Unlike the just announced graphite X-T1 and X100T, which are respectively at the top positions of the overall CSC ranking and P&S ranking, the Fujifilm X30 pre-order start was rather disappointing. Sure, the camera features the same 2/3 sensor of its predecessor, but there are so many other improvements over the X20, that also Chris of TheCameraStoreTV appreciates: nice handling, the EVF, super-customazible camera, the control ring, the WiFi, the battery life, BUT… it’s not nearly as nice as the Fujifilm X20… and I agree with that.
From his conclusions:
“Overall, if you consider the price point of the Fuji X30, we get a pretty amazing camera. $650 [admin: price in Canada] roughly, the RX100MKIII is pushing $900 bucks. And if you look at the camera like the Panasonic LF1, yes, it’s quite a bit cheaper, but, much worst viewfinder, I mean it’s not even close to this [X30], the sensor is smaller. The X30 really does represent good value. My only real complaint, honestly, is from a visual/esthetic… I just think it’s not as pretty as the X10/X20. They just had a great retro-cool factor, and this camera I’m not so exited to carry around in a visual way. But, if we keep it practical, if we think of value for dollar and photographic features, this Fuji is great way to go, guys.”
For a more comprehensive first look, read Rico’s X30 XPC special here and check out also his updated flick X30 images here (over 200 shots now).
Fujifilm X30: USA: BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / BestBuy / EUROPE: wexUK / wexDE / PCHstore
X100T: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
Graphite Silver X-T1: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 56mm f/1.2 APD: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 50-140 f/2.8 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
X-T1 + XF 18-135 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE:
21 Responses
spot on Chris
Seriously who cares about the looks? It’s about what it can do…
Fujifilm fans care more about looks, that’s for sure. I’ve learned that most Fuji users have no interest AT ALL in photography. They just want bling and nothing more.
AMEN! I’ve seen ____2____ good-ish photographers in 3+ years on fuji forums etc. With that being said, I think Fuji cameras and lenses are pretty much top for serious work it’s just that 99.9% of people are talentless and with nothing to say.
2 good-ish photographers, and 99.9% are talentless with nothing to say, so therefore there are 2000 Fuji users on forums etc? Good to know.
This is serious market and community research going on here. You can tell by use of the “%” character. 😉
99.9% of photographers on all forums are very good at taking pictures of cats and lousy at anything else. And that statistic is 79.4% made up, and the remaining 36.7% is fabricated, and that makes more than 116% so it must be true.
Are you one of those 2?
You again, Needy Mouse!
You are so right, it’s certainly all about the looks, I’m no Fuji user and that’s why I still have interest in photography, but if I buy a Fuji camera, I’m sure I will lose all my interest, but it’s so hard not to be seduced by the bling.
Everybody cares about the looks. People don’t like to buy ugly things. Some people have bad taste, but they still buy the things that appeal to them aesthetically.
Very well said, very true!
I don’t find the design any less than the X20 =/
Why doesn´t this guy use the EVF?
Speaking of looks… Is it just me, or that frameless HVF face on an X100T looks industrial fugly?
I’m having a hard time deciding which I like better. The T is simpler, which I like, but maybe a bit too smooth. I find that less of an issue with the black one, which I would go for.
Faces of both X100 and X100s had a lot of personality with all these frames, nooks and crannies. If you add a few gears and a manometer to the “classic” X100, you’d get an instant work of steampunk art. The X100T, on the other hand, looks as if it has faceplanted on a concrete. Blah.
Oh, and to make a black object ugly one have to be really talented, so black is usually a safe bet.
CameraStoreTV reviews are well done.
I thought this review of the X30 was really balanced and aligned with the same opinions many have expressed here. The X30 is hard not to like, in spite of it not evolving more with this latest update and losing a little of its good looks.
But the Panasonic LX100 rumors suggest a much more compelling,although likely more expensive camera.
I hope Fuji has more to reveal next week.
Am I the only person that likes the design of the Fuji X30?? I think they look great. Better than the X10/X20, personally.
I was going to ask the same, so it seems that we are one of the fews that share that same opinion, maybe because I don’t care so much about the retro looking. I like retro as a design reference but basically copying it is not charming for me, it’s just a false sense of nostalgia, it feels empty for me because there is no other reason to look retro except for the look itself.
I am with you on this one. X10/20 are not bad, but X30 brings some styling details up to date, while it does fully retain retro *ergonomics* developed over the years with film cameras – general size, feel, placement, functionality, usability, etc, of manual controls and other body elements. Nothing lost there. Hack, there is still that thread for cable release on the shutter button! What could be more retro that that? 🙂
now with the new Pana LX100 this Fuji (and the Sony RX) already looks out of dated….the X30 would be good providing was released 3 year ago- now it is just too late. It cannot just compete with the Sony and not to mention the Pana with its m43.
More over the LX100 can be much better in low light that the X100T! It just has fast glass plus OIS. Same apply for any Fuji X trans cameras w/o stabilization on the sensor. The X-T1 cannot just compete with this small stabilized Pana or Oly stuff if the prime glass is installed on them