US$1,300 Fujifilm X-S20 APS-C camera with 6K video and dedicated VLOG mode rumoured to launch at Fujifilm X Summit

Rumours and leaked specifications have surfaced recently about a new Fujifilm X-S20 compact mirrorless APS-C camera that will replace the existing X-S10 from the same lineup. The X-S20 will allegedly use the same 26 MP APS-C, BSI X-Trans CMOS IV sensor as the X-S10 — and the previous flagship X-T4. Despite reusing the image sensor from the X-S10, there appear to be a number of significant changes coming for the X-S20 that make it a worthy successor to the X-S10, especially for hybrid and video shooters. It looks like the Fujifilm X-S20 will launch alongside the Fujinon XF8mm f/3.5 R WR lens at the Fujifilm X Summit on May 24.

The first expected major diversion from the X-S10 hardware is the upgrade from the X Processor 4 to the X Processor 5, which would grant the X-S20 access to better video features and improved image stabilisation and autofocus performance — similar to what we saw moving from the X-T4 to the X-T5. Another big change comes by way of a dedicated VLOG mode on the mode selector dial on the top of the camera, which would presumably give users a quick way to get into a predefined video mode without having to fiddle with settings — an attractive choice for video creators when they're out and about.

Concerning video, the Fujifilm X-S20 will reportedly be capable of recording 6K video — a substantial upgrade from the 4K on the X-S10, although the X-S10 has a 30 minute record limit for 4K video, and it's unlikely Fujifilm will increase the size of the new body, so it remains to be seen how useful 6K is. If Fujifilm engineers can make 6K doable, perhaps they can extend the record limit of 4K recording to better compete with the likes of the Panasonic GH6.

Lending credence to the rumours, Fujifilm is on a roughly two-and-a-half-year release cycle, and the current X-S10 launched late in 2020, meaning it's right about time for an update to the X-S lineup. The outgoing model was aimed squarely at the midrange, starting at an MSRP of US$999 with body and lens kits starting at around US$1,400.

It's been reported that the new X-S20 will start at around US$1,299, making it considerably more expensive. It's conceivable, then, that a lens kit with the new body should come in at around US$1,700, since prices for the kits haven't changed much at all since launch.

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