Over 100,000 people have now watched my Fujifilm X-S20 review on YouTube. I filmed it three months after buying the camera, and I still get questions about it almost every week. Is it still worth it? Would I buy it again? Why did I sell it?
So it felt like the right time to give an honest update, now that it's 2026 and I've had some distance from the camera.
The short version: I sold my X-S20 after about a year to help fund a long trip through Asia. I still miss it. And if you're a Fuji enthusiast looking for an everyday camera that genuinely makes you want to go out and shoot, I'd still recommend it.
Why I bought the Fujifilm X-S20 in the first place
I already shot with the Fujifilm X-H2S as my main camera, and I needed a reliable backup. My first thought was the X-T4. I'd borrowed one from my sister, though, and a few things about it just didn't suit the way I work.
So I went with the Fujifilm X-S20. I bought it as a backup. Within a few weeks it had become something else entirely.
Calling it a backup camera undersells it. It's small, but it's a properly capable camera in its own right.
What made the X-S20 so easy to love
The first thing you notice is the grip. It's deep and comfortable, partly because Fujifilm fitted the larger NP-W235 battery, which also gives you excellent battery life for a camera this size.
Then there's everything else packed into a compact body:
A clear, comfortable electronic viewfinder
A fully articulating flip screen, great for video and awkward angles
A customisable mode dial so you can save your own settings
A dedicated Vlog mode and product priority mode
A built-in pop-up flash, which is rare at this level
In-body image stabilisation
6.2K open gate video, which is impressive for the price
But the spec sheet isn't really why I loved it. It was how it made me feel when I was out with it.
As a full-time photographer and filmmaker, I'm often carrying gear that says "professional". The X-S20 felt different. It was discreet. I felt like a tourist rather than someone making content. Sometimes I just want to enjoy taking a good photo, and this camera let me do that.
Fujifilm recipes: the real reason I still miss it
If I'm honest, the thing I fell for most was Fujifilm recipes.
When I travelled to Italy, I created my own Italian-themed recipe for the trip. It was a perfect match. I found myself in a real flow state, inspired and taking pictures everywhere I went.
What surprised me was that you can apply the same look to your video too. All the footage in my original YouTube review was shot with that recipe, straight out of camera.
That's what makes the X-S20 such an inspiring everyday camera. It gets you out of the house and shooting for the joy of it, not because you have to.
If you'd like to try one yourself, I've also shared my own Classic Chrome based Fujifilm recipe on the blog.
Salo, Lake Garda
Is the Fujifilm X-S20 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, and arguably it's better value now than when it launched.
The X-S20 came out in mid-2023 with a UK launch price of £1,249 body only. In 2026, UK retailers have been selling it for closer to £1,049, and the second-hand market is full of well-kept bodies at even better prices. At the time of writing, Fujifilm still hasn't released an X-S30, so the X-S20 remains the current model in this line.
The core of the camera still holds up well:
26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor: more than enough resolution for everyday, travel and client work
X-Processor 5: the same generation of processor found in Fujifilm's higher-end bodies, with subject detection autofocus
In-body stabilisation: great for handheld video and slower shutter speeds
Every film simulation: including Classic Chrome, Classic Neg, Nostalgic Neg and Reala Ace
6.2K open gate video: a genuinely useful feature for creators who crop for vertical and horizontal formats
Newer cameras have higher resolution sensors, but for most people that's not what holds their photography back. Inspiration is. And this camera has plenty of that.
Who the X-S20 is for (and who it isn't for)
In my original video I described it as entry level, and I want to correct that. The X-S20 is a mid-range camera. It's "entry" only in the sense that it's a brilliant way to step up into more serious work.
The X-S20 is a great fit if you:
Are upgrading from something like the X-T30 or an older Fujifilm body
Already own Fujifilm X-mount lenses
Want one compact camera for both photos and video
Travel often and like minimal but capable gear
Love Fujifilm recipes and shooting JPEGs straight out of camera
It might not be right if you:
Need a daily workhorse for long video shoots. Some users have reported overheating during extended recording, so for heavy professional use I'd still reach for something like the X-H2S
Need weather sealing or dual card slots
Want the higher resolution 40MP sensor found in newer Fujifilm bodies
X-S20 vs the alternatives in 2026
A few cameras I get asked about alongside the X-S20:
Fujifilm X-T30 II: older and cheaper, with classic dials and the same 26.1MP sensor. It has no in-body stabilisation, so the X-S20 is the stronger choice for handheld video.
Fujifilm X-M5: smaller and lighter, but there's no viewfinder. Great for short-form video, less so for photography.
Fujifilm X-T50: the 40MP sensor and retro styling, but a much smaller grip.
Fujifilm X-H2S: my workhorse. Built for heavy professional use, but bigger and more expensive.
For a balance of handling, stabilisation, battery life and price, the X-S20 is still the one I'd point most Fuji enthusiasts towards.
Why I sold it and why I still miss it
After about a year, I sold my X-S20. I was heading off on a long trip through Asia and selling some of my gear helped fund it. It was the right decision for that chapter of my life, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it.
These days my Fujifilm X100VI comes on holiday with me, and I love it. But it's a different experience. The X-S20 gave me interchangeable lenses, a proper grip and serious video in a body I could throw in a sling bag.
I used to feel slightly guilty leaving my X-H2S at home while the X-S20 came out with me. That says a lot about how much I enjoyed using it.
My verdict
The Fujifilm X-S20 is still a great buy in 2026. It's not the newest camera in Fujifilm's line-up, but it doesn't need to be. It's comfortable, capable and genuinely inspiring to use every day.
If you're a Fuji enthusiast looking for a compact, do-it-all camera that makes you want to go out and shoot, I'd recommend it without hesitation. I sold mine. I still miss it.
Me with my X-S20 back in the day
Fujifilm X-S20 FAQs
Is the Fujifilm X-S20 still worth buying in 2026? Yes. It's still on sale, prices have dropped since launch and its sensor, processor, stabilisation and video features remain very competitive for the money.
Is there a Fujifilm X-S30? Not at the time of writing. There have been rumours, but the X-S20 is still Fujifilm's current model in the X-S line.
Does the Fujifilm X-S20 overheat? Some users have reported overheating during long video recordings, especially in hot conditions. For photography and shorter clips I never had a problem. If you plan to record for long periods, Fujifilm's FAN-001 cooling fan is compatible with the X-S20.
Is the X-S20 good for beginners? It's beginner friendly, with auto modes and a Vlog mode, but it's really a mid-range camera. It's a great choice if you want room to grow.
Can you use Fujifilm recipes on the X-S20? Yes. You can save recipes to the custom settings and apply them to both photos and video. It's one of the best things about the camera.
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