Fuji X10 / X20 / X30 :: I bought an X10 when it was first released and I’ve recently added an X30 to my bag. There’s one reason and one reason only that I got the X30: So that I would have an educated opinion about the camera when people asked me about it. It’s a cool… point and shoot. It has nice styling. It has nice image quality from a small sensor. The new EVF is fantastic and has moved it leaps and bounds ahead of the original X10.
At the end of the day? It’s a nice point and shoot that isn’t all that much smaller than an X100. It has some nice controls on it. Wifi is great. It has Classic Chrome film simulation. It has some great features. The AF is fast as well. It is a really nice point and shoot. Many people consider this camera when they are looking at the X100. When I think about the X30 vs. the X100 series I think about Jeremy Clarkson talking about the Porsche Boxster. It’s a fantastic car. It handles well. It has great acceleration. There are many great things to say about the Porsche Boxster. But buying a Porsche Boxster says one thing — you couldn’t afford what you really wanted… the 911.
X10 – You might be able to pick one up cheap. Barebones little point and shoot with nice styling. This camera is not an X100.
X20 – Meh. Just go straight to the X30 at this point. Get the Wifi. Get the Color Chrome film simulation. Get the new EVF. It’s not an X100.
X30 – If you are an X10 user and love that camera, you’re going to LOVE the X30. If you are an X20 user and you love that camera then you’ll be happy with the upgrade to the X30. FWIW – I prefer the black model. I have a black X10 and a silver X30. I prefer this series in black. Still isn’t an X100.
I will say that the coolest thing about these small X cameras is the super macro mode. You can get right up on something with these cameras for super macro images. My kids love that about this camera.
Who should buy the X30? Anyone who wants a stylish little point and shoot with a nice set of features like Wifi, a usable EVF, and a flip screen. You don’t really care about manual controls what-so-ever nor do you want a camera that can step in for paid work from time to time. Yes this camera does have manual controls and you could go to print with this camera but… you know what I’m saying.
Who should not buy the X30? Anyone who really wants the X100 series. If you think that buying an X30 will give you that X100 feeling you will be disappointed.