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Fujifilm X30 Comparison Review

The Fujifilm X30 is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in August 2014 and is equipped with a 2/3 sensor. It offers a resolution of 12 megapixel.

camera

Is the Fujifilm X30 a good camera? The X30 has a Camera Elo of 1838. This rating puts the X30 below average of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the X30 ranks among the top 40 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm X30
Fixed lens compact camera
28-112mm f/2.0-2.8
12 MP, Two Thirds Sensor
1080/60p Video
ISO 100 - 12 800
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
12 shutter flaps per second
470 shots per battery charge
119 x 72 x 60 mm, 423 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Fujifilm X30 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Fujifilm X30 vs credit card front
X30 versus credit card top view
X30 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Fujifilm X30 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X30 119 mm 72 mm 60 mm 423 g 470 n Aug 2014 599ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G16 109 mm 76 mm 40 mm 356 g 360 n Aug 2013 549ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X100T 127 mm 74 mm 52 mm 440 g 330 n Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X20 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 353 g 270 n Jan 2013 599ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X100S 127 mm 74 mm 54 mm 445 g 330 n Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm XQ1 100 mm 59 mm 33 mm 206 g 240 n Oct 2013 499ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X10 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 350 g 270 n Sep 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon P7800 119 mm 78 mm 50 mm 399 g 350 n Sep 2013 549ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus Stylus 1s 116 mm 87 mm 57 mm 402 g 450 n Apr 2015 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 1 116 mm 87 mm 57 mm 402 g 410 n Oct 2013 699ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX100 115 mm 66 mm 55 mm 393 g 300 n Sep 2014 899ebay.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 listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Fujifilm X30 was launched in the US market at a price of $599. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

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

The Fujifilm X30 features a 2/3 sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 3.9. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Fujifilm X30 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Fujifilm X30 sensor measures

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Fujifilm X30 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.411.2-31249
2.
 
Canon G16 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.011.723054
3.
 
Fujifilm X100T APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.612.8148378
4.
 
Fujifilm X20 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.110.9-46246
5.
 
Fujifilm X100S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.312.5132975
6.
 
Fujifilm XQ1 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.311.0-39047
7.
 
Fujifilm X10 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/30p20.511.324550
8.
 
Nikon P7800 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/30p21.211.720054
9.
 
Olympus Stylus 1s 1/1.7 11.8 3968 29761080/30p20.211.3-11147
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 1 1/1.7 11.8 3968 29761080/30p20.711.617951
11.
 
Panasonic LX100 Four Thirds 12.7 4112 30884K/30p22.312.555367
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 can also record movies. The X30 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the X30 can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the X30 has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2360k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.43x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Fujifilm X30 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
#   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 X302360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon G16optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.2/s Y Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X100T2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X20optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Fujifilm X100S2360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Fujifilm XQ1none n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Fujifilm X10optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Nikon P7800921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Olympus Stylus 1s1440 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 7.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 11440 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 7.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic LX1002764 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Fujifilm X30 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the X30

One convenient feature of the X30 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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 X30 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Fujifilm X30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Canon G16Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Fujifilm X100TYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
4.
 
Fujifilm X20Ystereo / mono--micro2.0---
5.
 
Fujifilm X100SYstereo / mono--micro2.0---
6.
 
Fujifilm XQ1-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm X10Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon P7800Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Olympus Stylus 1sYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 1Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Panasonic LX100Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the X30 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The X30 has a zoom lens built in (7.1-28.4mm f/2.0-2.8), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 28 to 112mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the X30 can be found in the free online Fujifilm X30 Manual or on the Fujifilm support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X30. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X304/5....76/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2014 599ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G164/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 549ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X100T5/5+..81/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X204/5+ +..77/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 599ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X100S5/5+ +..81/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm XQ1........4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 499ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X10......76/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon P78003/5......4/54.5/5 Sep 2013 549ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus Stylus 1s............ Apr 2015 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 1..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 699ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX1005/5+ +..85/1005/55/5 Sep 2014 899ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. 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. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Fujifilm X30 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the X30.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Fujifilm X30 based on?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Fujifilm X30 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Fujifilm equipped the X30 with the EXR Processor II image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Fujifilm X30?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Fujifilm X30?

The X30 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Fujifilm X30 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Does the Fujifilm X30 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Fujifilm X30 use?

The camera gets its power from the NP-95 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Fujifilm X30
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 28-112mm f/2.0-2.8
    Launch Date August 2014
    Launch Price USD 599
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Two Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 8.8 x 6.6 mm
    Sensor Area 58 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 11 mm
    Crop Factor 3.9x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 000 x 3 000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.20 μm
    Pixel Density 20.66 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12 800 ISO
    Image Processor EXR Processor II
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.43x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness No front-flip
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 12 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type NP-95 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)470 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 119 x 72 x 60 mm
    (4.7 x 2.8 x 2.4 in)
    Camera Weight 423 g (14.9 oz)

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