Ode to the Fujifilm X30

Introduction

Fujifilm X30, a 12Mpx compact camera, from way back in 2014. What can it offer in 2025? The short answer, a lot!

My personal relationship with the X30

My relationship with the X30 began at the end of 2019. Until then, I was shooting with full frame DSLRs. Cameras and lenses provided top notch image quality, but they had a serious drawback. Large volume and, above all, heavy weight.

I was looking for a camera with sufficient image quality, good portability and ergonomics, for travel photography and recording memories. A discreet camera that I could have with me at all times.

Since I wanted to keep costs down, I turned to the pool of older, used, compact cameras with zoom lenses. The main options at that time seemed to be the Fujifilm X30, as well as similar cameras from Canon and Sony, all capable of recording Raw files.

At a first glance, the specifications dictated an advantage to the Sony and Canon models. The primarie being the larger 1inch 20MP sensor, compared to the 2/3inch 12MP sensor, placed in bodies with smaller dimensions and weight, which theoretically offered higher image quality and better portability. Also, the Sony and Canon lenses, having similar brightness to the X30, despite having a shorter focal length in the telephoto range, provided more wide-angle coverage, something of great importance for me who likes wide-angle shots.

Beyond the specs

On paper, Sony and Canon cameras had clear advantages in terms of image quality. However, beyond that, the X30 had ergonomic features that compensated all the above disadvantages. Features that proved to be decisive in my selection.

Larger size is not necessarily a negative thing

With dimensions of 119 X 72 X 60 mm (Width, Height, Depth) this is not a camera that fits in a trouser pocket. It is one of the bulkier compact cameras. But for someone with large hands, like me, this is not necessarily a bad thing. The larger size allows the fingers to comfortably access the camera controls. With a weight of 423 gr, it hangs comfortably around the neck, with a leather strap.

Controls for full exposure control

The camera provides a full set of controls, allowing direct adjustment of the exposure triangle (shutter speed, aperture value and ISO) without the need to access the menu. There is the classic PSAM control for switching exposure modes. A rotating dial on the rear upper right of the camera (which I have set to change the shutter speed), a rotating ring around the camera lens (which I have set to change the aperture), an exposure compensation dial (very useful for fine-tuning exposure in P, S, A programs) and the fn button on the back of the camera (which I have set to change the ISO). The control in Manual exposure mode is fully functional manually!

Manual Zoom

What makes X30 stand out from any other compact camera is the manual zoom function of the lens. Unlike other compacts, where the zoom control is done electronically, by pressing the W (wide angle) and T (telephoto) buttons, on the X30 it is done manually by rotating the zoom ring on the lens, just like on DSLR lenses! In fact, the focal lengths of 28, 35, 50, 85 and 112 mm (in full frame equivalent) are engraved. This is excellent, for those who handle zoom lenses as a pack of primes.

Leaf shutter

The camera uses a leaf shutter. This type has several differences from focal plane shutter. First of all, its maximum speed depends on the selected aperture value of the lens. So, if the selected lens aperture value is f/2.0, the maximum shutter speed value can only reach 1/1000. For large aperture values, the maximum speed can reach 1/4000, the highest number of all compact cameras.

There is no electronic shutter function. In practice, this means that in conditions of bright light (e.g. sunny day) a high number of aperture must be chosen in order to avoid overexposure.

Built-in flash

Fujifilm X30 has a built-in, retractable flash, which is activated by sliding a button on the rear, upper left part of the camera, while supporting many functions via menu.

Obviously it does not have the power and the rotating head of external flashes, but it is a useful addition for extremely dark conditions and for fill in in portraits. For cases where an external flash is required, the X30 has a hot shoe.

Fujifilm Film Simulations

Fujifilm Film Simulations are preset color profiles that mimic the look and feel of classic film, allowing photographers to achieve different styles in their images straight out of the camera. These profiles control factors such as contrast, color and sharpness, offering a preset aesthetic and reducing the need for extensive editing in post.

Film Simulations primarily offer on-camera conversion from RAW to JPEG. With the right exposure, JPEG files are ready, without the need of further editing.

Even when working with raw, using an editing software such as Capture One or Lightroom, we can choose different film simulations as a basis of the editing process, greatly reducing the time required to achieve the desired look.

Electronic viewfinder

The X30 replaced the optical viewfinders used by the previous X10 and X20 models with an excellent 2.36 million-dot electronic OLED.

Low-resolution electronic viewfinders can offer a poor user experience, but the benefits of a good one like the X30's are hard to ignore. It displays a sharp image full of color and contrast. It also reflects exposure conditions (not having to check the light meter), white balance, and the film simulation mode in use - doing all of that with great clarity.

It's also a great aid for reviewing images in bright sunlight, where the rear screen image fades.

The X30 offered one of the best electronic viewfinders of its generation. Even by the standards of 2025, it remains sufficient!

Tilting screen

The camera has a tilting LCD screen on the back, articulating along the lens axis. This is a feature that I personally find most convenient, as it makes framing with the screen a completely natural process. Articulating screens offer clear advantages for video recording, especially vlogging, but I don't shoot video often, especially with the X30.

Focus system

The X30's focus system offers 49 focus points that cover almost the entire frame. It offers Single, Continuous and Manual modes. Especially for the last mode, an excellent aid tool is focus peaking, where the points of the frame in focus are highlighted in live preview.

Battery Life

The NP-95 battery, used by the X30, has a certified life of 470 shots, one the highest in its class.

A camera that I always carry with me

The small dimensions, the large zoom range, the long battery life and the adequate quality of the raw files at low ISO, allow me to shoot of a wide range of subjects, without the inconvenience of great weight and bulk.

Living in a town with low buildings, I don't miss the opportunity to photograph urban landscapes of nearby Thessaloniki::

or on bike rides in the Axios Valley:

Travel Photography

The main reason behind the purchase of the X30 was travel photography. According to the IAAP: “A travel photograph captures the essence of a location, conveying the unique character and atmosphere of a place. It should reflect the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and distinctive features of the destination, providing viewers with a sense of the location identity and spirit. Travel photography encompasses a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, architecture, people, and customs, all of which contribute to the overall experience of the destination. The primary goal is to transport viewers to the location through the image, allowing them to explore and appreciate the worlds diverse cultures and environments.”.

The camera excels in this type of photography. Its small dimensions, wide zoom range, long battery life, and adequate raw file quality at low ISOs allow the capture of a wide range of subjects, without the inconvenience of heavy weight and bulk.

Landscape and nature photography

The zoom range, as well as raw file performance, help the X30 take excellent landscape photos:

X30 also exhibits excellent macro capabilities:

Concert photography

I was curious, without having many expectations, to try out the X30 for a concert photoshoot. The test took place at the Sisters Of Mercy live show, in the summer of 2022 in Thessaloniki!

Image quality

Obviously, X30’s sensor cannot compete, on equal terms, with the larger ones from DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

But the 2/3 inc 12 Mpx sensor is certainly capable of serious use. Photos I took with the X30 have been accepted in galleries and international photography exhibitions.

Like the photo below, which was exhibited as part of the Capture the Moment exhibition, organized by Thessaloniki Myro Gallery, in 2023.

And the following photo, which was exhibited as part of the Botanicals exhibition, organized by New York Decagon Gallery, in 2025.

The X30 is capable of taking photos that are accepted, and also distinguished, in IAAP (International Association of Art Photographers) competitions:

In conclusion

We can see that the X30, a compact camera from 2014, is capable of taking excellent photos.

In fact, there are many low cost cameras capable of taking excellent photos. Clarifying the technical features that interest us the most and having realistic expectations ensures picking the right camera for our needs.

In my case, the Fujifilm X30 was such a successful choice, that months later, I made the decision to sell all my photographic equipment and completely switch to Fujifilm X, a system I use till this day!