Fujifilm X30 Shooter’s Report: The retro compact gets modern features, keeps great image quality

posted Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 4:34 PM EDT

Fujifilm's X-series cameras have become one of the most popular choices for street photography with great image quality and performance, plus a stylish, retro-inspired design. But as photographer Jeremy Gray found with his Fujifilm X30 Shooter's Report, these cameras are also great for landscape and nature photography, even in the snowy, wintry environment of Maine.

Vastly different from the large, full-frame DSLRs Jeremy normally shoots with, the light and compact Fujifilm X30 was comfortable, easy to use and captured high quality images. In this full-length Shooter's Report review, Jeremy dives into the X30's updated design and ergonomics as well as the big new features of Fuji's compact X-Trans camera, which include an EVF, tiltable LCD screen and built-in Wi-Fi. Jeremy goes through a thorough examination of the the new X30, touching on its many strengths and few weaknesses. Characteristic of Fuji, the new X30, of course, features an array of film simulation presets and various digital image effects, with which Jeremy experiments as well.

7.1mm (27.9mm equivalent), f/2, 1/250s, ISO 200, Miniature Filter

The Fujifilm X30 first became available earlier this year in September for around $600. It's the third incarnation of Fuji's mini X-Series camera, which like most of its larger, APS-C-sensored brethren uses a unique X-Trans CMOS sensor -- the X-Trans CMOS II to be exact. The X30 does borrow a lot of internal workings from the earlier X20, including the same sensor, as well as the same EXR II processor and versatile 28-112mm-equivalent fixed zoom lens with a bright f/2-2.8 aperture.

For all the details of Jeremy's experience with this stylish and unique premium compact camera, head over to our Fujifilm X30 Shooter's Report for the in-depth report as well as some great gallery images!