August 2014, Carl Garrard
Oh yes its here. I'm a little bit excited too. This is the enthusiast compact I've been waiting for. Something with a larger than average sensor, built in EVF, fast sharp lens, great external controls, excellent build quality, and a flip up/down LCD panel. Fujifilms new X30 may not seem a radically new camera to some, but to me, all the little improvements add up to a major difference. The new X30 has a second generation 2/3" sized sensor and processor- which gives faster performance and improved image quality. It's also quite handsome and small enough to bring everywhere. Although this segment is quite competitive, I think the X30 carves a niche and might just offer the best all round design/package in its class. A full review is forthcoming. I can't wait to use it out and about. First impression thoughts ...Fujifilm X30 The Search for Spock
Fujifilm X30 The Search for Spock
I'm a big fan of the idea of an all in one camera I can take anywhere. Fujifilm is apparently in tune with others who also think like me. Progressive development has always worked for camera companies- take a good idea, make it, listen to feed back, improve it, make another... and so on. While the X30 may lack some shock value to some, I prefer a camera design that matures and only gets better. The X30 seems to promise just that, and I'm very excited about this camera and what Fujifilm have been doing lately.
Of all the companies out there right now, it's my opinion that they seem to be very much in touch with the enthusiast crowd. They are growing their system camera line well (bodies and lenses at equal rates), producing wonderful superzooms, and of course serious compact cameras like the X30.
Some may scoff at the lack of an optical finder, the X10/20's was certainly the best I've seen on a camera of this class, but after using the nex gen EVF's, such as the one in the X-E2 (which I am evaluating right now), and the X-S1, I may have to start letting go of my idealism in regards to optical finders. The new EVF's are just that good. Don't get me wrong, I still love optical finders- and prefer them, but only if they can keep up with the EVF's in benefits overall.
The X30 while seemingly a variation of tradition, may just be more of what we can expect from the future- like it or not. I see a very balanced and well thought out package in the X30 and think it's going to win over a lot of photographers. Likely you can expect that almost all of the weaknesses of the X10/20 have been overcome with this model and that is an exciting proposition no matter how you slice it.
Already the X30 gets the most handsome camera in its class award from me, by far. But we know looks aren't enough, brains matter too. Right? I mean, they do... right...?
Review to come.
-Carl Garrard
Fujifilm X30 The Search for Spock
FUJIFILM
ANNOUNCES CLASSICALLY DESIGNED PREMIUM COMPACT X30 WITH NEW CONTROLS AND FASTER
PERFORMANCE
X30
features Real Time Viewfinder, dual control rings, and new ‘Classic Chrome’
Film Simulation for dramatically colored photos
Valhalla, N.Y., August 26, 2014 –
FUJIFILM North America Corporation
today announced the new FUJIFILM X30, a premium compact, fixed lens
camera aimed at enthusiast and professional photographers. The FUJIFILM X30
has an all new Real Time Viewfinder and innovative dual manual control
rings for composing and taking pictures quickly and easily.
The FUJIFILM X30 gives enthusiast and professional
photographers a vast array of new features, and delivers the same award-winning
image quality and design that the FUJIFILM X-Series is known for around the
world. The new X30 features a Real Time Viewfinder – which is the
largest, brightest, fastest and highest resolving viewfinder in its class*1
– a large 12MP 2/3” X-Trans CMOS II sensor, EXR Processor II and a new ‘Classic
Chrome’ film simulation mode that delivers muted tones and deep color
reproduction for beautifully dramatic images.
The X30 also includes a large tilting 3.0” 920K-dot premium
clear LCD monitor, increased battery performance, and a strong, yet
lightweight, die-cast magnesium alloy body that is superbly designed to add a
real sense of style and elegance to the camera.
Vision and speed
The new FUJIFILM X30 uses an innovative Real Time
Viewfinder with a large magnification of 0.65x*2
and a display lag time of just 0.005*3
seconds that is the largest and fastest viewfinder in its class. It offers a
clear, high-definition Live View with a new 2.36M-dot organic EL viewfinder and
dedicated lens that improves visibility by automatically controlling the
viewfinder’s brightness according to the ambient light levels. The Live View
display can also be set to reflect shooting conditions, or offer a natural view
close to what is seen with the naked eye, while the viewfinder’s eye sensor
automatically switches the visible information when the camera is positioned
vertically or horizontally.
The FUJIFILM X30 uses the award-winning X-Trans CMOS II
sensor with phase-detection AF and the EXR Processor II to give photographers
high-speed performance, amazing resolution and low noise for extraordinary
images. The X30’s phase-detection system focuses in just 0.06*4
seconds, has a startup time of 0.5 seconds*5, shutter time lag of 0.015 seconds,
and shooting interval of 0.5 seconds.
High precision F2.0-2.8 4x manual barrel zoom lens
The FUJIFILM X30’s lens is made up of 11 glass elements in
nine groups, including three aspherical lens elements and two ED lens elements.
The result is an ultra-bright lens with a wide-angle maximum aperture of f/2.0
and telephoto maximum aperture of f/2.8 for beautiful, high resolution images.
Additionally, the X30’s lens incorporates seven diaphragm blades for stunningly
soft ‘bokeh’ to make your subject stand out from the background.
The X30 has an optical 4x manual zoom lens that allows quick
and precise control over composition. The X30 also has a unique image
stabilization mechanism that shifts five lens elements to compensate for camera
shake by up to four stops*6.
The innovative image stabilization system also effectively prevents motion blur
while stopping vignetting and loss of image resolution that usually results
from shake compensation.
The new FUJIFILM X30 now includes two rings on the lens: a
manual zoom ring and control ring. The control ring is positioned behind the
manual zoom control and allows the immediate change of aperture and shutter
speed settings while fine-tuning image composition. Functions such as ISO
sensitivity, film simulation, white balance and continuous shooting can be
assigned by pushing the control ring setting button at the front. Two top-plate
dials and six function buttons positioned on the back of the body also offer
faster access to regularly-used features for a more instinctive operation.
New “Classic Chrome” film simulation
Fujifilm’s unprecedented image quality has been cultivated
through the development of photographic films over the past 80 years and helps
to reproduce warm skin tones, bright blue skies and rich green trees, just as
photographers remember the scene. The X30 features the new ‘Classic Chrome’
film simulation mode, which delivers muted tones and deep color reproduction.
Users can also choose from eleven different modes that simulate the effects of
traditional Fujifilm films. These include color reversal film effects (Velvia /
PROVIA / ASTIA/CLASSIC CHROME), professional color negative film (PRO Neg.Std /
PRO Neg.Hi), monochrome filters (MONOCHROME, Ye filter, R filter and G filter)
and SEPIA.
FUJIFILM X30 key features:
·12MP 2/3” X-Trans CMOS II sensor
·EXR Processor II
·NEW Real Time Viewfinder with 0.005
second lag time, 0.65 magnification and 2.36M dot OLED
·Intelligent Hybrid AF in 0.06
seconds
·Fast start-up time of 0.5 seconds
·Shutter time lag of 0.01 seconds
·High speed continuous shooting of
12fps (11 frames continuously in JPEG at full resolution)
·FUJINON F2.0-2.8 lens 4x manual zoom
lens (28-112mm) with
HT-EBC coating
·NEW Tilting 3.0” Premium Clear LCD
(920k dots)
·NEW ‘Classic Chrome’ and other film
simulation modes
·NEW Long lasting battery with
approximately 470 photos per charge. Charges using supplied micro USB cable
·Pop-up Super Intelligent Flash
·Super Macro mode to .039”
·Focus Peaking function
·Motion Panorama 360
·Advanced Filters
·“Q” button for frequently used menu
items
·Multiple Exposure
·Full HD video 1080p at 60fps; bit
rate of 36Mbps for clear capture of delicate movements
·Manual focus available during video
recording*7
·Free FUJIFILM Camera Remote
application and Wireless Communication function allows users to remotely shoot
images from smartphones and tablets via WiFi
·Output for Stereo Microphone
·Electronic level
·Live histogram
·Interval timer shooting (1 second to
24 hours up to 999 frames)
FUJIFILM X30 Accessories:
· Leather
case LC-X30 - made of premium genuine leather.
· Lens
Hood and Protector Filter LHF-X30 - protective filter with Super EBC
multi-layer coating technology. Available in black or silver. The dedicated
lens hood features slits to ensure a full angle of view for the viewfinder.
· Shoe
Mount Flash - three types of FUJIFILM external flash, capable of high-precision
TTL auto flash control: EF-20 and EF-X30 with the guide number 20, and EF-42
with the guide number 42.
· External
stereo microphone MIC-ST1 - for recording real sound with impact to go
with premium-quality images and Full HD movie.
The FUJIFILM X30 will be available in late September 2014
for USD $599.95 \ CAD $649.95.
*1: Fujifilm research as of August 2014. Compared with other
compact zoom digital cameras, being 500g or lighter in weight.
*2: Market leading viewfinder magnification ratio. Approx.
0.65x magnification 50mm (35mm format equivalent) at infinity and diopter set
to -1.0 m-1.
*3: Fujifilm research as of August 2014.
*4: Fujifilm research as of August 2014. Compared with other
digital cameras equipped with 2/3” sensor or larger, based on CIPA standards,
and conducted in High Performance mode.
*5: Quick Start and High Performance mode.
*6: CIPA standard.
*7: Aperture and shutter speed can be changed during
shooting. Only shutter speeds faster than the set frame rate can be set.
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