I have owned and used both the X10 and the X20. I really loved their versatility and dedicated super-macro mode as well as the very handy f/2-2.8 zoom lens with a broad range of 7.1-28.4mm (28-112mm full frame eq.) But in the end I always ended up selling them off because I always used the X100 series instead.
When the X30 came out Fujifilm decided to get rid of the little optical viewfinder of the X10/X20 (which really wasn’t all that good to begin with! I always wanted it to be more like the X100 viewfinder) and go all EVF. They changed the design language a bit, making it more stringent in the design. An odd mixture of 80’s/modern/retro. I like it, but that is entirely subjective, so I will not be getting into that.
The Problem
This leads me to the next thing. This review is NOT like my usual reviews. This review is based upon a specific problem where the X30 suddenly presented itself as a brilliant solution. The camera has been out for a while, and a lot of other review sites have already said what needs to be said about this camera. For all the technical details I advise you to seek out these other reviews.
So what was this problem? Well. I’m an avid listener of Rock music. Being brought up to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, The Who and Van Halen, it was only a matter of time since I myself picked up the guitar. I have played since age 14 and my musical tastes clearly reflect this fact.
I listen to Rock! Heavy rock! Heavy guitar ridden rock!!!
Attending rock concerts in this day and age, you are often allowed to bring your pocket camera/smartphone. But I was never happy with the iPhone images I brought home from these concerts. So I had a sit down with my cerebral cortex.
The (Potential) Solution
“What about the X30, Jonas??? Thats a pocket camera, right? And it has this great zoom range! And the lens is actually pretty fast!……… but that 2/3″ sensor might present a noise issue….BUT it will perform better than any smartphone, thats for sure!!”
I contacted Fujifilm Nordic (being an official X-Photographer does have its perks) and asked if I could have an X30 sent over for testing. As always they were supportive of my crazy ideas, and sent over a test unit.
I then proceeded to booking tickets for Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, which had a great warmup in the form of Crobot. Two bands that I REALLY like. I also booked tickets for a danish band called “Electric Guitars” at a later date, at a different, smaller, club-like venue.
So off I went in my skinny black jeans, black T-shirt, boots and general rock ‘n roll attitude! I had the little X30 i my right hand back pocket with a small Gordys wrist-strap, and my wallet in the other. Thats it! No zooms no wide angles, no camera bag. no NOTHING!
The Performance
So this will of course be mostly about the low-light performance. An area where the bigger APS-C sized Fujifilm X-series cameras excel to an amazing level. How does the much smaller 2/3″ sensor stack up? Well it has more noise. Thats a given. But is the noise of an acceptable quality? What I like about the bigger X-Trans sensors is the very organic looking grain. It doesn’t take on the usual appearance of chromatic colornoise.
The X30 to an extent has these traits. But what I found is that I really needed to stay below ISO1600, and preferably around ISO800. The files from these levels contain an acceptable amount of grain, that if converted to black and white gives the images a great look.
The Lens is stabilised. Something that gives you a couple of extra stops of light without getting too much motion blur. This is perfect when balancing the camera in one hand over the audience zoomed to 112mm and holding a pint in the other hand!
Remember, that I was at these concerts as a normal attendee. I had no special access to anything. So the images are taken from a slightly left-handed side of the stage in the 2nd row of the crowd. The lens has incredible reach from here. You can really produce some closeups even from a distance.
Color accuracy is great! Even at the high ISO’s the lacking light did not prevent me from getting vibrant colors from the stage lighting. I used a mixture of the Classic Chrome setting, and lifting the vibrancy slightly in post. Classic Chrome is great for the gritty feel I wanted in my Rock concert images.
The Pictures
The samples galleries are split into 3 – Crobot performance, Black Label Society performance and Electric Guitars performance.
Crobot – X30
Black Label Society – X30
Electric Guitars – X30
Conclusion
The camera did an amazing job at these concerts. It was handy, stealthy, versatile, and best of all it delivered GREAT pictures that I simply couldn’t have achieved with a cellphone or the likes. So the next time you need to capture your memories of a great concert or festival, where only smartphones or pocket-cams are allowed, I wouldn’t hesitate one bit in recommending the X30 for this particular task. So go ahead, and ROCK OUT!
awesome job, Jonas!
Thank you Stephan! Thank you for reading.
/J
impressive…
Thank you 🙂 /J
How does one get amazing pictures from rockstars like that?! I take pictures of my boyfriends metal band (Edging Rage – if you wanna check them out) and its rare if I get a good shot. I need more practice. Kudos on these images, man. Really good material :)!
Hi Diana. Haha. Thank you for the compliment. The best thing to do is just show up, and be persistent. Don’t be afraid to push closer. And then choose the right tool for the job 😉
Thank you so much for stopping by.
/J
Excelent set, great photos! Why full size versions are only 2048×1536? They are smaller than SOOC.
Hi Tomasz. Thank you! The images are scaled down for the web. Originals are bigger in resolution. I do this cause of the image heavy nature of my site. But I will try to post some 1:1 samples in my future reviews.
/J
Awesome Jonas
Tak Frode! 😀
Super Rock n’ Roll review.
( love my X30 performace at indoor concert conditions 😉
Thank you! It’s just such a great little compact! Thank you for reading. /J
This is definitely the best X30 review that I have come across, the most relevant as well, mainly because you quickly point out the flaws of the camera and then proceed to convince me that I need one. 😉
Great job.
Haha. Thank you Peter! Thank you for reading.
/J
Great post. I have an x-20 and am still in love with it. That cameras made me long for the x-100 so I finally picked up the t. Nor sure if I have a lemon in the 100 or not but my 20 beats it hands down for low light keepers. Your post has only convinced further…..I’m ordering an x-30 today. Thanks again for the fine post about what really matters……taking and making photos that work regardless of the amount of tech behind the lens.
I’ve found that the Sony RX 100 series does equally well, due to its 1″ sensor and great AF. I prefer it to the Fuji’s for real pocket carry — it’s thinner.
Thanks for that interesting thoughts and the great pics!!!
Nice! Wasn’t sure about bringing Frank (my X30) to a gig but damn those shots are awesome! Ok pro high end stage lighting definitely helps but the little Fuji sure takes good gig shots. Nice!
fine job!!!!
I really like this review as it actually and immediately challenges the equipment in review. I am mainly interested in taking pictures of my family and whatever visually interesting scene I can find. I have been using a simple P&S for a long time now and it does well enough for me when outside and there is good enough light to use. Most reviews of this camera cover a lot of things and many of those, most half decent camera can do well enough. I take away from this review the feeling that I can compose the pictures I want with indoor or artificial light. Good baby pictures can be challenging too right? Thank you!
Great review, much better than the kind of review you can find out there. Also the pictures are great! If the X30 can pruduce such images I don’t need a better camera for family and travel.
Jonas, what about AF performance in low light?
The best Fuji X !!! 🙂
WOW…great images! Excellent work…..
PS- The pic of Zakk with the V and the Goldtop pic RULE!
cheers
Good Job Jonas!
I like it. # ROCK N’ ROLL.
really i like this too
Really beautiful shots. I am married to a rock-n-roller and it is NOT easy to capture the moments, which you have done so well here. Rock on…
These look really good!
I loved the photographs. Fantastic composition and lighting in all of them. These photographs really came in to life. I was truly entertained.
Well done ! Nice pics – Rock out
Amazing images. Very cool
I’m a huge fan of photography and this is amazing
a very detailed review.
Mind blowing photographs.. the X30 is worth a try..
This is amazing
Guys check my page out too
The way you’ve captured the raw emotion behind the scenes is breathtaking.
Wonderful post
Powerful photos! And such beautiful hair
Your review was easy to understand, even a dummy like me gets it. Thank you! 😀
Awesome job! Congrats!
I love this!
Those are some awesome shots! I love me some BLS! Zac was just in Minneapolis not to long ago! Always a good show
Hello! Nice review Jonas, Ian MacDonald, told me about your concert pics with the X30! I’ve been using one since May, 2015, shot around 20000 pictures with it! From concerts, to street photography, architecture and even sports, always in jpeg, and using mostly Cc and B+r film simulations! I’m really happy with de results, and is a bit sad that they discontinued it! If you like to check some of my pictures in IG it here @paulo4130
Cheers, keep on the good work!
Paulo
Awesomely images!
Awesome pictures! Really impressing!
Hello, i just happened read this review..I own Fuji X30 for almost two years yet I am not satisfied with black and white quality from this camera, then I see your concert photos here and it is spectacular…
Did you tweak these pictures somehow or are these straight from X30 camera? and in what format did you take them?
much respect from Indonesia