Long-Term FujiFilm X-S20 Review: Pros, Cons, and Final Verdict

[@debadri]

"makes me feel excited to shoot again". There there.

[@PavSZ]

true

[@SandaMaksla]

I have been working with Sony cameras for four years. Everything was tired, including the fact that everyone's photos and videos look the same. I bought the XS-20 and creativity comes out from all sides more than ever before!

[@PavSZ]

and that's what this is all about

[@norwegianwood8120]

What lens is the best

[@SandaMaksla]

@@norwegianwood8120 Depends what is photographed. Universally the best for everyday use would be the Fuji 16-55 2.8, but given that the X lenses are very cheap, you can experiment with everything they offer.

[@kellymei.]

i'm also coming from sony and the build quality change to fuji was a bit disappointing. i wish the body wasn't so cheaply made

[@fredjansohn8888]

Hello, I watch many reviews, sometimes these are interesting, sometimes not, sometimes too long, sometimes not long enough. I have watched only two of your reviews to date and must say I love the way you get straight to the point. I am impressed with how you give succinct overviews with crisp descriptions, highlighting pros and cons, and provide possibly among the best demonstration photos I have seen in all the other reviews. Following your invitation to do so, might I ask you to give a review of Fujifilm's 18-55mm F2.8-4 medium zoom. I bought this lens a few months ago based on largely positive reviews by other KZbin reviewers and would love to see and hear a review from you. I agree with your assessment that the 18-55mm punches way above its weight. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Fred Jansohn

[@motorcycle-man]

I recently ditched the FF Panasonic's to get a A XH2S and B XS20 setup and loving it so far. Especially the XS20.

[@TwoTimesRmedia]

I have this same kit. Love the features and size on the xs20.

[@lehuydzung]

How about the overheat issue? I read some coments said its even overheat while taking picture

[@TwoTimesRmedia]

@@lehuydzung I haven't had mine overheat and I live in hot and humid South Florida . I did get the updated ulanzi fan just in case though . I have only seen the warning pop up after shooting over 2 hours with it and I had it sitting on my dash in direct sun . It didn't over heat just warned me that it's getting hot and the yellow symbol popped up.

[@lehuydzung]

@@TwoTimesRmedia nice, thank you!!

[@Alanroymadukkolil]

What about the night photography and astrophotography

[@alex-bohorquez-jimenez]

¡Gracias!

[@PavSZ]

Thank you!!

[@heidimove8093]

Thank you for your detailed review! Your photos are incredible :) I'm just starting out in this industry and am on the hunt for a camera system I can evolve with! Not interested in a "camera for beginners". I have always been drawn to Fuji above Canon and Nikon. I love that a professional such as yourself, loves working with the X-S20, despite it being an APS-C! This camera just got bumped to the top of my shopping list!

[@MrAquarius006]

Excellent review! Special quality of the photographs made!

[@PavSZ]

Thank you kindly!

[@Stories-in-Black-and-White]

Thank you for this video. I am currently looking for an everyday camera and it looks, this is the one.

[@PavSZ]

nice, small camera that is fun to use. I'm sure you could get a really good deal now too

[@samson40a]

Bought an XS20 to replace my old XT2. Happy with my choice

[@PavSZ]

Nice! Good little camera

[@MayasBeachFarm]

This review was a pleasant surprise (since I normally don’t see you with Fuji cameras-lenses mostly). Been on the fence about upgrading my XT-20 to this, or totally leaving Fuji and moving to Sony or Lumix FF. Alas, reviews like this only mean that my waffling will continue…

[@PavSZ]

Thanks! Only you can decide what brand/camera is right for you but irony is that whatever you choose, you will always think that the other one, the one you don't have might be better. It is not. It is how you use what you have and make it work. There is no bad cameras these days

[@ftk-alt]

coming from xt3, i would say i would rather take and bring the xs20 out more than my xt3. the main reason is the xs20 felt so much smaller and lighter. other 2 reasons will be the Battery and even faster AFC. otherwise my entire setup is already light with the xt3. but with xs20 i felt even more comfortable to grip with only 1 hand. the AFC on xs20 is phenomal as long as you shoot in optimal outdoor lighting. it has almost no issue as long as you nail it correctly. otherwise in tricky lighting situations, the XS20 will focus on the wrong subject time to time

[@ramonarias1234]

I love my XS20, always with the Viltrox 27 on it, and with the 13 also from Viltrox and the Sigma 56, you have pro FF level IQ.. Nice vid!

[@PavSZ]

Thanks for sharing I love my Viltrox 27mm

[@pics_by_fritz]

Excellent review, very informative and helpful! I bought this camera primarily for travel instead of lugging around my full frame or medium format systems and it’s great - it’s not so much the camera body size as it is the smaller size and lighter weight of the comparable lenses for Fujifilm. Also liked the grip size, battery life, and film simulation jpeg options as well as a central viewfinder and a familiar layout to select the X-S20 over not only its other Fuji model siblings but also above its strong competitor in the Sony A6700.

[@Joyboy.753]

Hi Pav, this is first time I'm watching your video, you are an experienced person when it comes cameras. I am dead set on buying the Fujifilm xs20 as my 1st ever camera but the autofocus is something that confusing me too much (compared to a6700). Can you please tell, does that matter that much for a beginner like me? I would be doing personal, college, travel, family photography and in future some small level personal filmmaking too.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Really nice photos in this review Pav! I really should do a review of my XH2 too 😅

[@PavSZ]

You should! I'd certainly would watch it. I'm thinking of XH2 next Thanks Richard!!

[@randybulatao5002]

Im a X-S20 user. For me, this camera is well balanced. Look and specs, and performance. Im not a professional photographer, but this gives me a touch of it😅 Fast and straightforward review. Thank you

[@PavSZ]

It is a great little camera. Thank you for watching!

[@Ponskippa]

Do yall think this is a better buy than an XT5 or XH2 if you don’t want to spend almost 2K

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Great review. I’m thinking of vegging one of these and this was really helpful

[@PavSZ]

thanks! I still love mine

[@samson40a]

I am sure you can customise the swipe actions on the screen. I haven’t tried it as I rarely use the touch screen for anything. I usually disable it or at least I did on my XE3 when I had one. I need to give it another try.

[@PavSZ]

I have tried few times, very flaky

[@damirook8342]

Thanks for the great insight of this camera . Im still waiting for a review of the XS-20 paired with a gimbal

[@PavSZ]

I'm tempted to do that video but days are not long enough right now. Maybe sometime soon

[@FDerrey]

what a great review, very nice and dynamic to watch

[@PavSZ]

thank you so much!

[@apinantpongsupaht872]

It's rare but pleasing to my ears to hear a Scot reviewing a camera.😊

[@PavSZ]

Scot? I'm Polish

[@apinantpongsupaht872]

@@PavSZ Przepraszam! You could have fooled me if you wore a kilt! lol.

[@PavSZ]

@@apinantpongsupaht872 one thing I do not have is Scottish accent lol

[@apinantpongsupaht872]

@@PavSZ You might not know it, but you do sound Scottish, okay , may be not exactly, but close enough. Have you thought about going to Hollywood and play a Scotsman there. No one would know that you are Polish. lol.

[@karlj.4798]

Think he's taking the p.ss mate.... great review by the way! 😊

[@andrzejmezynski6145]

As it’s not weather sealed, did you also shoot during some light rain or on beach ? And did you notice any issues? I would like to move from phone shooting to camera… but a lot of people write that lack of weather seal is a red light.

[@PavSZ]

I have used in few times in light rain. It's common sense, if you are going to submerge it, it will break. I keep the camera on the strap and under my arm when not being used and give it a light wipe with a t-shirt if it gets to wet. Dry it with a towel when I get home. It's not weather sealed but it will take some rain before any moisture gets inside. Common sense, I have weather sealed cameras and don't get those too wet either

[@Ansonandco]

Pav is a fuji guy now! I love it 😉

[@jfphotography69]

Really. You have to justify your purchase of a camera because someone on YT also uses it.

[@Ansonandco]

@@jfphotography69 it was a joke haha pav and I are good friends. Not that serious

[@PavSZ]

@jfphotography69 I always have to justify my purchase because someone on YT also uses it - life 😉

[@PavSZ]

@Ansonandco Nah, I'm still a Lumix shooter 😉📸

[@georgedavall9449]

@@jfphotography69 dont be a smooch

[@leobono16]

I love the review sir!

[@PavSZ]

Thank you!

[@stuartblink]

You have a great eye - many brilliant photos

[@PavSZ]

thank you so much!

[@dronescoVKE]

I got the XS10 and love it. I would have considered an upgrade for video but tracking for keeping focus when using a gimbal would have been great. Also with the XS10 I had always issues with dirt on (or behind!) the sensor. Would have loved for weather resistance this time.

[@Dangkles]

I noticed you have both the viltrox 27mm and fuji 33mm. Could you explain why you would want to own both?

[@PavSZ]

I don't own both. I had 33mm on loan from Fuji for a review but I can see someone having both. They are different tools for different jobs for sure

[@ales_abreu]

Hello! Did your EVF, in the part where you look at it, wear out easily? My little one is getting a lot of wear and tear.

[@PavSZ]

mine is ok

[@Lutherman_edc]

Pleasee review the kit lenss ❤❤

[@PavSZ]

working on it 😉

[@PhotoIsFilm]

i'm looking for a first camera that can do photography and videography for professional I don't know what to get Xs20 or Sony A7 iii

[@PavSZ]

only you can decide. You have to think about the lenses as well and how you are going to use it. This and sony a7III are not really directly comparable - very different cameras

[@olasek7972]

Paweł, twoje wideo jest genialne zrobione, profesjonalne, naprawdę przybliżyło mi markę Fuji, jednak po długiej debacie zdecydowałem się na kupno X-T5, pozdrawiam z Kalifornii. Michał J.

[@PavSZ]

Dzięki! Widziałeś mój polski kanał? @Aparatografia

[@olasek7972]

@@PavSZ nie, muszę zobaczyć. Twój angielski jest bardzo dobry, gratulacje.

[@PavSZ]

@@olasek7972 mój polski jest gorszy 😂

[@IrfanKhokharFilms]

Great review!!

[@PavSZ]

Thank you!

[@marebear222]

If anyone has opinions/experience, what would you choose between Sony A6600 and Fuji XS20? Both on sale atm where I live; the A6600 with the 18-135mm kit lens ~ 1400USD and XS20 15-45mm ~ 1370USD? 🌼

[@PavSZ]

I sold my a6600 to buy this. I think Fuji might be marginally harder to use but more fun to shoot with overall

[@marebear222]

@@PavSZ thank you for your reply!! I'll look more into the Fuji!🌸

[@vitorazinheira1739]

I had xt20 / ex2 / ex3 and S10. I'm on Sony now A9 and A7RIIIA but miss those colors from Fuji. I may go back with S20. Just afraid the low light performance on Fuji. Anything over 3200 ok in daylight and on night conditions for my 1600Iso it's the max and still not 100%.

[@PavSZ]

same colours can be achieved with Sony too. ISO performance on Sony is so much better though

[@vitorazinheira1739]

@@PavSZ Yes, Low light is much better with Sony, also sharpness since I have the A7RIII ( A9 I already sold it.) , With Sony I can also push shadows a lot and still get great results, not the same with Fuji. Still love those files and colors from Fuji with Low ISO files, since I do long exposures doesn't affect me.

[@63MacGuy]

Does this have that 30 minute time limit in video?

[@PavSZ]

no but it might overheat before 30 min. Fuji knows about it and they sell a cooling fan for it (and X-H2S), cheaper one from Ulanzi works as well (seen right at the end of my video)

[@malikharden5124]

Enjoying mine! Can’t comprehend how they haven’t implemented a touch tracking system. But it’s been a great daily carry

[@PavSZ]

it is strange that you can't operate the menus with your finger too

[@greyspaniard]

The latest GFX100 II has touch tracking.... They need to release a firmware update for the XH2/S, XS20 and XT5!!

[@bapas81]

Test photo with viltrox 27mm f1.2,pleas

[@PavSZ]

There is few in this video and more here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hojPlXaCfrapl7M

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Great video buddy! One day I'll pick one fujifilm camera...I keep repeating it to myself 🫣

[@PavSZ]

Thanks man. I was the same ... for years. I had to buy one just to play with it now and then

[@simon_raya]

I really need to use mine, I bought mine last year and I have hardly used it. iPhone is too convenient for a new father and business owner.

[@PavSZ]

that's often the case. Phones are too good these days and for just capturing memories, more convenient ... unfortunately

[@simon_raya]

@@PavSZ agreed. I bought a udemy class to learn it but no time… Yet!

[@tango_gru]

hi there , thanks for such a nice indepth review. I am curious to know if there is another camera that you will recommend for a beginner which has got weather sealing , better customization, Can do youtube videos and doesnt overheat.... dont consider price a constraint. I am more worried about the portability. I am okay with the size of this camera and a couple of lenses.

[@PavSZ]

thank you for watching! You will struggle to find a perfect camera you are looking for. Lumix S5II does everything you are asking for and more but it is bigger

[@sanjyotraikar11]

Good to buy in 2025 ? Like my main purpose is wildlife, streets and weddings

[@PavSZ]

only you can decide if it is a right camera for you

[@Imhotep397]

Nikon is also integrating specific function dials.

[@PavSZ]

yes. Fuji were first, long time ago

[@mex5341]

very strange camera , as for me . As an owner of xs20 and Sony / Panasonic which I use more for paid work, Xs20 is more for fun and to explore Fuji eco system . But If it would be my first camera as for beginner , I don't recommend it at all

[@PavSZ]

I use Sony, Lumix and Nikon as well. I agree it is a fun camera when comparing it bigger ones but if you have no other experience of cameras, it makes no difference what you learn on. That becomes standard then. This would do it fine

[@sevenoranges]

@mex5341 Why do you not recommend it at all please? I am deciding between this one and an openbox T-4 both with the same 18-55 mm lens. I will just be shooting in auto and using the Film simulation modes for content shots and short videos. Getting the 30II is also an option as is the new X-M5. Too many choices so need some guidance.

[@jtes1442]

The Fuji cameras are great. It's just too bad that their paint quality is lacking. I had an XT5 and X100V, and both scratched easily. It was infuriating.

[@PavSZ]

yep, that drives me crazy

[@r423fplip]

Maybe leave it in the box. I walk around barefoot, so I don’t get my shoes dirty.

[@PavSZ]

@@r423fplip well done