New FUJIFILM X-T30 Released – The X-T3’s Little Brother is Here

News

by Olaf von VossFebruary 14^th, 2019

Today FUJIFILM released their new X-T30 mirrorless camera with APS-C sized sensor. While housed in a more compact and more lightweight body than its bigger brother, the X-T30 sport the same sensor, the same processor and the same film simulations from the X-T3. Even F-log is on board!

The new FUJIFILM X-T30 comes in three colors. The one in the middle is called “charcoal silver”.

The new X-T30 is pretty tiny and especially lightweight (383g) compared to the bigger X-T3 (539g). Yet both models share the same 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor along with the X-Processor 4 image processing engine. The X-T30 can record 4K DCI (4096×2160) or 4K UHD (3840×2160) at up to 30p @ 200Mbps in 4:2:0 8-bit internally. Externally, you can record 4:2:2 10-bit video via HDMI. All the proprietary film simulations such as Velvia, ASTIA, Classic Chrome or Eterna are available during movie recording. Furthermore, you can choose to film in F-log for a wider color gamut.

FUJIFILM X-T30

This new model isn’t part of FUJIFILM’s premier league of mirrorless cameras. Its two-digit name puts it in the second devision, yet the pure specs speak another language: 4K 25p/30p, F-log, 4:2:2 10-bit output, FullHD 100p/120p @ 200Mpbs. Not bad! There’s a downside though as the recording times are pretty limited:

• C4K (4096×2160) // 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p // 200Mbps/100Mbps // up to approx. 10min
• 4K UHD (3840×2160) // 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p // 200Mbps/100Mbps // up to approx. 10min
• Full HD (2048 ×1080) // 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p // 200Mbps/100Mbps // up to approx. 15min.
• Full HD (1920×1080) // 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p // 200Mbps/100Mbps // up to approx. 15min.
• Full HD (1920×1080) // 120p／100p // 200Mbps // up to approx. 6min.

Video is being recorded in MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) format. No H.265, unfortunately.. that’s another downside of this camera.

The X-T30 features the same EVF of the former X-t20, a 0.39″ OLED with 2.36 millions dots and 0.62x magnification. The rear touch screen is a 3.0″ LCD with a 3:2 aspect ratio 3:2, approx. 1.04 millions dots and, according to FUJIFILM, with improved response performance.

New omnidirectional control lever.

The rear of the X-T30 features the “Focus Lever” from the X-T2 / X-T3, resulting in more grip space. The X-T20 had a 5-way control button but the new focus lever omnidirectional control is way better suited for quick focus point adjustments. Overall, the X-T30 has the same body as the former X-T20 but with an improved grip design hat makes the camera body sit comfortably in your hand.

The “old” X-T20 rear design with 5-way selector button.

Unfortunately, FUJIFILM communicates color subsampling and bit rates for 4K (DCI and UHD) shots, but there is no word about these values for FullHD. I’ll update this article once they surface.

The autofocus capabilities have been improved from the former X-T20, since the X-Processor 4 is just much more powerful for calculating the necessary algorithms in less time. The AF detects faces and eyes and you can select a face if multiple faces have been detected within a frame. The low-light limit for phase detection AF has been extended from +0.5EV (X-T20) to -3EV.

The micro USB 2 port of the X-T20 has been upgraded to a modern USB Type-C (USB3.1, Gen1) port on the X-T30. The micro HDMI (type D) is still the same, ditto the 2.5mm stereo mini connector for an external microphone. No headphone out..

Availability and Conclusion

The X-T30 will be available from the end of March but the new color scheme called “charcoal silver” will take just a little bit longer to hit the shelves.

This new X-T30 is far more a mini X-T3 than the former X-T20 was a mini X-T2. F-log, Eterna film simulation, 4K 4:2:2 10-bit output through HDMI, fast continuous AF, it’s all there. The X-T3 is the more capable camera, sure but this X-T30 is way smaller, lighter and more affordable without too many compromises to make.  So if you’re in the market for a solid entry-level filmmaking device: This might be worth a very close look!

Links: FUJIFILM Website

What do you think? Will you wait for the X-T30 or is the X-T3 the better camera for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!