Dustin

FWIW, I recently upgraded to the XS-20 from an XT3. Bit of a down grade in ergonomics but upgrade in some ways (Ibis I’ve found to be very good for my use case!). Eye auto focus is pretty good on this version though, and my use case is similar enough to yours…home videos, semi serious work!

Great idea. I’m currently using the K&F Concept ND8-128. Pros of this one I think are the hard stops at beginning and end so you’re not circling to find the beginning/end of filter. Also no x pattern or at least reduced from my footage. Cons- colors do suffer from a magenta bias at times, easily corrected in post from the casual shooting I do. I have three filter threads for my Fuji lenses that I adapt up to a 82 however I would like to upgrade to a magnetic system as the filter adapters always wind up getting stuck on my lens.

Just an update, it does seem from reading around that this My Menu bug affected X-T5 and users were told to limit items to only one page of My Menu instead of two. I tried this realizing that damn near everything can be accessed in the quick menu on my X-S20 instead, and after many tests it does seem to patch the issue. Some users seem to report it never occurring on their camera and others say it still occurs.

Funny I didn’t recall seeing this mentioned in any of the few X-S20 or many X-T5 reviews on the internet..

My review as of one month owning and using is this:

* Great image SOOC. If you hate color grading like me, this is the price I’m willing to ignore most of the downfalls

* Better grip than XT3, smaller body but not too small. Lack of d-pad and only one stick for navigating that kind of sucks sometimes

* Usable touch screen 

*Good battery life \ poor battery access depending if on a tripod (not issue for me, hardly ever use a tripod)

* IBIS is usable depending on use case. I have notoriously shaky hands, and this simply works for me. I’m not trying to film myself, vlogging style, just trying to get stable handheld and it works great here.

*My Menu software bug. Hopefully this gets fixed because if not, limited to no use of my menu.

* Limited physical buttons on camera. However there are touch screen has swipe functions

* “Q” button helps lack of physical buttons by access to almost anything via a pop up menu. Including frame rates, codecs, pet auto focus etc

Not a comprehensive review but for anyone who is browsing thinking about the x-s20, these are my thoughts after 1 month.

Few more searches around internet reveal a Reddit thead where apparently many were complaining about a similar “MyMenu” crash, when using their XT5. I’ve removed almost all of the items I had in my menu and it did help. Weird! They need to fix that because what’s the freaking point of using my menu otherwise! Will be calling Fuji on Monday for sure. 
 

Granted, on the XS20, most of the items you need to access can be accessed from Q mode, but that sucks that My Menu has a bug. Didn’t have that on the XT3.

2 hours ago, kye said:

200Mbps should be fine.  The only times having more bitrate would help is when there is huge amounts of random movement, so scenes with water / snow falling / rain / trees blowing in the wind / etc.

Other things to try are doing a factory reset on the camera, and it might be a good time to update the firmware if you're not on the latest version.  Also, check the firmware for each lens you use, those have firmware too!

Appreciate it. Might have to try a factory reset because I’ve tried a fresh sd card that is the compatible card from Fuji on their XS-20 sd card compatibility page. Not sure what the hell happened, but no matter what lens I’m on, when I am in my menu it will freeze up and only when I eject the battery, the screen turns off. I’m on the latest 1.13 firmware and it only happens when trying to page up or down out of my menu. If I can’t figure it out, I’ll be giving Fuji a call Monday!

For what it’s worth, I’ve reformatted the card. Hopefully no weird issues. Noticed Bluetooth was randomly on so I’ve turned that off. Also noticed sometimes on the XT3 if boost mode wasn’t on weird things would happen so I left it on, gonna try keeping that on as well. Only getting 45 minutes of 4k or 6.2k footage at 360mbs. Could have sworn I had more time using 400mpbs on the XT3, but alas that camera is sold so I can’t reference. Maybe I was shooting 200mpbs and I can’t remember.

For casual shooting, switching to 200mpbs should still be fine right?

Jumping back on this thread in hopes Fuji users can help me. I’ve noticed some weirdness using the XS20 camera this weekend indoors shooting family clips that I need some help on:

1) upon booting the camera on, the screen froze up and wouldn’t let me page down to another menu. Turning the camera off seemed to not change the screen, it was still on. I then had to remove the battery to get screen to go off. I did notice I got a write error on my Sony Tough v60 128gb card before the first time this happened. But in casual shooting I’ve not encountered this.

2) On my XT3; my above mentioned Sony 128gb v60 card seemed to do fine shooting 4k 400mb. I can’t remember what codec I shot, think I went long gop and 400mb. Yet on the XS-20 shooting all-I at 360mb really seems to eat up card space. Not shooting open gate 6k either. I wonder if it’s because the XT3 I was storing pictures on one card, video another? Also sometimes clips are a bit sluggish, is this due to the read/write speed? I’ve ordered a Lexar 2000x professional 128gb v90 card I got on a sale hoping the faster read/write speeds and v90 will help resolve camera weirdness? It is one of the recommended ones for my camera, as I realized the other Sony one was not on the recommended list.

Basically, has anyone experienced above camera frozen screen issue and what cards are you using/how much can you shoot with what codec you are using?

 Just wanted to conclude this thread. Thanks for those who championed the XS20 over the XT4. I think I will enjoy using it for the next few years to come. After about a day or two of minimal time to play and review some clips as well as setup, here are my initial thoughts.

Cons first. It has taken a bit of getting used to the lack of extra buttons and dials (more on that later). SD card is back to the prosumer style over the XT3 of being buried in the battery slot. Viewfinder while quality seems usable to me, I find the actual viewfinder a bit small but also no nice eye cup and I think using a 3rd party eye cup would also cut out functionality of the few extra function buttons that for some reason is right near the EVF.  I would prefer more navigational buttons over using combo of touch screen/single joystick, plus the actual menu/back buttons are physically small for someone with large hands. I need more testing but finally, I don’t like that when using my Fuji 2.8-4 kit lens, IBIS is automatically enabled when using OIS lenses. Now I’m going to assume based on what I’ve read it’s using a combination  and perhaps need to test turning off OIS and using ibis, but I wish you could turn this off and JUST use OIS. The camera doesn’t come with a traditional battery charger but rather a usb c cable and wall adapter. Since my camera came with a free second OEM Fuji battery, I’ve opted to purchase the Fuji two battery charger as well. Finally, apparently shooting H265 10 bit 4:2:2, I can’t figure out a way to make those files play in QuickTime on my MacBook Pro running Catalina. I’ve been using macs for the last 10+ years so I’m used to plugging in my SD card and space bar playing through the files. Was a small bummer I had to open resolve to play the files but maybe there is something I can do to fix?

Initial Pros: Some of this will contradict above, however I do love the smaller body size! The added grip fits like a glove, and I think allows more stabilization; even though I think the XT line looks better. While I miss the physical shutter speed/ISO and other functions, I’m finding so far I don’t really need them. Camera has built in ISO button and a Q button where I’ve expanded the full menu to just hit this Q button when I need to change almost anything involved in filming from frame rates, to Resolution to picture profiles to IBIS etc. Additionally, the touch screen has many useful areas from selecting items to even touch functions for turning off/on customizable things. This helps take away the above con  about lack of physical buttons I feel. 
 

So far in the way I use IBIS which is not vloggy whipnpan, or running following an actor, but rather just handheld slow static shots - it seems to work great. More testing is needed, but for tripod like shots, or slow movements like I prefer to use, looks good to me. 
 

Overall I think this was a worthy upgrade from my XT3 and I’m glad I sold it and bought this to get additional shooting options, possibility of FLOG2, and while certainly not the best, at least ability to use IBIS.

1 minute ago, kye said:

Enjoy your new camera - these Fujis certainly have a very nice image!

I've bought the Wasabi USB dual USB-charger and two batteries pack for each of my cameras (GH5, Canon, GX85 / BMPCC, Sony X3000, GoPro) and had good results with all of these.  The batteries don't have as long a lifespan (in years) as the genuine batteries I have purchased, but they still work out to be better value for money.

I know they're a third-party company and there's a certain risk to that, but I've found it's a convenient and cheap way to get spare batteries and be able to charge in-bulk.

Thanks man! Yeah I had decent experience with the wasabi on the XT3. Had about 5 batteries total. But will see how these two OEM Fuji batteries get me so far to get a gauge.

Update: My XS20 came one day early. I must say, this is the first camera I’ve bought in years, where it didn’t include a battery charger but rather a usb c to usb c cable and wall port. Now the camera store I bought it from included an extra OEM Fuji battery free of charge however, the dual Fuji battery charger is about the same price so I guess it evened out. Build quality feels a little less than XT3 I had, but not in a bad way just is what it is. I think I will actually like the simple controls and smaller size. Overall feels very solid still, not quite a pro body but wasn’t expecting it to feel that way. I think the smaller size will also make it more discrete when shooting in public or on vacation. Looking forward to shooting with it this weekend and getting some test footage.

12 hours ago, MrSMW said:

If it's anything like the L Mount version, superb for the money. It works like you'd expect any native lens to.

I use one as my gimbal lens. Not that my gimbal has been getting much of a run out this year but determined to next year for certain specific things such as walking stuff.

But the lens, great bit if kit, optically very good and weighs less than a robin's egg.

Well maybe a goose egg...

 

Interesting! My plan is to get the camera in Friday and test how I like the IBIS with what I have. Kinda wish that lens had ibis. 

19 minutes ago, Marcio Kabke Pinheiro said:

Go for it. I'm loving the camera - but, as I said, my previous cameras were CDAF MTFs.

When you have some spare cash, take a look at the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 - is almost glued to my X-S20. And, for video, I think it is even a bit better than the Fuji 18-55 (which I have and love, but will probably sell).

I take receipt of the X-S20 this Friday, excited. Is that sigma 18-50 f2.8 this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/374949152303?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=oY5tzw50Ree&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=r-74yDOHTz2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

How is this lens with Fuji AF and how does the ibis handle? I used to have a d5300 and tamron 17-50 2.8 and loved that lens

9 minutes ago, Marcio Kabke Pinheiro said:

Not a definitive conclusion, but is better than the X-S10. Standing still, with IS Boost on, is very steady - but if you need to pan, have to put the IS Boost to off, since it "battles" a lot with pans.
In regular mode, with pan, looks like that it fights less than the X-S10, albeit not silky smooth as an Olympus. Or as a dedicated gimbal.

 

Did not see great differences than the X-S10 - but the previous model did not had 10-bit recording, and never tried F-Log before. As expected, the FLog and Flog2 modes have much better dynamic range, specially in the highlights. But I'm a novice working with log (and suffering to color grade it).

Ah thank you sir! Not too worried for me about FLOG. Coming from the XT3, I tried it out but the appeal with the Fuji stuff is the film profiles and that Eterna simulation. I had a chance to get a Panasonic at $1,500 however, since I already own the 18-55 2.8-4, and Viltrox 33mm, 13mm 1.4 primes, didn’t make sense for me to go Panasonic since the AF lenses are so expensive.

On 9/20/2023 at 2:15 PM, Marcio Kabke Pinheiro said:

Talking about the X-S20 itself - since I was a CDAF m43 user before (my first 2 PDAF cameras were the X-T20 and the X-S10), I could be easily impressed, but I'm liking a lot the camera. Must confess, more than I expected.

Was in a music festival this weekend. First test (and one of the reasons that compactness and discreetion are top priorities for me): festival stated that "professional cameras" are forbidden. Attached the 55-200mm on the camera, facing down the ThinkTank bag, only the back of the camera visible. Security saw the size of the camera, did not even bother to ask to take a look. 🙂

Shooting music festivals is a scenario that I'm used to - but, again, using m43 cameras. Always got good results, once even was published on the official Franz Ferdinand instagram channel. Face detection with m43 usually could not detect the face from distance, but single point usually worked, and with low light and bad stage lighting I usually switch to manual focus, focus on the mic stand, put the focus a touch farther and get good sharp photos.

The X-S20 not only got the faces all the time, but 90% of the time, find the eye of the subject, at 200mm, even with the singer occupying half the frame. With daylight and stage lighting. Never had so many keepers in a concert. And one of the singers and the festival channel already published some of the photos. 🙂

It is another league from the X-S10.

Made two videos, but since I recorded in 6.2k 10bit 4:2:2, will need to work with proxies, and I'm still a beginner in Resolve, will need some spare time. Tested with the internal mics in Auto level, could see that the bass is distorted, was a experiment to see the levels needed, but apart from that the sound was good for internal mics (much better than all my GXs and the FZ1000). AF again was getting the eyes 100% of the time, will see the precision at the footage.

Still have to test it more, but my doubts about having to go to Sony to get good AF were killed. From the tests that I saw with screen recorders with the A7CII, A6700 and some other cameras, I see minimal differences. For me, ths one looks like a keeper.

Hey man, I’ll be joining you as an X-S20 user in the next week. Just sold my XT3 and a gimbal to swap for the newest Fuji tech and to gain IBIS. Couple questions for you:

1) How does IBIS when holding camera steady for slow pan or standing still handheld shots work? All the YouTuber reviews of Fuji ibis demonstrate it in a way I would never use- ie walking, running swinging left and right.

2) Have you noticed any issues with Dynamic Range? I saw the CineD video with a $1,200 anamorphic lens. Looked fine to me as have other clips I’ve seen. I think having the same sensor as my XT3 which I loved, and 6k plus 10 but 4:2:2, should be pretty good.

I’m looking forward to testing this camera out for myself. I may make a public YouTube as well because for whatever reason, there aren’t too many reviews on YouTube of this camera yet that show what I want to see and not click bait bull.

Ok, two days from this post, I have an X-S20 on the way. Looking forward to trying it out. 

5 hours ago, IronFilm said:

If I was you, I'd swap out your camera for a X-S20 (or perhaps wait a few more months, until a few more X-S20 show up secondhand). 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1765968-REG/fujifilm_16781852_x_s20_mirrorless_camera_black.html/overview

https://www.newsshooter.com/2023/05/24/fujifilm-x-s20/ 

Well that is one I’m eyeing! I think I might go for it since the XT3 has sold and if something comes out better I can always flip it. The raw video features have me thinking too. Crazy.

25 minutes ago, ac6000cw said:

I didn't think you would, but I was surprised at how bad the Fuji XH2 was (even in IBIS + DIS mode) and how good the Canon R7 was, compared to the others.

Wow, that adds another into the mixture. Just finished cutting a little home film of a trip I took, shot in Eterna profile. I’m not a fanboy of any brand, I’ve had Nikon then Sony now Fuji. The Fuji had had the most natural colors of any brand and for my purposes; seems like the eterna just nails the look I want SOOC. But Canon AF is better from what I remember, decisions! Just need my XT3 to sell!

6 hours ago, ac6000cw said:

There's an interesting IBIS comparison including the XH2, R7 and S5II and several micro4/3 cameras here: 

 

Thanks for sharing! Interesting test but I don't think I'd want to go to M43 at this time. Torn between the X-S20, X-T5 or saving some cash and getting the X-T4. Don't want to be out more than a few hundred or so after selling kit.

Anddd that was quick. I’ve put the ole XT3 on the bay. Sold my gimbal too in a record 15 minutes. Keeping the kit lens and we’ll see how much cash I end up with once the camera is sold, and I’ll probably get either a XT4 or newer XS20 if I can find one. But leaning XT4. Don’t need the latest; just wanted to have IBIS. Nothing crazy just smoothing out my handheld movements.

30 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

I always forget the XS20 exists…

I think I’d pick it over an XT4 today?

I saw the price tag of the camera you mentioned. Not quite the bucks I’m looking to shell out but I think I may put my XT3 on eBay soon once I figure out an upgrade path within a few hundred. XS20 is a contender. Figure I could sell my XT3 for $850 plus sell my gimbal I’ve never used for $100 and minus eBay fees, be around a few hundred or so from $1,200 range or less. But may look into the XT4 if the ibis is the same… just question whether at this price point that’s the best IBIS, WITH the color science, WITH useable auto focus. I think yes? I am never going back to Sony that’s for sure

40 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

Had the XH1 and went to the XT3 trading IBIS for 4K 50p…and that is where it began to go wrong for me with Fuji…

Put in a preorder for a pair of XT4’s at the start of 2020, but then Covid stalled that plan.

Then the S5 came along and made a lot of sense as a sideways move more or less re. continuing with 4K 50p but gaining full-frame stills.

With hindsight, would I have made that switch? No, I would have stayed with Fuji and followed it through to either XH2 or XH2s which is where I would otherwise be now.

Personally and if you could swing it, I’d be trading my XT3 for an XH2S if video is more your thing, or XH2 if the priority is stills. Pure hybrid, there’s a case for each. Or both.

 

Always helpful man! I’ll review again that model. Was also looking at the XS20 but I don’t need 6k. Looking to only be out a few hundred tops with selling my XT3 and buying a new body. Main draw is IBIS but if the ibis isn’t any good on Fuji, might as well keep what I have? I’ve recently found a method of stabilizing in Davinci again that I was happy with but still.

Forgot to add- I do have a gimbal and hate using it. Not for me. For the family vacation, random shoots I do, not a fan of bringing another bulky item in my bag if I’m backpacking around a city or beach etc.

I’ve greatly enjoyed this forum’s advice over the years. I’ve owned a Fuji XT3 since 2020 and it has been perfect for what I need it for. My needs were good color science because I hate color grading beyond a few tweaks, decent AF, 4k 10 bit, good or decent slow motion and two card slots. There are others but these are areas I was keen on improving from having a Sony a6500. The only areas I lost were better AF from Sony (although XT3 is good enough for my needs) and IBIS. Now I have very shaky hands so I really did enjoy the ibis. With the XT3 kit lens OIS, I’ve found it nearly as good as at least Sony’s IBIS; very useful! The problem is when I use other lenses such as the Viltrox f1.4 primes I own. This begs the question, is the Fuji XT4 IBIS in video, worth selling my XT3 for? I really love the fuji ecosystem and picture profiles, I think the AF is fine but I figured if worth selling, I’d only be out a few hundred with the difference of a mint used one on EBay and my selling price. Any thoughts on the ibis on the fuji XT4? I know it’s no Panasonic, should I be considering them? How is the color science? Appreciate everyone’s opinion.

Any ideas for fine tuning the calibration with the Weebil S? I probably need to watch some additional videos. I’ve used auto-tune after balancing the gimbal best I could and everything works great. However, sometimes in certain modes like selfie or underslung, the front motor starts vibrating with the Viltrox 13mm 1.4 on a Ulanzi quick plate system. With the kit lens, no quicknplate, I didn’t get this. Maybe I need to pull the plate a bit backwards on one of the axises to take weight off the front motor?

After hitting the trigger button twice in the scenario above, a quick camera reset gets the camera back in the default position and the other modes seem to work with no apparent weight issues.

11 hours ago, MrSMW said:

After saying I was done with gimbals, I gave my Star Wars stormtrooper white Crane 3 one final chance and for the very limited purpose I had for it, it worked OK with the S5 and kit zoom.

Just. I think it’s on the limit and the motors are having to work extra hard to balance it. 

I went with a QR plate on the base of the gimbal itself, so 95% of the time, all 3 axis are locked and it just becomes part of the tripod.

Slightiy wobbly if lightly shaken, but can’t fall over like a freestanding monopod would so a good workaround for me.

Yeah I just purchased a set of quick release plates for my tripod and hoping it doesn’t through off the weight too much! Recently purchased the Coman video tripod and monopod combo, so far not bad considering price. 
 

I think I def have some fine tuning to do in the gimbal but I’m just so inexperienced shooting or even setting up. Luckily tons of videos on the Weebil S got me through and I made a few videos. I think I’ll only use a few of the modes anyways…vortex mode for example is such a specific shot. But so far actually having fun learning to use this one and the weight is much lighter than the last Zhiyun gimbal I had that wouldn’t support my xt3.