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Photographers will be pleased to learn that Fujifilm will be bringing us not one, not two, but three of their latest products, which are the compact and lightweight FUJIFILM X-S20, a FUJINON Lens XF8mmF3.5 R W, and an all-new XApp which is capable of seamless connectivity between your camera and the app while also being able to track photographic activity.
The Lightweight, Compact, and Powerful FUJIFILM X-S20
The latest Fujifilm camera will give you superior-quality images which are based on colour reproduction technology proprietary to Fujifilm. Apart from that, it's capable of AI-based subject detection AF while also being able to record 6.3K/30P videos and features a high-capacity battery which can take approximately 800 frames, all while being lightweight and compact—perfect for all you photographers that constantly travel!
FUJIFILM X-S20 is equipped with a 26.1MP sensor with the X-Trans CMOS 4 and the high-speed image processing engine X-Proccessor 5, all of which gives you high-quality images while keeping a lower power consumption than previous models. The new camera also features a subject-detecting AI which can detect animals, vehicles, insects and drones, especially with its Deep Learning Technology.
The evolved AF system and prediction algorithm will automatically track your intended subject and keep it in frame. This means that all you need to worry about is concentrating on the shutter opportunity and the framing even in AF-C mode. There’s also a new AUTO mode which automatically optimizes the settings, and uses AUTO Subject Detection which will keep your subject in focus for clearer photos and videos.
Additionally, it comes with 19 Film Simulation modes which give you that high saturation and soft tonality, and you can use this feature’s preset to make your scenes and photos all the more artistic.
X-S20 was made with the X-S series’ signature large grip, allowing for even better stability for your photographs or videos. It also only weighs 491g while still giving you double the number of frames (approximately 800 frames) than the previous model. The camera is also equipped with a five-axis in-body image stabilisation mechanism (IBIS) which gives up to a 7.0 stop advantage for an easier photoshoot session at low-light settings.
With the X-S20, you’re getting a 2.36 million dot EVF with 0.62x magnification and a 1.84 million-dot rear LCD monitor with vari-angle-structure for easier self-portraits. The camera gives you 6.2K / 30P video recording and 4:2:2 10-bit video, while also being able to support 4K/60P and 1080/240P.
RAW video output can also be recorded as 12-bit Apple ProRes RAW at 6.2K resolutions and 29.97 fps especially when you combine it with Blackmagic Design Video Assist 12G or an ATOMOS HDMI device. The X-S20 also comes with a 3.5mm microphone/earphone jack so you can connect a microphone when you want to record videos.
Interestingly, there's the Vlog Mode on the camera which can be toggled on the handy switch. The Vlog Mode changes camera settings for a better vlogging experience. Furthermore, the camera can also be used as a webcam using a Type C Cable that you can connect to your computer, and you can also use Film Simulation modes for live streaming and even online meetings.
FUJINON Lens XF8mmF3.5 R W - A Lense To Accompany It
Other than the new camera, Fujifilm also introduced a lens which they call the FUJINON Lens XF8mmF3.5 R W. It’s an ultra-wide-angle prime lens which has a focal length of 8mm (or equivalent to 12mm in the 35mm film format), making this new lens the widest among the XF lens lineup. It also boasts a viewing angle of 121 degrees diagonally and 112 degrees horizontally, ideal for expansive landscape photography and for subjects with high information volume.
The FUJINON Lens XF8mmF3.5 R W consists of 12 lens elements in nine groups, including three aspherical elements and two ED elements, to allow you to control lens distortion, spherical aberration and astigmatism for even better image-resolving performance. It’s capable of achieving as fast as 0.02 seconds of AF speeds thanks to Inner Focus, which is useful whenever you’re capturing dynamic action photography. The wide-angle lens also has an aperture that can be stopped down to facilitate pan-focusing, and advanced image-resolving for even greater image clarity.
This lens is just 52.8mm long and only weighs 215g, which makes it a compact design that’s perfect for landscape photos while being suitable for walk-around use, with an inbuilt 62mm filter thread, which has a variety of filters.
Don’t worry about this small-sized lens being fragile, as it is capable of dust and weather resistance, and can handle temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celcius! The front lens is also coated with fluorine to repel water and protect against stains. All this ensures that you can take photos without the worry of too much damage to the lens.
The FUJIFILM XApp - To Complete the Set
This already-available app allows for remote shooting and image transfer, while also boasting fast and stable wireless connectivity with cameras, smartphones and tablet devices. Its Image Transfer Order function lets you transfer images from a camera to another device even when you have turned the camera off, and while you’re taking photos.
The FUJIFILM XApp also allows for wireless connectivity and lets you remotely operate the GFX / X series cameras while checking live view on the smartphone or tablet. This means you can check the camera when taking group shots through the phone or whenever you need to.
You can also configure the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed through the app, and save your preferred settings through the Backup/Restore function, which also lets you go back to your settings whenever you need to change them. The XApp can even save the settings of multiple cameras of the same model, allowing for multi-camera shooting.
The app syncs with the camera to get the accurate time, geolocation data, and even the date of the shooting. This is called the Timeline and Activity functions. It lets you view information for every shoot you have, this means the images and number taken, location information, camera and lens used, and others, which is saved into an editable auto-generated photo diary.
Whenever the app needs an update, you will get a notification, and all you need to do is follow the instructions given to enjoy the latest functions.
Price & Availability
The FUJIFILM X-S20 will be released on 29 June 2023 with a starting price of RM6,888. The FUJINON Lens XF8mmF3.5 R W will be released later in June 2023. while the FUJIFILM XApp is already out and ready for use!