FUJIFILM X-T30
The X-T30 may not sit at the top of the X-series range, but it’s a fine all-rounder
The X-T30 beats the others for battery life, albeit by a slim margin
For most people, the first image that springs to mind when they think of a mirrorless camera is the Fujifilm X-series model. The X-T30 is a prime example of the breed, with its classic camera looks delivering instant visual appeal, while also providing great ergonomics. Those old-school dials festooning the top panel enable instant access to the camera’s shooting modes, as well as more advanced settings like shutter speed and exposure compensation. Stick the camera in Auto mode and you may never need them, but if you want to get creative with your shots, the X-T30 is a great camera for learning the ropes.
Beneath the retro aesthetic is seriously cutting-edge tech. Fujifilm’s flagship X-T3 may have slightly quicker continuous shooting and can capture 4K video at a faster frame rate, but the X-T30’s advanced 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans sensor and latest-generation X-Processor Pro 4 image processor still enable high bitrate 4K video recording at 30fps, as well as a respectable 8fps continuous stills capture.
Autofocusing is just as impressive, thanks to an incredible 2.16-million individual AF points that cover the entire image frame, backed up by very effective automatic face and eye-detection algorithms. The only downside to having so many options on offer is that you
need time to learn how to get the most from the X-T30. Fortunately, the menu interface is clear and intuitive, and there are options for no-fuss image filters, including many that emulate Fujifilm’s classic colour and black and white film looks from yesteryear.
What has really earned the X-series cameras their reputation? Core image quality, and here the X-T30 excels. Its X-Trans image sensor uses a fundamentally different design to regular digital camera sensors and it results in an increase in dynamic range. Move to a dimly lit setting and you’ll also be amazed at how little grain is visible in high ISO shots, while the 26.1-megapixels on tap ensure plenty of fine detail is always captured.
The X-T30 also beats the mirrorless competition for battery life, albeit by a slim margin. It’s capable of 380 shots per charge, the Sony a6400 trails by 20 shots, and the battery in the bijou Olympus only manages 330 shots. However, it’s worth noting that if you need maximum staying power, a DSLR camera – even a small, entry-level model – can easily last twice as long as the X-T30.