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Fujifilm X20 vs X30

The Fujifilm X20 and the Fujifilm X30 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2013 and August 2014. Both the X20 and the X30 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 2/3 sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 12 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm X20
versus
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X20   Fujifilm X30
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
28-112mm f/2.0-2.8 28-112mm f/2.0-2.8
12 MP – Two Thirds sensor 12 MP – Two Thirds sensor
1080/60p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-12,800 ISO 100-12,800
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
2.8" LCD – 460k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
12 shutter flaps per second 12 shutter flaps per second
270 shots per battery charge470 shots per battery charge
117 x 70 x 57 mm, 353 g 119 x 72 x 60 mm, 423 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X20 and the Fujifilm X30? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X20 and the Fujifilm X30 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver).

Size Fujifilm X20 vs Fujifilm X30
Compare X20 versus X30 top
Comparison X20 or X30 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm X30 is somewhat larger (5 percent) than the Fujifilm X20. Moreover, the X30 is markedly heavier (20 percent) than the X20. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X20 nor the X30 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the X20 gets 270 shots out of its Fujifilm NP-50 battery, while the X30 can take 470 images on a single charge of its Fujifilm NP-95 power pack. The power pack in the X30 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X20 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 353 g 270 n Jan 2013 US$ 599ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X30 119 mm 72 mm 60 mm 423 g 470 n Aug 2014 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G7 X 103 mm 60 mm 40 mm 304 g 210 n Sep 2014 US$ 699ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G15 107 mm 76 mm 40 mm 352 g 350 n Sep 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G16 109 mm 76 mm 40 mm 356 g 360 n Aug 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X10 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 350 g 270 n Sep 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ1 100 mm 59 mm 33 mm 206 g 240 n Oct 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6 111 mm 68 mm 46 mm 298 g 330 n Sep 2012 US$ 699ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon P7800 119 mm 78 mm 50 mm 399 g 350 n Sep 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 1 116 mm 87 mm 57 mm 402 g 410 n Oct 2013 US$ 699ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX7 111 mm 68 mm 46 mm 298 g 330 n Jul 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 2/3 sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 3.9. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Fujifilm X20 and Fujifilm X30 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 12 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the X20 and the X30 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the X30 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 7 months) than the X20, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Fujifilm X20 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. The Fujifilm X30 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use the X-Trans layout of photosites, which according to Fujifilm helps to minimize moiré.

X20 versus X30 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Fujifilm X20 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.110.9-46246
2.
 
Fujifilm X30 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.411.2-31249
3.
 
Canon G7 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.012.755671
4.
 
Canon G15 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.911.516546
5.
 
Canon G16 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.011.723054
6.
 
Fujifilm X10 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/30p20.511.324550
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ1 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.311.0-39047
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6 1/1.7 10.0 3648 27361080/60p19.810.8-30343
9.
 
Nikon P7800 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/30p21.211.720054
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 1 1/1.7 11.8 3968 29761080/30p20.711.617951
11.
 
Panasonic LX7 1/1.7 10.0 3648 27361080/60p20.711.714750
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the X30 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the X20 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm X20 and Fujifilm X30 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Fujifilm X20optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Fujifilm X302360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G7 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 6.5/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon G15optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.1/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon G16optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.2/s Y Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X10optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ1none n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Nikon P7800921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 11440 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 7.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic LX7optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

Both the X20 and the X30 have zoom lenses built in. Both optics have identical focal length range and aperture specifications (7.1-28.4mm f/2.0-2.8). Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X20 and the X30 write their files to SDXC cards. The X30 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the X20 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X20 and Fujifilm X30 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Fujifilm X20Ystereo / mono--micro2.0---
2.
 
Fujifilm X30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
3.
 
Canon G7 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon G15Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon G16Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
6.
 
Fujifilm X10Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ1-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon P7800Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 1Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Panasonic LX7Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---

It is notable that the X30 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the X20 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the X20 and the X30 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The X20 was replaced by the Fujifilm X30, while the X30 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the X20 and X30 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm X20 Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm X30 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X20 and the Fujifilm X30? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.


Advantages of the Fujifilm X20:

  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 70g or 17 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2013).


Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X30:

  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.8") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 460k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (470 versus 270) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 7 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the X30 is the clear winner of the contest (9 : 3 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

X20 03:09 X30

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X20 and the Fujifilm X30 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X20 or the X30 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X204/5+ +..77/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 US$ 599ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X304/5....76/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2014 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G7 X4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 US$ 699ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G154/5+..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G164/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X10......76/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm XQ1........4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 US$ 499ebay.com
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6........4/54/5 Sep 2012 US$ 699ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon P78003/5......4/54.5/5 Sep 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus Stylus 1..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 US$ 699ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX73/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Fujifilm X20 vs Fujifilm X30

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Fujifilm X20 Fujifilm X30
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 28-112mm f/2.0-2.8 28-112mm f/2.0-2.8
    Launch Date January 2013 August 2014
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Fujifilm X20 Fujifilm X30
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Two Thirds Sensor Two Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 8.8 x 6.6 mm 8.8 x 6.6 mm
    Sensor Area 58.08 mm2 58.08 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 11 mm 11 mm
    Crop Factor 3.9x 3.9x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 pixels 4000 x 3000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.20 μm 2.20 μm
    Pixel Density 20.66 MP/cm2 20.66 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor EXR Processor II EXR Processor II
    Screen Specs Fujifilm X20 Fujifilm X30
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 85% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.43x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.8inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Fujifilm X20 Fujifilm X30
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 12 shutter flaps/s 12 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Fujifilm X20 Fujifilm X30
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Fujifilm X20 Fujifilm X30
    Battery Type Fujifilm NP-50 Fujifilm NP-95
    Battery Life (CIPA)270 shots per charge470 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 117 x 70 x 57 mm
    (4.6 x 2.8 x 2.2 in)
    119 x 72 x 60 mm
    (4.7 x 2.8 x 2.4 in)
    Camera Weight 353 g (12.5 oz) 423 g (14.9 oz)
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