Big test
– and large JPEGs simultaneously, while for video I tried 4K and 6.2K modes recording to internal memory. To be honest, the camera coped admirably with everything I threw at it. Exposures were consistently spot on with only a couple suffering from mild underexposure, which was no surprise in the high-contrast light. Focusing in stills and video was mostly perfect and subject detection worked well. And white-balance was accurate shooting in either daylight or artificial interior lighting. I mostly shot using the XF8mm and XF18-55mm, but the sternest test in terms of focal length came from the XF55-200mm telezoom. The X-S20’s AF system, featuring AI deep learning and subject detection, proved speedy and responsive. AF tracking was good with pedestrians and cars on the Maltese streets, but I didn’t get to test the system with more challenging subjects such as flying birds using a longer lens. Face and eye detection performed great and were quite tenacious once acquired. They also coped well when the subject turned its head away and back again, with AF quickly latching back on. The step forward in auto mode using auto subject detection is interesting. Of course, while some key features are locked down, it was
PERFORMANCE: ISO
respectably sensitive and accurate at recognising subjects, including sky and green foliage, and then applying a suitable Film Simulation setting according to what the camera thinks the scene needs. For less experienced shooters, this auto mode is a nice trick feature to have on hand, though enthusiasts would probably prefer to take control. Two days and a little shy of 2000 pictures does not a summer make, and more time spent testing the AF system, especially subject detection and tracking skills, would have been beneficial. But it is what it is, and the X-S20 coped really well with the situations it faced – which included getting covered in sea spray a couple of times – proving itself to be a lovely camera that was a pleasure to use, granting excellent results. PN VLOGGING CONTROL Use vlog mode and six functions can be accessed with the touch monitor
We’ve seen the Fujifilm X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor in several cameras, so we know it’s a high-performing unit. In the X-S20, it’s been partnered with the X-Processor 5. Our night scene was shot on a tripod-mounted X-S20 with XF18-55mm. The base exposure at ISO 160 was 18secs at f/11. These Raws were processed in Adobe Lightroom with manual noise reduction only and the Luminance NR slider at 25. Digital noise on our Raw shots started appearing from ISO 1000 onwards, but was not a significant negative factor when viewed at 100% until ISO 4000 and beyond. Checking the JPEGs shot simultaneously alongside the Raws, the camera’s noise reduction skills meant that the ISO 4000 file was cleaner. In summation, if you need to dip into the X-S20’s high- ISO skills, you’re unlikely to be disappointed with the outcome, and with more considered editing – perhaps using Lightroom’s Denoise AI – you can achieve remarkably clean and crisp results.
160
800
Final word
Verdict The X-S20 has all the ammunition to be a winner for Fujifilm. It’s portable, great for stills, highly featured for video and a fine camera to use. Of course, it turns in excellent results too, and while it costs £1249 body only – so £300 more expensive than the same-resolution X-S10 – it succeeds on the value-for-money front if you want a high-spec device for movies and vlogging. 23 /25 FEATURES The X-S20 is a modest step from the X-S10 for still photography, but a giant leap for video capture with an awesome feature set
1600
3200
6400
12,800
24 /25 HANDLING
It feels great in the hand, everything works positively and you can fine-tune key controls
24 /25 PERFORMANCE
256,000
512,000
The sensor has proved itself before, and now coupled with the latest Fujifilm processor, its skills have been heightened further
24 /25 VALUE FOR MONEY
It is very difficult to argue that the X-S20 is anything but compellingly great value
95 /100 OVERALL
A capable APS-C camera for stills and movies with IBIS, good resolution, great handling and supported by an exquisite lens range
THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO MAKE GOOD USE
PROS Compact, great battery life, video features and price, USB-C charging, UHS-II slot, good continuous shooting, AF has potential CONS No weather-sealing, same sensor as the X-S10, some users might miss the backup of dual SD cards
Where will your kit go next? Inspire others, earn some extra cash and make a difference. Sell your used kit and let someone else love it as much as you have. Make good use of your used gear. Sell yours today at mpb.com/sell
Issue 108 | Photography News 21
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