Fujifilm discontinues X-S20 compact vlogging camera, indicating X-S30 may be on the horizon

It looks as though Fujifilm has started preparations to introduce the successor to the X-S20 that shook up the Japanese camera company's line-up almost two years ago. As reported by Japanese publication, Digital Camera Life, Fujifilm has seemingly discontinued the X-S20 in Japan. Generally, Fujifilm discontinues a camera line shortly before introducing a successor to that camera. Case in point, Fujifilm discontinued and suspended orders for the X100V about a month before it introduced the X100VI earlier this year. 

This doesn't give us a firm indication of when Fujifilm may release what will presumably be the X-S30, but it is an indication that Fujifilm is likely working on a replacement for the hybrid video camera for release in the near future. So far, the most recent Fujifilm rumours concern another compact camera, the X-Half, which is slated to launch in a matter of months. 

The Fujifilm X-S20 packs a number of premium features into an affordable package (curr. $1,399 with a 15–45 mm kit lens), including 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, a sleek retro-inspired design, 6.2 K open-gate video recording, and Fujifilm's latest X-Processor 5 with all its AF features. 

So far, there have been no indications of what to expect from an X-S30 or when to expect it, but given Fujifilm's current formula, it would not be a surprise to see an upgrade to the latest 40 MP X-Trans CMOS 5 sensor found in the Fujifilm X-T5, X-T50, and X100VI. That said, given the video-centric nature of the X-S20, we may see Fujifilm either introduce a new version of the 24 MP sensor in the X-S20 or use the older X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor paired with some new features or other quality-of-life upgrades, similar to what happened with the X-T30 II.