X-S20vs Hero 12 Black
VS
GoPro
Hero 12 Black (2023)
Starting from £300 new
Best for Adventure, sports & travel video
View Hero 12 Black
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Hybrid Photo & Video — X-S20 (2023): Fujifilm's most accessible X-series body — 7-stop IBIS, 6K video, 20 film simulations, and a user-friendly layout.
Adventure, Sports & Travel Video — Hero 12 Black (2023): GoPro's best all-round action camera — better battery, 10-bit colour, and HyperSmooth 6.0 make it a genuine step forward.
Who should buy what
X-S20 (2023)
- Content creators who want Fujifilm colour science in a vlogging-friendly body
- Hybrid shooters who need IBIS, 6.2K video, and a fully articulating screen
- X-S10 owners looking for a meaningful upgrade with better battery and video
- Beginners who want a capable all-rounder without Fujifilm's traditional dials
Hero 12 Black (2023)
- Action and sports photographers who want the best stabilisation available
- Travellers who need a rugged waterproof camera for any conditions
- Cyclists, surfers, and skiers wanting helmet or handlebar footage
- Hero 11 owners considering an upgrade — notably better battery life
Quick take: The hero 12 black has the highest resolution at 27mp; the hero 12 black is the most affordable; only the hero 12 black is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-S20 (2023) | Hero 12 Black (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £849 | £300 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 | 1/1.9-inch CMOS |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 27.0MP |
| Video | 6.2K/30p, 4K/60p, F-Log2, 10-bit | 5.3K/60p, 4K/120p, 2.7K/240p slow-mo |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, subject tracking | Fixed focus (wide) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 7.0 stops | HyperSmooth 6.0 (in-camera EIS) |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 27MP RAW burst |
| Battery Life | ~750 shots (CIPA) | ~70 min at 5.3K/30p (Enduro battery) |
| Weight | 491g body only | 154g |
| Dimensions | 126.0 × 85.1 × 65.4mm | 71.8 × 50.8 × 33.6mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.62× magnification | 2.27" rear touchscreen + 1.4" front display |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 2.27" rear touchscreen; 1.4" front colour display |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | GoPro mounting ecosystem (fingers, adhesive, magnetic) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | microSD up to 1TB (V30 minimum) |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-S20 | Hero 12 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Adventure & Sports | — | |
| Underwater | — | |
| Cycling & Hiking | — | |
| Everyday | — |
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