Best Fujifilm X-T30 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020:

Aworthy heir to the X-T3, the Fujifilm X-T30 promises to be a very efficient hybrid in a truly compact dimension and supported by a retro design dear to the brand.

Presentation

Fujifilm released the X-T1 in early 2014 . With an APS-C sensor and a well-worked retro look, the brand offers it in a reduced version, the X-T10 . Since then, the company has renewed the operation until X-T30, declination of the X-T3 . The Fujifilm X-T30 therefore succeeds the X-T20 which will be sold for some time at Fnac in the form of a kit.

The X-T30 incorporates the main features of its predecessor and thus promises to be a version with undeniable qualities. Among the key elements, we find the 26.1 MP backlit X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor associated with the X Processor 4 which has 4 cores – you guessed it. The hybrid autofocus with phase and contrast detection is presented as improved and takes place on the total surface of the sensor, while the reactivity must logically be exemplary thanks to the new processor. The X-T30 is therefore a less advanced version than the X-T3 , but which does not back down on the main one.

In a bare case, the hybrid is sold at the public price of € 949 and € 1,299 in kit with the XF 18-55 mm f / 2.8-4 R LM OIS. The X-T30 is available in black, silver or anthracite.

Best Fujifilm X-T30 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020

1. Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera, Black (Body Only)

2. Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Camera with XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS Lens Charcoal Silver – Bundle with Camera Case. 32GB U3 SDHC Card, Cleaning Kit, Card Reader, 58mm Filter Kit, PC Software Package

3. Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Camera with XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Lens Charcoal Silver – Bundle with Camera Case. 32GB U3 SDHC Card, Cleaning Kit, Card Reader, 52mm Filter Kit, PC Software Package

4. Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera, Black with Fujinon XC15-45mm Optical Image Stabilisation Power Zoom Lens kit, Black

5. Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Camera Charcoal Silver with XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R Lens & XF 35mm F/2R WR Lens Black. Bundle with 32GB SDHC Card, 58mm Filter Kit, 43mm UV Filter, Cleaning Kit, Software

Ergonomics and a neat look

Fujifilm has been offering well-finished cases with a vintage look for several years now. The design is also articulated around advanced manual controls, in particular thanks to the barrels positioned on the top of the devices. Over the models, Fujifilm has created real expertise in this area and has developed a new successful hybrid with the X-T30.

Its ergonomics are very good and the reproaches to make it few. First of all, the device is really compact and weighs only 383 g. Having access to good performance and an expert device in such a small case is a real pleasure. A barrel for access to shooting modes – such as burst or bracketing –  is associated with a second barrel which controls the speed of the shutter – which can go up to 1 / 32,000 in electronics, something sufficient rare to be rated – and a third that manages exposure compensation. The touch screen can be rotated on the vertical axis and the viewfinder is of good quality. Narrower than the one with the X-T3 , the viewfinder remains pleasant.

In addition to the possible shortcuts, a wheel at the front and one at the back are present and pay the luxury of being clickable to call a function. The Q button for access to a quick settings menu is always present, but remote on the thumb rest as on the GFX-50R. Most elements can be reprogrammed with a number of functions. It takes time to define a box set with little onions, but the game is worth the effort. Notable change, the arrival of a joystick which surely remains one of the best shortcuts to move the collimator dedicated to the development. 

Some defects persist

If the use of the assembly shows itself almost without defects, the positioning of the Q key on the thumb rest seems to be a false good idea. During our use, its inadvertent activation occurred more than once, thus hampering the shooting. Also, if the barrel for adjusting the exposure compensation has the merit of being very firm and of avoiding unexpected modifications, its resistance is quickly tiring if the photographer uses it a lot. The touchscreen has been improved, but is still not exemplary, especially during multipoint use.

Inserting memory cards from the bottom of the camera is not always practical when used with a tripod. If the appearance of USB-C is a good thing, with a recharge on the device, parallel shooting is not possible. We note the presence of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connection with a smartphone and the dedicated Fujifilm Camera Remote App. Finally, note two notable absences, the all-weather finish compared to the X-T3 and the stabilization of the sensor which is still not integrated.

A slight lack at startup

Fujifilm therefore integrated the X Processor with 4 cores in the X-T30. This allows him to have several quick shooting options. With 1.25x cropping and electronic shutter, the camera can reach 30 fps. The more classic burst mode using the mechanical shutter is provided for its part at 8 fps.

Suffice to say quickly, the X-T30 is very responsive. Fujifilm demonstrates its expertise, and this speed for such a small case is almost confusing. As with the previous models, only the start-up is a bit long, even if it tends to improve. Going under half a second would be perfect – but we quibble. For the rest, the copy is without particular reproaches.

Burst and AF tracking

On the burst side, our measurements show very good performance and correspond to the characteristics advanced by the manufacturer. There is no slowdown and the buffer is well supplied. In raw format, 18 images can be linked and almost 90 in JPEG. Once saturated, the device does not hang, but slows down.

The recognition of faces and eyes offers a mixed rendering. If the conditions are well met, the development is effective, otherwise the operation is more problematic. Optimal functioning is at the center, if you move away from it, you lose efficiency. Recognition is not always insightful and completely loses or even forgets certain subjects. Its liveliness also leaves something to be desired. Fujifilm announces an operation if the face occupies 7% of the image. Without knowing whether it is precisely this restriction that is the cause, models that are too far apart will not be recognized. Worse, even when aiming – suddenly without detection – monitoring will not necessarily be done.

However, once the person is close enough, the recognition is carried out correctly and the number of garbage with the burst decreases sharply. Being aware of its limits, the development aid will prove to be interesting for the realization of portraits.

Electronic noise management

The definition of the backlit X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor changes little from 24.3 to 26.1 MP, a rather negligible change. However, the generation is more recent and offers a sensitivity range of 160 to 12,800 ISO. In extended mode, it is possible to define several additional steps at 80, 100, 125 or at 25 600 and 51 200 for high ISO.

The evolution of the increase in sensitivity is similar to that of the X-T3 . Using up to ISO 800 can be done without problems, while a little smoothing appears at ISO 1600. This value remains exploitable, however, the loss of details is only pronounced from 3,200 ISO. A new plateau is reached at ISO 6,400, and the noise is again accentuated at ISO 12,800. This amount can be used if the usage is not very demanding, but it should not exceed ISO 3200 if you want to keep a minimum of quality.

Latitude of exposure

To verify the scope of the work from an “artistic” point of view, we photographed our test scene over a range of +/– 10 EV and corrected the raw files with our editing software to obtain a similar exposure.

Over-exposure is always more difficult to manage than under-exposure. Highlights can be corrected up to +1.6 EV, or even +2 EV if you accept losing details. It should be noted all the same that the colorimetric rendering is modified as soon as one exceeds +1 EV. On the other hand, the underexposure reveals more and more noise, but does not give way to a colorimetric drift, at least up to -5 EV. While -3 EV remains possible, you should not exceed -2 ​​EV if you want to avoid image degradation. For the less rigorous, the data can be recovered up to -3 EV at the cost of a little noise. Below, the image is really degraded. The global latitude of the sensor is therefore positioned at just under 5 EV.

4K cinema

The video part of the Fujifilm X-T30 offers several welcome settings that were already found in part on the X-T20 , its predecessor. In addition to the FHD definitions which can reach 60 fps, the X-T30 also offers a 4K DCI mode – that is to say the “true” 4K and not Ultra HD (UHD) – at the maximum rate of 30 fps . Both definitions can reach a speed of 200 Mb / s. In FHD, it will be possible to achieve slow motion thanks to a high speed of up to 120 i / s. The recording can be done in 4: 2: 2 10 bit and F-Log through the HDMI output. On the other hand, it should be noted that depending on the parameter chosen, the capture time will be limited to 15 minutes or only 6 minutes for the most demanding definitions.

A rolling shutter a little too present

The image quality is generally very good. The details are well transcribed, we are pleasantly surprised. Moiré management – one of the most problematic aspects – is exemplary with a reduced presence in the areas most at risk. The autofocus is very fast with good responsiveness. The camera does not take long to react as it detects a change in the subject or scene. Like photo mode, recognition of faces and eyes takes on its characteristics. It will therefore be necessary to remember not to stray too far from the case and not to get too close to the edges to maintain its effectiveness. Ultimately, it will be necessary to take into account the presence of the rolling shutter in 4K which is relatively important compared to the FHD mode.

STRONG POINTS

  • Global responsiveness.
  • Template and weight.
  • Design and finish.
  • Many customization options.
  • Manual control buttons.
  • 4K DCI.
  • Image quality in video.
  • Adjustable and touch screen.
  • Nice electronic viewfinder.
  • Electronic shutter up to 1/32000.

WEAK POINTS

  • Limit of face detection.
  • Reduced recording time.
  • Q button incorrectly positioned.
  • Access to the memory card from below.
  • No stabilization of the sensor.
  • No all-weather finishing.
  • Rolling shutter in 4K.
  • No shooting during feeding.

CONCLUSION

Fujifilm with the X-T30, little brother of the X-T3, offers us an effective recipe. Even if several concessions are to be made, especially on the all-weather finish, the device is formidable. Its reactivity is almost flawless and the image quality is not to be outdone. Its reduced size combined with ergonomics of which Fujifilm has the secret gives real pleasure to use. If certain specific points leave room for progress – such as the arrival of sensor stabilization – the X-T30 ultimately has few faults.

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