One Year Later: Why I Still Regret Selling the Fujifilm X-S20

8 Mar

The rumours are true—I’m starting to miss my Fujifilm X-S20.

It’s been a year since I sold it, and after months of travel and working with my X-H2S and X-Pro3, I can confidently say that letting go of the X-S20 still feels like a mistake. Even now, I find myself considering picking it up again now that I’m back in the UK.

The X-S20 Was the Perfect Travel Companion

Now that I’ve returned home, I’ve had time to reflect on my latest trip. The X-H2S and X-Pro3 were my go-to cameras while I was away, but there was a lingering feeling of something missing—something I only really appreciated once it was gone.

The X-S20 was such an easy, everyday camera to bring along. Its compact size and lightweight design made it ideal for travel. When I first unboxed it, I was shocked by how small it was, yet I quickly embraced its portability. It fit into every bag I had, making it my perfect daily shooter. In many ways, it overshadowed my other cameras simply because it was effortless to carry.

Features I Miss the Most

Looking back, there are a few standout features that I really miss about the X-S20:

The Red Recording Indicator – When recording video, the entire LCD would light up red, which was invaluable. I wear glasses, and sometimes I’d think I was recording, only to later find out I wasn’t. This simple but effective feature eliminated that frustration.
Fuji Recipes for Video – One of my favorite things about Fujifilm cameras is their film simulations. With the X-S20, I could not only shoot photos using my custom Fuji recipes but also record video with them. This made my YouTube workflow seamless. When I was in Italy, I created a specific “Italian” recipe for my shots, and it was amazing to use that same look for video. I miss that flexibility.
Open Gate 6.2K Video – Not just for the resolution, but for the ability to use the entire sensor. It allowed me to crop better for different platforms, making it a powerful feature for someone who creates content across YouTube and Instagram.
True Hybrid Experience – The X-S20 felt like a proper hybrid camera. While my X-H2S can do everything I need, it’s bigger, heavier, and more expensive. When traveling, I always have to be extra careful with it—it’s my workhorse, after all. The X-S20, on the other hand, felt more freeing, making photography and video fun again. It reminded me of shooting purely for the joy of it, rather than always thinking about the work aspect.

Why I Sold It

If I loved the X-S20 so much, why did I sell it? Well, two key reasons pushed me to let it go before my trip:

Overheating in Hot Climates – Traveling to Southeast Asia meant dealing with extreme heat and humidity. The X-S20 just couldn’t handle long recording sessions in these conditions. It would get hot quickly—similar to my Ricoh GR IIIx. I didn’t want to constantly worry about cooling it down or stopping mid-shoot to let it rest.
Lack of Weather Sealing – Most modern cameras now offer some level of weather resistance, but the X-S20 doesn’t. When traveling, I need my gear to withstand unpredictable conditions. Both my X-H2S and X-Pro3 are weather-sealed, which gives me peace of mind.

Will I Buy It Again?

Honestly… maybe. The X-S20 was a fantastic camera for both work and personal enjoyment. Even now, I think about how convenient it was and how much I enjoyed using it. Despite its flaws, it brought a level of fun back into my shooting experience that I haven’t fully replaced.

If you’re considering the X-S20, my advice remains the same: It’s an excellent hybrid camera that balances power and portability. Just be mindful of its overheating and lack of weather sealing, especially if you plan to shoot in hot or unpredictable conditions.

For now, I’ll keep making the most of my current setup. But now that I’m back in the UK, don’t be surprised if you see the X-S20 back in my kit bag.