Fujifilm X-T30 Review

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Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Fujifilm X-T30
Resolution:	26.10 Megapixels
Sensor size:	APS-C (23.5mm x 15.6mm)
Kit Lens:	3.00x zoom 15-45mm (23-68mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	EVF / LCD
Native ISO:	160 - 12,800
Extended ISO:	80 - 51,200
Shutter:	1/32000 - 900 sec
Max Aperture:	3.5 (kit lens)
Dimensions:	4.7 x 3.3 x 1.8 in. (118 x 83 x 47 mm)
Weight:	13.5 oz (383 g) includes batteries
Availability:	11/2019
Manufacturer:	Fujifilm
Full specs:	Fujifilm X-T30 specifications

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Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Charcoal Silver)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 15-45mm lens (Black)
Kit with 15-45mm lens (Charcoal Silver)
Kit with 15-45mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Charcoal Silver)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Silver)

X-T30 Deals

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26.10 Megapixels	Fujifilm X	APS-C size sensor

X-T30 Summary

Packing in the same 26MP X-Trans sensor, image processor and autofocus system as the X-T3, as well as similar high-res video capabilities, the smaller, lighter Fuji X-T30 is surprisingly robust in capabilities and features. Image quality is excellent, and autofocus performance is fast, accurate and responsive. And yet Fuji's priced the camera at just $800 body-only. If you're looking for a compact, easy-to-carry mirrorless cameras and don't need or want the extra bulk or weather-sealing of the X-T3, the X-T30 is a fantastic choice that'll also save you a nice chunk of change.

Pros

Same great image quality as the X-T3; Excellent high ISO performance for an APS-C camera; Improved hybrid AF system with full image area coverage; Fast AF speeds; 4K video up to 30p; Compact design; Great value.

Cons

Slightly higher noise levels than predecessor; No in-body image stabilization; Single card slot; No dedicated headphone jack; No weather sealing.

Price and availability

The Fujifilm X-T30 is available in three color schemes: black, silver and charcoal silver. The first two options, black and silver, became available in March in body only and kit options. The body has a suggested retail price of $899 USD in the United States and $1,199.99 CAD in Canada. There are two kits, each offering a zoom lens. One comes with an XC 15-45mm lens and lists for $999 and $1,299.99 in the United States and Canada respectively. The second comes with the XF 18-55mm lens with prices of $1,299 USD and $1,699.99 CAD. The charcoal silver X-T30, which is available in the same body only and kit options, arrived in stores in late June. Note that street prices as of this writing are about $100 less than the above list prices.

Imaging Resource rating

5.0 out of 5.0

Fuji X-T30 Review

by Jeremy Gray, Dave Pardue, Zig Weidelich and William Brawley
Preview posted: 02/14/2019
Last updated: 10/24/2019

The Fuji X-T10 and X-T20 mirrorless cameras have proven to be very popular with photographers for many reasons, not the least of which is that they combine high-end imaging performance with a compact and lightweight form factor. The Fuji X-T30 continues this trend by blending many of the features and performance of the X-T3 with the tried-and-true form of the X-T20. Let's take a closer look at the X-T30, seeing what's new, what has stayed the same and how it fits into the Fujifilm X Series lineup.

Key Features and Specs

Compact interchangeable lens Fujifilm X Series mirrorless camera
26.1-megapixel backside-illuminated APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 image sensor
Native ISO range of 160-12,800, expandable to 80-51,200
X-Processor 4 Quad-Core CPU
Phase-detect autofocus covering the entire image area
Up to 8 frames per second continuous shooting using the mechanical shutter
Up to 20 frames per second continuous shooting using the electronic shutter
Can capture 16MP images using the electronic shutter at up to 30 frames per second in 1.25x crop mode
Includes Fujifilm Film Simulations and Color Chrome Effect
Face-detect and eye-detect autofocus, including face selection and eye-detect in continuous autofocus modes
4K DCI/UHD video at up to 30 frames per second
OLED electronic viewfinder
3-inch rear tilting touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Camera Body and Design

The X-T30 is a pretty compact camera. In total, its dimensions (width x height x depth) are 4.66 inches (118.4 millimeters) x 3.26 in. (82.8mm) x 1.84 in. (46.8mm). The height and width are precisely the same as the X-T20, although the X-T30 has slightly more depth due to a revised thumb grip. The weight of both cameras is identical at 13.51 ounces (383 grams) with battery and card.

Dial-based, manual control is an important part of the Fujifilm X Series DNA. The X-T30 continues in this tradition by offering dedicated dials for shooting mode, shutter speed and exposure compensation. There is also a lever for enabling the SR Auto shooting mode, which automatically selects from 58 presets depending upon the subject you are shooting. In terms of command dials, there are two, one on the front and a second on the back. Both of them can be pressed for further functionality.

While the Fuji X-T30 looks the same as the X-T20 from the front, there are important differences between the two cameras when we look at the back. In lieu of the four-way keypad of the X-T20, the X-T30 opts instead for an 8-way joystick. Further, the "MENU/OK" and "DISP/BACK" buttons are relocated. Another important change, one which you will be able to feel immediately, is the redesigned thumb grip. The "Q" button has been relocated to the top of this thumb grip, providing easy access to the customizable Quick Menu.

There are a couple of other differences between the body design of the X-T30 when compared to its predecessor, although they would easily fly under the radar when comparing product shots. The electronic viewfinder of the X-T30 is an 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder offering 0.62x magnification, like the EVF in the X-T20, although the X-T30's EVF is brighter by a margin of 300 cd/m² (800 versus 500). Further, the EVF offers a 100 frames-per-second refresh rate in Boost Mode, so it is smoother than the 54.54 frames-per-second refresh rate of the X-T20's EVF. Similarly, the rear two-way tilting touchscreen is 3 inches and has 1.04M dots, but the touchscreen has been upgraded for a faster response time.

Imaging and Performance

The Fujifilm X-T30 uses the same backside-illuminated APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 image sensor as the Fujifilm X-T3. This sensor offers a native ISO range of 160-12,800 and can be expanded to a range of ISO 80 to 51,200, the same as the X-T3, and image quality is identical.

With the same imaging pipeline as the X-T3, the X-T30 also comes sporting the X-T3's new autofocus system. The phase-detect autofocus system covers the entire image area, which is a very impressive feat. In addition to its full-sensor coverage, the autofocus system is also better in low light than the one found in the X-T20. In fact, the X-T30's AF is rated down to -3 EV, whereas the X-T20 was rated to only -0.5 EV.

Regarding autofocus modes, the X-T30's hybrid autofocus system offers single point, zone autofocus and wide/tracking autofocus modes with changeable point and area sizes. In addition, the camera offers face and eye tracking. The X-T30 allows for direct selection of a primary face within the frame and also offers eye-detection during continuous autofocus. While this feature is not initially available on the X-T3, it was added via a firmware update.

The X-T30 is equipped with Fujifilm's latest quad-core X-Processor 4. With this processor, the X-T30 is a speedy little camera. However, there are many caveats to consider. Firstly, there's a distinction between available shooting speeds when using the mechanical shutter versus the electronic shutter. It is worth pausing briefly here to note that the mechanical shutter has an exposure range of 60 minutes to 1/4,000s and the electronic shutter's range is 4s to 1/32,000s. When using the electronic shutter, the X-T30 will offer faster burst speeds than when using the mechanical shutter, all else equal. There is also a special 1.25x crop mode to consider, which produces 16-megapixel images.

When shooting with the electronic shutter and the 1.25x crop mode, the X-T30 can shoot at up to 30 frames per second. Fujifilm states that the buffer depth is 26 JPEG images or 17 raw files. If you shoot at 20 fps using electronic shutter you can capture full-res images for up to 32 JPEGs or 17 raw images. There is also a special Pre-shot mode, which captures up to 10 images while the shutter is pressed halfway. The camera will then capture up to 68 additional images once the shutter is fully depressed at speeds ranging from 10 to 30 frames per second. At 30 fps, however, you can only capture a dozen post-press frames, for a total of 22 images. Again, this is available only with the electronic shutter and when shooting with a 1.25x crop.

If you want to use the mechanical shutter, the maximum shooting speed is understandably lower, but still pretty quick. When using the mechanical shutter and capturing 26-megapixel images, Fujifilm states that the X-T30 is able to shoot at up to 8 frames per second and capture a total of 90 JPEG images or 18 raw images (lossless compressed or uncompressed). See our Performance page for timing results from the IR lab.

Video

Video has become an increasingly important component of interchangeable lens cameras for most manufacturers, and Fujifilm is following the trend. The X-T30 can capture 4K (both DCI and UHD) video at up to 30 frames per second and 1080p (Full HD) video at up to 120 fps. The X-T30 also offers 10-bit 4:2:2 recording through the camera's HDMI port and 4:2:0 internal recording.

The maximum bitrate is 200Mbps across both 4K and Full HD resolutions. When recording DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) and 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), the maximum clip length is approximately 10 minutes and you can record using 29.97p, 25p, 24p and 23.98p frame rates. In standard shooting mode, Full HD (1920 x 1080) video can be recorded at 59.94p and 50p frame rates in addition to the ones listed above for up to approximately 15 minutes. The high-speed mode is separate and offers up to 6 minutes of recording at 120p and 100p frame rates.

There are many video improvements when compared against the X-T20. For example, when recording 4K UHD video, the X-T30, like the X-T3, records a 6K image and then downsamples it to 4K. Further, it offers 24-bit 48KHz audio recording and Fujifilm's video-focused Eterna Film Simulation, which was first introduced with the Fujifilm X-H1 camera. Face and eye-detect autofocus performance has also been improved.

Connectivity, Storage and Power

The Fuji X-T30 has some changes compared to its predecessor when it comes to ports as well. It still includes a Micro HDMI Type-D port and a 2.5mm stereo microphone/remote release jack, but its Micro-B USB 2.0 port has been changed to a USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) port. It still supports in-camera charging, but also supports a USB-C headphone adapter.

Of course the X-T30 still has a dedicated hot shoe. Regarding the built-in flash, it is a manual pop-up flash with a guide number of 7 at ISO 200 and 5 at ISO 100, the same as the X-T20.

The X-T30 has built in Wi-Fi connectivity, but now includes Bluetooth (Bluetooth LE v4.2). Via the free Fujifilm Camera Remote application, you can wirelessly control the camera and transfer images to your smartphone.

The X-T30 writes to a single SD card, which is still UHS-I rather than UHS-II compliant.

For power, the X-T30 relies upon the NP-W126S lithium-ion battery, the same battery pack as the X-T20. In normal mode, the camera is rated for approximately 380 shots on a charge with the LCD and 360 shots with the EVF. That's up from X-T20's 350 shots for either display. When recording video, the X-T30's battery life is rated for 45 minutes when shooting 4K or Full HD. The X-T20 was rated at 50 minutes for 4K and 60 minutes for Full HD.

Fuji X-T30 versus X-T20

While we have outlined some differences between the Fuji X-T30 and its predecessor, the X-T20, it is worth giving a brief recap of some of the biggest differences.

Camera body: Stylistically, the X-T20 and X-T30 are very similar. They weigh the same, have much of the same control arrangement and have nearly identical dimensions and overall specifications. However, the X-T30 has a revised thumb grip and rear button layout, which includes swapping in an 8-way joystick for the four-way directional pad of the X-T20. Further, while the OLED electronic viewfinder has the same resolution and magnification, the X-T30's EVF is brighter and has a higher refresh rate. The rear touchscreen has the same tilt capabilities and resolution, but the X-T30's touchscreen performance has been improved.

Image sensor: Whereas the X-T20 employed a 24.3-megapixel X-Trans III CMOS sensor, the X-T30 uses the same 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor as the Fujifilm X-T3. Along with the newer sensor, there's a new low native ISO of 160, whereas the X-T20's native range bottomed out at 200.

Autofocus: Like the X-T20, the X-T30 uses a hybrid autofocus system, although the X-T30 has phase-detect autofocus pixels covering the entire image area. The X-T20's phase-detect pixels covered approximately 50 percent of the horizontal image area and 75 percent of the vertical area. Further, the X-T30 low-light autofocus performance is improved, being rated down to -3 EV versus -0.5 EV. Finally, the X-T30 has eye-detect and face-detect functionality, including the ability to select a face in the frame.

Performance: Capable of shooting at up to 30 frames-per-second using its electronic shutter, the X-T30 is 16 frames per-second-faster than the X-T20. Granted, this comes at the cost of a 1.25x crop. Up to 20 fps is possible at full resolution, versus 14 fps for the X-T20. When using their mechanical shutters, both cameras shoot at up to 8 fps.

Video: The Fujifilm X-T20 offered 4K UHD video recording and the X-T30 adds a higher resolution DCI 4K video recording option in addition to offering improved autofocus features and performance. Further, the X-T30 adds a 1080/120p recording option, whereas the X-T20 was capped at 60 frames per second. With respect to video fidelity and color, the X-T30 offers 4:2:2 10-bit video out via HDMI and includes the Eterna Film Simulation, features both lacking on the X-T20.

Fuji X-T30 Pricing and Availability

Fuji X-T30 Field Test

A fantastic bang for the buck and a really great mirrorless camera

by Jeremy Gray | 05/03/2019

The Fuji X-T30 takes much of what we loved about the X-T3, which we named as Camera of the Year for 2018, and fits it into a smaller and more affordable camera body. While the X-T30 is not specifically a small version of the X-T3, but it's pretty close, incorporating the X-T3's new 26-megapixel image sensor and improved hybrid autofocus system. Where the X-T3 is a flagship enthusiast/pro camera, the X-T30 is more of an intermediate-level camera. The X-T30 offers a lot of camera for $899 so let's see just how well it performs in the field.

Like the X-T20 before it, the Fuji X-T30 is a compact APS-C interchangeable lens camera. The X-T30 is basically the same size as the X-T20, except that the revised rear grip of the X-T30 adds a little bit to the maximum depth. The camera weighs the same as its predecessor at a lightweight 13.5 ounces (383 grams).

Read our X-T30 Field Test

Fuji X-T30 Image Quality Comparison

See how the X-T30's IQ stacks up against its predecessor and rivals

by Zig Weidelich | 08/08/2019

Here we present crops from our laboratory Still Life target comparing the Fuji X-T30's JPEG image quality to its predecessor's, the X-T20, as well as against its more expensive big brother, the X-T3. We've also compared the X-T30 to several interchangeable lens cameras in its price range or category: the Nikon D7500, the Panasonic GX9 and the Sony A6400.

NOTE: These images are from best quality JPEGs straight out of the camera, at default settings including noise reduction and using the camera's actual base ISO (not extended ISO settings). All cameras in this comparison were shot with our very sharp reference lenses. Clicking any crop will take you to a carrier page where you can click once again to access the full resolution image as delivered straight from the camera. For those interested in working with the RAW files involved, click these links to visit each camera's respective sample image thumbnail page...

See our Image Quality comparison!

Fuji X-T30 Print Quality Analysis

Find out just how large you can print at each ISO!

by Dave Pardue | 08/08/2019

Print quality and image quality are similar but not identical, because what you see on a print isn't always the same as what you see on the screen. Our print quality analysis answers the important question: "Just how big can I print my photos at higher ISOs?"

The Fujifilm X-T30 shines in the Print Quality department, matching the more expensive X-T3 at each ISO. You'll experience superb images at large print sizes at the lower ISOs, and can rely on high quality up through at least ISO 3200 for fairly sizable prints. After that the strain of the higher gains does begin to take its toll, but not nearly as bad as we've seen with some other APS-C lines. The X-T30 maintains good color reproduction throughout, and can even print a worthwhile image at its highest gain setting of ISO 51,200. For the money, there are very few cameras better than the X-T30 for sheer image quality and printing prowess.

Read about the X-T30's Print Quality

Fujifilm X-T30 Conclusion

It's the impressive X-T3 crammed into smaller, more affordable shell

by William Brawley | 10/24/2019

High-end features and performance inside a lightweight, compact body all for a pleasingly low price point? That's the name of the game with the Fuji X-T30.

Much like its predecessor models, the X-T10 and X-T20 did, the latest Fuji X-T30 shares a similar imaging pipeline and indeed numerous features from a higher-end, pricier "companion" model. Whereas the X-T10 and X-T20 matched up underneath the X-T1 and X-T2, respectively, the X-T30 sits under the Fuji X-T3. But rather than just being a stripped-down X-T3 with worse image quality and minimal features, the Fuji X-T30 is very much the opposite. Utilizing the same 26MP sensor, the same quad-core processor, the same powerful AF system and many of the same video specs, the X-T30 somehow, surprisingly, manages to offer the vast majority of what the X-T3 brings to the table in terms of image quality and performance but in a smaller camera body and for a less expensive price.

And when you consider that the X-T3 won our Best Overall Camera award for all of 2018, this certainly seems quite a feat for Fujifilm.

Read on to see how the Fuji X-T30 fared in our laboratory and real-world testing, as well as whether or not the X-T30 is worth the upgrade from an X-T20 or, in fact, if you should you pick this camera over the higher-end X-T3!