Fujifilm X30 versus Fujifilm X-A3

The Fujifilm X30 and the Fujifilm X-A3 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2014 and August 2016. The X30 is a fixed lens compact, while the X-A3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a 2/3 (X30) and an APS-C (X-A3) sensor. The X30 has a resolution of 12 megapixel, whereas the X-A3 provides 24 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X-A3

The physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X30 and the Fujifilm X-A3 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also toggle the display to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the X30 – represents the basis or 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm X-A3 is notably smaller (9 percent) than the Fujifilm X30. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X30 nor the X-A3 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the X30 has a lens build in, whereas the X-A3 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can find an overview of optics for the X-A3 and their specifications in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the X30 gets 470 shots out of its NP-95 battery, while the X-A3 can take 410 images on a single charge of its NP-W126S power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Fujifilm X30»	4.7 in	2.8 in	2.4 in	14.9 oz	470	n	Aug 2014	599			Fujifilm X30
	Fujifilm X-A3«	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.0 oz	410	n	Aug 2016	399	-		Fujifilm X-A3
	Canon SX60« »	5.0 in	3.7 in	4.5 in	22.9 oz	340	n	Sep 2014	549	-		Canon SX60
	Canon G16« »	4.3 in	3.0 in	1.6 in	12.6 oz	360	n	Aug 2013	549			Canon G16
	Canon G15« »	4.2 in	3.0 in	1.6 in	12.4 oz	350	n	Sep 2012	499	-		Canon G15
	Canon G12« »	4.4 in	3.0 in	1.9 in	14.1 oz	370	n	Sep 2010	499	-		Canon G12
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	4.8 in	2.9 in	1.7 in	11.9 oz	350	n	Sep 2017	899			Fujifilm X-E3
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.6 in	13.5 oz	350	n	Jan 2017	899			Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X-A10« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	11.7 oz	410	n	Dec 2016	399	-		Fujifilm X-A10
	Fujifilm X-A2« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.3 oz	410	n	Jan 2015	399	-		Fujifilm X-A2
	Fujifilm X100T« »	5.0 in	2.9 in	2.0 in	15.5 oz	330	n	Sep 2014	1,299	-		Fujifilm X100T
	Fujifilm X20« »	4.6 in	2.8 in	2.2 in	12.5 oz	270	n	Jan 2013	599	-		Fujifilm X20
	Fujifilm X100S« »	5.0 in	2.9 in	2.1 in	15.7 oz	330	n	Jan 2013	1,299	-		Fujifilm X100S
	Fujifilm X-A1« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	11.6 oz	350	n	Sep 2013	399	-		Fujifilm X-A1
	Fujifilm X10« »	4.6 in	2.8 in	2.2 in	12.3 oz	270	n	Sep 2011	599	-		Fujifilm X10
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	2.2 in	14.3 oz	300	n	Sep 2014	1,195	-		Leica D-LUX Typ 109
	Panasonic LX100« »	4.5 in	2.6 in	2.2 in	13.9 oz	300	n	Sep 2014	899			Panasonic LX100
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Any camera purchase will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. 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.

Sensor comparison: Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X-A3

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X30 features a 2/3 sensor and the Fujifilm X-A3 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the X-A3 is 536 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 3.9 and 1.5. The sensor in the X30 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the X-A3 offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 24MP, the X-A3 offers a higher resolution than the X30 (12MP), but the X-A3 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 2.20μm for the X30) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the X-A3 is a much more recent model (by 2 years) than the X30, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X30 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The X30 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in relatively fast and reliable autofocus acquisition during video recording.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. 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 (1080/60p).

Feature comparison: Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X-A3

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the X30 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the X-A3 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm X30 and Fujifilm X-A3 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The X-A3 has a touchscreen, while the X30 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

Both the X30 and the X-A3 write their imaging data to SDXC cards.

The X30 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Fujifilm. In contrast, the X-A3 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the X-A3 was succeeded by the Fujifilm X-A5.

Review summary: Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X-A3

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X30 and the Fujifilm X-A3? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Fujifilm X30:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better video autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident movie autofocus.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image framing and settings control.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens build-in, whereas the X-A3 requires a separate lens.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (470 versus 410) on a single battery charge.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization build-in.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2014).

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X-A3:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 12MP), which boosts linear resolution by 44%.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: Larger sensor generates images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Capable of capturing a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can be used in poorly lit environments and still produce good images.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (2 years) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-A3 emerges as the winner of the match-up (10 : 8 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.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X30 or the X-A3 handle or 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. 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 (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Fujifilm X30»	-	76/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2014	599			Fujifilm X30
	Fujifilm X-A3«	-	74/100	4.5/5	-	4/5	Aug 2016	399	-		Fujifilm X-A3
	Canon SX60« »	HiRec	75/100	4/5	-	4.5/5	Sep 2014	549	-		Canon SX60
	Canon G16« »	Rec	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	549			Canon G16
	Canon G15« »	Rec	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	499	-		Canon G15
	Canon G12« »	Rec	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	499	-		Canon G12
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899			Fujifilm X-E3
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	HiRec	82/100	5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	899			Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X-A10« »	-	-	4/5	-	4/5	Dec 2016	399	-		Fujifilm X-A10
	Fujifilm X-A2« »	-	-	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	399	-		Fujifilm X-A2
	Fujifilm X100T« »	Rec	81/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	1,299	-		Fujifilm X100T
	Fujifilm X20« »	HiRec	77/100	4.5/5	-	5/5	Jan 2013	599	-		Fujifilm X20
	Fujifilm X100S« »	HiRec	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	5/5	Jan 2013	1,299	-		Fujifilm X100S
	Fujifilm X-A1« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Sep 2013	399	-		Fujifilm X-A1
	Fujifilm X10« »	-	76/100	4/5	3.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2011	599	-		Fujifilm X10
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Sep 2014	1,195	-		Leica D-LUX Typ 109
	Panasonic LX100« »	HiRec	85/100	5/5	4/5	5/5	Sep 2014	899			Panasonic LX100

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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, 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. If you do not see the camera that you are looking for, please contact me, and I will try to locate and add the respective data to the application.

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