Hands on With the New Fujifilm X-T30

The latest Fujifilm camera is here and based on the spec sheet, it looks like a minor update at best. Personally, I don't think this is a bad thing because considering the price point this is a fantastic camera. The X-T20 was a brilliant well-priced camera and the new X-T30 continues in that vein.

When the X-T3 first came out I was under the impression that it too was just a minor update. Once I actually had a chance to properly test and compare it to the older model the X-T2, I started to appreciate the new model far more. Many of the updates were subtle changes that made the camera a much more well-rounded system. The X-T30 seems to be similar in that it seems like a minor update, but with features like the much-improved focus system, this could be precisely what many Fuji shooters need.

In a recent video from Kai W, he demonstrates some of the new features. The face detect seems to be much better in this model; even more so than the X-T3. In my testing, the face and eye detect features of the X-T3 were good but unreliable in some instances. Of course, these new features are due to come to the X-T3 too via a firmware update.

With a price point of $899, I'd say the X-T30 is a fantastic option for many photographers. Check out the full video to see some of the new features this camera offers. 

Usman Dawood's picture

Usman Dawood is a professional architectural photographer based in the UK.

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1 Comment

that’s pretty much what both the X-T3 and X-T30 are... minor spec bumps. the problem was that the previous models were both too underpowered to facilitate the firmware updates to AF and video performance Fujifilm wanted to integrate. the new processor and extended flash memory allow for larger, more complex firmware files to be installed and to work faster behind the scenes to make it happen.

fujifilm simply hit the ceiling for what the internal hardware could do with the firmware they were trying to integrate into the X-T2 and X-T20, and is the reason why any company has to release new hardware. it’s too expensive, or unattainable at the time, to create hardware that is infinitely software upgradable.

on a tangent, it’s why people who know better laugh at the ignorance of those who complain about their 5 year old iPhones running slowly with the latest iOS update and try to call it “planned obsolescence.”