Fujifilm X-T30 Mark II
Fujifilm’s new X-T30 Mark II is the update to the X-T30, with some subtle updates, so let’s dig deep to find out what’s new. Joshua Waller puts it to the test
The X-T30 II is an update to what was previously Fujifilm’s most popular X-series camera, the X-T30. More recently, Fujifilm released the X-S10, which features a more DSLR-like design, as well as built in in-body image stabilisation (IBIS). But at just under £1,000, should you be looking at the X-S10; or for under £800, does the X-T30 II still warrant the love the X-T30 found?
While the X-T30 was released in 2019 for £849 body only, the X-T30 II boasts an improved specification for just £769. This makes it very competitively priced considering what is on offer.
You get the same 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor as used in the flagship X-T4, which is roughly twice the price, as well as the same image processor. The X-T30 II also features 4K CINE video recording, a 3in, 1.62-million-dot screen, and an electronic viewfinder. Fujifilm says that buying this camera gives you the same image quality as the X-T4, but the X-T30 II does without higher-end features such as weather-sealing and IBIS.
However, rather than focus on the differences between the X-T4 and X-T30 II, we thought it’d be better to look at the differences compared to the original X-T30. New to the X-T30 II are a higher-resolution 1.62m-dot 3in touchscreen; Classic Neg and Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation modes; an improved multi-exposure mode with up to 9 shots; high-speed video recording (Full HD, 240fps), the improved autofocus system from the X-T4, increased buffer memory, and a refreshed menu system that splits stills and movie settings.
Features
At the heart of the X-T30 II you’ll find the 26.1MP X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor, which features a BSI (backside illuminated) design, as well as the X-Trans colour filter array. Both are designed to give improved noise performance compared to non-BSI sensors, and the traditional Bayer sensor. The ISO range runs from 80 (Low), up to 51,200 (Extended).
One thing that this does mean is that not every photo-editing package can support the camera’s raw files. However, this shouldn’t cause too much concern, as the camera features built-in raw editing, so you can quickly process raw files in the camera if needed. Being a Fujifilm camera, it features all of the same film simulation filters as other X-series models.
With the same sensor and image processing as the X-T4 you also benefit from the same high-speed shooting. This means up to 30fps continuous shooting using the electronic shutter, albeit with a 1.25x crop that gives a 16.6MP resolution image. Drop down to 20fps and you get to shoot at the full 26.1MP. If you’re using the mechanical shutter then you can shoot at up to 8fps.
As in-body stabilisation isn’t included, you’ll probably want to pair the camera with an optically stabilised lens, such as the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 OIS. Fujifilm offers a good range of 40+ X-mount lenses, including both premium (XF), and affordable (XC) optics. Compared to other mirrorless systems, such as Micro Four Thirds or Sony’s E-mount, there is currently less third-party support, with just a few lenses from the likes of Tamron, Samyang and Zeiss.
As well as an abundance of manual controls that you can access directly, including shutter speed, exposure compensation, and with an XF lens, aperture, you can also use the camera in a full automatic mode via the Auto switch on the top panel. This makes it easy for anyone to use the camera, and can be a quick solution if you’ve accidentally got the settings wrong but still need to take a shot.
Face and eye detection autofocus is included, with the option to give the left or right eye priority, or allow the camera to select automatically. AF points can be selected from a wide area of the screen, with 117/425 AF points available from the camera’s on-sensor phase detection system.
Exposures can be set as long as 15 minutes, or as fast as 1/32,000sec with the electronic shutter enabled. The maximum speed available using the mechanical shutter is 1/4000sec, while bulb mode will let you extend the longest exposure up to 60 minutes.
On the top left drive mode dial, you’ll find a panoramic mode, multiple-exposure, Advanced filters, as well as the continuous shooting drive modes, and the video mode. Bracketing options include AE, ISO, Film simulation, White balance, Dynamic range and Focus bracketing. In the menus you can add additional effects, including a grain effect (giving film-like grain), a Colour Chrome effect, and Colour Chrome FX blue (off/on).
The monochrome filters let you add a Yellow, Red or Green filter, like you would when
shooting with black & white film. With all of the different film effects and colour options you can shoot both JPEG and raw, meaning that if you don’t like the colour tone in the JPEG you can always go back to the raw file and re-process the image to get a different look.
Video recording includes high-speed video at up to 240fps at Full HD resolution, up to 60fps with normal FullHD video, and up to 30fps when recording Cine or UHD 4K video. There’s also support for clean HDMI output. However stabilisation is only available when using a lens with optical stabilisation, as there’s no digital stabilisation option.
Videographers might be interested to know that there’s a mini 2.5mm microphone socket on the side. If you want to use headphones to monitor audio, you can use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
Build and handling
If you’ve used the original X-T30, then the X-T30 II should feel immediately familiar to you. However you’ll find the X-T30 II benefits from updated menus, and this means that you get stills or video optimised menu options, depending which mode you’re in.
Build quality is good with a mix of metal and plastic construction. Whilst the build quality doesn’t match the X-T3 or X-T4, which benefit from weather-sealing, the build quality of the X-T30 II is certainly very good for the price, with the camera feeling solid and well made.
The Q-button is positioned on the rear thumb grip, which makes it incredibly easy to press accidentally, bringing up the Quick Control panel unnecessarily. This ended up being quite frustrating. It just seems badly placed, especially as you need to loosen your grip on the camera to reach it with your thumb. This is particularly noticeable if you’re using the camera with one hand, but is less of an issue when holding it with two hands.
Perhaps people with smaller hands and therefore smaller thumbs may not suffer from this problem so much. You can also switch this button off, or change its function. So if this is an issue for you, you can switch off the Q-button and then set the Fn button to access the Quick menu instead.
The front and rear grips provide a good level of ‘stick’ with a soft rubber covering, but if they feel a little too small, then you can add an optional grip extension.
The front and rear command dials can be pressed in to access additional controls and functions, with the front switching between changing the ISO speed or the aperture, and the rear being used to show a magnified view (on default settings). I found myself pressing them accidentally, but you can disable these to avoid accidental camera settings if this is an issue. The top-plate dials are also easy to turn accidentally, including the drive mode dial on the left and the exposure compensation dial. So care needs to be taken when taking the camera in and out of bags.
There are four touchscreen swipe functions available, and these too can be customised or disabled. You can also customise the View mode, AEL and AFL buttons so that you can set them up to quickly give you access to your favourite settings.
The shutter button is threaded to use a cable release, however we expect most people will prefer to use this to customise the button. While it has a good feel, it could easily be considered small in comparison to other cameras.
The NP-W126S battery is charged in-camera using the provided USB-C cable. Battery life is rated at a respectable 390 shots, or 45 minutes of video recording. If necessary, you can power the camera via USB-C whilst shooting.
There is no dedicated battery charger, but these can be picked up relatively cheaply if you want to charge a second battery outside the camera. Backwards compatibility is something worth mentioning, as the X-T30 II will accept the same battery as other Fujifilm cameras.
Menus are colour coded with red for photo/video settings, setup in blue, MyMenu in purple, and playback in blue. Some parts
of the menu system include additional help and information, and the film simulations have additional details, which are accessed by simply pressing the Q button when selecting the film simulation.
To add items into the MyMenu section for quicker access, you have to go into the Setup menus, then User settings, then MyMenu settings, then you’ll find ‘add items’. It would have been much quicker and easier if Fujifilm had added a shortcut to add items direct from the MyMenu screen. Once you do set up the MyMenu options, the camera will take you directly to MyMenu whenever you press the Menu button, rather than the last place you were in the menus, which you might find frustrating.
The Q (Quick) menu gives you speedy access to a wide number of common settings, and these can be customised so that you can put your most used settings here if you don’t like the default options.
Despite being the entry-level camera in the range, there appear to be few limitations in video recording quality, with both 4K Cine and UHD options available as well as a good range of frame rates and compression options. You can record up to 30 minutes at a time. Full HD video lets you record at frame rates up to 60fps, while highspeed full HD video offers frame rates up to 240fps, but with a crop and without audio.
There are far more video options available than you might be expecting for an entry-level camera – including Zebra display, microphone level settings, F-log recording, tally light options, interframe NR, plus time code settings.
If you do plan on changing batteries, then the tripod socket position could cause problems when using the camera on a tripod. However, you could solve this by using power over USB.
Video quality is very good, with plenty of detail, and with an optically stabilised lens, handheld video can be quite stable. The only thing to be aware of is wind noise, which can be a problem when using the internal microphones, even with wind reduction switched on. The autofocus is quite reliable, although your results are likely to vary depending on what lens you’re using.
Viewfinder and screen
There’s a 3in tilting touchscreen, updated since the X-T30 with a higher resolution of 1.62m-dot. It looks great, with excellent colour reproduction. There’s an electronic level available, that can be switched on in the menus, however it isn’t dual-axis. The screen can’t be tilted far enough to be used for vlogging or as a selfie screen.
The electronic viewfinder (EVF) hasn’t changed since