Fujifilm X30 | Why I stopped using it and what replaced it
- J. Logan
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
I loved the Fujifilm X30 (and still do). It’s a charming, tactile compact with a zoom that covers useful focal lengths, an EVF and a control layout that felt like a grown-up point-and-shoot. But over the past year it’s quietly migrated from camera bag staple to shelf ornament. The competition for my shooting time, principally the Fujifilm X-T10 paired with the XF 18mm F2, and to a lesser extent the smaller Olympus XZ-2, has pushed the X30 out of the workflow. Here’s why.
Sensor and image quality
The most concrete difference is the sensor. The X30 uses a 2/3-inch X-Trans CMOS II sensor with 12MP—great for a compact and capable of delivering Fuji colors and detail beyond typical pocket cameras. But the X-T10 is an interchangeable-lens APS-C camera with a much larger X-Trans CMOS II sensor and 16MP, and that change matters every time light gets tricky or I want shallower depth of field. The APS-C sensor in the X-T10 simply collects more light and gives more subject separation, cleaner high-ISO performance, and more latitude in post.
The Olympus XZ-2 sits in the same small-sensor compact category as the X30, but its sensor is slightly different (1/1.7" vs 2/3" on the X30), and the X30 actually has the edge in sensor area among those two small compacts. However, neither small sensor competes with APS-C for image quality or noise control. If image quality is your top priority at a given budget and size tradeoff, the X-T10 wins.
Handling and controls
Part of the X30’s charm is its retro control layout and integrated lens with manual zoom/focus experience. It feels purposeful and is fun to shoot. But handling isn’t just about knobs—it’s about how quickly the camera lets you get the shot you want. The X-T10 brings classic Fujifilm tactile controls and, crucially, an interchangeable lens system: I can mount the XF 18mm F2 pancake (a 27mm equivalent on APS-C) and get a compact, fast wide prime that radically changes how and when I shoot. That single-lens pairing gives me a small, comfortable carry setup with the optical and creative benefits of a prime lens—something the X30’s fixed zoom can’t fully match.
The XZ-2 is smaller and "more" pocketable and smaller than the X30 which matters for walkaround and street days when minimalism is the point. But the tradeoff is fewer physical controls than the X30. In my workflow the XZ-2 and X30 were competing for the same slots: quick days out, family, and travel around the city. The XZ-2 often wins when I absolutely need the smallest camera; the X-T10 + 18mm wins when I want quality and presence; the X30 gets squeezed out.
Features and performance
The X30 was packed for its class with a tilting 3" LCD, EVF, fast-ish lens, and Fujifilm color science. But the X-T10’s hybrid AF system, faster burst modes, better low-light ISO range and the general flexibility of switching lenses make it the camera I reach for when I want to shoot RAW and document life. The RAW files are really good and you can push them in post unlike the other two.
The XF 18mm F2 is light and sharp, and it turns the X-T10 into an unobtrusive street/landscape/portrait tool that’s simpler to carry than a kit of zooms and more capable than a compact on most image-quality metrics. The wide angle lens is most versatile than you might think.
Where the X30 still scores points is convenience, no lens changes, instant zoom range, and a design that encourages experimentation. But those strengths are also its limitations: fixed zooms mean compromises in maximum aperture and bokeh; small sensors limit dynamic range and high-ISO headroom; and once you’ve used an APS-C prime that’s compact and fast, the differences become habits you don’t easily unlearn.
Best use cases and where each camera shines
Fujifilm X-T10 + XF 18mm F2: my go-to for deliberate photography. Street, environmental portraits, travel where I want better image quality, shallow depth, and that prime look without lugging a big kit. The combo is compact enough for all-day carry while delivering clear improvements in image tone, low-light performance, and subject separation.
Fujifilm X30: the enthusiast compact for daily life, quick family trips around town, and days when I want the convenience of a zoom and the tactile controls of a retro camera. It’s fun and capable, but it’s been demoted from “first choice” to “backup” because I no longer need to compromise as often. When I want compact I’ll grab the XZ-2; when I want quality I’ll grab the X-T10.
Olympus XZ-2: the smallest and most pocketable of the three. It’s my stealth camera for really light carry days. Its specs are similar to the X30’s class, but size and convenience make it the better everyday snap tool when I’m not prioritizing image quality above all.
Fujifilm X30 / Olympus XZ-2 vs Smartphone
A compact camera like the Fujifilm X30 or Olympus XZ-2 offers a real shooting experience with tactile controls and a proper zoom lens, letting you stay focused on the moment. It also saves your phone’s battery for everything else you rely on. Plus, shooting RAW gives you far more editing flexibility than any smartphone JPEG.
Final take
There’s an emotional element to this, too: cameras compete for time and attention. I only have so many hours and so many photo outings. The X30 was a beloved companion, but in practice I reach for tools that fit the job quicker. The X-T10 with the XF 18mm F2 covers the majority of my shooting scenarios now—better IQ, more creative control, and a small, satisfying single-lens kit feel. The XZ-2 fills the compact role. The X30 is excellent at what it was designed to be, but in my lineup it’s lost favor because two other cameras cover my needs more.....For now.
My name is Jason. I'm a photographer, foodie, and family man from North Jersey. My hometown is Jersey City but call Bayonne home now. I'm the founder of JMT Photography & Media specializing in Events, Portraits, Food, and more.
Instagram - @jmtphotographymedia
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