Fujifilm X-T30 Review

Since it first introduced the X-series of cameras, Fujifilm has enjoyed tremendous success with those devices. In particular, the X-Pro line of rangefinder-style cameras and the X-T lines of DSLR-style cameras are fan favorites. However, the Fujifilm X-T20 model within the X-series has become the company’s best-selling product.

After the release of the Fujifilm X-T3, it was clear that an upgrade to the X-T20 would not be too far off. This is because the X-T20 inherited essential features from the more advanced Fujifilm X-T2 and offered them at a far more attractive price. It is not difficult to understand why this was the case.

As was the case in the past, the X-T30 takes the most desirable characteristics of the Fujifilm X-T3 and places them in a more compact, lighter, and more affordably priced body. Fujifilm has retained enough additional within the X-T3 to warrant supplying both cameras. Still, the possibility of having so much of that camera inside a cheaper and more practical body makes it the clear superior choice. Fujifilm has kept enough extra inside the X-T3 to support offering both cameras.

See: Best Lenses for Fujifilm X-T30 | Best Memory Cards for Fujifilm X-T30 | Best Video Lenses for Fujifilm X-T30 | Best Gimbal for Fujifilm X-T30 | Best Flash for Fujifilm X-T30 | Fujifilm X-T30 Black Friday Deals | Fujifilm X-T30 Bundles Deals

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Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera w/XF18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R LM OIS Lens, Charcoal...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 2:16 pm
$1,428.00

Fujifilm X-T30 Features

The APS-C-sized 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor utilized by the Fujifilm X-T30 is the same one used by the X-T3. This sensor has been developed with a backlit architecture to assist it in capturing light as efficiently as possible.

The camera is also equipped with the same X-Processor Pro 4 engine as the X-T3, although the lowest sensitivity in the ISO range is ISO160 rather than the X-base T3’s ISO200. This is excellent news for those who frequently take photos outside in bright light, especially when using wide-aperture lenses.

The ISO range goes up to 12,800, but if you ever find yourself in a situation where it’s essential, you can expand this to an option comparable to ISO51,200 at the top end and down to an ISO80 equivalent at the lower back. The range itself goes all the way up to 12,800.

Fujifilm X-T30 Build Quality

The X-T20 and the X-T30 are similar on the outside in terms of their appearance. The basic format has not changed; nevertheless, the X-T30 has a more petite but slightly boxier body than the more experienced Fujifilm X-T3 on which it is based. Additionally, it has a configuration resembling a DSLR and features a pair of command dials.

The drive mode, shutter speed, and exposure compensation dials on the top plate of the X-T20 have been carried over to the X-T30. In addition, the aperture may be adjusted using either the ring on the lens affixed to the camera or the dial on the camera itself.

The grip has undergone subtle modifications to improve support for longer and heavier lenses.

Even still, the grip doesn’t even project one full centimeter away from the body of the camera, which is a disappointing feature for a device as compact and lightweight as this. This is a camera intended to be utilized with the lenses in the series that are more compact and less weighty. Both XC and XF

Most differences can be found at the back end of the X-T20 and X-T30. The X-D-Pad, T20, which provided left, right, up, and down buttons and a central Menu/OK button, has been replaced with a joystick-like Focus Lever. The D-Pad supplied these buttons: left, right, up, and down.

Because of this, the Q button has been moved to the top right-hand side of the rear panel to a smaller platform but more defined than the one on the X-T20. Additionally, as a result of this change, there is no more room for the thumb to rest comfortably than there was in the past.

Fujifilm X-T30 Autofocus

Although the X-T30 and the X-T3 are distinct in several ways, the focusing technology in both cameras is fundamentally the same. However, it is a bit more sophisticated in certain areas, even though the X-T3 will acquire some additional functions offered here through a forthcoming firmware upgrade.

Because it has the same 26.1-megapixel sensor as the X-T3, it also features the same 2.16 million phase-detect AF pixels packed into its array. These pixels cover about one hundred percent of the frame.

In the Single Point AF mode, the user can select any of the camera’s 425 individual focus points. In addition to this mode, the Zone AF and Wide/Tracking AF choices are also available.

The AF working range of the X-T20 only went down to -1EV, while the AF working range of the X-T30 has been expanded to -3EV thanks to the 2.16 million phase-detect AF pixels. This should make it easier for the camera to focus in conditions with less available light.

When focusing from a distance to a close-up or vice versa, it is believed that Non-stop Phase Detect will provide a 300% improvement to the speeds at which focusing may be accomplished.

Fujifilm X-T30 Performance

LCD screen and electronic viewfinder are two aspects that set the Fujifilm X-T30 apart from its predecessor, the X-T3, respectively. The LCD panel has the exact size of 3 inches and 1.04 million dots as the one on the X-T3, albeit it can only be rotated in the vertical and horizontal planes, as opposed to being able to tilt over all three axes on the X-T3.

Naturally, some people would have chosen a screen that can face the front. Still, overall, the display works rather well and maintains a level of clarity that is satisfactory even when exposed to intense illumination. Whether you’re selecting the focus point, searching through photographs, or altering parameters in the Q menu, it responds well and sensitively to light presses. This is true regardless of the activity.

We do not anticipate that this camera will include the electronic viewfinder (EVF) from the X-T3, which has 3.69 million dots, because the viewfinder on the X-T30, which has 2.36 million dots, is more than sufficient for a camera of this caliber. It has a reasonable degree of detail and clarity for a camera of this class, even though its magnification of 0.62x is a touch on the low side. The performance is good for the camera of this class.

At its highest 8fps burst rate, the camera can capture 15 to 16 raw and JPEG frames. A lagging feed may be kept on the LCD or viewfinder. However, it takes 12 seconds to upload them to a fast UHS-I memory card.

Even if this might be a little bit faster if the X-T30 supported UHS-II cards, it’s fantastic to note that the camera can still be used nearly completely while the files are being written. This isn’t the case with many other cameras.

Fujifilm X-T30 Image Quality

Image quality is comparable to the X-T3 because the X-T30 has the same sensor and processing engine as its predecessor. Even images captured at ISO6400 maintain exquisite detail, and most slight noise can be removed. This is only the second model to benefit from the 26.1MP back-illuminated sensor. It does an excellent job of keeping image noise low and details high as you increase sensitivity. Again, this is only the second model to benefit from the sensor.

Additionally, the dynamic range is excellent, even at lower sensitivities. In actuality, it is possible to underexpose a scene by the maximum of three stops that is permitted on the exposure compensation dial (until you use the C mode, which increases it to five visits) and still be able to bring up the shadows to the appropriate level in post-production without too much of a penalty in terms of loss of detail or noise. Again, this is because the exposure compensation dial has a maximum of three stops that it can allow.

If you are used to pushing and pulling raw files from full-frame cameras, you might find that there isn’t quite the same flexibility here. However, Fujifilm is going expectations regarding what can be accomplished with an APS-C sensor.

Even when the lighting isn’t ideal, this camera will still get good results thanks to its fast glass and powerful image stabilization features.

The Film Simulation modes that Fujifilm offers cover the majority of scenarios, ranging from the Standard/Provia option for everyday use to the Astia option for a pleasing softness for natural subjects, and Velvia when you need more punch, as well as various Black and White options.

The Standard/Provia mode is the default option, and it creates natural colors while still being optimized pleasingly. Because of the high quality of JPEGs produced by cameras, they can be used immediately after being taken.

In addition, this model incorporates the Cool and Warm Monochrome Adjustment options, which were initially introduced on the X-T3 model. Both of these choices can be adjusted to one of nine intensities, which is especially useful in the case of the second option because the Sepia Film Simulation choice has the potential to be a little bit overbearing at times.

Compared to an image captured using the default Black and White Film Simulation mode, the following photos show what these Cool and Warm options look like in their respective settings.

Fujifilm X-T30 Specs

Body typeSLR-style mirrorless
Body materialMetal
Sensor
Max resolution6240 x 4160
Image ratio w h1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels26 megapixels
Sensor sizeAPS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor typeBSI-CMOS
ProcessorX-Processor 4
Color spacesRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter arrayX-Trans
Image
ISOAuto, 160-12800 (expands to 80-51200)
Boosted ISO (minimum)80
Boosted ISO (maximum)51200
White balance presets7
Custom white balanceYes (3 slots)
Image stabilizationNo
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsFine, normal
File formatJPEG (Exif v.2.3)Raw (Fujifilm 14-bit RAF)
Optics & Focus
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View.
Autofocus assist lampYes
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points425
Lens mountFujifilm X
Focal length multiplier1.5×
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCDTilting
Screen size3″
Screen dots1,040,000
Touch screenYes
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live ViewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification0.93× (0.62× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed900 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/4000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)1/32000 sec
Exposure modesProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual
Scene modesSR AutoPortraitPortrait EnhancerLandscapeSportNightNight (tripod)FireworksSunsetSnowBeachUnderwaterPartyFlowerText
Built-in flashYes
Flash Range5.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flashYes (via hot shoe)
Flash modesAuto, on, slow sync, manual, commander
Flash X sync speed1/180 sec
Drive modesSingleContinuous HContinuous LBracket
Continuous drive30.0 fps
Self-timerYes
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedAverageSpot
Exposure compensation±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
WB BracketingYes
Videography features
FormatMPEG-4, H.264
Modes4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Connectivity
USBUSB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
USB chargingYes
HDMIYes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone portYes
Headphone portNo
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.2
Remote controlYes (via wired remote or smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionNP-W126S lithium-ion battery & Charger
Battery Life (CIPA)380
Weight (inc. batteries)383 g (0.84 lb / 13.51 oz)
Dimensions118 x 83 x 47 mm (4.65 x 3.27 x 1.85″)
Other features
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSNone

Fujifilm X-T30 Verdict

It’s not hard to see why the X-T30 shouldn’t be destined for the same kind of appreciation as its predecessor, the X-T20, which was a popular model for a specific reason. It doesn’t matter if you’re an enthusiast looking for a backup body or moving up from a more junior model; the X-T30 has enough going on under the hood to satisfy its target audience.

The new sensor is dependable, and the processor is quick. The modifications to autofocus and burst shooting (including the addition of the Sports Finder mode) may seem less exciting on paper. Still, they are precisely the things that make a difference in shooting in everyday life. Moreover, it is reassuring that so many petty issues frequently arise with other cameras that do not exist with this model. This is a direct result of the meticulous care with which Fujifilm attends to all aspects of the design, from the most significant to the most minute.

Video recording is another one of the camera’s strengths, both in terms of what it can do (4K DCI and UHD shooting, F-Log shooting, and so on) and the quality of the output it produces. It isn’t easy to think of another camera that can offer quite the same comprehensive suite of options and quality output for the price of this one. This is especially true if you are interested in beginning a career in video recording.

Price

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Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera w/XF18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R LM OIS Lens, Charcoal...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 2:16 pm
$1,428.00
Paul
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