FUJI DOES THINGS TO X-S

Tell your customers the Fujifilm X-S20 camera, XF 8mm f/3.5 lens and new XApp are all coming their way. The compact and lightweight X-S20 boasts AI-based subject detection AF, said to deliver a performance equivalent to that of Fuji’s X-T5, plus up to 6.2K-resolution video at 30fps, or 4K at 60fps. Battery life via the supplied NP-W235 cell also impresses: mirrorless cameras traditionally haven’t quite matched their DSLR forebears when it comes to power performance, but the X-S20 puts that gripe to bed if its claim of 800 frames per charge – more than double the previous model – works out in practice. At the core of the X-S20 is a back illuminated 26.1 megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor coupled with a high speed X-Processor 5 image processing engine. Also worth noting are a large grip that’s claimed to improve image stability, as is five-axis in-body image stabilisation, said to offer a 7-stop advantage. The APS-C sensor camera weighs 491g including battery and memory card and features a 3.5mm microphone/earphone jack. For those thinking to use this camera for vlogging, an optional tripod grip, the TG-BT1, is available. There’s also a new dedicated Vlog mode accessible via a twist of its mode dial, which alters camera settings to those most suitable for selfportraiture. With the use of a USB-C cable the X-S20 can be hooked up to a computer for use as a webcam.

This being a Fuji camera the X-S20 features 19 Film Simulation modes including Nostalgic Neg, which are available even during live streaming or an online meeting. Traditionalists wanting to shoot with the camera held up to their eye will enjoy the 2.36 million dot resolution EVF with 0.62x magnification, plus 1.84 million dot backplate vari-angle LCD monitor.

Available from late June, the Fujifilm X-S20 is available for a body-only £1249, or with a couple of lens options. For body and XC 15-45mm f/3.55.6 it’s £1349, or with XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 it’s £1599.

Claiming to offer a field of view wider than the human eye can see, the second new Fuji product for late June is the Fujinon www.fujifilm.co.uk

XF 8mm f/3.5 R WR lens. Offering the equivalent of an ultra wide angle 12mm in 35mm film terms, its construction consists of 12 lens elements in nine groups including three aspherical elements and two ED elements. As well as promising to deliver edge-to-edge clarity, the lens should enable landscape photographers to capture a massive amount of information, with other possible applications including architecture and travel photography. Some 52.8mm long, the lens weighs 215g, offers a filter thread size of 62mm and comes with a suggested price tag of £799. Finally, also new this month is the Fujifilm XApp for Android and Apple phones, a piece of software that’s free to download now and compatible with Fuji’s GFX and X series of digital cameras. As we’d expect, the new app allows users to remotely operate their Fuji camera from a connected smartphone or tablet and check images while in Live View mode. Compared to the manufacturer’s previous Camera Remote app, the XApp is said to provide more stable and swifter wireless communication, and a smoother transferal of images to smartphones and tablets. Using a new Backup/Restore function on the app, users can save camera settings including Shooting and Setup Menu options in the app and apply the setting back to the camera. Further new functions include Timeline and Activity, which gather and display shooting information thus allowing users to reflect back on their photographic activities when viewing their photos.