Fujifilm X S20 review

The Fujifilm X-S20 is proof that you don’t need a massive, heavy camera to pack a serious punch. It’s sleek, minimalist, and wonderfully compact—perfect for slipping into your bag without a second thought. That deep grip? A lifesaver for long shoots, giving you a secure hold whether you’re at a bustling street market or teetering on a rock for the perfect landscape shot. At just 491 grams (with battery and memory card), it feels premium without weighing you down.

The fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen is a dream for vloggers and anyone who’s ever tried to frame a shot while doing yoga to reach the right angle. However, if you’ve got larger hands, you might find the controls a bit snug—it’s like trying to type on a phone made for toddlers. And the lack of weather sealing? Adventurers beware; it’s not the camera for a monsoon trek.

The Fujifilm X-S20’s 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor produces images that are vibrant, sharp, and imbued with character—qualities that Fujifilm users have come to adore. At 26.1 megapixels, the X-S20 delivers exceptional detail, especially when paired with Fujifilm’s XF lenses. Fine textures like fabric, foliage, or architectural details are rendered crisply, with minimal artifacts.

The lack of a low-pass filter ensures sharper images, although this also means that moiré patterns can occasionally creep into shots with repetitive patterns. For everyday photography, the resolution is more than adequate, offering plenty of room for cropping and large prints.

Fujifilm’s color science is the star of the show here. Straight-out-of-camera JPEGs are a joy to look at, with natural skin tones, rich greens, and vibrant blues. The X-Trans sensor’s unique pixel arrangement ensures pleasing gradation and avoids the overly digital look common in other cameras.

Adding to this are Fujifilm’s film simulation modes, which replicate the look of classic analog films like Velvia, Provia, and Acros. These modes provide creative flexibility without the need for extensive post-processing. For landscapes, Velvia’s saturated tones are a dream, while Astia offers a more subdued look ideal for portraits. If you’re after a nostalgic black-and-white aesthetic, Acros delivers stunning monochromatic images with a subtle grain structure.

Apart from these, you can also add in custom ‘Fujifilm Recipes’ that allow full control over a host of outputs and applications like Grain Effect, White Balance and basically the whole lot of settings that affect the output of the JPEG. Do note that there’s just four custom options you can tune these to, unlike the many you get on the Fujifilm X100 VI or X100 V.

The X-S20’s sensor offers impressive dynamic range, preserving details in both shadows and highlights, even in challenging lighting conditions. Fujifilm’s DR modes and RAW file flexibility ensure that scenes with high contrast can be captured and edited with minimal loss of detail. This makes it a great choice for landscape photography, where recovering details in the sky or shadows is crucial.

In low-light settings, the X-S20 holds its own admirably for an APS-C camera. At ISO levels up to 3200, noise is well-controlled, and the images retain excellent detail. Pushing beyond ISO 6400 introduces noticeable noise, but the grain has a pleasing, film-like quality that many photographers won’t mind. For night street photography or dimly lit interiors, the camera performs reliably, and the IBIS system compensates for handheld shooting in these scenarios.

Portrait photographers will appreciate the X-S20’s ability to capture lifelike skin tones and its compatibility with Fujifilm’s XF portrait lenses. Images have a natural look with beautiful fall-off in bokeh-heavy shots. Eye-detection autofocus, supported by AI, ensures that the subject’s eyes remain tack-sharp, even when shooting at wide apertures, be it a cat, a dog or a vehicle or well a train!

For landscapes, the X-S20 excels with vibrant colors and exceptional sharpness. The combination of Velvia film simulation, strong dynamic range, and the ability to retain fine details makes it a fantastic companion for outdoor adventures. The 7-stop IBIS system further aids handheld landscape shots in low light or at slower shutter speeds.Also the camera’s ability to shoot 6.2K video translates into superb still frame extractions. Videographers can pull highly detailed stills from their footage for use in digital or print mediums, adding to the camera’s versatility.

Under the hood, the X-S20 is powered by the X-Processor 5, and boy, does it deliver. The autofocus system, turbocharged by AI, locks onto subjects with the kind of precision that feels almost psychic. Low light? No problem—it still works like a charm. Whether you’re snapping candid street shots or tracking a squirrel that refuses to sit still, the X-S20 doesn’t flinch.

For everyday users and enthusiasts alike, the camera offers that sweet spot between speed and versatility. It’s not the absolute fastest or most powerful camera out there, but it’s more than enough for 99% of what you’ll throw at it.

Fujifilm’s AI integration here is a stroke of genius—most of the time. Beginners will appreciate features like subject detection, which picks out animals, vehicles, and more with uncanny accuracy. The AI-powered VLOG mode optimizes settings for content creators, taking the guesswork out of setting up your shots.

That said, the AI can sometimes feel a bit too helpful, occasionally stepping on the toes of manual controls. If you’re the type who likes to tinker with every setting, you might find it a tad overbearing.

The new NP-W235 battery is a game-changer. With up to 800 shots per charge, you can confidently leave the house without lugging around a power bank. It’s a massive step up from its predecessor, the X-S10, and a welcome upgrade for anyone who spends the day shooting. Just don’t expect miracles if you’re pushing it hard with 6.2K recording—the battery will drain faster than you’d like.

The X-S20 is as user-friendly as they come. The menus are intuitive, the controls feel satisfying, and it’s just an all-around pleasant camera to use. The addition of a dedicated VLOG setting is a nod to modern creators, making it easier than ever to switch gears and start filming.

However, the compact size has its trade-offs especially if you have large hands. The controls might feel tiny and the two buttons on the top left feel out of place and hard to reach when the screen is flipped out.

The Fujifilm X-S20 is a hybrid powerhouse that doesn’t make you choose between portability and performance. It excels as a travel companion, a vlogging tool, and a creative machine for photographers of all levels. The image quality is stellar, the video capabilities are impressive, and the AI features add genuine value—most of the time.

Sure, the lack of weather sealing and a joystick might give some pause, and it’s not going to outgun full-frame rivals in extreme low-light scenarios. But for what it offers at this price, it’s a fantastic all-around option that’s easy to recommend. If you’re looking for a lightweight, capable, and fun-to-use mirrorless camera, the X-S20 is a solid bet.