Initial verdict: Fujifilm made a few incremental upgrades to the X-S20 compared to its predecessor, though its larger battery and beginner-friendly Vlog Mode are the standout features based on our first impressions of the camera. 

Pros

-Best-in-class battery life

-Beginner-friendly Vlog Mode

Cons

-More expensive than the X-S10

Fujifilm finally announces the successor to 2020’s X-S10 with the X-S20. Despite looking familiar with practically the same body design, the X-S20 gets the necessary upgrades to make it a formidable hybrid APS-C mirrorless camera that’s friendly to vloggers and content creators.

 

Design

Just like with the case of the EOS R8 looking similar to the EOS RP, the X-S20 follows practically the same design as the X-S10. We consider that a good thing, as those who plan to upgrade from the X-S10 or with any Fujifilm X-series camera will be familiar with the layout.

Aside from the minor tweaks with the buttons, there are two big new additions to the X-S20: one is the inclusion of a headphone jack, which is very handy for those who want to monitor the audio they are recording while shooting.

The other is the new high-capacity NP-W235 battery that has 1.5x the capacity of the NP-W126S battery used on the X-S10. Fujifilm claims up to 800 shots on a single charge with the X-S20, which is a big step up from the 325 shots rating of the X-S10–and is arguably one of the best-claimed battery life on a mirrorless camera. We will be verifying this once we have more time with a review unit.

Like its predecessor, you are also getting a 2.36-million dot EVF with 0.62x magnification and a 1.84-million dot vari-angle touchscreen LCD display. If you have the fan attachment for the X-H2, you’d be happy to know that it is completely compatible with the X-S20. That’s another big win for the X-S20, as the support for a fan attachment allows it to manage thermals better, especially for prolonged 6.2K video recordings.

 

User Interface

Since it’s practically similar to the X-S10, the user interface of the X-S20 is no different, so you are getting things like 5-axis in-body IS. New to the X-S20 is an AI-based subject detection AF that’s borrowed from the X-T5, which can detect things like animals and cards for fast and accurate autofocus even when using continuous AF.

Also new to the X-S20 is Vlog mode, which gives users all the necessary menu options to help them produce a vlog with ease. To maximize this feature, Fujifilm also announced the TG-BT1 tripod grip to go along with the X-S20.

 

Internals

The X-S20 gets an updated 26.1-megapixel X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor that is backside illuminated, along with an X Processor 5 ISP. The updated internals now allow the X-S20 to record 6.2k video at 30FPS internally, along with support for 10-bit 4:2:2 video codecs. Aside from that, the X-S20 is capable of shooting 4K video at 60FPS and Full HD slo-mo video at 240FPS.

You also get F-Log2 to give you more room for color grading–as much as 13 stops of dynamic range according to Fujifilm, and the ability to record 12-bit Apple ProRes RAW video when combined with an ATOMOS HDMI device.

Wrap-up and initial verdict

While it is more expensive than the X-S10 at launch by almost Php 25k, Fujifilm added the necessary (and important) upgrades to the X-S20 to make it a hybrid mirrorless camera worth considering. The bigger battery is the biggest plus of the X-S20, while other upgrades like a headphone jack, Vlog mode, and AF performance borrowed from the X-T5 are much welcome.

Fujifilm X-S20 Price Philippines

The X-S20 is priced at Php 79,990 for the body only, Php 85,990 with a 15-45mm kit lens, and Php 103,990 with an 18-55mm kit lens. All three come bundled with a Lowepro Sling Bag.

Should you want to get the TG-BT1 Tripod Grip, the bundle price is Php 88,980 for the body only, Php 94,980 with the 15-45mm kit lens, and Php 112,980 with the 18-55mm kit lens.

Pre-orders for the X-S20 begin today (May 24) and until June 15.