Fujifilm X-T30 Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera Review
The X-T30's autofocus is in the top 5% of all cameras, making it a beast for sports, but its missing features make it a niche pick.
Overview
The Fujifilm X-T30 is a speed demon in a tiny, classic body. Forget what you think about retro cameras being slow—this thing's autofocus and burst shooting are in the top 5% of all cameras, period. It's a powerhouse for action and sports, but it's not built for a rough day in the rain or a long hike without extra batteries.
Performance
What surprised me is just how fast it is. That 95th percentile autofocus ranking is no joke. It locks onto eyes and tracks moving subjects like it's reading your mind. The 30fps mechanical shutter burst is overkill for most people, but it means you'll never miss the shot. The trade-off? No in-body stabilization, so you need steady hands or fast lenses for video.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Autofocus and burst speed are elite, perfect for sports or wildlife. 95th
- Image quality from the 26MP sensor is fantastic, with great Fujifilm color. 93th
- The tilting touchscreen is responsive and useful for odd angles. 91th
- It's small, light, and feels great in your hands with classic dials. 90th
Cons
- No weather sealing means you're babysitting it in bad conditions.
- Battery life is just average, so buy a spare.
- No in-body image stabilization, which hurts for video and low-light stills.
- The electronic viewfinder is only mid-pack. It's fine, but not great.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Sensor
| Type | CMOS |
| Size | APS-C |
| Megapixels | 26.100000381469727 |
Autofocus
| Eye AF | Yes |
Shooting
| Burst (Mechanical) | 30 |
Video
| Max Resolution | 4K |
| 10-bit | Yes |
Display & EVF
| Touchscreen | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At $999, it's a strong value if speed is your top priority. You're paying for that killer autofocus and sensor combo. But you're giving up stabilization and weather sealing you might find on competitors at this price.
vs Competition
Compared to the Sony a6400, it's a tougher call. The Sony has real-time tracking AF that's just as good, better battery life, and is often cheaper. But the X-T30 has better color science out of camera and a much nicer physical control scheme. The Canon EOS R7 is a more direct competitor for sports, offering stabilization and weather sealing, but it's bigger and more expensive. The Fujifilm X-S20, its own sibling, adds stabilization and a bigger battery for a bit more money, making it the better all-rounder for most people.
Verdict
Buy the X-T30 if you're a Fujifilm fan who shoots a lot of fast action and values pure speed and portability above all else. For everyone else, especially travelers or hybrid shooters, the lack of stabilization and sealing is a real drawback. Look at the X-S20 or the Sony a6400 first.