Fujifilm X30: Review
Fujifilm X30 inherits the sensor from the previous model Fujifilm X20, but the improvements are of the essence, for a gem that allows full creative control with ergonomic solutions to a spot on the original price more than balanced.
In the catalog of premium cameras Fujifilm – specifically the digital fixed lens – it’s Fujifilm X30 model that addresses well the needs of enthusiasts who need simplicity, but cannot give up a full creative control on shots. So, next to the excellent Fujifilm X100T high end, here is this 12 Megapixel sensor with 2/3 inch X-Trans CMOS II.
This camera inherits not only this, but improves the characteristics of the previous Fujifilm X20. Just to give you a taste, we might highlight a feature of the most obvious, that of an electronic viewfinder with 100 percent coverage, much better of OVF (Optical View Finder) of the previous model, which further lowers the delay responded to 0.005 seconds impossible to perceive at the time of recording, the larger display, the external microphone, integrated WiFi connectivity, a battery definitely improved.
Fujifilm X30 – Description
For an accurate analysis, we decided to start looking outside, and the design of the camera body, and sophisticated. We report now some evidence of a very very practical: you can charge the battery for the first use without having to lug around specific housings for the battery, then using only the USB cable to be inserted into an adapter connected directly to the power supply.
Second characteristic that leaps to the eye, the lens system with a double ring: simply turning the zoom ring can turn on the camera and immediately close to the body machine, a ring specifically allows you to adjust with a simple twist some settings. The camera is available in two versions, chrome or completely black, and highlights on the upper profile, the exposure compensation dial, surrounded by the button to start shooting the film and the shutter button.
It’s impossible to make a mistake because that for filming footage has recessed race and is smaller (in addition to being customizable possibly for other purposes, just like a classic function key). The next ring instead allows control of the recovery. Fujifilm brings control of the filters directly on this ring, and we appreciate the choice, in addition to Filter, remains to be explained only setting SR to select ideal settings for some shooting modes shooting.
Follows the hot shoe and a flash of service anyway. More detailed rules for the selection of the settings are (in addition to the sub-command dial around the lens), a front button to access other menus and a small rear wheel that can be rotated and pressed for the immediate setting.
It clear concentration on the right side of the room. Also on the front is also accessible to the selector mode Focus (Single, Continuous and Manual). In evidence, on the chrome, assist illuminator AF and stereo microphone, perfectly directed towards the subject.
Rich are also the availability of control systems on the back: in addition to the rotatable display, with a rotation with respect to the wide side of the camera. It can be up to over 90 degrees, down around 30 degrees.
The rotation is very convenient for shooting type cockpit, but not when you want to take with the camera perpendicular to their orientation, because the display does not rotate on the short side. The use of the orientation of the display exhibits clamp contacts, which remains protected enough. The build quality overall is a professional camera.
Fujifilm X30 on the back, in addition to control systems, the most common point button Drive, which provides access to advanced settings it is still convenient to keep on hand: freeze, control resolution shots, AE row of exposures, Film Simulation, ISO setting, balancing row of exposure’s white and pure dynamic row of exposure’s Area. The handle is very convenient, with a gripping area on the back that is cured on the front. The total weight of 420 grams provides a feeling of very good stability.
Fuji film X30 – Specifications and Use
So here we are at the plate data and specifications that allow us to place easily Fujifilm X30 between the high-end cameras with fixed lens, prosumer, but with full control over every aspect of shooting. Fujifilm X30 captures images in both JPEG, both in Raw, and also in Raw JPEG.
And the videos are instead captured as Mov and H.264 encoded. The sensor 2/3 inch X-Trans CMOS II is a strength, even if it remains the same already available on X20 (why change what satisfies?) Along with control filters and emulation effect films. For the user, there are limitations to the study of texture and color in your shots, is a hallmark of Fujifilm than many competing proposals and among the reasons for satisfaction.
The end result also benefits for the supplied lens, equivalent – in the world of 35 mm – to zoom 28-112 mm f2.0 aperture (how wide angle) and f2.8 (as tele), bright. The user has been available to frame a 3 inch diagonal with a million pixels that will live to have immediate perception also on the ” grain ” of your shot. Sometimes this perception may be ruthless, but it is preferable to display views not in line with the actual shooting.
The first shots of the test can be performed using the 55 MB internal memory, with the memory card type SD, you get to shoot at speeds up to 18 frames per second in JPEG. The manufacturer boasts, with the supplied battery, up to 480 shots. No truth in many, in our view, but the charging system, also relatively quick, pleased us. The fact is that autonomy in X20 was limited to just 270 shots, a figure that speaks for itself.
Fujifilm X30, many strengths. Defects? From the point of view of the final quality of the new shots is not very different from Fujifilm X20, while meanwhile the market in this segment is changed, and this is probably a time when the pressure from Panasonic (with LX100) and Sony is also greater on the new model, yet the important work that cannot be defined only finishing, allows Fujifilm X30 to stand between the solutions with which the comparison is a must, even if in the next evolution will be almost mandatory adoption of a sensor more mature, perhaps even wider.
We were right to emphasize the control systems, and on the ergonomic overall, because if at first you must lose a little time to familiarize yourself with the various provisions, then you keep the clear perception of total control, and then approach the desired result is easier. And often you can do it all using only one hand.
The asymmetry of the provision of all the most important controls on the right profile, also without creating confusion is shamelessly advantageous, if we must say, as one might have to get a 10 and praise, we say it in one sentence: it would be spectacular to check the Zoom with a lever on the basis of the shutter button and the touch screen for the display.
Recovering to mentions a minimal disappointment (responsibility of the sensor) in relation to the shots and the precision of focus in environments almost completely dark, where we believe Panasonic LX100 did better. But it would be dishonest not to report the difference in market positioning of the two cameras. In critical condition, but not extreme, the system is a perfect focus very fast.
Our Opinion
A comment on the quality of the shots could be almost academic, because Fujifilm X30, with its characteristic of Film Simulation, makes you want to continue a school of experimentation, and this feature alone is worth the chance to really do what you want a further positive surprises for this solution is the price.
- Overall
