Happy Valentine’s Day. Hope the love of your life surprises you with X series or better still the GFX series camera. If that is not gonna happened, the strategy is to buy the camera of your choice for the love of your life; borrow it the next day ands never to return it. If X-T30 is what you are looking for; what better time than in this day of Love.
I was handed a X-T30 at the airport in Singapore prior flying off to Dubai to attend the inaugural Fujifilm X-Summit. Like always we were handed the new cameras without any other details. I had the next four days to get acquainted with this new camera and mine X-T3 that I brought along will take a back seat this time.
I don’t own a X-T10 or X-T20. And with new X-T30; it does looks similar to its predecessor. The only thing that I could quickly identity is the addition of a joystick and the removal of the D pad. Which I believe will be a warm welcome to most that is upgrading from X-T10 and X-T20.
In retrospect; I think the reason why I have not own a X-T10 or X-T20 is because for my everyday camera it’s the X100F. It’s like a Pick & Go camera. I don’t have to think which lenses should I attached to the body. Also the X-T10 or X-T20 is always living in the shadow of it’s more than able older brother; the X-T1,X-T2 and now X-T3.
Now that I have to use the X-T30 exclusively, at least for the last four days; I begin to see the reason for this middle child in the Fujifilm line-up. All the photos here are shot in Jpeg and process in Capture One. I wasn’t really excited about using it. As the days goes by; I think the X-T30 is quite an impressive little camera. The IQ is certainly on par with X-T3. Maybe from this day onward I may have a change of heart toward these series.
Sunrise at modern Dubai. X-T30 + XF 16mm F2.8 1/420, ISO 160, F22.Jeep racing in the evening light. X-T30 + XF100-400 1/500, ISO 400, F5.6Bridge at Dubai International Financial Centre. X-T30 +XF10-24mm, 1/45, ISO 160, F7.1Old Dubai. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/1600, ISO 80, F3.5.X-T30 + XF23mm 1/9000, ISO 160, F1.4.Burj Khalifa. X-T30 + XF 100-400mm. 1/150, ISO 200, F5
I was also given the new XF16mm F2.8 to be paired with X-T30. X-T30’s auto focus is quick. Really quick and precise. I can’t really fault it. In general use I can’t really tell the auto focus differences when compared with X-T3. Even if there is a difference; it wasn’t significant enough for me. Who knows; the actual specs of X-T30 could even be a tat faster.
X-T30 + XF16mm F2.8 WR.X-T30; perfect for street photography. X-T30 + XF16mm F2.8. 1/500, ISO 160, F10Lone Taxi. X-T30 + XF100-400 1/150, ISO 250, F7.1Local mosque. X-T30 + XF100-400mm, 1/2700, ISO 160, F5.2Dubai Creek. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/14000, ISO 160, F1.6.X-T30 + XF100-400mm, 1/1000, ISO 160, F11
For the handling; it’s ok to me. As it’s a rather small camera, I don’t get very good grip feel. Not that the grip is bad, just that X-T30 is smaller compare to the chunkier X-T3. On a positive note it certainly works very well with smaller lenses but if you do mount with a bigger lens; say the XF100-400mm which I brought for this trip, balance may an issue for some. Face detection is certain a notch up. Upgraded for sure.
Top view. X-T30 + XF16mm F2.8 WR.Chef at Al Hadheerah Desert Restaurant. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/34, ISO 640, F1.4.Dubai. X-T30 + XF16mm 1/34, ISO 160, F18.X-T30 + XF23mm 1/2500, ISO 160, F1.4.Shadow play. Anggi from Fujifilm Indonesia. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/34, ISO 1000, F1.4.Dancer at Al Hadheerah Desert Restaurant. X-T30 + XF100-400 1/430, ISO 3200, F5.2Lovely weather. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/34, ISO 250, F1.4.Having tea with So San. He seems very happy with X-T30. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/160, ISO 160, F1.4.Inside XVA Art Hotel. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/350, ISO 160 F1.4.The coolest Ferrari in Dubai. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/7000, ISO 160, F1.4.Construction rush before Dubai World Expo 2020. X-T30 + XF 100-400mm. 1/150, ISO 200, F5Carmen. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/2000, ISO 80, F2.8.
Morning glow. Burj Al Arab. X-T30 + XF100-400mm. ISO 320,1/500, F5.6
I am not a video person but the specs does look very similar to X-T3. As I look through the video menu between the two camera; they both have the same video feature. Anyway the internal set-up is most likely the same. Minus the weather sealing of course. The 4K video only shoot at max 30P vs 60P for X-T3. Eterna film simulation is now included and also Color Crome function in the X-T30 set-up. USB-C headphone support is now standard.
X-T30 +XF23mm, 1/340, ISO 160, F1.4Me at Fujifilm X- Summit! Thank you X-photographer William Chua for this shot. X-T30 + X23mm, 1/45, ISO 160, F1.4X-T30 + X23mm , 1/210, ISO 160, F1.4Kunio San at GPP. X-T30 + X23mm, 1/60, ISO 160, F1.4Jun San and Toshi San. X-T30 + X23mm, 1/60, ISO 500, F1.4Concept: Modular GFX series. Interesting times ahead.
OK. Here is what I don’t like about X-T30. I do turn the left top command dial by accident 3-4 times during this four days. I wish it do have a lock mechanism like X-T3. Again it’s not a deal breaker for me. As for the size, men with big hands may find this a little small. On the opposite side of the spectrum; women user rejoice.
Old Dubai. X-T30 + XF23mm 1/7500, ISO 160, F3.2.Morning. X-T30 + XF100-400mm, 1/640, ISO 160, F11X-T30 + XF23mm 1/1300, ISO 80, F1.4.X-T30 + XF10-24mm, 1/320, ISO 160, F4.5X-T30 + XF23mm, 1/34, ISO 1000 F1.4Nelson taking a shot at the Hawk. X-T30 + XF23mm, 1/34, ISO 1000, F1.4Along Dubai Creek. X-T30 + XF100-400 1/900, ISO 160, F4.8X-T30 + XF100-400mm. 1/650, ISO160, F5.6.
Final thoughts.
If you are looking at a compact interchange camera body, I would certainly recommend this camera. Especially if a lightweight camera system is what you are looking for. Of course there are lighter cameras in the Fujifilm line-up. If I guess it right X-T30 has to be price below USD$1000. In term of power to money ratio; X-T30 truly shine. Great value with almost professional performance.
For user experience; I did enjoy using it. It’s a very able camera that suit a newbie to even a pro. Whether a pro would use it professionally, I doubt. As for a back-up to X-T3? That will work. I would certainly use the X-T30 as a travel camera; small and powerful.
If X-T30 weights the same as X-T20; add a XF23mm F2, XF35mm F2, XF50mm F2 and the new XF16mm F2.8, we are looking a total weight of less that 1.2KG. A camera and 4 prime lenses. This can’t get any better. X-T30 no longer hide in the shadow of the amazing X-T3, rather it’s a class leader in its own. Now the headache is which color to choose from? I do like the new “dark grey”. What about you?
The “dark gray” version. Like it?
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Ivan Loh, A Fuji X-photographer is known for his quirky and different approach through his lens. He has received numerous accolades from the International Photography Award, New York and Photography Master Cup. Most Recently a Gold, 1st Place at the 2014 PX3 Prix De La Photographie in Paris .
Ivan started shooting since his teenage years with his father’s Nikon SLR and he hasn’t stopped since. He has lensed campaigns for clients such as Singapore Airlines, MTV Asia, Nike, Bossini, Nanyang Technological University(NTU) Tuas Power, Allianz Insurance, Manulife Insurance, HSBC Insurance, DHL. TNT, UOB, CAAS, Hilton Group, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Raffles Hotel, Diegeo, Embraer, Carlson, TATA Communication, HDB, Clark Quay, HOT FM 91.3, Kiss 92FM, JIA 88.3, Power 98, and CHIMJES.
His editorial works have appeared in magazines such as Conde Nast, Home+Living, TopGear Singapore, Her World, Cleo, Seventeen, FHM, Parents World and Home & Decor. His works have also glossed the pages of international magazines such as Asian Photography and Digital Photography(UK).
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Your photography is excellent! I’m very much interested the X-T30 but I’ll have to rent one to see if I can get comfortable with the viewfinder and systems first.
Ivan,
Your photography is excellent! I’m very much interested the X-T30 but I’ll have to rent one to see if I can get comfortable with the viewfinder and systems first.
Thanks!