The Fujifilm X-T30 II ($899.95, body) is a modest update to the original X-T30, a compact mirrorless camera that appealed to both budding photogs and enthusiasts. The new edition features upgraded memory that unlocks support for a few new imaging processing features but, otherwise, it's the same camera that earned our Editors' Choice and Best of the Year awards back in 2019. The X-T30 II isn't as groundbreaking as its predecessor because the landscape is more competitive now, but it's still among the best you can get for the price and worthy of our Editors' Choice award. A well-populated X lens system doesn't hurt matters, either.
X Series Retro Style
We've got Fujifilm to thank for the retro-style movement in digital cameras. The original X100 from 2010 turned heads with its 70s-era looks, and subsequent releases have retained that old-school style. The X-T30 II's prominent top-plate control dials and leatherette wrap make it look like an old film camera from afar, especially if you opt for the two-tone silver-and-black finish. It's also available in all-black, the version we received for evaluation.
The X-T30 II is slim at about 3.3 by 4.7 by 1.1 inches (HWD) without a lens; it weighs just 13.3 ounces with a battery and memory card loaded. It sports a small handgrip, too. It handles best with smaller lenses, so it's worthwhile to step up to the Fujifilm X-S10 ($999.95) and its ampler handgrip if you prefer big zooms and wide-aperture primes.
Fujifilm omits dust and splash protection from this model; if you're an all-weather photog, look at a sealed option like the X-T3 or X-T4 to take advantage of Fujifilm's weather-resistant (WR) lenses.
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We're reviewing the body-only configuration of the X-T30 II but it's also available with a kit lens: the XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 power zoom for $999.95 or the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 for $1,299.95.
The camera hardware is slightly upgraded compared with the X-T30, but most of the changes are under the hood. A bigger allocation for memory allows for some additional firmware features, for instance. Otherwise, the autofocus system enjoys some updates that bring tracking and eye detection in line with the enthusiast X-T4, the Classic Negative film simulation is now an option, the 4K video record time is now 30 minutes instead of 10 minutes, and 1080p now goes to 240fps for slower slow-motion. On the outside, the rear LCD sports a higher resolution.
This all amounts to an interim update. If you have an X-T30 in good working order, there's little reason to step up to the Mark II. We expect that Fujifilm would have simply rolled out a firmware upgrade and kept the older X-T30 in production if it had enough memory to support the new features, though.
Automatic for Beginners, Tactile Dials for Enthusiasts
If you're an emerging photo enthusiast upgrading from a smartphone, you may find the X-T30 II's dial-based approach to exposure control intimidating. No worries, though; an Auto switch sits on the side of the shutter speed dial. When you turn it on, the camera takes care of all the exposure settings for you, so you can just concentrate on taking photos.
The X-T30 II includes an in-body flash, too. It's a feature that you don't find on more expensive cameras—many enthusiasts consider this a little too basic and prefer more flexible off-camera lights to add illumination—but it's a handy option for anyone starting out, especially in combination for indoor snapshots with a narrow aperture zoom like the XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens.
Shutterbugs who want to take command of exposure can swap away from Auto and use the onboard controls. The X-T30 II's top plate is packed with a trio of discrete dials to set the continuous drive mode, shutter speed, and EV compensation. Many lenses include on-lens aperture control, so this is a good camera system to buy into if you're a fan of hands-on controls.
There are some quirks to the approach, though. The X-T30 II is a capable video camera, but there's no quick Record button on board to start a clip. Instead, you need to remember to swap the Drive dial to its video position to switch from taking photos to recording movies. If you prefer a more balanced hybrid and want to stay in the Fujifilm system, the X-S10 is built around a PASM Mode dial and adds the in-body stabilization missing from the X-T30 II. You may have trouble finding an X-S10 in stock, though; it's on backorder at press time.
While the dial-ridden top plate sets the X-T30 II apart from other options like the Sony a6400 or Canon EOS M50 Mark II, Fujifilm takes a more traditional approach to the rear controls. The expected Delete, Play, and Menu buttons are all there, along with an eight-way controller to set focus and navigate menus, along with discrete AEL and AFL buttons to engage exposure and focus lock.
The X-T30 II supplements the physical controls with an on-screen overlay menu, accessible via the Q button. The Q menu is configurable: You can set the number of functions available (up to 16), and the default set of 12 includes settings like ISO, face and eye detection, the self-timer, and screen brightness. The Q menu is navigable via the rear controls or touch.
Monitor and Viewfinder
The Mark II edition of the camera sports an updated rear LCD. The screen size remains at 3 inches, but the resolution is now higher at 1.68 million dots. The LCD shows plenty of detail and is a reliable tool for setting your frame and confirming critical focus. Viewing angles are excellent—colors hold up from off-kilter angles and, at its brightest setting, the screen is readable on a sunny day.
The display sports on a simple hinge that tilts it up or down, a good fit for working with the camera on a tripod at waist level or above your head when you need to get some extra height over a crowd. The display doesn't swing out to the side or face forward though, so the X-T30 II is not ideal for selfie videos and vlogging. The X-S10 and the Sony ZV-E10 are better options for creators who want an entry-level camera for video and vlogs.
The 2.36-million-dot, eye-level viewfinder is the same as from the first X-T30. The 0.62x OLED is clear and colorful, but is a little small. The camera is in the middle of the pack among its competition for viewfinder size; the X-T30's EVF is a little bigger than the Canon EOS R10 (0.59x), but appears smaller than the Nikon Z 50 (0.68x) and Sony a6400 (0.70x).
The X-T30 II's viewfinder isn't the largest, but it does show a smooth 60fps image by default, ample for day-to-day photography. You can enable a Boost mode (accessible via the top plate Fn button by default) to push the refresh rate to 100fps, a better choice for action photography. You can also opt to boost the EVF resolution, handy for macro work, or swap to a Low Light finder mode to help you set up shots in dimly lit environments.
Power and Connectivity
The X-T30 II uses the NP-FW126 battery, a familiar mainstay for the system. The same cell powers earlier entries in this series, as well as the X-E4, X-S10, X-T3, and X-Pro3. With the X-T30 II, the battery is good for around 380 photos per charge, which is pretty standard for a mirrorless camera with swappable lenses around this size. This estimate is in line with that of the Canon EOS R10 (340 photos) and Sony a6400 (410 photos).
How you use the camera affects the battery life, of course. The X-T30 II supports 20 and 30fps capture rates with its electronic shutter, so you can get many, many more photos per charge if you lean heavily on burst capture. Conversely, transferring photos to your smartphone, relying on remote controls, and recording 4K video will eat into battery life. On-the-go charging is supported via USB-C, so you have the option of using a power bank to recharge in the field. Spare Fujifilm batteries cost around $60, but you can find third-party alternatives for around $20.
In addition to a USB-C port, the X-T30 II includes a micro HDMI port to connect to HDTVs or external video recorders like the Atomos Ninja V. There's a 2.5mm Mic/Remote port and you get an adapter in the box for mics that use the more common 3.5mm connection. There's no headphone connection, but you can monitor audio using a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter and any set of wired earphones.
The X-T30 II relies on a single SDXC slot (UHS-1) that sits within the battery compartment. Dual slots and support for quicker UHS-II cards are features typically restricted to more expensive cameras like the aforementioned X-T3 and other spendy options like the Canon EOS R7 ($1,499, body).
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on board to help you connect to smartphones and tablets. The X-T30 II works with the Fujifilm Cam Remote app (a free download for Android and iOS) that enables image transfers and remote control. You can also use the camera as a webcam with a Mac or PC via the Fujifilm Webcam Utility app.
Autofocus and Burst Capture
The original X-T30 followed the company's then-flagship X-T3 and, despite coming in at a lower price and boasting a slimmer form, matched up with the more expensive model when it came to autofocus, burst capture, and image quality. The OG X-T30 missed out on some of the firmware enhancements that came to the X-T3 later, though, and its limited internal memory meant that it couldn't handle more capable firmware.
The X-T30 II returns to form as the "baby X-T." Its autofocus algorithms now incorporate the enhancements from the X-T4, the same ones Fujifilm later added to the X-T3 via a free firmware download. Autofocus acquisition is just a little bit snappier and subject tracking is noticeably better with this upgraded model.
It's a toss-up to pick a winner in focus accuracy between the X-T30 II and Sony a6400—both are phenomenal, especially when compared with the bare-bones basic focus systems in the few remaining consumer SLRs. Even recent models with fast live view focus like the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 are limited to rudimentary focus methods through the optical viewfinder.
The X-T30 II is also a proverbial speed demon. Its 8fps mechanical shutter burst rate is now par for the course, but an electronic shutter option pushes the capture rate to 20fps with the full view of the sensor, and to 30fps with a 1.25x crop for 16.6MP photos. The camera can snap only about 20 Raw photos before slowing down, but its buffer goes for more when you switch to the JPG format: around 115 exposures at 8fps and about 50 exposures with the 20fps electronic shutter mode.
The focus system tracks moving subjects with tenacity and supports face and eye detection for people. The system is tunable and has preset options for different situations; you can set it to stick with a detected subject when shooting field sports and wildlife, or swap to a mode that's better for subjects that quickly change speed and direction (think motorsports or tennis). You get five preset options, plus a sixth slot so you can save a custom preset. For basic photography, you can leave this option alone and stick to the default multi-purpose focus mode.
The basic focus system works much like that in other cameras. An on-screen focus box sets the area of interest for the focus system and you move it around via the rear joystick or by tapping the touch screen. If you prefer, you can make the box larger or let the camera pick a focus point for you. It's shy of bleeding-edge, though; Fujifilm doesn't offer animal or vehicle detection, features we're seeing more and more in upmarket cameras, including the forthcoming Fujifilm X-H2S ($2,499, body).
Sony still enjoys an edge when it comes to focus at this price point—its a6400 supports face and eye detection for cats and dogs and gives you more flexibility when it comes to setting the area of interest for its tracking system. The X-T30 II has only one box size to start tracking focus and it's big enough to become problematic for photographing birds in branches and other tricky subjects. It's better to turn tracking off and use a smaller focus box if the camera is having a hard time cutting through obstructions to find its subject. On the flip side, the a6400 is limited to tracking subjects at 11fps, while the X-T30 II pushes the envelope all the way to 30fps (albeit with a crop).
X-Trans Sensor With Film Simulations
For the most part, all current-generation Fujifilm X cameras use a variation of the same image sensor: a 26MP X-Trans 4 BSI CMOS sensor in the APS-C format that first showed up in the X-T3. The sensor is an excellent performer, with quicker readout than the even older 24MP chip Sony uses in the a6400 and a wide ISO 160-12800 standard sensitivity range. An extended ISO range is available too, but the camera limits you to using low (ISO 80) and high (ISO 51200) settings with the mechanical shutter.
The camera's imaging engine is built around Fujifilm Film Simulations, a set of in-camera looks inspired by (and often named after) popular emulsions from the film era. If you use your camera in JPG mode, you need to pick the desired look before snapping photos. But, if you enable Raw capture, you have the option of applying a Film Simulation to any image in-camera after the fact.
Images are without much fault at low ISOs. In dim light, the camera ramps up the sensitivity. JPGs show strong detail and not too much noise through ISO 3200. Pushing to the top standard setting (ISO 12800) softens detail, but images are still useable. It's in the extended range (ISO 25600-51200) where we see blurred results and noticeable noise. If you take the time to process Raw format images, you can squeeze more detail out of the sensor at high ISOs and dial in noise reduction to taste.
Working in Raw format also lets you take creative control over color and exposure, but you need software to work with the files. Images handle edits quite well, without any excessive noise when opening shadows; you get plenty of latitude to rein in too-bright highlights, too. Fujifilm offers the X Raw Studio app for editing, but many creators opt to pay for an Adobe subscription to edit photos in Lightroom Classic.
4K DCI Video In a Stills-First Camera
The X-T30 II is a capable video camera, despite its body style not being optimal for handheld vlog-style work. The camera records 4K30 footage with 4:2:0 8-bit color internally and offers a grading-friendly F-Log profile. If you don't want to bother with color correction, you can also use any of the Film Simulations, including the cinema-friendly Eterna profile.
For external recording, the micro HDMI port outputs a clean 4:2:2 10-bit signal. This means you can connect an Atomos Ninja V or similar recorder for more malleable ProRes 422 encoding. For slow-motion, the X-T30 II can push 240fps at 1080p, good enough for one-tenth speed playback on a 24fps timeline.
The camera design may be a concern here, depending on the type of video you're looking to make. The X-T30 II is well-suited for tripod work, but a lack of in-body stabilization means it's less useful for handheld recording. The screen design may also disappoint if you're a vlogger who wants a forward-facing monitor.
The X-S10 is a better Fujifilm body for moving pictures because of its 5-axis IBIS and swing-out display but, as mentioned, it's not easy to get one at press time. Fujifilm has been hit-or-miss at keeping products on the shelves since the onset of supply chain issues. In other systems, cameras like the Sony ZV-E10 and Nikon Z 30 omit an in-body viewfinder (and IBIS) but are otherwise purpose-built for vlogs and videos.
Not Really a New Camera, But That's Okay
If you're looking for something entirely new, the Fujifilm X-T30 II is certain to disappoint. It's not a groundbreaking camera, nor is it rife with innovations. Those came a few years ago, closer to the release of the original edition. Instead, this is a rather meager update, one that introduces some new internal components to support Fujifilm's latest firmware and autofocus enhancements.
We recommended the original X-T30 very highly when it was in production and the X-T30 II deserves the same Editors' Choice distinction, despite its only minor improvements. It's the best entry point into the Fujifilm X system for most people, with a body design that's ideal for photography and the tactile controls that set the X system apart from competitors. If these dials turn you off and you want something more straightforward, the Sony a6400 is our favorite alternative, and also an Editors' Choice winner. If you want to spend less, look at the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV; it works with a massive library of Micro Four Thirds optics.
You also have other options in the sub-$1,000 price range that weren't available a few years ago when the X-T30 debuted. Canon recently added the EOS R10, an APS-C sensor camera with support for its RF lens line. Nikon also sells the Z 50 and retro-style Z fc. Neither Canon nor Nikon has as many purpose-built APS-C lenses as Fujifilm, though.
And lenses are one of the compelling reasons to get into the X system, whether via the X-T30 II, the rangefinder-style X-E4, or a higher-end body like the X-T4 or X-Pro3. The X system has been around for more than a decade and covers all the basics, plus features some exotic glass for telephoto and portrait specialists.
Thanks to Lensrentals for supplying the equipment for this review.
The Fujifilm X-T30 II is just a slight update to one of our highest-rated cameras. Fuji could have done more, but it still remains one of our favorite affordable interchangeable lens cameras.
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