battery), making for a well-rounded new digicam for rookies and intermediate shooters alike.
Key specs

26MP X-Trans BSI-CMOS sensor
5-axis in-body picture stabilization (CIPA-rated to 7 stops)
On-sensor section detection
3″, 1.84M-dot absolutely articulating touchscreen
2.36M-dot OLED digital viewfinder
20 fps burst capturing (as much as 30 fps with a crop)
DCI and UHD 4K at as much as 30p with 10-bit F-Log and F-Log2 help
Exterior mic and three.5mm headphone socket
750 pictures per cost utilizing LCD
USB energy supply help
Single UHS-II card slot
Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
Compatibility with FAN-001

The Fujifilm X-S20 will probably be obtainable from June twenty ninth with a advisable value of $1299 body-only. Two equipment choices will probably be obtainable, one with the XC15-45 for $1399 and one other with the XF18-55 for $1599. It is a $300 value enhance from its predecessor, the X-S10.

Soar to:
What’s new | The way it compares | Physique & dealing with | Preliminary impressions | Pattern gallery I Specs | Press launch

What’s new

An even bigger mode dial makes room for a Vlog mode. Bigger buttons must be simpler to press with out trying, too.

A fast take a look at the spec sheet tells us that the Fujifilm X-S20 is quite a bit like its predecessor. It has the identical 26MP X-Trans sensor, a barely improved in-body stabilization system, and a really related total design. However look nearer and the delicate adjustments begin to come out. Many buttons and dials are repositioned or bigger to make them simpler to press. The grip has grown a tad bigger to suit an even bigger battery. There is a flap for a headphone jack beneath the palm relaxation. And extra variations begin to seem when you dig into the menus and twist the mode dial.
Video upgrades
An upgraded X Processor 5 offers the largest increase to the brand new mannequin in its video capabilities. Which means in-body 4K/60 4:2:2 10-bit inner is now on the desk, as is open-gate (3:2 side) 6.2K. Fujifilm has additionally included is the F-Log2 shade profile, giving customers a Fujifilm-rated extra cease of grading potential at its base ISO of 1250. If you wish to use an exterior HDMI recorder, the digicam can now output to ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW if desired.

With the suitable equipment, the X-S20 turns into a fully-featured video capturing machine.

In case you’re pondering that that is beginning to appear to be a mini X-H2, then you definately’re heading in the right direction. The X-S20 provides compatibility with that digicam’s cooling fan, the FAN-001, which screws onto the again of the X-S20 with ease. Additionally new on this mannequin is a headphone jack, eliminating the necessity for a USB-C to three.5mm adapter.
Steady file time is a little bit of a problem for the digicam by itself, lasting solely 36 minutes within the demanding 6.2K mode when examined by Fujifilm at 25°C (77°F). With the FAN-001 connected, runtime greater than doubles to 78 minutes.
A brand new ‘1080/60P LP’ mode is designed to make prolonged recording simpler on the digicam. By utilizing a 1.29x crop and thus a smaller portion of the picture sensor, the processor can take a break from binning or line skipping; this mode nets you 32 minutes recording in 40°C (104°F) warmth, or 78 minutes geared up with the FAN-001.
Vlog mode and UAC webcam
Conveniently positioned on the mode dial, Vlog mode brings a brand new video capturing interface to the Fujifilm system. That is designed to make typical sorts of content material creator work simple and accessible. Faucet the Vlog button on the touchscreen, and also you get six quick-access buttons for widespread options like stabilization, the self-timer, eye/face detection, a product precedence mode (that makes the autofocus snap onto objects held in direction of the lens), a high-speed recording toggle, and a background defocus mode (that opens the lens up as a lot as doable). The X-S20 additionally exhibits the consumer it is filming with a purple field across the LCD preview, or a inexperienced one if high-speed footage is being captured.
In case you’re much less of an aspiring YouTuber and extra of a Twitch streamer, then the X-S20 can be utilized as a powerful webcam. Utilizing the USB-C port, you possibly can output a 4K/60p reside stream from the digicam. And in contrast to older Fujifilm fashions, the XWebcam software program is not vital, for the reason that X-S20 depends on the UAC commonplace.
Autofocus and topic detection enhancements
Stills shooters additionally get some further assist because of the sooner X Processor 5 contained in the X-S20. Fujifilm claims to have added an improved autofocus algorithm, developed initially for the high-end X-H2S mannequin, so shifting topics and smaller topics particularly must be captured with greater reliability.
The X-S20 additionally inherits the X-H2 household’s topic detection modes. In PASM or customized modes, these could be individually chosen. You may decide from Animal, Chicken, Vehicle, Bike & Bike, Airplane, and Practice modes. In case you shoot in full Auto mode, the digicam will try to acknowledge and apply the right mode based mostly on the topic within the body.
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The way it compares
Because the market of vlog-friendly cameras blossoms, hybrid shooters have a big selection of fashions to select from at a stunning vary of costs. Right here we have in contrast the Fujifilm X-S20 to a few of its APS-C competitors. Although the X-S20 sits on the excessive finish price-wise, it comes with a commensurate quantity of options and looks like an excellent worth total.

Fujifilm X-S20
Nikon Z30
Sony a6600
Canon EOS R10

MSRP
$1299
$710
$1399
$979

Pixel rely
26MP
20.2MP
24MP
24MP

Sensor measurement
APS-C
APS-C
APS-C
APS-C

Picture stabilization
In-body + in-lens
Lens solely (+ digital in video)
In-body
Lens solely (+ digital in video)

Max burst fee
8 fps (mech shutter)20 fps (elec shutter)
11 fps (mech shutter)
11 fps (mech shutter)

15 fps (mech shutter)23 fps (elec shutter)

Viewfinder res / magazine
2.36M dots/ 0.62x
No
2.36M dots / 0.71x
2.36M dots/ 0.71x

Rear display
3.0″, 1.84M-dot articulating touchscreen
3.0″, 1.04M-dot articulating touchscreen
3.0″, 921K-dot tilting touchscreen
3.2″, 1.04M-dot articulating touchscreen

Video capabilities
As much as 6.2K/30p 3:2 (open gate), UHD/DCI/60p 4:2:2 10-bit
UHD/30p
UHD/30p(1.23x crop)
UHD/30p full-width UHD/60p from 1.56x crop

Log video
F-Log, F-Log2
No
S-Log (8-bit solely)
HDR PQ

Mic/ Headphone sockets?
Sure / Sure
Sure / No
Sure / Sure
Sure / No

Battery life(LCD)
750
330
810
350

Card slot
1x UHS II SD
1x UHS I SD
1x UHS I SD
1x UHS II SD

Weight
491g (17.3oz)
405g (14.3oz)
503g (17.8oz)
426g (15oz)

We are able to see that though it is bested in just a few minor specs, there’s one standout space: its video capabilities are far past what most mirrorless opponents provide, which turns into doubly efficient coupled with its robust battery. The Canon EOS R10, as an illustration, nonetheless maintains an excellent lead in steady capturing, however has lower than half the CIPA-rated battery lifetime of the X-S20. The cheap vlog-centric Nikon Z30 is perhaps good for these with 1080p video wants, however Fujifilm’s choice is in a special class altogether.
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Physique and dealing with

Whereas the X-S20 appears a useless ringer for the X-S10, it improves on the unique design in delicate methods.

The Fujifilm X-S20 is hardly a shouty digicam, selecting a subdued model that focuses on performance over visible enchantment. With its compact measurement, DSLR-style grip, and twin management dials, it is approachable – it seems to be like a median digicam. Appropriately, it is the purposeful touches which were adjusted on the physique. In comparison with its predecessor, lots of the controls have been enlarged, with greater dials and extra pronounced buttons, whereas retaining the satisfyingly clicky rear joystick. The articulated touchscreen will get a small bump in decision, whereas the digital viewfinder, with its small OLED panel, is identical as within the X-S10.
The keen-eyed amongst you’ll acknowledge the 2 holes and small plug behind the rear LCD. Cribbing from the X-H2 fashions, the X-S20 can settle for Fujifilm’s FAN-001 accent, which provides a cooling fan to the digicam. It is a dear accent at round $200, however it might let the X-S20 shoot video for double the default period and supply reliability in greater temperatures.

Due to the addition of an actual headphone jack on the grip, the USB-C port can be utilized to energy the digicam when you monitor the audio.

Fujifilm has clearly tried to bolster every little thing photographers preferred in regards to the X-S10, together with its port choice. It has a USB-C with energy supply for charging, a micro HDMI and a 2.5mm microphone jack that can also settle for a wired shutter launch. On the grip, there is a brand-new 3.5mm headphone terminal. Within the X-S10, customers wanted to make use of a USB-C to three.5mm adapter, however X-S20 customers can plug in straight.

The Fujifilm X-S20 has a battery that may obtain a score of 800 pictures on a single cost, in the suitable mode.

Aside from the upgraded processor, the largest inner change is shifting from the smaller, 8.7Wh NP-W126 battery to the 16Wh NP-W235 battery. This virtually doubles the battery capability: the CIPA-rated shot rely on a single cost goes from 325 pictures all the way in which to 750, or so far as 800 when utilizing the digicam’s Economic system energy setting. With a purpose to accommodate this greater battery, the digicam’s grip is barely bigger, which makes the digicam a bit extra snug to carry. As normal, it isn’t unusual to realize twice the CIPA-rated worth.
Subsequent to the battery is the upgraded UHS-II SD card slot. Whilst you solely get the one slot, and it is kind of in the identical spot, the uprated interface will probably be a boon for burst capturing. With a quick SD card, Fujifilm says the X-S20 can shoot greater than 1,000 JPEGs or compressed Uncooked recordsdata at 8 fps.
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Preliminary impressions

In case you’re picture specs alone, you would be tricked into pondering that the Fujifilm X-S20 was a fast refresh. Similar sensor, similar burst pace, just a few software program tips, add 10 to the mannequin identify and blammo – a brand new digicam. And it is true that for stills shooters not a lot received added. General picture high quality must be similar to the outgoing X-T4 and even near the X-S10 (And sure, I acknowledge that topic detection autofocus is kind of a pleasant add-on, nevertheless it solely advantages some stills shooters a number of the time).

Topic detection modes can turn out to be useful, like when capturing trains or airplanes. Auto mode can apply topic detection with out consumer intervention.
Fujinon XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM | ISO 1000 | 1/1000 sec | F5.6Taken utilizing a pre-production Fujifilm X-S20Photo: Brendan Nystedt

That stated, the uprated battery alone is a gamechanger for on a regular basis, informal capturing. I took the X-S20 out for a multi-hour hike in Olympic Nationwide Park in the future, and solely used one of many 5 bars on the battery indicator. This factor sips energy. I’d simply consider Fujifilm’s declare of 750 pictures utilizing the LCD, and as much as 800 in Economic system mode. That is close to DSLR-level period for an affordably-priced mirrorless digicam.

The 26-megapixel X-Trans sensor is a bit older, however can nonetheless output attractive pictures with vivid colours.
Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4 R LM | ISO 160 | 1/3200 sec | F1.4Taken utilizing a pre-production Fujifilm X-S20Photo: Brendan Nystedt

In use, the marginally greater decision rear touchscreen works nice, and I did not even thoughts the OLED viewfinder. I am going to admit that the viewfinder feels smaller than I would choose; then once more I am most likely evaluating it to some greater viewfinders from mannequin costing hundreds of {dollars} above this value degree. The button and dial format is straightforward to study and easy to grasp, and the marginally bigger grip makes it snug to shoot with for prolonged durations. In case you’re new to mirrorless cameras or cameras full-stop, you will discover it an total nice and usable capturing expertise.
Regardless of all its video developments, this Fujifilm continues to be simple to make use of for aspiring content material creators, whereas importantly providing you with sufficient headroom to allow you to develop as your abilities enhance. You may shoot 4K as we speak, and graduate to F-Log2 and 10-bit shade to grade when you want them. You may fortunately get inner footage now, with the choice to purchase an Atomos Ninja later if you wish to seize Uncooked video. You may even begin vlogging with the interior microphones, realizing you possibly can improve to a headphone and mic pair while you’re prepared to observe your sound. Have to have the digicam recording for some time? Seize the FAN-001 add-on and unlock the additional runtime. The simple-access Vlog mode and the complete video mode are proper subsequent to one another on the dial, so while you’re able to dive in, the X-S20 will probably be too.

They could look extremely related, however the X-S20 is a giant improve from the earlier era.

In comparison with Fujifilm’s extra trendy, retro-inspired fashions, the X-S10 design at all times struck me as type of standard – good, however unexciting. I am compelled to confess that the unassuming X-S20 flips the script: what strikes me first right here is a particularly thrilling function set. It might not seem like a lot, however this new Fujifilm has received it the place it counts.
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Pattern gallery
Please don’t reproduce any of those pictures on a web site or any e-newsletter/journal with out prior permission (see our copyright web page). We make the originals obtainable for personal customers to obtain to their very own machines for private examination or printing (along side this evaluate); we accomplish that in good religion, so please do not abuse it.
All pictures shot utilizing a pre-production Fujifilm X-S20

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