Fujifilm's compact all-rounder with a deep grip, for stills and video. Launched at $1,299.95 in 2023 (body only). Who it suits: travelers and creators who want one small body for both.
Fujifilm X-S20, shown with a kit zoom (not included with the body). Photo: Henry Söderlund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)
HIGHLIGHTS
Why it exists. Fujifilm describes the X-S20 as "an all-in-one compact and lightweight model incorporating a high-capacity battery, high-performance AF and video-recording functions". It keeps the compact, lightweight body of the X-S10 and adds a battery Fujifilm rates for "approximately 800 frames per charge, i.e. more than double the previous model, to accommodate all-day shooting during travel".
Fujifilm North America priced the X-S20 at $1,299.95 body-only, $1,399.95 with the XC15-45mm and $1,699.95 with the XF18-55mm, available on or around June 29, 2023. It pairs the 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor with X-Processor 5, which brings subject detection for animals, birds, cars, motorcycles and bikes, airplanes and trains. In-body stabilization is rated at up to 7.0 stops, and video goes to 6.2K/30p internally, with 4K up to 60p and 10-bit 4:2:2, mic and headphone jacks and a vari-angle screen.
Our gallery comes from three photographers: the Oude IJssel river at Ulft, a frosty waterway at Engbergen, the Great Dune of Ashdod, a community food forest, an N700 Shinkansen with Mt. Fuji behind and the coast near Hayama. Who should buy it? Anyone who wants one small Fujifilm body for travel stills and video. Its limits: one card slot, a 0.62x viewfinder and a PASM dial instead of Fujifilm's dedicated shutter-speed and ISO dials.
The story
Fujifilm introduced the X-S20 in Tokyo on May 24, 2023, as "an all-in-one compact and lightweight model incorporating a high-capacity battery, high-performance AF and video-recording functions" (Fujifilm).
Fujifilm North America's release gave a US price of $1,299.95 body-only, $1,399.95 with the XC15-45mm and $1,699.95 with the XF18-55mm, available on or around June 29, 2023. Fujifilm's original US release page now redirects to its newsroom, so we link a reprint of the release (Fujifilm North America release, via Photoxels).
Fujifilm's US site still carries the X-S20 specifications page (Fujifilm); we found no discontinued notice.
Specifications
Key specs for the Fujifilm X-S20, from Fujifilm's US specifications page and Fujifilm's May 24, 2023 announcement. Source for each row in brackets.
Mechanical to 1/4000 s; electronic to 1/32000 s [Fujifilm]
Viewfinder
0.39-inch OLED, about 2.36M dots, 0.62x [Fujifilm]
Screen
3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, about 1.84M dots [Fujifilm]
Video
6.2K (6240 × 4160) up to 29.97p; 4K up to 59.94p; Full HD high speed up to 240p; 10-bit 4:2:2 [Fujifilm]
Card / ports
One SD (UHS-I/UHS-II); USB-C; micro HDMI; 3.5 mm mic and headphone jacks; pop-up flash and hot shoe [Fujifilm]
Battery
NP-W235; about 800 frames (economy) / 750 (normal), CIPA [Fujifilm]
Size / weight
127.7 × 85.1 × 65.4 mm; about 491 g with battery and card (410 g without) [Fujifilm]
Announced / price
May 24, 2023; $1,299.95 body-only (US) [Fujifilm, Fujifilm North America]
Sample photos
Six photos taken with the Fujifilm X-S20 by three photographers, shared on Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses or in the public domain. Each caption gives the settings the file records. Select a photo to enlarge it. More samples from Wikimedia Commons
f/9, ISO 250, 1/280 s, 18mm: the Oude IJssel at Ulft, Netherlands (XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS). Photo: Ziko van Dijk via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)f/7.1, ISO 200, 1/240 s, 19.6mm: a frosty waterway at Engbergen, Netherlands (XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS). Photo: Ziko via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
f/10, ISO 640, 1/3500 s, 15mm: the Great Dune of Ashdod, Israel (XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ). Photo: מקף־עברי via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (resized)f/5.6, ISO 320, 1/420 s, 44.5mm: a community food forest in Ashdod (XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ). Photo: מקף־עברי via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (resized)
f/6.4, ISO 160, 1/2500 s, 33mm: an N700 Shinkansen with Mt. Fuji behind (XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR). Photo: Charlie fong via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)f/4.5, ISO 160, 1/640 s, 33mm: the coast near Hayama Shiosai Park, Kanagawa (XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR). Photo: Charlie fong via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
Fujifilm: Launched at $1,299.95 in 2023 (US, body only).
Verdict
Who it's for: travelers, vloggers and hybrid shooters who want one compact Fujifilm body with a deep grip, strong stabilization, modern subject detection and long battery life.
Look elsewhere if you prefer dedicated shutter-speed and ISO dials and a higher-resolution sensor: see the X-T5.
Pros
X-Processor 5 subject detection
Up to 7.0-stop in-body stabilization
6.2K/30p and 4K/60p 10-bit; mic and headphone jacks
About 800 shots per charge (CIPA, economy)
Cons
One card slot
0.62x viewfinder
PASM dial instead of shutter-speed and ISO dials
Some owners report overheating warnings in long sessions
