There is a new enthusiast compact in town and it is a beauty. Black and silver color ways are just the beginning. The new EVF is wicked fast and there is the XTRANS II sensor and EXR II processor. The lens is an improved version of the excellent lens of the X20 and the controls are extensive as befits a Fuji X offering. Phase detect AF is fast, which will be very competitive in its class.
My only worry is that the 2/3” sensor is seriously challenged by the 1” sensor compacts coming out from other manufacturers and the GM1 with its 4/3” sensor from Panasonic. 2/3” is a tough sell in that market, but then there is the excellent Fuji color and the very good high ISO performance of X Trans, and Fuji sweetens the deal with the return of the Classic Chrome film mode. A tilting LCD also helps a great deal with low macro shots and selfies.
Video specs sound promising with a full 1080/60p mode at 36Mbps! That’s pretty amazing if AF works well. There is a new MF mode to help with that though, and it works while filming. The fast lens will help as well with chasing kids around parties etc. Even an external microphone jack with the new MIC-ST1 stereo microphone available.
Read Fuji’s formal announcement starting at 1am on 26 August …
FUJIFILM ANNOUNCES CLASSICALLY DESIGNED PREMIUM COMPACT X30 WITH NEW CONTROLS AND FASTER PERFORMANCE
X30 features Real Time Viewfinder, dual control rings, and new ‘Classic Chrome’ Film Simulation for dramatically colored photos
Valhalla, N.Y., August 26, 2014 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the new FUJIFILM X30, a premium compact, fixed lens camera aimed at enthusiast and professional photographers. The FUJIFILM X30 has an all new Real Time Viewfinder and innovative dual manual control rings for composing and taking pictures quickly and easily.
The FUJIFILM X30 gives enthusiast and professional photographers a vast array of new features, and delivers the same award-winning image quality and design that the FUJIFILM X-Series is known for around the world. The new X30 features a Real Time Viewfinder – which is the largest, brightest, fastest and highest resolving viewfinder in its class*1 – a large 12MP 2/3” X-Trans CMOS II sensor, EXR Processor II and a new ‘Classic Chrome’ film simulation mode that delivers muted tones and deep color reproduction for beautifully dramatic images.
The X30 also includes a large tilting 3.0” 920K-dot premium clear LCD monitor, increased battery performance, and a strong, yet lightweight, die-cast magnesium alloy body that is superbly designed to add a real sense of style and elegance to the camera.
Vision and speed
The new FUJIFILM X30 uses an innovative Real Time Viewfinder with a large magnification of 0.65x*2 and a display lag time of just 0.005*3 seconds that is the largest and fastest viewfinder in its class. It offers a clear, high-definition Live View with a new 2.36M-dot organic EL viewfinder and dedicated lens that improves visibility by automatically controlling the viewfinder’s brightness according to the ambient light levels. The Live View display can also be set to reflect shooting conditions, or offer a natural view close to what is seen with the naked eye, while the viewfinder’s eye sensor automatically switches the visible information when the camera is positioned vertically or horizontally.
(Left) Real Time Viewfinder with five glass elements
(Right) X30’s expanded viewfinder size
The FUJIFILM X30 uses the award-winning X-Trans CMOS II sensor with phase-detection AF and the EXR Processor II to give photographers high-speed performance, amazing resolution and low noise for extraordinary images. The X30’s phase-detection system focuses in just 0.06*4 seconds, has a startup time of 0.5 seconds*5, shutter time lag of 0.015 seconds, and shooting interval of 0.5 seconds.
(Left) X-Trans CMOS II sensor layers
(Right) X-Trans CMOS II sensor size comparison
High precision F2.0-2.8 4x manual barrel zoom lens
The FUJIFILM X30’s lens is made up of 11 glass elements in nine groups, including three aspherical lens elements and two ED lens elements. The result is an ultra-bright lens with a wide-angle maximum aperture of f/2.0 and telephoto maximum aperture of f/2.8 for beautiful, high resolution images. Additionally, the X30’s lens incorporates seven diaphragm blades for stunningly soft ‘bokeh’ to make your subject stand out from the background.
The X30 has an optical 4x manual zoom lens that allows quick and precise control over composition. The X30 also has a unique image stabilization mechanism that shifts five lens elements to compensate for camera shake by up to four stops*6. The innovative image stabilization system also effectively prevents motion blur while stopping vignetting and loss of image resolution that usually results from shake compensation.
The new FUJIFILM X30 now includes two rings on the lens: a manual zoom ring and control ring. The control ring is positioned behind the manual zoom control and allows the immediate change of aperture and shutter speed settings while fine-tuning image composition. Functions such as ISO sensitivity, film simulation, white balance and continuous shooting can be assigned by pushing the control ring setting button at the front. Two top-plate dials and six function buttons positioned on the back of the body also offer faster access to regularly-used features for a more instinctive operation.
(Left, Middle) X30 Dual Ring controls
(Right) X30 large tilting 3.0” 920K-dot premium clear LCD monitor
New “Classic Chrome” film simulation
Fujifilm’s unprecedented image quality has been cultivated through the development of photographic films over the past 80 years and helps to reproduce warm skin tones, bright blue skies and rich green trees, just as photographers remember the scene. The X30 features the new ‘Classic Chrome’ film simulation mode, which delivers muted tones and deep color reproduction. Users can also choose from eleven different modes that simulate the effects of traditional Fujifilm films. These include color reversal film effects (Velvia / PROVIA / ASTIA/CLASSIC CHROME), professional color negative film (PRO Neg.Std / PRO Neg.Hi), monochrome filters (MONOCHROME, Ye filter, R filter and G filter) and SEPIA.
(Above) ‘Classic Chrome’ film simulation mode that delivers muted tones and deep color reproduction
FUJIFILM X30 key features:
· 12MP 2/3” X-Trans CMOS II sensor
· EXR Processor II
· NEW Real Time Viewfinder with 0.005 second lag time, 0.65 magnification and 2.36M dot OLED
· Intelligent Hybrid AF in 0.06 seconds
· Fast start-up time of 0.5 seconds
· Shutter time lag of 0.01 seconds
· High speed continuous shooting of 12fps (11 frames continuously in JPEG at full resolution)
· FUJINON F2.0-2.8 lens 4x manual zoom lens with HT-EBC coating
· NEW Tilting 3.0” Premium Clear LCD (920k dots)
· NEW ‘Classic Chrome’ and other film simulation modes
· NEW Long lasting battery with approximately 470 photos per charge. Charges using supplied micro USB cable
· Pop-up Super Intelligent Flash
· Super Macro mode to .039”
· Focus Peaking function
· Motion Panorama 360
· Advanced Filters
· “Q” button for frequently used menu items
· Multiple Exposure
· Full HD video 1080p at 60fps; bit rate of 36Mbps for clear capture of delicate movements
· Manual focus available during video recording*7
· Free FUJIFILM Camera Remote application and Wireless Communication function allows users to remotely shoot images from smartphones and tablets
· Output for Stereo Microphone
· Electronic level
· Live histogram
· Interval timer shooting (1 second to 24 hours up to 999 frames)
FUJIFILM X30 Accessories:
· Leather case LC-X30 - made of premium genuine leather.
· Lens Hood and Protector Filter LHF-X30 - protective filter with Super EBC multi-layer coating technology. Available in black or silver. The dedicated lens hood features slits to ensure a full angle of view for the viewfinder.
· Shoe Mount Flash - three types of FUJIFILM external flash, capable of high-precision TTL auto flash control: EF-20 and EF-X30 with the guide number 20, and EF-42 with the guide number 42.
· External stereo microphone MIC-ST1 - for recording real sound with impact to go with premium-quality images and Full HD movie.
The FUJIFILM X30 will be available in late September 2014 for $599.95.
*1: Fujifilm research as of August 2014. Compared with other compact zoom digital cameras, being 500g or lighter in weight.
*2: Market leading viewfinder magnification ratio. Approx. 0.65x magnification 50mm (35mm format equivalent) at infinity and diopter set to -1.0 m-1.
*3: Fujifilm research as of August 2014.
*4: Fujifilm research as of August 2014. Compared with other digital cameras equipped with 2/3” sensor or larger, based on CIPA standards, and conducted in High Performance mode.
*5: Quick Start and High Performance mode.
*6: CIPA standard.
*7: Aperture and shutter speed can be changed during shooting. Only shutter speeds faster than the set frame rate can be set.
About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation consists of four operating divisions and one subsidiary company. The Imaging Division provides consumer and commercial photographic products and services, including: photographic paper; digital printing equipment, along with service and support; personalized photo products; film; and one-time-use cameras; and also markets motion picture archival film and on-set color management solutions to the motion picture, broadcast and production industries. The Electronic Imaging Division markets consumer digital cameras, and the Graphic Systems Division supplies products and services to the graphic printing industry. The Optical Devices Division provides optical lenses for the broadcast, cinematography, closed circuit television, videography and industrial markets, and also markets binoculars. FUJIFILM Canada Inc. sells and markets a range of Fujifilm products and services in Canada. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmusa.com/northamerica, go to www.twitter.com/fujifilmus to follow Fujifilm on Twitter, or go to www.facebook.com/FujifilmNorthAmerica to Like Fujifilm on Facebook. To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm via RSS, subscribe at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including: healthcare, with medical systems, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; graphic systems; highly functional materials, such as flat panel display materials; optical devices, such as broadcast and cinema lenses; digital imaging; and document products. These are based on a vast portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic, software and production technologies. In the year ended March 31, 2014, the company had global revenues of $23.7 billion, at an exchange rate of 103 yen to the dollar. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com.
All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Matthew Schmidt
Fujifilm
(914) 789-8529
