Fujifilm Announces X-S20 Camera and XF8mm F/3.5 Lens

2023.05.24

Fujifilm surprised everyone today with a triple announcement, adding a new camera, lens and application to the extensive lineup of digital photography products they already have. The big news is a new XF-mount mirrorless camera with new capabilities and an extremely-wide prime lens.

First, the new Mirrorless Digital Camera. A sucessor to the Fujifilm X-S10 which introduced image-stabilization to the X-mount, the new Fujifilm X-S20 boasts a number of significant improvements. This camera is built around the same 26 megapixels X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C sensor seen in most recent Fujifilm cropped-sensor cameras. This is great news since the sensor has proven itself to excel at both image-quality and speed.

The 26 Megapixels APS-C sensor is mounted on a new 5-axis image-stabilization system that delivers 7-stops of efficiency compared to hand-held shooting, which is a full-stop better than the X-S10. The sensor is right in back of a hybrid shutter which supports shutter-speeds from 1/32,000s to 15 mins, plus Bulb exposures up to one hour. The sensor itself incorporates millions of phase-sensors which make a virtual 425-Point Phase-Detect AF system capable of subject recognition and tracking. The camera is capable of recording full-resolution images at 20 FPS and cropped ones at 30 FPS. A high throughput and deep buffer allows up to 256 JPEG images or 79 RAW files to be captured in a single 20 FPS burst.

Fujifilm heavily optimized the power consumption of this new mirrorless

which now boasts one of the longest battery-life among non-DSLR cameras. According to the CIPA measurement procedure, the X-S20 can capture 750 shots-per-charge. This improved power usage allows the X-S20 to do more processing for video capture. As a first among its class, this Fujifilm can record 6240x4160 video at 30 FPS, in addition to Cinema 4K and Ultra-HD at 60 FPS. Cinema 2K and Full HD are even possible at 240 FPS!

Even though the X-S20 is part of an entry-level series, its feature-set is very rich. It boasts modes for Panorama, HDR, Multiple-Exposure, plus fine manual controls and extensive bracketing options. Auto-Exposure Bracketing can grab 9 frames, plus there is bracketing for Dynamic-Range, Focus, White-Balance and Film-Simulation. The body of the X-S20 features triple control-dials and a 2.4 megapixels 0.39" EVF with 0.62X magnification, 100% coverage and an essential Eye-Start sensor.

This new mirrorless camera is expect to ship at the very end of next month for $1300 USD or $1750 CAD. Both Adorama and B&H Photo are already accepting pre-orders. These reputable affiliates will not charge your credit card until the camera ships, while ensuring that you are among the first to receive one.

Next, there is the completely new Fujinon XF8mm F/3.5R WR, the widest rectilinear lens for APS-C cameras with autofocus or weatherproof. Only the Laowa 7.5mm T/2.9 Zero-D Cine is sligthly wider yet almost 3X heavier. This extremely-wide prime lens covers a 121° field-of-view with a moderate F/3.5 maximum aperture in a freezeproof and weatherproof body.

This lens has a 9-blade aperture and accepts standard 62mm screw-on filters. It has a dedicated aperture-ring and weighs a more 215g, making it one of the lightest lenses on the market. Expect to see this lens to become available around the same time as the X-S20. Its retail price is set at $800 USD or $1080 CAD. Preorders yours from Amazon, Adorama or B&H Photo.

The final announcement from Fujifilm today is the new XApp Smartphone application dedicated to X and GFX cameras. This application will be available starting tomorrow, May 25, for Android and iOS devices. The XApp allows photographers to remotely control their X or GFX camera, view and transfer images plus backup and restore camera settings.

XApp is compatible with the Fujifilm X-S20, announced today, plus the X-H2S, X-H2, X-Pro3, X-T5, X-T4, X-T3, X-T30 II, X-T30, X-S10, X-E4, X100V, GFX100, GFX100S, GFX50S II and GFX50R.

• Digital Camera
• Lens