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Top 4 Fujifilm X-S20 review highlights that reveal a compact APS-C mirrorless camera with performance to blow the competition away

Fujifilm's X-S20 has left a lasting impression on a number of reviewers thanks to its compact performance. (Image source: Fujifilm)
Fujifilm's X-S20 has left a lasting impression on a number of reviewers thanks to its compact performance. (Image source: Fujifilm)
Fujifilm released the X-S20 APS-C camera as an update to its X-S hybrid camera line-up. While the spec sheet improvements made for a convincing package, the first batch of proper reviews reveal a camera that delivers on its promises.

1. The X-S20's battery upgrade is worth the size compromise

While one of the biggest selling points of the Fujifilm X-S line-up is the compact size, one of the more notable improvements to the X-S20 over the X-S10 is the slightly larger grip that allows for a bigger battery and improved ergonomics. In Photography Blog's review, Mark Goldstein notes that the grip is noticeably larger. Not only is the bigger body more comfortable for longer photography sessions, but it also makes it easier to balance out larger lenses.

In terms of CIPA ratings, the new Fujifilm X-S20 is capable of 810 shots in economy mode, which is more than double what the X-S10 was capable of. In more practical tests, this improved battery life means the X-S20 can deliver a solid day of moderate shooting or around four hours of demanding street photography.

All that is to say that the improved battery life makes the X-S20 a solid choice for photographers who travel light and don't want to carry around three or four extra batteries for a single day of shooting.

2. Fujifilm's X-Processor 5 brings some nifty features to the X-S20

As part of his review, Gordon Laing at Camera Labs goes through some of the upgraded photography features of the Fujifilm X-S20. While the eight FPS mechanical shutter burst rate and shutter speed are much the same as the X-S10, the camera's auto mode has seen some revisions that make it more user-friendly and welcoming to photographers with varying skill levels. 

One of the more useful additions — especially for less experienced photographers and those run-and-gun types who don't want to concern themselves with settings — is the automatic subject and scene detection in auto mode. The X-S20 can detect a variety of subjects and scenes, adjusting things like dynamic range and film simulations in addition to the standard fare of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. 

Although auto mode was reportedly very adept at recognising scenes and subjects and locking focus on a sensible object in the frame, the film simulation, dynamic range, and saturation settings it applied were often a little over the top. This sometimes resulted in an oversaturated or over-processed look.

The updated processor in the X-S20 has turned it into a competent vlogging camera. (Image source: Fujifilm)
The updated processor in the X-S20 has turned it into a competent vlogging camera. (Image source: Fujifilm)

3. Fujifilm's X-S20 has significantly improved autofocus

While the sensor in the Fujifilm X-S20's hybrid body is the same one found in the X-S10, the upgraded X-Processor 5 grants the X-S20 some neat autofocus tricks. Fujifilm brags that the autofocus system in the X-S20 recognises and tracks everything from eyes, faces, animals, and objects accurately and quickly.

To get a leg-up over the X-S10, the X-S20's autofocus system was developed with Deep Learning. The new autofocus system has been found to be nearly instantaneous at both recognising subjects and tracking them accurately, with the most impressive results coming from shots featuring smaller and faster moving objects.

4. The X-S20 is a powerful video rig

By far, the biggest noted improvements to the Fujifilm X-S20 come by way of its video chops. The X-S20 features a vastly-improved range of video resolutions and output options, including a 6.2K, 30 FPS mode with 4:2:2, 10-bit encoding. The combination of the additional video modes with the more capable seven-stop in-body-image stabilisation system results in a video camera that's ahead of its competition.

Although its video performance largely reflects its specifications, some did notice some minor autofocus niggles when recording video. CineD also observed that the X-S20 started to show signs of overheating, even though the camera managed a recording time of 115 minutes before cutting out. It didn't cut out because of overheating, though. Instead, the battery ran out.

With the improvements Fujifilm has made to the camera's ergonomics, battery life, and feature set, the X-S20 has turned out to be one of the best, if not the best, new compact hybrid camera at around US$1,299.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2023 06 > Top 4 Fujifilm X-S20 review highlights that reveal a compact APS-C mirrorless camera with performance to blow the competition away
Julian van der Merwe, 2023-06- 7 (Update: 2024-08-15)