The flood of cameras in the segment up to €1,000 offers a multitude of options to the average demanding hobbyist photographer or videographer. But there are rarely products in this segment that reach much higher with their features and behave like professional equipment, which can easily replace several times more expensive video and photo capture devices. I've been testing the Fujifilm X-T30 for the past five months and found that it's basically everything I need. A real little Swiss army knife. At the same time, it is one of the cameras that looks so unbelievably sexy with its design that it is a pleasure to carry it with you.
Perhaps at the beginning to the very basics. Fujifilm X-T30 is a "derivative" of one of the most popular cameras of the moment, Fujifilm X-T3. This means that it offers practicality for a much lower price identical guts, therefore same sensor with 26 MP and the same processor processing. The recipe is really simple - the task of the engineers was to reduce the size of the camera X-T3 and offer practically all the features in a convenient package, at a much lower price. In my eyes, the deciding factor is the size itself, because personally I always want as much as possible more capable equipment in as small and convenient a format as possible! Strategy Fujifilm is simply genius in this model and this was also recognized by the customers, since the predecessor of the X-T30, i.e. the X-T20, was already the best-selling camera of this company. The right recipes really shouldn't be changed, but they should be fine-tuned. And that at Fujifilm they do it with excellence, because in recent years they listen to users and make better products from generation to generation.
With the price for the case, which is €849.00, it is X-T30 right now *650,00 € cheaper than X-T3 (*depends on dealer) and much more than new X-T4, with which it also shares quite a few common features. Considering that many rated the camera X-T3 as the best camera Fujifilm so far, this is a very good starting point. So let's take a quick look at the guts. X-T30 it has a sensor APS-C with 26.1 million pixels and photo processing power, fast shooting and a full suite of film simulations that require little retouching. It's after that Fujifilm known since the days of classic cinema, with the so-called characteristic color effects of Provia, Eterna and others. The X-T30 captures extremely good video in 4K without any problems, and it is helped in this by an outstanding AF system with a total of 425 points that covers the entire spectrum or frame. In fact, in some ways, the X-T30 actually provides better autofocus accuracy compared to the X-T3, which personally surprised me tremendously. So it detects faces better than X-T3 and tracks objects better. It is Fujifilm known for frequently updating their camera software, thus constantly upgrading and improving their cameras. I have been many times very surprised, how the update affects the quality of operation, which with the new version improves hypoma.
I use both cameras in my work, so X-T30 like X-T3 and the funny thing is that I often find myself automatically reaching for a smaller and more convenient one that reacts extremely well or even better in certain situations. It excites me fully automatic system, with which the camera very rarely makes mistakes and enables "amateurs" to take good photos even in poor lighting conditions. That is, when you don't have time for settings and you just have to "click". Basically, I always have my camera set to automatic. Which is "blasphemy" for many, but in the fast-paced world we live in, the so-called safety net is really convenient. But it's true that no one buys a Fujifilm camera because of the automatic, but precisely because it is so phenomenally good in manual mode.
Fujifilm of course couldn't offer an identical camera for much less, so you'll have to give up certain little things like the better weather sealing it has X-T3. It is also slightly worse electronic viewfinder, but there are also some technical details missing when recording. But nothing that would excessively hinder you or reduce the functionality of the camera. X-T30 it also has one less button, which is replaced by function keys and combinations of convenient sliders. Still, this is a camera for all of you fans of manual settings, because both time and "aperture" (aperture) are the same as in good ones old times, always at hand.
Japanese design - always great
Like designer I also have to limit myself to the design of the camera, which is definitely an extremely important segment for me. Here Fujifilm it shines with its retro approach and successfully combines classic elegance with modern technology. This camera will simply remain a beautiful and good industrial product. Just look at her. It could take years to make 1940 or years 2020. And that's what I really like. Fujifilm is the manufacturer that has committed itself to the most classic management of the basic functions of the cameras, while retaining the classic retro design, which it decently and carefully improves with modern accessories. Products where all functions can be operated only with buttons and levers are rare. There are too many people who try to reinvent things over and over again, but in the process forget that the classic, for photographers also the most useful. This is simply priceless for all of us who still remember the era of non-digital photography. Fujifilm simply shines here. Personally, as I pointed out earlier, I tend to go for products that are smaller in size. Partly because I carry the camera with me most of the time and so I want a "small package" that gets in the way as little as possible. Mine X-T30 it only weighs so much 382 grams, which is compared to 540 grams model X-T3 considerable difference. This is especially noticeable in scenarios when you go to the highlands or take an afternoon walk around Ljubljana. That's when it's important that the camera is part of your outfit, but at the same time a weapon for hunting subjects. In a way, every gram counts!
X-T30 it is really small in terms of dimensions and may even be a bit too small in big men's hands. But there are a lot of extras, so handles, extensions, with which you can immediately make the device more suitable or more personalized for your hands. I'll list some of these accessories in the links below this write-up as an idea for a convenient or fashionable upgrade to your purchase.
Video is his forte
As for the photo s Fujifilm you really won't go wrong. But it's good to know that he has X-T30 also outstanding video capabilities comparable to X-T3. The latter positively surprised many experts in the field of video. As already mentioned, you can record video in 4K, but there is a recording time limit of 10 minutes. I assume that overheating can happen in such a small "body" of the device, although I myself never had the feeling that X-T30 became hot when recording in mode 4K. There are a lot of recording modes. Personally, I lean towards the classic FHD 16:9 format, where I choose a slightly higher video capture bitrate for more information (200 Mbps), Provia film simulation and the DR200 dynamic range. The settings are really huge and it will take you quite some time to figure out the one that will work best for your style. But when you find the right settings, you will get extremely good video products from 1080p video, which will surprise you again and again with the quality of the image. Therefore, recording in 4K is practically nonsense, as post-production is still too demanding. Video format 1080p but with the X-T30 it's easy between the best. Here, I should point out that Fujifilm has also put a lot of emphasis on "slow motion" recordings, which will conjure up a truly cinematic atmosphere and you will be able to capture it at up to 120 fps at 1080p. Because it's a camera Fujifilm X-T30 light and small, it is also my first choice for slow-motion b-roll shots, which, precisely because of the above-mentioned characteristics, I often do handheld. There are quite a few choices for slow motion - there is a special menu dedicated to this type of recording.
Autofocus is also important when creating videos, which is good to the extent that I don't have to worry about not being in focus when taking vlogger selfies. The camera does not have a so-called "flip" screen, which has its disadvantages in such scenarios. And also pluses. Namely, I got used to looking at the lens and not at the screen next to the lens, which in a way greatly improves my communication with the camera and the audience. This is where the excellent facial recognition, which works well, somehow helps me. I can also praise the sound of the camera, which is perfectly captured from external sources via the otherwise somewhat specific 2.5 mm input, for which an adapter to the classic 3.5 mm is required. Otherwise, the sensor The X-T30 is not stabilized, so you'll definitely need to reach for a stabilized lens for handheld shots. Fujifilm really has a lot of these, so there won't be any problems with this. I myself use four mid-range lenses and am very happy with the results. I advise or strongly recommend the purchase of the Fujinon 15-55mm 1:2.8-4 OIS, which you can also buy with the X-T30 as a kit or as a kit, and it is an absolutely excellent kit lens.
My journey with Fujifilm cameras is just getting started. I am alone for an amateur, who often "falls down" because of his passion. That's why I will Fujifilm quality cover and tried to bring his philosophy to you through his own eyes. Of course, through daily "abuse" and use. Many of you have already responded here and also noticed that the quality of the picture my vlogs recently at a rather high level. The secret is quite simple - Fujifilm.
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