FUJIFILM X-T30: week with an expert

Comparison of the FUJIFILM X-T30 with the FUJIFILM X-T20 and X-T3

The strategy of creating a functionally saturated camera and its further simplification and adaptation for amateur photographers has been repeatedly demonstrated by Fujifilm. The pair of cameras FUJIFILM X-T3 and X-T30 was no exception. However, the youngest product - FUJIFILM X-T30 - has turned out so advanced and powerful that it clearly claims to be the market leader in “cropped” cameras for enthusiasts. Is the X-T30 so awesome in reality, or are there pitfalls between spec lines? About it in our big test!

Get price FUJIFILM X-T30 We will start traditionally with a table of characteristics and its analysis. I suggest looking at the specifications of the previous FUJIFILM X-T20 model to understand the performance boost in the X-T30; and also compare them with the older X-T3 - the immediate progenitor of the hero of our test. This will allow us to evaluate how much simplifications were made when adapting the camera for a more accessible market segment.

X-T30 / XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS Installations: ISO 160, F8, 1/300 s, 300.0 mm equiv.Download RAW

Feature Comparison of the FUJIFILM X-T20, X-T3 and X-T30

	FUJIFILM X-T20	FUJIFILM X-T3	FUJIFILM X-T30
Bayonet mount	FUJIFILM X-Mount	FUJIFILM X-Mount	FUJIFILM X-Mount
Matrix	24.3 MP, APS-C, X-Trans CMOS III	26.1, APS-C, X-Trans CMOS 4	26.1, APS-C, X-Trans CMOS 4
Maximum photo resolution	6000 × 4000	6240 × 4160	6240 × 4160
Photosensitivity	ISO 200–12800 expandable to ISO 100/25600/51200	ISO 160–12800 expandable to ISO 80/100/125/25600/51200	ISO 160–12800 expandable to ISO 80/100/125/25600/51200
Shutter speed range	Mechanical shutter 30–1 / 4000 s; mechanical + electronic 30–1 / 32000 s	Mechanical shutter 30–1 / 8000 s; mechanical + electronic 30–1 / 32000 s	Mechanical shutter 30–1 / 4000 s; mechanical + electronic 30–1 / 32000 s
Sync speed	1/180 s	1/250 s	1/180 s
Burst shooting	Up to 14 frames / s, up to 8 frames with a mechanical shutter	Up to 30 frames / s with crop x1.25, up to 20 frames / s without crop, up to 11 frames with a mechanical shutter	Up to 30 frames / sec with crop x1.25, up to 20 frames / sec without crop, up to 8 frames / sec with mechanical shutter
Buffer capacity for high-speed shooting	Up to 23 RAW	Up to 35 RAW	Up to 17 RAW
Focusing	Hybrid AF (TTL contrast AF / TTL phase AF)	Hybrid AF (TTL Contrast AF / TTL Phase AF) over the entire area of ??the frame	Hybrid AF (TTL Contrast AF / TTL Phase AF) over the entire area of ??the frame
Maximum movie resolution	Up to 3840x2160 at 30 frames / s (up to 10 minutes)	Up to 4096 × 2160 at 60 frames / s (up to 20 minutes)	Up to 4096 × 2160 at 30 frames / s (up to 10 minutes)
Maximum bitrate	100 Mbps	400 Mbps	200 Mbps
F-Log Support	Not	there is	there is
Screen	Touch, tilt, 3-inch 1.04 million dots	Touch, swivel, 3-inch 1.04 million dots	Touch, tilt, 3-inch 1.04 million dots
Viewfinder	OLED 2.36 million points	OLED 3.69 million points	OLED 2.36 million points
Wireless interfaces	Wifi	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Memory cards	SD UHS-I	SD UHS-II	SD UHS-I
Interfaces	USB 2.0, micro-HDMI, 2.5 mm microphone	USB Type-C, micro-HDMI, 3.5 mm microphone, 3.5 mm headphone, sync	USB Type-C, micro-HDMI, 2.5 mm microphone
Battery and life (by CIPA)	NP-W126S, up to 350 frames	NP-W126S, up to 390 frames	NP-W126S, up to 380 frames
Working temperature	0 ° C to 40 ° C	-10 to 40 ° C	0 ° C to 40 ° C
Working humidity	10–80% (non-condensing)	10–80% (non-condensing)	10–80% (non-condensing)
Dimensions	118.4 mm (W) × 82.8 mm (H) × 41.4 mm (T)	132.5 mm (W) × 92.8 mm (H) × 58.8 mm (D)	118.4 mm (W) × 82.8 mm (H) × 46.8 mm (T)
Weight with battery and memory card	383 g	539 g	383 g

Our table clearly demonstrates that, compared with the previous generation of cameras, there has been a total improvement in all characteristics. This is not a giant leap forward, but a systematic improvement. In addition, the main progress related to the work of autofocus remained behind the lines of specifications. There are other unobvious advantages: for example, charging and working from USB. We will talk about them in more detail in our review. The camera is equipped with the same matrix as the flagship of the line, which means it is able to provide the same image quality. But to reduce the price, some simplifications were applied regarding the FUJIFILM X-T3. Here engineers with marketers worked hard. The lightweight characteristics of the X-T30 still look powerful, but make it clear to the photographer: if you want to make money, buy a more expensive model. Limited video capabilities, a reduced serial shooting buffer, and even UHS-I memory cards do not interfere with creative, everyday, or family photography.

Against the background of many competitors from the amateur segment, the X-T30 looks like a real monster, the set of characteristics of which does not at all fit with its compact size. But in professional reporting (for example, when shooting a wedding) or video production, the Fujifilm X-T30 will be able to do only the second job, to be on the safe side. This camera claims to be the ideal solution for the photo enthusiast. Let's move on to a closer acquaintance with her!

FUJIFILM X-T30 comes in three colors

On the Russian market, the FUJIFILM X-T30 will be available in three colors: black, silver and carbon silver. There is a body kit (without a lens), as well as two options for a “kit”: with an XC 15-45MMF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens and a better XF 18-55MM F2.8-4 R LM OIS.

FUJIFILM X-T30 with lens XC15-45MMF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ

FUJIFILM X-T30 with XF 18-55MM F2.8-4 R LM OIS lens

In total, in the Fujifilm X system at the time of writing this test, there are more than 30 lenses covering a range of focal lengths from 8 to 800 mm. We have already tested most of these lenses .