This article pits the Fujifilm X-T50 and Fujifilm X-T30 head-to-head on an autumn photowalk in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Just to warn you, this will likely be the most unfair camera comparison anywhere on the internet. Nonetheless, I hope that you find it worthwhile, or at least enjoyable.
Fujifilm introduced the X-T30 in February of 2019. It features a 26mp X-Trans IV sensor, and was Fujifilm’s mid-tier SLR-styled camera until it was replaced by the nearly identical X-T30 II in November of 2021. Fujifilm announced the X-T50 in May of this year. It features a 40mp X-Trans V sensor and IBIS, as well as the contentious Film Dial. While it is not the X-T30 II’s successor (I assume that means an X-T30 III is a possibility in the future), the two models are clearly in the same family. They are similar in size and design, but the X-T50 is slightly larger and heavier (to accommodate IBIS), with rounded corners and is more expensive. According to the spec sheets, the X-T50 is better in pretty much every aspect, but not necessarily by leaps and bounds. Overall, these two cameras are pretty similar for stills photography; however, for video, the X-T50 is the winner.
Above: Ann Arbor photowalk; photo by Dave Geffin using the Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm Recipe on a Fujifilm X-T50.
This last Saturday, Bryan Minear and I cohosted a photowalk in Ann Arbor in conjunction with PROCAM and Fujifilm. We had an excellent turnout: I counted 48 people, including myself and Bryan. The weather was nice—a nearly perfect crisp autumn morning—and the scenery beautiful. It was a massive success, and just a ton of fun. It was so great to meet those who came out!
One especially great aspect of this photowalk for me is that my seven-year-old daughter, Johanna, was able to join us. I gave her my Fujifilm X-T30 to photograph with, set with the Kodak Portra 400 v2 Film Simulation Recipe. I’ve let her use some of my old digicams before, but not a “nice” camera like the X-T30. I wasn’t sure how well she would do with it, but gave her a quick tutorial and let her have at it. Honestly, she stole the show.
Above left: Johanna with an X-T30, captured by me with an X-T50 using the Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm Recipe; Above right: me with an X-T50, captured by Bryan Minear with a GFX100S II.
I bet you can already see where this article is going. Yes, this totally unfair camera shootout is between myself with a Fujifilm X-T50 and Fujinon 27mm f/2.8 lens and my seven-year-old daughter with a Fujifilm X-T30 and TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 lens. Even though I had the better gear, I had absolutely no chance of winning. Johanna—with an X-T30—won in a landslide. We’ll get to the pictures in just a moment.
The Fujifilm X-T30 has a few fewer film simulations and JPEG options than the X-T50, but it is still a very, very capable camera. Even in the hands of a child, it can capture excellent images. Between the two, I’ll grab the X-T50 every time; however, if I were trying to decide to buy an X-T50 or X-T30 II, that would be a much tougher decision—the X-T30 II is a better value, while the X-T50 is a little more capable. I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Between a used X-T30 and brand-new X-T30 II, I would lean towards the X-T30 II due to Classic Negative and other firmware upgrades.
Above, top-left: by Rickey White. Above, bottom-right: by Bryan Minear. Above, all others: by my wife, Amanda Roesch. Amanda used a Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 lens + Fujicolor Negative Recipe.
The reason why I declared Johanna the winner is because I’m her dad (she was always going to win… I never had a chance—all the dads out there understand), and also because young children are oftentimes good photographers. They are naturally curious and creative. They don’t think about all the “rules” and what they “shouldn’t” do; instead, they’re just having fun. Also, their perspective is so much different—quite literally, because they are smaller, but also figuratively—so it’s a completely different take from what most adults see—they notice things that others completely overlook. If you have a child, I definitely recommend allowing them to photograph with you sometimes. Don’t be afraid to let them borrow one of your cameras (I know, it’s a risk… my oldest son dropped and broke one of mine when he was little). Those experiences might be pivotal for them, and at the least it’s something you both will remember and cherish for many years.
Below are straight-out-of-camera JPEGs captured during the Ann Arbor photowalk by Johanna using a Fujifilm X-T30 and the Kodak Portra 400 v2 Recipe and by me using a Fujifilm X-T50 and the Film Dial Recipes.
Johanna’s Photos:
Ritchie’s Photos:
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Fujifilm X-T30 II in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T30 II in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T50 in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T50 in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T50 in charcoal:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8:
Amazon, B&H, Wex
Fujinon 27mm f/2.8:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex,
Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App!
TTArtisan 27mm f/2,8 is a good lens for its money. I like it.
I have two copies, and they are very different (and not just because one is the yellow-red “Kodak” version 🤣). One is noisy but has better corner sharpness, the other is quiet but less sharp outside the center. If I could combine the strengths of the two and eliminate their weaknesses, I think it would be a great lens. It seems that QC is a little hit or miss, and I’ve missed twice to a degree. Even so, both copies have character (and character that is unique to each), and that’s important. Sometimes clinically good lenses are boring.
Your pics were a good 2nd place though Richie. I have a X-T30. Is there any chance your Daughter can give me some tuition with it. Cheers Ken
I appreciate your kindness! She had a ton of fun, and hasn’t stopped talking about it.
Fuji destroyed xt line. About t50…Simulations are not so important to have a dial. There are more important features for dial. Maybe it’s fine with some children camera so they have fun.Furthermore you can’t put custom simulations on dial which makes it even more useless. Not to mention those that shoot mostly bw (and modified). It’s uglier than t30. And price gets close to xt5..
I pretty much disagree with all of this.
The X-T50 is an addition to the X-T00 line… Fujifilm has stated that it is not the X-T30 II’s successor, so I imagine that an X-T30 III is in the future plans. This is just a new model to go along with the others, so rest assured that nothing is destroyed.
As a “mostly B&W” photographer, here’s how the Film Dial could be one of your most used tools: set FS1 to AY, set FS2 to AR, and set FS3 to AG. Then, with a quick twist of the knob, you have instant access to Acros plus the three Filter options. You could set the Filter option before even powering on the camera, or, if you are unsure which one you want, you can quickly scroll through them while looking through the EVF. With an open mind, you might find it to be really useful. With a closed mind, well, you’ve already pre-decided that you hate it.
Of course, I have to give this qualification: not every camera is for everyone, and not every feature of every camera is for everyone. That doesn’t mean that the camera or feature shouldn’t exist, because there are people who it is for, and who love it. I really like the X-T50 and the Film Dial, personally, but I don’t expect that everyone does. Just like not everyone likes the X-Pro3, but for some people it is the greatest camera they’ve ever used, and you couldn’t pry it out of their hands if you wanted to. Different strokes for different folks.