FUJIFILM has unveiled its high-end, third-generation compact camera, FUJIFILM X30 that promises to bring back the joy of shooting. Highlights include a high-quality CMOS sensor, real-time viewfinder, high capacity battery and dual ring controls.
Sophisticated point of view
The X30 OLED viewfinder is creating the most buzz for its size, resolution and speed. It offers a wide, clear and bright viewpoint. A 2.36-million dot resolution with a 55 frames-per-second refresh has been combined with a high-precision four-element lens with bright adjustable controls. Magnification has been bumped to 0.65x. Brightness automatically adjusts to a scene or can be set manually and with a display lag time of just 0.005 seconds, this is one of the first real-time organic viewfinders. The Graphical User Interface is positioned outside the actual view so there is nothing to distract you. The viewfinder easily rotates to vertical or horizontal shooting positioning with the image following along smoothly with no blurring. Follow all the action without having to fiddle with settings.
Improving on colour
FUJIFILM has kept the core technology from its best selling X10 and X20 cameras and enhanced it. The company’s passionate 80-year commitment to colour is clearly seen on the new X30’s evolved Film Simulation settings.
Switching between styles has been made smoother eliminating the need for any lengthy post-production. A Classic Chrome mode reproduces warmer skin tones, rich blue skies and vivid greenery. It joins the stable of settings that include PROVIA/STANDARD, Velvia/Vivid, Astia/Soft, Sepia, Monochrome, Pro Neg Std, and Pro Neg Hi.
Manual settings allow you to try out time-lapse photography. You set the starting time, the shooting interval (1 sec to 24 hr.) and number of frames (1-999) and Fujifilm X30 does the rest. Serious photographers are going to love the manual functions on this camera that produces rich colours, vivid details and smooth tones.
Longer battery life
The additions of a larger capacity NP-95 cell battery along with some power management tweaks have created a longer lasting battery in the X30. The FUJIFILM X30 can shoot up the 470 photos (1.8 times more than the X20). It can also be charged via a USB connection so you never have to worry about running of juice on location.
Sensitive CMOS and control ring
The X30 has a new control ring that automatically determines aperture settings and shutter speed. It’s enhanced with a manual zoom ring positioned on the same axis as the physical dials so settings can be quickly chosen without taking your eye off the viewfinder. The camera’s f/2 to f/2.8 fixed lens has a focal range of 28 to 112mm and features an optical 4x manual zoom. It creates a responsive camera that handles low light images than other point-and-shoot cameras.
Smartphone friendly
FUJIFILM is not bucking the trend towards smartphone cameras. Rather, it’s made the X30 a companion to smartphones. The FUJIFILM Camera Remote function lets you focus and trigger the camera from your smartphone or tablet. You can also control shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and ISO sensitivity while applying the Film Simulation, self-timer, and flash. Download the Film Simulation app and transfer up to 30 of your X30 high quality images to your smartphone or tablet. Use this app to geotag your photos as well. Your smartphone and tablet can become your smart photography assistant.
Classic design
The FUJIFILM X30 has undergone some radical design changes to accommodate its larger battery, real-time viewfinder and dual control ring. Ironically, this very modern camera resembles an old school camera with its magnesium body, metal dials and lens barrel. It’s chunkier than its predecessors with a larger handgrip for improved handling and a tilting LCD monitor but still compact.
The FUJIFILM X30 has both weight and style. It’s best of both worlds: A larger sensor compact camera with great quality images and old-school external controls that is still light enough to carry.
Find the FUJIFILM camera and lens that suits your style at the Best Buy store. Still not sure what camera you really need? Check out the Best Buy Digital Cameras Buying Guide.
