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Fujifilm X-T30 vs X-E3

The Fujifilm X-T30 and the Fujifilm X-E3 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2019 and September 2017. Both the X-T30 and the X-E3 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The X-T30 has a resolution of 26 megapixels, whereas the X-E3 provides 24 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm X-T30
versus
Fujifilm X-E3
Fujifilm X-T30   Fujifilm X-E3
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm X mount lenses Fujifilm X mount lenses
26 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/30p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 160-12,800 (80 - 51,200) ISO 200-12,800 (100 - 51,200)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots) Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Tilting touchscreen Fixed touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second 8 shutter flaps per second
380 shots per battery charge350 shots per battery charge
118 x 83 x 47 mm, 383 g 121 x 74 x 43 mm, 337 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-T30 and the Fujifilm X-E3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-T30 and the Fujifilm X-E3 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver).

Size Fujifilm X-T30 vs Fujifilm X-E3
Compare X-T30 versus X-E3 top
Comparison X-T30 or X-E3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm X-E3 is notably smaller (9 percent) than the Fujifilm X-T30. Moreover, the X-E3 is markedly lighter (12 percent) than the X-T30. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X-T30 nor the X-E3 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 118 mm 83 mm 47 mm 383 g 380 n Feb 2019 899ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E3 121 mm 74 mm 43 mm 337 g 350 n Sep 2017 899ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-E4 121 mm 73 mm 33 mm 364 g 380 n Jan 2021 849 amazon.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 II 118 mm 83 mm 47 mm 383 g 380 n Sep 2021 899 amazon.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-T200 121 mm 84 mm 55 mm 370 g 270 n Jan 2020 699ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-S10 126 mm 85 mm 65 mm 465 g 325 n Oct 2020 999 amazon.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-A7 119 mm 68 mm 41 mm 320 g 440 n Sep 2019 499ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 117 mm 68 mm 40 mm 361 g 450 n Jan 2018 399ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-T100 121 mm 83 mm 47 mm 448 g 430 n May 2018 599ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T20 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 383 g 350 n Jan 2017 899ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 339 g 410 n Aug 2016 399ebay.com
12.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Jan 2016 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Fujifilm X-T30 and Fujifilm X-E3 sensor measures

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the Fujifilm X-T30 offers a higher resolution of 26 megapixels, compared with 24 MP of the Fujifilm X-E3. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 3.92μm for the X-E3). However, it should be noted that the X-T30 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 5 months) than the X-E3, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Fujifilm X-T30 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Fujifilm X-E3 are ISO 200 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-51200.

In terms of underlying technology, the X-T30 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the X-E3 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use the X-Trans layout of photosites, which according to Fujifilm helps to minimize moiré.

X-T30 versus X-E3 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.113.5189583
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p23.913.3176482
3.
 
Fujifilm X-E4 APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.213.7208585
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 II APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.213.8214485
5.
 
Fujifilm X-T200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6199184
6.
 
Fujifilm X-S10 APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.213.7205785
7.
 
Fujifilm X-A7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6195584
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.3180082
9.
 
Fujifilm X-T100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.4182983
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T20 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p23.913.2170481
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.813.1166481
12.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.713.0160880
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The X-T30 and the X-E3 are similar in the sense that both feature an electronic viewfinder, which is helpful when framing images in bright sunlight. Moreover, their viewfinders offer an identical resolution of 2360k dots. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm X-T30, the Fujifilm X-E3, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Fujifilm X-T302360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E32360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n n
3.
 
Fujifilm X-E42360 n3.0 / 1620 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n n
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 II2360 n3.0 / 1620 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-T2002360 n3.5 / 2780 swivel Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-S102360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Fujifilm X-A7none n3.5 / 2760 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A5none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
9.
 
Fujifilm X-T1002360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T202360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A3none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
12.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The X-T30 has one, while the X-E3 does not. While the built-in flash of the X-T30 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm X-T30 and the Fujifilm X-E3 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X-T30 and the X-E3 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X-T30 and Fujifilm X-E3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Fujifilm X-T30Ystereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E3Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X-E4Ystereo / monoY-micro3.2Y-Y
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 IIYstereo / monoY-micro3.2Y-Y
5.
 
Fujifilm X-T200Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X-S10Ystereo / monoY-micro3.2Y-Y
7.
 
Fujifilm X-A7Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A5Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
9.
 
Fujifilm X-T100Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T20Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A3Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
12.
 
Fujifilm X-E2SYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
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Both the X-T30 and the X-E3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The X-E3 was replaced by the Fujifilm X-E4, while the X-T30 was followed by the Fujifilm X-T30 II. Further information on the features and operation of the X-T30 and X-E3 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm X-T30 Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm X-E3 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Fujifilm X-T30 better than the Fujifilm X-E3 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X-T30:

  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.62x vs 0.41x).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 5 months after the X-E3).


Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm X-E3:

  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 46g or 12 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2017).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the X-T30 emerges as the winner of the contest (5 : 2 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

X-T30 05:02 X-E3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X-T30 and the Fujifilm X-E3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X-T30 or the X-E3 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X-T305/5+ +5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2019 899ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-E34.5/5+4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2017 899ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-E44/5..4/5..4.5/54/5 Jan 2021 849 amazon.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 II5/5..4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2021 899 amazon.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-T2003.5/5..4/582/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2020 699ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-S105/5..4.5/586/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2020 999 amazon.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-A73/5..3.5/581/1004/53.5/5 Sep 2019 499ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A5..+4.1/5..4/53.5/5 Jan 2018 399ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-T1004/5+4.5/579/1004/54.5/5 May 2018 599ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T205/5+ +5/582/1005/54.5/5 Jan 2017 899ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A3......74/1004.5/54/5 Aug 2016 399ebay.com
12.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S4.5/5....77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Fujifilm X-T30 vs Fujifilm X-E3

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Fujifilm X-T30 Fujifilm X-E3
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Fujifilm X mount lenses Fujifilm X mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2019 September 2017
    Launch Price USD 899 USD 899
    Sensor Specs Fujifilm X-T30 Fujifilm X-E3
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.6 mm 23.6 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 366.6 mm2 368.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.2 mm 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 26 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6240 x 4160 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.76 μm 3.92 μm
    Pixel Density 7.08 MP/cm2 6.52 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 160 - 12,800 ISO 200 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    Image Processor X-Processor 4 X-Processor Pro
    Screen Specs Fujifilm X-T30 Fujifilm X-E3
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.62x 0.41x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Fujifilm X-T30 Fujifilm X-E3
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s 8 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/32000sup to 1/32000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Fujifilm X-T30 Fujifilm X-E3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 3.1 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Fujifilm X-T30 Fujifilm X-E3
    Battery Type Fujifilm NP-W126S Fujifilm NP-W126S
    Battery Life (CIPA)380 shots per charge350 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 118 x 83 x 47 mm
    (4.6 x 3.3 x 1.9 in)
    121 x 74 x 43 mm
    (4.8 x 2.9 x 1.7 in)
    Camera Weight 383 g (13.5 oz) 337 g (11.9 oz)
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