Fujifilm has launched its new X-S20 mirrorless digital camera featuring a high-capacity battery, high-performance autofocus, advanced video recording, and more. The company has also announced the Fujinon XF8mm F3.5 R WR lens, and the XApp smartphone app for photographers.
Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Digital Camera
The Fujifilm X-S20 mirrorless digital camera is lightweight and compact, similar to its predecessor, the X-S10. It has new features including AI-based subject-detection autofocus (AF), the capability to record 6.2K/30P video, and stream 4K/60P video natively through USB-C.
“X-S20 is truly a dream camera for any content creator looking to take their photos and videos creation to the next level, but especially for the ones that are documenting their lives, traveling the world, or streaming their stories online,” says Lisa Baxt, Marketing Director, Electronic Imaging Division, Fujifilm North America Corporation. “It offers premium image quality and advanced portability, catering to a variety of image creation styles ranging from casual self-portraits to full-fledged photography and videography. With content creators turning to digital cameras more than ever before, we are confident that X-S20 will be well received by users pushing long-form content to platforms, like Twitch, especially since no fees are required to unlock the feature.”
The X-S20 is equipped with a back-illuminated 26.1MP sensor X-Trans CMOS 4 and the high-speed image processing engine X-Processor 5 to produce high-quality images while keeping power consumption lower than its predecessor model, X-S10. It also features subject-detection AF developed with deep learning/artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In this case, AI is used to detect animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones. The evolved AF prediction algorithm enables stable focusing even in AF-C mode.
The Auto Mode automatically selects optimum settings according to scenes, and is complemented with the new Auto Subject Detection function, automatically detecting and tracking a subject while keeping it in focus, allowing the creator to produce high-quality stills and videos with ease.
X-S20 comes with 19 Film Simulation modes including “Nostalgic Neg,” characterized by high saturation and soft tonality. You can use Film Simulation presets for various subject types and scenes to produce a photographic film look and feel.
With a high-capacity battery and high-performance in-body image stabilization (IBIS) mechanism in a lightweight form factor, the X-S20 features the X-S Series’ signature large grip for reliable handheld stability while keeping the body compact and lightweight, weighing in at just 1.08 lbs.
The X-S20 is equipped with a five-axis IBIS mechanism that offers up to 7.0-stops, making it easy to create images or video hand-held, even at night or in low-light conditions. It also features a 2.36-million-dot Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) with 0.62x magnification as well as a 1.84-million-dot rear LCD monitor with a vari-angle structure that can be positioned in a range of angles, making self-portraits easy. The camera can be also combined with the Fujifilm Tripod Grip, TG-BT1, for vlog production.
There’s 6.2K/30P video recording and other extensive video functions including the new Vlog Mode . The X-S20 can record 6.2K/30P 4:2:2 10-bit video internally and supports extensive video functions that include capabilities, like hi-speed 1080/240P slow motion and 4K/60P streaming through USB-C. It also boasts F-Log2 for recording video in the expanded 13+ stops dynamic range for enriched tonality, adding freedom in post-production creativity.
When combined with an ATOMOS HDMI device, RAW video output from the X-S20 can be recorded as 12-bit Apple ProRes RAW at resolutions up to 6.2K and frame rates up to 29.97fps. When combined with Blackmagic Design Video Assist 12G, RAW video output from X-S20 can be recorded as Blackmagic RAW at resolutions up to 6.2K and frame rates up to 29.97fps.
The X-S20 features a 3.5mm microphone/headphone jack for broad compatibility with today’s available audio tools, despite its compact and lightweight body. Furthermore, the new Vlog Mode has been introduced to facilitate Vlog production.
A USB-Type C cable can connect the camera to a computer to use as a webcam without the need for additional software. Alternatively, content creators can use OBS Studio with X-S20 to stream 4K/60P video directly from the camera to the online streaming platform of their choice. Film Simulation modes are available even during live streaming or online meetings. Image settings can be adjusted even while the camera is connected to a computer.
3 4K output requires a 4K compatible monitor, a USB cable of USB 3.0 or greater, and supported software.
The Fujifilm X-S20 mirrorless digital camera body, finished in black, will be available in Canada for an MSRP of $1,750, on or around June 29, 2023. Combined with the Fujinon XC15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens kit, the package will be $1,900 or with the Fujinon XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS lens kit, $2,300.
Fujifilm Fujinon XF8mm F3.5 R WR Lens
Fujifilm is also launching a new ultra-wide angle prime lens with wide focal length. The Fujinon
XF8mmF3.5 R WR lens, designed for photographers and content creators seeking an ultra-wide angle (UWA) solution, joins the XF lineup of interchangeable lenses for Fujifilm’s X Series of lightweight, compact mirrorless digital cameras.
“XF8mmF3.5 is an incredibly compact, wide-angle lens that will help image makers unlock another way of creatively seeing the world,” Baxt. “Its impressive wide angle of view and compact design makes it small enough to be an everyday carry item, which is critical for photographers with specialties including landscape, architecture, or real estate. We’re excited to see this lens become a must-have for everyone in the X Series family.”
With an equivalent 35mm focal length of 12mm, XF8mmF3.5 offers the widest angle of view to date in Fujifilm’s family of X Mount lenses. Its 121 degrees diagonally and 112 degrees horizontally makes it perfect for any image-making scenario that requires an especially wide field of vision. The XF8mmF3.5 consists of 12 lens elements in nine groups, including three aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, thereby controlling lens distortion, spherical aberration, and astigmatism to deliver advanced image-resolving performance.
With XF8mmF3.5, the wide-angle lens’s characteristically short moving distance for the focusing lens is combined with the use of the Inner Focus system to achieve fast autofocus. (AF) speed as fast as 0.02 seconds to create dynamic action photography leveraging a full UWA perspective. As a wide-angle lens, which typically has greater-than-normal depth-of-field, its aperture can be stopped down to facilitate pan-focusing. Coupled with advanced image-resolving performance, the lens resolves all information in the frame with edge-to-edge clarity. The UWA lens depicts the content in intricate detail, like tree branches and leaves in expansive wilderness or ornamental details on a building.
The lens’s lightweight, compact form factor provides portability, while the effective positioning of the aspherical and ED elements has enabled appropriate aberration correction and the compact and lightweight design at the same time. It is just over two inches long, weighing approximately 7.6 ounces, making it an easy everyday carry item in any photographer’s kit.
Placing distortion-controlling aspherical elements at the front has effectively reduced its overall size and kept the filter thread size to the versatile 62mm, facilitating landscape photography, a popular genre for UWA lenses, and accommodating the use of a variety of filters.
The lens barrel is weather sealed at 10 locations to achieve dust and weather resistance and can operate in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius). The front lens element features a fluorine coating to repel water and offer protection against stains.
The Fujifilm Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR lens will be available on or around June 29, 2023 for an MSRP of $1,080.
Fujifilm XApp Smartphone App
Finally, Fujifilm has released a new mobile app designed for photographers and helping them improve their workflow. The XApp app is designed for use with Fujifilm’s applicable GFX System and X Series digital cameras. It may require a firmware update of compatible cameras.
Released today, the free app download is available for compatible iOS and Android devices. XApp joins the Fujifilm Camera Remote app, which connects a Wi-Fi compatible digital camera with a smartphone (or tablet) for remote image making, image transfer, and viewing. The features of XApp have been enhanced for optimal usability, including a variety of new features primarily around wireless connectivity and speed.
“Fujifilm listened carefully to user feedback when developing the Fujifilm XApp,” continues Baxt. “The new XApp has been engineered to provide superior connectivity and a host of useful functions that will enable our users to document, archive, and share photos created on Fujifilm cameras. We are passionate about the digital advancement of our electronic imaging business, and the new XApp is a perfect example of our continued evolution.”
Along with enhanced design, speed, and image transfer capabilities, the app offers quicker and smoother connectivity between the camera and the phone and/or tablet when compared to the Camera Remote app. A “Image Transfer Order” function makes it possible to transfer images from a compatible Fujifilm digital camera to a smartphone or tablet device even when the camera is powered off, and also while creating further images. This facilitates seamless posting and sharing of images on social media and messaging apps directly from XApp.
XApp has also been updated with a high-contrast design in black and white as base tones. Text size has been increased from Camera Remote to create a user interface with improved visibility.
When connected via Bluetooth, XApp allows you to remotely operate a compatible Fujifilm GFX System and X Series cameras while checking live view on a smartphone or tablet device. Many image settings including aperture, ISO, and shutter speed can also be configured from the smartphone or tablet device using the XApp.
Using XApp’s new “Backup/Restore” function, you can save camera settings from compatible models such as “Shooting Menu” and “Setup Menu” in the app or restore them back to the applicable Fujifilm GFX System or X Series camera. Favourite camera settings for different subject types can be managed in the XApp, making it quick and easy to change settings even during image creation. Settings saved in the connected, compatible GFX System or X Series camera can be accessed via XApp for instant recovery as needed. Camera settings can also be shared with multiple cameras of the same model via the App, thus streamlining multi-camera sessions.
The date, time, and geolocation information of the compatible Fujifilm digital camera connected to XApp are automatically synched with the camera, keeping accurate time for the in-camera clock and, if permission is given, recording accurate geolocation data about a location as part of the image’s metadata. The recorded geolocation data is automatically displayed on the XApp’s timeline map for easy access.
XApp features the new Activity function, which automatically aggregates and displays image information, such as the number of images created, and the camera/lens/Film Simulation mode used with any given image, for easy reference. The Timeline function allows you to selectively permit the transfer of Activity records to a smartphone or tablet and chronologically view critical information, including images, number of images created, image location information, and the camera/lens used, thus auto-generating an activity feed that can be modified to suit individual preferences.
XApp issues a notification when new firmware is released for the applicable, compatible GFX System or X Series digital camera. Follow the instructions in the notification to easily ensure the camera’s firmware is up to date.
The XApp app is compatible with the new Fujifilm X-S20 without added firmware. Other compatible models with the firmware update include the GFX100, GFX100S, GFX50S II, GFX50R, X-H2S, X-H2, X-Pro3, X-T5, X-T4, X-T3, X-T30 II, X-T30, X-S10, X-E4, and X100V. Supported operating systems include iOS 13, 14, 15, and 16, and Android OS 11, 12, and 13.
The Fujifilm XApp smartphone app is now available for download.