FujifilmX-S20 Body Only

An outstanding body from Fujifilm. Has all the usual quirks with AF but this is being improved all the time with firmware updates. The colours are no doubt why you come to fujifilm and this is no exception. Worst thing about the camera for me is that it’s not weather sealed and it has the dreaded micro HDMI port. The later can be worked around with a cage and cable clamp though. shame it doesn’t do ProRes internally but it does output open gate 6k via Raw to Atomos and Blackmagic recorders or if that’s overkill just record 4K ProRes. I’m not a fan of the H265 in camera as the version of this codec is very choppy on a M1 Max chip! Build of the camera is excellent at this price point.

Having already owned the outstanding FujiFilm X-S10 I traded in anticipation of this new model. I was already aware of the quality offered by Fujifilm. I decided to upgrade and first impressions are great. Continues to feel great to hold. The AF appears more spot on and the ergonomics are similiar which is a good thing. I've set up the new Fuji App and it appears more reponsive. I will update the review when I have had more time to try out the numerous features.

I bought this camera with the purpose of having the right focal length (50 mm equiv) and not having to spend my cell phone battery. I planned to spend 0 time processing so I shoot in jpeg directly and I don’t need any more than 24 mp. The scene detection is good and colors are very nice. In body stabilization for photo was good and video when recorded stationary is good too. For my case this was the perfect camera hence I bough it, for any thing other than above you may find something good, 40 mp xt50, better video stabilization a6700, better low light Panasonic s9.I dislike the camera not being weather sealed and it worries me in light rains, also dislike that the camera fights while panning in video. I shoot in auto but focusing is not the best and takes some effort.Overall I like it as it was the best camera for my case and enjoy taking photos with it. I pair it with the 15-45 as it’s compact.

Early days with this X-S20. For me it is a major upgrade for my beloved X-T200. That swing-out screen an absolute essential. And that green line for level a game changer for me. But the onset of prime lenses meant no image stabilisation. In Body Image Stabilisation was my first requirement. Second was the significant battery improvement inferred in product description. Both done.First impressions very favourable especially with unthought of auto focus. No more pressing shutter half way to give focus. Whilst the product description promised Eterna Cinema and Acros black and white film simulation I did not expect Reala Ace which is part of a June 2024 firmware upgrade included when received September 2024.Another big plus was remote control (not Fujifilm) which I feared I would have to buy the whole tripod for but not so. Bluetooth connection no problem and nothing plugged into flash shoe. All of my initial work has been indoors. I have made one video on Flickr. Hope to make a widescreen outdoor Hobbit country film with this along the banks of the river Weaver nearby. There is also an adjustment for a Cinema lens.The 6K movie making needs a HEVC codec which used to be free from Microsoft but is now 79p. Cheap enough but it means your credit card and who knows what details are sent somewhere for a one-off payment; I deferred. 4K works well (3840 x 2160) and does not warm camera body. I stick to full HD at 23.98. And there is only one of seven file type compression at MP4, the rest are MOV.The four programmable selections are welcome. The first I set at standard Acros black and white photography which I have high hopes for going forward. Filter setting has no fish-eye possibility unlike my old X-T200, a strange omission. Which brings me to an omission that shook me a little. There is no date-stamp facility on this camera. Being someone who will never be paid for photography I enjoy seeing time and date on a digital picture. I know you can File find but that orange date stamp is perfect on screen or print out.Ergonomics are very good and I’m only about 130g overweight compared to my X-T200 (544g v 677g with 35mm XF lens). Love the left (opposite battery end) wheel changing film simulation setting. Another imperative facility I demanded was Exposure compensation dial which is there and in the same place right side corner behind battery.So, short of an actual photography trip and some photos I wish to share I can only say so far so good. Oh, and make sure you download and print the 422 page (with update) Manual.Colour picture with Nostalgic Negative film simulation and 200mm lens through a window.