Fujifilm X-T3026MP 30FPS APS-C, DCI 4K/30pSample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide Fujifilm X-T30 (13.4 oz./380g with battery and card, about $750 used if you know How to Win at eBay) and huge XF 8-16mm f/2.8 WR. It comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver. bigger. This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
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Fujifilm X-T30. bigger.
Fujifilm X-T30. bigger.
Fujinon XF 50mm f/1 R WR on my X-T30. bigger. Sample ImagesTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide All shot as NORMAL JPGs; no RAW files or FINE JPGs were used or needed. Glowing Aspens with Sunstar, June Lake Loop, California's Eastern Sierra, 3:04 P.M., 22 October 2019. Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 at 18mm at f/22 hand-held at 1/42 at Auto ISO 320 (LV 12.6), Auto Dynamic Range 200%. bigger or full-resolution.
Three Glowing Aspens, June Lake Loop, California's Eastern Sierra, 12:43 P.M., 22 October 2019. Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 at 55mm at f/5.6 at 1/320 at Auto ISO 160 (LV 12.7), -⅓ stop exposure compensation, Auto Dynamic Range 100%. bigger or full-resolution.
500 Gallon Diesel Tank, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California, 5:15 P.M., 19 October 2019. Fujifilm X-T30, built-in flash ON, Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 at 28mm at f/3.2 at 1/75 at Auto ISO 320, -⅔ stop exposure compensation (LV 7.9), Auto Dynamic Range 200%. bigger.
Dead Bush in the Water, Mono Lake, California, 7:17 A.M., 22 October 2019. Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 at 55mm at f/4 hand-held at 1/90 at Auto ISO 320 (LV 8.9), Auto Dynamic Range 200%. bigger.
Spanish Home, 18 August 2019, 8:12 PM. Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm XC 15-45mm at 15mm at f/5.6 for 27 seconds at ISO 160 (LV -0.5), 100% dynamic range, Perfectly Clear, perspective correction in Photoshop CS6. bigger, full-resolution or camera-original rotated © file.
Fancy Entryway, 21 March 2019, 9:33 AM. Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm 8-16mm f/2.8 at 8mm at f/5.6 hand-held at 1/15 at Auto ISO 320, 200% auto dynamic range. bigger or full-resolution.
Restaurant, 21 March 2019, 12:52 PM. Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm 8-16mm f/2.8 at 8mm at f/3.6 hand-held at 1/56 at Auto ISO 320, 200% auto dynamic range. bigger or full-resolution.
Trellis, 27 March 2019, 1:35 PM. Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm 8-16mm f/2.8 at 8mm at f/8 at 1/300 at Auto ISO 320, 200% auto dynamic range. bigger, full-resolution or camera-original © file.
Ryan eagerly working on his computer, 3:01 PM, 22 October 2020. Fuji X-T30, Fuji XF 50mm f/1 at f/1 at 1/75 at Auto ISO 5,000 (LV 0.6), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full resolution or camera-original © JPG file. f/1.0 and you can count his eyelashes, even at ISO 5,000. My Fuji X-T30 found the eyes all by itself. It was very dark; he's lit almost entirely by his screen.
Green Agave, 9:21 AM, 23 October 2020. Fuji X-T30, Fuji XF 50mm f/1 at f/1 at 1/1,300 at Auto ISO 160 (LV 9⅔), 100% auto dynamic range, Perfectly Clear. bigger, full resolution or camera-original © JPG file.
Fish Taco, 10:59 AM, 23 October 2020. Fuji X-T30, Fuji XF 50mm f/1 at f/1 at 1/2,900 at Auto ISO 160, -0.7 exposure compensation (LV 10.8), Perfectly Clear, perspective correction in Photoshop CS6. bigger, full resolution or camera-original © JPG file.
Agave, 11:14 AM, 23 October 2020. Fuji X-T30, Fuji XF 50mm f/1 at f/1 at 1/11.000 at Auto ISO 160 (LV 12¾), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full resolution or camera-original © JPG file.
1971 Camaro Z28, 7:41 PM, 23 October 2020. Fuji X-T30, Fuji XF 50mm f/1 at f/1 at 1/75 at Auto ISO 1,250 (LV 2.6), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full resolution or camera-original © JPG file. Only the front passenger-side turn signal and Z28 badge are in perfect focus; everything else isn't in perfect focus. The passenger-side headlight is a little too close, so spherochromatism gives its highlights slight magenta tinges, and likewise highlights of objects in the background like the chrome trim on the front passenger-side rim have slight green tinges. If all I had was the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR, then I'd have had to have shot it at ISO 10,000 at f/2.8 at the same shutter speed to get this exposure, and the results would not be anywhere near as sharp. With the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS I usually carry, I'd need to be at ISO 20,000 at f/4 at the same shutter speed!
Fountain, 6:23 PM, 26 October 2020. Fuji X-T30, Fuji XF 50mm f/1 at f/1 at 1/8 at ISO 160 (LV 2.3), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full resolution or camera-original © JPG file.
IntroductionTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide
The Fujifilm X-T30 is an adorable little camera that looks and feels just like a baby 35mm SLR. It is dwarfed by a full size 35mm SLR like the Nikon F2AS: Fujifilm X-T30 and Nikon F2AS. bigger. The X-T30 is my favorite of Fujifilm's interchangeable-lens cameras because it's tiny (smaller than the X-T3), and has a built-in flash lacking in many of Fujifilm's more expensive cameras, again like the X-T3 which has no built-in flash. You can pay more and get less! Like everything from Fujifilm, the X-T30's color rendition is highly optimized for people pictures with glowing skin tones and not great for vivid photos of nature, places and things. You can't beat this little camera for people photos with interchangeable lenses. I'd get my X-T30 used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or consider the X-T30 Mark II new at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. It comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver.
New since X-T20New rear "focus lever" nubbin replaces the classic rear 4-way controller. New sensor with 2,160,00 phase-detection AF pixels. Manual shutter speeds set directly to 15 minutes. We can set the degree of warm or cool toning for as-shot B&W images. Flicker reduction. 2-axis electronic level (X-T20 only has one axis of level display (roll)). 4K DCI and 17:9 HD (X-T20 does only regular 4K and 16:9). Overcrank 120 FPS video. AF now rated to work down to LV -3. New grip. Bluetooth. Firmware updates also can be done via Fuji's app and Bluetooth. New "Charcoal Silver" version, in addition to silver and black.
GoodPrecise, mostly metal construction. Feels like a real camera, not a plastic toy. Lots of dedicated, clearly engraved dials. "X-Trans" sensor with a unique better-than-Bayer color filter array allows for sharper pictures than other 26MP sensors, but not all raw software can read the special files. Live color RGB histograms displayed before you press the shutter (something neither Sony nor Nikon can do except on playback when it's too late), but you have to activate this in the menu system (see my User's Guide). Manual shutter speeds set directly to 15 minutes. Real hinged connector door, not just a crappy plastic flap like Nikon, Sony and Canon use. Great highlight rendition. To 30 FPS with cropped-frame stills. "Pre Shot" mode starts shooting before you press the shutter. No need for a low-pass filter as usual with Fujifilm. We can set the degree of warm- or cool-toning for as-shot B&W images. Flipping touch LCD screen. 17:9 DCI 4K movies. Standard threaded cable release socket. Silent electronic shutter goes to 1/32,768. Built-in flash. WiFi. Bluetooth Low Energy.
BadFujifilm's menu system has been awful and confusing for years with no signs of major improvement. They aren't paying attention here. Pokey autofocus tracking; while it has fast frame rates for static subjects this is not a good camera for sports or action. Offshored to China; not made domestically in Japan.
MissingNo built-in stabilization. No rear 4-way controller; use the new nubbin instead. No battery percentage readout, just a multi-segment icon. No automatic brightness control for the rear LCD. Fully adjustable Auto ISO with three presets (good), except that one cannot shift the AUTO value for minimum shutter speed away from its default. DCI, 4K and 1,080 HD video, but no 720 or 480 video. No GPS or NFC. Very oddly it ignores down-clicks on playback to swap to different kinds of page views (picture only, picture with data, detailed data, etc.). Clicking the nubbin down is simply ignored and you have to click up multiple times just to go back to the previous kind of view. (selecting which picture by clicking left-right works normally.) No headphone jack, but use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter with audio ability and voilà, you've got a headphone jack in the USB-C Audio Adapter Accessory Mode. Maximum video take length not more than 15 minutes. Image DISP (showing the just-shot image) only works in finder with Eye Control ON, otherwise only shows on the rear LCD The nubbin can't select AF areas in the WIDE/TRACKING mode. You have to manually go into a more restricted AF area mode to be able to select areas. You can't manually move or select an AF point if FACE DETECT has locked-on to what it thinks is a face, even if it's wrong. I'd suggest that Fuji shouldn't lock-out manual AF point override in FACE DETECT, now we have to manually deactivate FACE DETECT if it insists on locking-on to something wrong.
SpecificationsTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my X-T30 used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or consider the X-T30 Mark II new at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. It comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver.
Lens CompatibilityFujifilm X-T30. bigger. Uses Fujifilm's Fujinon X-Mount lenses.
Image SensorFujifilm X-T30 in charcoal silver. bigger. 26 MP. 15.6 × 23.5 mm CMOS. Magic "X-Trans" color filter array allows more sharpness without aliasing problems that plage Bayer arrays, however this clever arrangement may limit which raw software can decode the X-T30's raw files. JPGs look awesome! 3:2 aspect ratio. 1.5339× crop factor. Ultrasonic cleaner.
ISORegular: ISO 160 ~ 12,800. Pushed and pulled: ISO 80 ~ 51,200.
Auto ISOFully adjustable, except that one cannot shift the AUTO value for minimum shutter speed away from its default.
Dynamic Ranges100% (from ISO 160), 200% (from ISO 320), 400% (from ISO 640) or AUTO (100% or 200%). Still Image SizesFull Gate 3:2Large: 6,240 × 4,160 pixels native (25.96 MP). Medium: 4,416 × 2,944 pixels (13.00 MP). Small: 3,120 × 2,080 pixels (6.5 MP).
1:1 Square CropLarge: 4,160 × 4,160 pixels (17.3 MP). Medium: 2,944 × 2,944 pixels (8.7 MP). Small: 2,080 × 2,080 pixels (4.3 MP).
16:9 CropLarge: 6,240 × 3,512 pixels (21.9 MP). Medium: 4,416 × 2,488 pixels (11.0 MP). Small: 3,120 × 1,760 pixels (5.5 MP).
Swept Stitched PanoramasLarge: 2,160 × 9,600 (vertical: 9,600 × 1,440). Medium: 2,160 × 6,400 (vertical: 6,400 × 1,440). (no Small setting).
Still FormatsJPG and/or raw. sRGB and Adobe RGB.
Electronic Finder0.39" OLED. 2,360,000 dots. 0.62× magnification w/33mm lens (50mm equivalent). 31º diagonal (26º horizontal) apparent angle. Auto brightness control: 50~800 cd/m^2. 17.5mm eye relief. -4 ~ +2 diopters.
AutofocusUp to 425 selectable points. 2,160,000 on-sensor phase-detection pixels.
Light Meter256 zones, multi, spot, average or center weighted.
ShuttersMechanical Shutter 1/4,000 to 4 seconds (P mode), to 30 seconds (A mode), to 15 minutes (S or M modes) or to one hour in Bulb mode. Flash sync speed: 1/180.
Silent Electronic Shutter 1/32,768 to 4 seconds (P mode), to 30 seconds (A mode), to 15 minutes (S or M modes) or only 1 second in Bulb mode.
Remote ReleasesStandard threaded cable release.
Flash1/180 sync speed.
Built-in Flash Yes, pops up. GN 5m/16 feet at ISO 100.
External Flash Dedicated hot shoe. No Prontor-Compur (PC) terminal; use the built-in flash to trigger your slaves or just use a hot-shoe adapter for corded sync.
Still Frame Rates & Buffer (Burst) SizesMechanical Shutter8 FPS: JPG: 90 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 18 frames, Uncompressed RAW: 18 frames. 5 FPS: JPG: 205 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 24 frames Uncompressed RAW: 19 frames. 4 FPS: JPG: 209 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 28 frames Uncompressed RAW: 20 frames. 3 FPS: JPG: 216 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 34 frames Uncompressed RAW: 21 frames.
Electronic Shutter20 FPS: JPG: 32 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 17 frames, Uncompressed RAW: 17 frames. 10 FPS: JPG: 81 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 18 frames, Uncompressed RAW: 18 frames.
Electronic Shutter, 1.25x crop30 FPS: JPG: 26 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 17 frames, Uncompressed RAW: 17 frames. 20 FPS: JPG: 53 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 17 frames, Uncompressed RAW: 17 frames. 10 FPS: JPG: 95 frames, Lossless compression RAW: 18 frames, Uncompressed RAW: 18 frames. Pre-shot: 30 FPS max. 10 frames while half press, max. 12 frames after full press, total max. 22 frames. Pre-shot: 20 FPS max. 10 frames while half press, max. 22 frames after full press, total max. 32 frames. Pre-shot: 10 FPS max. 10 frames while half press, max. 68 frames after full press, total max. 78 frames.
VideoFile Format.MOV holding MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video and 24 bits at 48 ksps PCM stereo audio.
Data Rates100 or 200 MBPS.
Video Frame Sizes and RatesDCI 4K (4,096 × 2,160): 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 200Mbps/100Mbps, up to 10 minute take length. 4K (3,840 × 2,160): 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 200Mbps/100Mbps up to 10 minute take length. 2,048 × 1,080: 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p at 200Mbps/100Mbps up to 15 minute take length. 1,920 × 1,080: 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p at 200Mbps/100Mbps up to 15 minute take length. 1,920 × 1,080 overcrank: 120p/100p at 200Mbps (recording) up to 6 minute take length. 4GB maximum file size; keeps making sequential files once a file hits 4GB for you to stitch together later.
AudioRecorded only along with video. Stereo microphones built in. Mic-in jack with plug-in power overrides built-in mic. No headphone jack, but you can use an adapter from the USB-C socket.
LCD MonitorFlipping LCD, Fujifilm X-T30. bigger. 3" (76mm) diagonal touch screen. 1,040,000 dots. 3:2 aspect ratio. Swivels up 100º and down 45º, but not left or right. No anti-smudge coating. No anti-reflection coating.
ConnectorsConnectors, Fujifilm X-T30. bigger. 2.5mm Mic or Remote input. HDMI micro D. USB-C, version 3.1 gen 1. No headphone jack, but use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter with audio ability and voilà, you've got a headphone jack in the USB-C Audio Adapter Accessory Mode.
WiFiIEEE802.11b/g/n infrastructure. WEP / WPA / WPA2 mixed mode. 2.412 ~ 2.462 GHz (11 channels). (2.412 ~ 2.472 GHz (13 channels) in Japan and China, only.)
Bluetooth Low Energyv4.2. 2.402 ~ 2.480 GHz.
StorageOne slot. Takes an SD (up to 2GB), SDHC (up to 32GB) or SDXC (up to 512GB) card.
QualityFujifilm X-T30. bigger. Made in China.
Power & BatteryRated 360 shots per charge without flash or 45 minutes of video shooting using the finder. With the LCD it's rated 380 shots, and in BOOST PERFORMANCE Mode it's rated 260 shots with the EVF and 300 with the LCD.
New NP-W126S Li-Ion battery. Same as used in the X-T3, X-100F and X-T2; it's a newer version of the NP-W126 used in the X-Pro1 and X-E1. 7.2V, 1,260 mAh. 1.4 × 1.9 × 0.6 inches. 36.4 × 47.1 × 15.7 millimeters. Rated 1.7 oz. (47g). ChargingIt charges via USB-C using any random cable and regular 5V USB source. There's an optional external charger you don't need unless you need to charge a second battery externally while the first charges in-camera: Optional Fujifilm BC-W126S External Battery Charger and plug. bigger.
Optional Fujifilm BC-W126S External Battery Charger and plug. bigger.
Size4.66 × 3.26 × 1.84 inches HWD. 118.4 × 82.8 × 46.8 millimeters HWD.
Weight13.390 oz. (379.6 g) with battery and card, actual measured weight, black. 13.385 oz. (379.4 g) with battery and card, actual measured weight, charcoal gray. Rated 13.5 oz. (383 g) with battery and card, 11.7 oz. (333 g) stripped.
EnvironmentOperating 0º ~ 40 º C (32 ~ 104º F). 10 to 80 % RH, non-condensing.
IncludedX-T30 body, body cap and strap. NP-W126S rechargeable Li-ion battery. USB-C cord for charging and AC-5VG AC-USB adapter. 2 metal strap clips (AKA split rings). 2 protective covers to prevent the rings from marring the body. Clip attaching tool. Printed owner's manual.
Announced14 February 2019.
Promised forLate March, 2019.
Fuji's Internal Product NumberFF180006.
Price, USAIt comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver.
April 2023About $750 used if you know How to Win at eBay. The new X-T30 Mark II sells for $899 new at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H.
January 2020 ~ November 2020$899 at Adorama, at Amazon and at B&H.
November 2019$799 at Adorama, at Amazon and at B&H. February ~ August 2019$899 at Adorama, at Amazon and at B&H.
Fujinon XF 50mm f/1 R WR dwarfing my X-T30. bigger.
UnboxingTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my X-T30 used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or consider the X-T30 Mark II new at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. It comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver. Box, Fujifilm X-T30. bigger. Fujifilm uses an unsealed microcorrugated cardboard box with formed pulp innards. The box is completely unsealed. Just like kids who lick ice cream and put it back in the store freezer or gargle with mouthwash and put it back on the store shelf, there is no way to know if anyone else has been fiddling with your camera, swapping parts and accessories, or even if it's a dropped, returned, damaged or used camera. Fuji does use a tamper sticker on the camera bag inside the box, but these are easy to put back so they don't show any tampering. This is why it's critical to buy only from an approved online source, since they ship from automated warehouses where no shifty salesmen or other customers ever getting to touch your new camera before it ships. While new $5 CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and bottles of milk and drinking water are sealed and quite obvious if anyone's opened them, paradoxically Fuji doesn't bother sealing its boxes, so your only insurance is to buy only from a trusted online dealer.
PerformanceTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide
Overall Autofocus Color Rendition Electronic Finder Ergonomics Exposure Flash High ISOs Auto ISO Auto White Balance Lens Corrections Mechanics Menus Rear LCD Playback Data Power & Battery Clock Accuracy
I'd get my X-T30 used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or consider the X-T30 Mark II new at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. It comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver.
OverallThe Fujifilm X-T30 is a brilliant little camera that makes great people pictures in any kind of light.
AutofocusAutofocus is fast for still shots, but it doesn't track moving objects anywhere near as fast as most Sony cameras do. I wouldn't get this for sports; autofocus can't keep up even if the frame rates are fast.
Color RenditionColor rendition is the same as other Fujifilm cameras. This means that in-camera JPGs tend towards muted colors and low contrast ideal for people pictures. Even set to COLOR +4 the colors are subdued; I had to add saturation in Photoshop for my sample images above of places and things. I'm not a fan of the film emulation and special picture modes; except for people pictures for which this camera excels I'm not happy with it for my style for nature, landscape, architecture and other genres as its JPGs are too subtle for me. If you shoot raw then color rendition depends on your choice of software. I don't bother with raw.
Electronic ViewfinderOddly while playback images are ultrasharp, live images as you're shooting aren't as sharp as I'd like them. Even the X-E3 has a sharper live image. This is due to how the images are processed electronically before they are presented to the finder, the finder screen itself is super sharp, but you'll only see this on playback. (The optics of this X-T30 are sharper than those in the X-E3, so menus and playback are sharper.) The finder is very good, sharp and bright, with pretty good automatic brightness control. While Sony does this better, this Fuji is way ahead of Nikon's or Canon's full-frame mirrorless which usually require manual finder brightness adjustment as yo move indoors or outdoors. The biggest gotcha with the X-T30's finder is that the brightness is set depending on what light is coming through the lens, so for instance if you point the camera down at a shadow while you're playing back outside, the finder gets too dark. You have to be conscious of where you're pointing it to get the finder brightness right.
ErgonomicsSpeeding Kills Bears, Yosemite National Park, California, 4:45 P.M., 19 October 2019. Fujifilm X-T30, built-in flash ON, Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 at 18mm at f/16 hand-held at 1/15 at Auto ISO 320 (LV 10.3), Auto Dynamic Range 200%. bigger. I love my X-T30: I knew that all I had to do was pop-up its built-in flash and it would light-up the retroreflective sign, and without taking my eye off the subject I could flick the shutter-speed dial (both so sorely missing on the GFX 100) down to 1/15 for great motion blur and the rest would all fall into place so I could concentrate on what was driving by.
GoodThis jewel of a little camera is loaded with clearly engraved dials for many functions like advance mode, shutter speed and exposure compensation. It also has a switch for AF mode and levers for other single functions, making these items much easier to set than on other brands of camera which more often force these settings into unnamed dials and function buttons. It handles well, even with gloves, except for the touch screen which would need screen-compatible gloves. The full-function touch screen makes it easy to set menus and enter text. The X-T30 has a nice little spring-loaded connector door that flips open or closes easily that's a huge advantage over the crappy plastic flaps that fall off of Nikon, Sony and Canon's mirrorless cameras. It's easier to use the X-T30's ISO button than it is to use the defective ISO dials on other Fujifilm cameras. Sadly Fujifilm's ISO dials skip a couple of values, and demand you go back into much more complex menus to program which values you want to assign to the H and L settings of those dial — while it's easy to set any ISO value with the X-T30's button (You can assign which button is ISO at MENU > WRENCH > BUTTON/DIAL SETTING > Fn/AE-L/AF-L BUTTON SETTING > (your choice of Fn button) > ISO. Manual shutter speeds set directly to 15 minutes.
BadThe PLAY and TRASH buttons are on the wrong (left) side, so they take a second hand to use them. The battery and card door is next to the tripod socket on the bottom, so you can't get your card or battery out while on a tripod. The card and battery door lacks a spring catch, so you have to remember to lock the catch manually any time you want the door to stay closed. The card is right by the door hinge so it's difficult to grab. I usually press it in and let it shoot across the room to get it out. The menu system is horrible. See its own section below. Once you get your menus and camera set as you want it it shoots fast due to all the dials, but unless you use your camera often you'll forget where to find things. This is a frustrating camera to set up unless you're both patient and talented. Most users will never figure out how to use most of the glitzier features, and heaven help you if you only use it once a month.
ExposureLike most mirrorless cameras, exposure is almost always perfect.
FlashSofie and Zoey in Christmas Sweaters, 7:41AM, 16 December 2019. Fuji X-T30, built-in flash ON, Fujinon 18-55mm f/2.8-4 at 50mm at f/4 at 1/75 at Auto ISO 5,000. bigger or full-resolution. I love how the built-in flash always balances so well for fill-flash in every light. In this case my X-T30 is smart enough to crank up its Auto ISO to capture the ambient light and balance the flash just enough to keep catchlights in their eyes.
Photographing the Half Dome along the Banks of the Merced River, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California, 6:19 P.M., 19 October 2019. Fujifilm X-T30, built-in flash ON, Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 at 18mm at f/5.6 at 1/60 at Auto ISO 2,500, -2 stops exposure compensation (LV 6.4). bigger. My X-T30's built-in flash works brilliantly to illuminate the others who otherwise would have been nothing but black shadows. The -2 stops exposure compensation brought down the brightness of the Half Dome and let the flash light the foreground.
High ISO PerformanceHigh ISO performance is superb. Images are quite usable even at the insanely high ISO of 51,200!
Complete ImagesWhen printed or displayed at reasonable size as I'm showing below, images from the X-T30 look the same at any ISO from ISO 80 up to ISO 12,800, and the only thing that changes at ISO 25,600 (H) is a slight red shift and just a little bit of blotchiness at ISO 51,200 (H). Therefore use whatever ISO you need if you need it to get a sharp photo. Click any for the camera-original © file: Click any for the camera-original © file.
600 × 450 Pixel Crops from AboveThe real differences between the various ISOs is most visible when enlarged greatly as I show below. If these 600 × 450 pixel crops are about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same high magnification would be about 21 × 31" (1.7 × 2.6 feet or 50 × 80 cm). If these 600 × 450 pixel crops are about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 42 × 62" (3.5 × 5.2 feet or 1.05 × 1.6 meters). If these 600 × 450 pixel crops are about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same insane magnification would be about 83 × 125" (6.9 × 10.4 feet or 2.1 × 3.2 meters). As you'll see, they are sharpest at ISO 80 and become progressively softer at higher ISOs. All digital cameras do this due to their noise reduction; this is normal. The images seem just about unchanged up to ISO 1,600, which is excellent, and get a little softer starting at ISO 3,200, above this they get softer and softer. ISO 12,800 gets just a little noisier, and ISO 25,600 and 51,200 are noisier still and get rattier, but still quite usable. Click any for the camera-original © file: Click any for the camera-original © file. If these 600 × 450 pixel crops are about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same high magnification would be about 21 × 31" (1.7 × 2.6 feet or 50 × 80 cm). If these 600 × 450 pixel crops are about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 42 × 62" (3.5 × 5.2 feet or 1.05 × 1.6 meters). If these 600 × 450 pixel crops are about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same insane magnification would be about 83 × 125" (6.9 × 10.4 feet or 2.1 × 3.2 meters).
Auto ISOAuto ISO works well and is very flexible, with high and low ISO limits programmable, as well as minimum shutter speed. Base (default or minimum ISO) is set from ISO 160 to 12,800 in third stops. Max ISO is set in full stops from ISO 400 to ISO 12,800. Minimum shutter speed is set in full stops from 1/4 to 1/30 and in third stops from 1/30 to 1/500. There is an AUTO setting for minimum shutter speed, but sadly you can't shift this value from its default.
Auto White BalanceAuto White Balance is great, even shot in nasty mixed light it always seems to do the best job possible. It's helped by Fujifilm's low contrast images which tend to downplay any color nastiness.
Lens CorrectionsLens corrections are all put in a "LENS MODULATION OPTIMIZER" option set at MENU > I.Q. > LENS MODULATION OPTIMIZER. I see no separate options for falloff, distortion, diffraction etc.; they're either all ON or all OFF.
MenusThe menu system is horrible. All Fuji cameras take longer than they should to find and set menu items, and even if you find the right item, you might not recognize it. The menu system always opens at the top item, not where you last left off. For instance, Card Format is buried at MENU > Wrench > User Setting > Format, and it took me years on other Fujifilm cameras to discover that to get live color RGB histograms before you take a picture you have to do it by assigning one of the custom keys to Histogram and then press it — and no one at Fujifilm knew that (see my User's Guide). If you have the camera set in one of many ways in which flash won't fire (like Silent Shutter), the flash option simply disappears and makes you have to guess what to do to get flash going — and this goes on and on. Geesh! Fuji's menus are the worst in the industry, disorganized and with cryptic names. This is the weakest thing about Fuji's cameras. It's a bear trudging through all the menus, sorry. Everything looks the same: Fuji X-T30 Menu Tabs. Click any to enlarge. All are actual photos of the rear LCD shown here at lower resolution. These are devoid of color, so it's nearly impossible to have any clue where to find an item the next time we need it. You can't hit MENU again to get out of the menus to shoot, press the shutter or hit the BACK (not MENU) button. MENU always starts back at the top, unless you have a MY MENU set at MENU > WRENCH > USER > MY MENU > ADD. See the OM SYSTEM OM-1's Menu Tabs for an example of how menus should look. Since every section is well laid out and color-coded, it's easy to find things the first time and then remeber them by color to find faster next time.
Mechanical QualityThe X-T30 is made better than most mirrorless cameras, with lots of metal:
MetalStrap lugs, top left cover, advance mode dial, shutter speed dial, power switch, shutter release button, exposure compensation dial, right top cover, lens mount, LCD panel flip linkage, camera bottom cover and tripod socket.
PlasticFlash pop-up lever, buttons, front and rear unmarked control dials, top center cover (which is the pop-up flash), LCD frame and cover, front focus mode lever and battery door.
RubberTextured grip covers.
MarkingsAbout 60% engraved and filled with paint, and about 40% just printed.
IdentityEngraved and filled with paint on front of top cover. Printed on sticker on bottom.
Serial NumberPrinted on a sticker glued on the bottom.
Made inChina.
Rear LCD MonitorThe rear LCD has no automatic brightness control, so it's dim in daylight unless you turn it up manually. It swivels up and down, but can't twist 180º for self-portraits.
PlaybackWhile images swap from one to another instantly, they first display as a slightly fuzzy preview for a half a second before popping-in sharp a moment later. This isn't instant, but it is three times faster than the $10,000 GFX100! Very oddly one can only click up to change to a different kind of page view (picture only, picture with data, detailed data, etc.). Clicking the nubbin down is simply ignored. "Autorotate Playback" (MENU > WRENCH > SCREEN SET-UP (page 2/3) > AUTOROTATE PB) isn’t; it just rotates vertical shots that then take up only half of the screen. The X-T30 isn't as smart as an iPhone and won't rotate playback images as you rotate the camera. Playback scrolling around a zoomed image isn't as fast as I'd like it, but it's still much faster than the GFX 100.
DataSadly cards are not properly titled. They are titled as "Untitled,” making them easy to confuse in your computer's finder when trying to figure out what is what. They should be titled "FUJIXT30," but they aren't. The good news is that there's only a DCIM folder on the card, not all the other garbage folders some makers like Sony throw on there.
Power & BatteryThere is no spring-loading on the battery door catch. You have to pay attention and carefully slide it to lock it each time, otherwise it flops open. It's easy to charge with any generic USB-C cable (I get mine at the 99¢ store) from any regular 5V USB-A socket. It draws 2.4W (474mA) while charging over USB-C from a 5V USB-A source with a cheap or other USB-A to USB-C cable. It continues to draw 35mA (175 mW) even after it's done charging. It charges much faster from a dedicated PD (Power Delivery) USB-C charger. With a USB-PD charger it charges at 6.8W (1.44A at 4.75V) to 7.0W (1.44A at 4.83V), which charges from 0% to 70% in about 45 minutes and to 85% in about an hour. When done, it continues to draw 228 mW (45 mA at 5.06V).
Clock AccuracyEvery sample is different, but my sample lost 5 seconds per month (164ms/day) when new, and lost about 5 minutes in the year between April 2022 and April 2023. Oddly I can't seem to figure out what resets the seconds to zero when setting, so good luck. This matters when you shoot multiple cameras (or this camera and an iPhone) and then sort all the images based on capture time to compare the similar views of each scene.
ComparedTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my X-T30 used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or consider the X-T30 Mark II new at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. It comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver.
Versus FujifilmSee All Fujifilm Cameras Compared.
Versus SonySony cameras have better color rendition for most subjects other than people when shot as JPG, but for people pictures Fujifilm cameras are unbeaten. Sony's cameras have much better and faster tracking autofocus. I can use many of Sony's cameras for sports and action, but the X-T30 just can't track fast enough. The X-T30 handles much better than Sony's cameras. While both have equally awful menu systems, the X-T30 excels with real dials while most Sony cameras leave you fiddling with unmarked general-purpose command dials and buttons to do the same thing.
Versus Full-Frame DSLRs and 35mm SLRsIf you're an experienced photographer you'll giggle when you pick up this little Fujifilm camera. It looks like a miniature 35mm SLR, with every dimension only about 3/4 of a 35mm DSLR's: Fujifilm X-T30 and Nikon F2AS 35mm SLR. bigger.
User's GuideTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide
I'd get my X-T30 used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or consider the X-T30 Mark II new at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. It comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver.
See also Fujifilm's X-T30 owner's manual.
Touch Screen Settings
Strap and ClipsForget Fujifilm's cockamamie split rings and oddball tools you need to attach them. I use LEICA's brilliant original 14312 strap (the same one included with their immortal $8,000 cameras) which attaches immediately without needing any tools and doesn't need any guards or fiddling to avoid damaging your finish. LEICA's strap is also ultra-comfortable and just the right weight for this lightweight camera.
ChargingJust plug it into any USB port with any random USB-C cable. A green LED on the back means it's charging. It goes out when done.
Card & Battery DoorThe card and battery door lacks a spring catch, so you have to remember to lock the catch manually any time you want the door to stay closed.
MenusFuji X-T30 Menu Tabs. Click any to enlarge. All are actual photos of the rear LCD shown here at lower resolution. These are devoid of color, so it's nearly impossible to have any clue where to find an item the next time we need it. Fuji's menus are the worst in the industry, disorgnainzed and with cryptic names. This is the weakest thing about Fuji's cameras. It's a bear trudging through all the menus, sorry. You can't hit MENU again to get out of the menus to shoot, press the shutter or hit the BACK (not MENU) button. MENU always starts back at the top, unless you have a MY MENU set at MENU > WRENCH > USER > MY MENU > ADD.
Programming Fn ButtonsYou can set this in the menus the hard way, or just hold DISP/BACK a few seconds, and BINGO!, you'll be right where you can set them all!
Front DialPress-in the front dial to change its function. You can set what functions it controls at MENU > WRENCH > BUTTON/DIAL SETTING > COMMAND DIAL SETTING.
Exposure ModesFujifilm does this much better than other cameras. There is no need for an exposure mode switch or button; all you do is set either of the lens aperture ring and/or shutter speed dial to A and then the camera sets that automatically (set shutter to A for aperture-priority or aperture ring to A for shutter-priority). If you want Program mode, set both to A. Easy!
AutofocusThe AF-S/AF-C/MF switch is on the front of the camera; it's not on your lens or in the menus, Hallelujah! Autofocus tracking is slow; while it has fast frame rates for subjects that hold still, this is not a good camera for sports or action. The best settings to try for sports and action AF tracking are AF-C with wide/tracking. Also try AFC custom settings for speed, and try a faster-focussing lens: the 18-55mm is good, the 15-45mm isn't as good. The nubbin can't select AF areas in the WIDE/TRACKING mode. You have to manually go into a more restricted AF-area mode to be able to select areas.
Face DetectionYou have to enable face detection manually at MENU > AF/MF(page 2 of 3) > FACE/EYE DETECTION SETTING > FACE DETECTION ON. The default is off. FACE DETECT can't be overridden by moving an AF point, even if it's WRONG and locks-on to something stupid. If this happens and you can't focus on what you need to, turn it off. If this happens a lot, set an Fn button to allow fast switching of FACE DETECT ON and OFF. FlashSlow sync and rear-curtain modes are set at MENU > FLASH BOLT ICON > FLASH FUNCTION SETTING > SYNC. Flash exposure compensation is also set there. If you have flicker reduction or the silent electronic shutter activated (or possibly in other modes as well), the flash simply won't turn on. and the camera won't tell you why. Sorry; it simply expects you to guess what you need to deactivate so flash can work.
Live Color RGB Histograms as you shootYou can see live color RGB histograms before you press the shutter (something neither Sony nor Nikon can do except in playback when it's too late), but you have to activate this by programing an Fn button to call-up the color histogram. You set this by holding DISP/BACK a few seconds (or the hard way at MENU > WRENCH > BUTTON/DIAL SETTING > FUNCTION (Fn) SETTING), and then programming a function button (or touch-screen swipe) of your choice to HISTOGRAM. Now press that button to show the color histogram as you shoot.
Warm/Cool Tone B&W ImagesThis lets your as-shot B&W images be toned warmer or cooler, instead of just being neutral gray. First choose a B&W option in the Film Simulation menus: MENU > I.Q. > FILM SIMULATION > and choose any of the many B&W options. Now choose how warm or cool you'd like them at MENU > I.Q. > B&W ADJUST WARM/COOL.
Image Review (showing the just-shot image)Turn this on at MENU > WRENCH > SCREEN SET-UP > IMAGE DISP. > choose display time, or CONT leaves the just-shot image up until you press another button. IMAGE DISP only works in the finder with Eye Control ON, otherwise it only shows on the rear LCD.
2-Axis Level DisplayTo get a great 2-axis level display you first assign this to your choice of button (MENU > WRENCH > BUTTON/DIAL SETTING > FUNCTION (Fn) SETTING > Fn 1 > ELECTRONIC LEVEL) and then pressing that button to see it.
Battery Percentage ReadoutThere is a percentage indication, but it is very well hidden. The only way to see it is only on the rear LCD, only when the camera is ready to shoot (not on playback and not in menus), and only in the one data screen that comes up as you press DISP BACK to change the screen functions. If you can get the percentage to display, it will be in the top right of that screen.
RecommendationsTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide This is my favorite Fujifilm interchangeable-lens camera because it's small, light, inexpensive and has very high performance along with a built-in flash lacking in the bigger, heavier and more expensive X-T3. See also All Fujifilm Cameras Compared. If you don't already have lenses, I'd get it with the excellent 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens as a kit. This is a great little camera for travel and people pictures if you need interchangeable or zoom lenses. Personally I carry the Fujifilm X100F, which is even smaller and lighter with its included fixed lens. This is a superior camera for people and group photos due to its magnificent flesh tone rendition, however this doesn't play as well for nature and landscape photos where you'll want more vivid colors. Likewise this and most of Fujifilm's cameras are bad for shooting sports because while they have very high frame rates for things that hold still, they can't track moving object very well. Use LEICA's brilliant original 14312 strap, which attaches and works much better than the crazy system Fujifilm includes. I'd get my X-T30 used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or consider the X-T30 Mark II new at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H. It comes in black as shown, as well as in silver and in charcoal silver. This 100% all-content website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Fujifilm does not seal its boxes, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used camera. Fujifilm puts a seal on the bag inside the box, but it's easy to get the camera out, play with it, and then restick the sticker so no one knows it's a used camera. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
More InformationTop Sample Images Intro Specs Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide
Fujifilm's X-T30 owner's manual. Fujifilm's X-T30 Press Release, 14 February 2019.
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25 Apr 2023 menus, power drain while charging USB-C & prices, 04 November 2022, 12 April 2022, 24, 27 Oct 2020, 23 Jan 2020, 15 Dec 2019, 14 Nov 2019, August 2019, 03-04 April 2019, 26-31 March 2019