Daven Mathies/Digital Trends
David Elrich/Digital Trends
The Fujifilm X-T30 and Sony A6400 are two of the very best cameras you should buy for below $1,000. The X-T30 borrows closely from the $1,500 X-T3, together with the superb sensor, processor, and autofocus system. Likewise, the A6400 inherits know-how from the higher-end A6500, and likewise consists of Sony’s latest synthetic intelligence-based autofocus system that works wonders for photographing transferring topics.
But for as comparable as these cameras are, they’ve very totally different souls. Fujifilm designs its cameras to recreate a basic, film-era taking pictures expertise, whereas Sony embraces its place as a tech firm. The A6400 appears extra trendy, and the consumer expertise is much less centered on bodily buttons and dials. Both cameras are so shut by way of capabilities that it might be tough to select a definitive winner, however to this point aside by way of design and consumer expertise that you could be simply fall in love with one however not the opposite.
Here’s how these two $900 mirrorless cameras examine.
Fujifilm X-T30
Sony A6400
Sensor
26.1-megapixel BSI X-Trans APS-C
24.2-megapixel APS-C
Burst Speed
8 fps mechanical/20 fps digital
11 fps
Shutter Speed
15 min. to 1/4,000 sec. (1/32,00 digital shutter)
30 sec. to 1/4,000
ISO
160 – 12,800 (boosts to 51,200)
100 – 32,000 (boosts to 102,400)
Autofocus
425-point on-chip phase-detection
425-point on-chip phase-detection
Image Stabilization
Included in equipment lens
Included in equipment lens
Video
DCI or UHD 4K as much as 30 fps (8-bit 4:2:0 200mbps inner, 10-bit 4:2:2 exterior)
UHD 4K as much as 30 fps (8-bit 4:2:0 100mbps inner, 8-bit 4:2:2 exterior)
Viewfinder
Electronic, 2.36 million dots
Electronic, 2.36 million dots
LCD
3-inch tilting
3-inch tilting with 180-degree flip
Connectivity
USB-C, 2.5mm mic, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Micro USB, 3.5mm mic, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Battery
Li-ion rated for 380 photographs
Li-ion rated for 400 photographs
Dimensions (WxHxD)
4.65 x 3.27 x 1.85 inches
4.72 x 2.64 x 2.36 inches
Weight
13.5 ounces
14.2 ounces
Kit Lens
Fujifilm 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS, 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS
Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS, 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Price
$900 physique solely, $1,000 w/ 15-45mm, $1,300 w/ 18-55mm
$900 physique solely, $1,000 w/ 16-50mm, $1,300 w/ 18-135mm
Read extra
Fujifilm X-T30 overview
Sony A6400 overview
Buy Now
Amazon
Amazon
Sensor
Both cameras function APS-C sensors with a crop issue of 1.5x in comparison with full-frame. Both additionally function comparable megapixel counts, though the Fujifilm X-T30 squeezes out a pair extra with 26 over the Sony A6400’s 24.
The X-T30’s sensor has two distinctive attributes: It is bottom illuminated (BSI), that means the circuitry is on the again of the sensor reasonably than the entrance, and it makes use of Fujifilm’s extra advanced X-Trans shade filter array which helps management moiré and might produce sharper photographs in some conditions. In concept, a BSI sensor could have improved mild gathering functionality and thus carry out higher in low mild, however it’s truly the Sony that has the upper ISO score, expandable to 102,400 in comparison with the Fuji’s expanded most of 51,200. Real world outcomes put the 2 neck-and-neck, although, with each cameras exhibiting comparable noise ranges at equal ISO ranges.
We’ll give the Fuji the sting for the extra superior tech, barely increased decision, and decreased moiré — however actually, each cameras are able to producing lovely outcomes.
Winner: Fujifilm X-T30
Daven Mathies/Digital TrendsSpeed
These cameras are each very quick, however they deal with steady taking pictures in several methods. The Sony is the quicker of the 2 relating to taking pictures with the mechanical shutter, with a burst fee of 11 frames per second in comparison with the Fuji’s eight. However, that’s as quick because the Sony will get, whereas the Fuji can churn out 20 fps in digital shutter mode, or 30 fps with a 1.25x crop.
Easy win for the X-T30 then, proper? Not so quick. The A6400 additionally advantages from a considerably bigger picture buffer which might maintain 49 RAW pictures; the X-T30’s can retailer solely 18, which equates to lower than a second of taking pictures in its highest pace modes. The Sony, subsequently, would be the better option for maintaining with steady motion, like a sporting occasion, whereas the Fujifilm could have the sting if it is advisable to seize as many frames as attainable in a brief period of time. For sensible use, the Sony has an edge.
Winner: Sony A6400
Autofocus
Both of those cameras function very succesful autofocus methods that sound an identical on paper. Each makes use of on-chip phase-detection with 425 focus factors. Each additionally has face and eye-tracking modes that work fairly nicely, however that is the place Sony’s prowess as a know-how chief provides it an edge. The A6400 options the corporate’s latest “Real-time tracking” mode which does an unbelievable job of figuring out and monitoring topics, even fast-moving ones. It’s a game-changer for motion images, however it’s additionally very straightforward to make use of — by inserting the main target field over an individual’s face, the digital camera is aware of to search for eyes. Place the field over one other object, and it’ll monitor that object with out being distracted by any faces or eyes that enter the body.
Winner: Sony A6400
David Elrich/Digital TrendsVideo
Sony has lengthy been a dominant participant within the video world, however Fujifilm has labored tirelessly over the previous couple of generations to convey its cameras on top of things. And with the X-T30, it might have beat Sony at its personal recreation.
Both cameras can file 4K at as much as 30 frames per second, however the X-T30 is the one one that offers you choices for each UHD (3,840 x 2,160) and DCI (4,096 x 2,160) resolutions. Both additionally function elective logarithmic tone curves (Fuji’s F-Log and Sony’s S-Log) that protect dynamic vary by recording a really flat picture with low distinction and saturation, however the X-T30 additionally inherits the superb Eterna movie simulation, a profile based mostly on its discontinued movement image movie. Eterna was launched within the flagship X-H1 and is a lovely profile for taking pictures film-like movies.
For high-end videographers who plan to spend time shade grading in submit, the X-T30 additionally boasts a better bitrate of 200 megabits per second, twice that of the A6400. Additionally, whereas each cameras file 8-bit 4:2:0 footage internally, the Fuji may also output 10-bit 4:2:2 video over HDMI into an exterior recorder, the one sub-$1,000 digital camera to take action.
Winner: Fujifilm X-T30
Design
Sony and Fujifilm have very distinct approaches to designing cameras. The A6400 appears modern, minimalist, and trendy, the place the X-T30 resembles a basic digital camera from the movie period. It’s not all about appears, although; we additionally respect the devoted shutter pace and publicity compensation dials on prime of the X-T30, in addition to the center-mounted viewfinder. It feels nearer to knowledgeable digital camera by way of its direct-access management.
The Sony’s largest benefit is the 180-degree flip display screen, which makes it higher for selfies and (doubtlessly) vlogging. However, as a result of it flips up, reasonably than out to the facet, it is going to be blocked by any mild or microphone connected to the highest of the digital camera, which considerably negates its usefulness for vloggers.
This will largely come down to non-public choice, however we give the nod to Fujifilm right here for its nice management format and basic attractiveness.
Winner: Fujifilm X-T30
Connectivity
Both cameras function Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wi-fi picture switch and distant management out of your smartphone. In phrases of bodily connections, they’re additionally fairly comparable, with some small, however essential, variations. The Sony makes use of an older Micro USB 2.0 connection, whereas the X-T30 encompasses a new USB-C port. Importantly, it might probably additionally ship an audio sign over that USB-C port which helps you to join a pair of headphones by way of an adapter; the A6400 has no headphone jack by any means.
Both cameras function microphone jacks, however the Fuji’s is a smaller-than-normal 2.5mm kind. The Sony makes use of the normal 3.5mm jack, which suggests you possibly can join a regular on-camera microphone with out a further adapter. Both use Micro HDMI ports.
Winner: Fujifilm X-T30, however simply barely
Battery
In CIPA testing, the A6400’s battery outlasted the Fujifilm’s by 20 exposures. As small mirrorless cameras, neither has notably nice battery life: 400 photographs per cost for the A6400, 380 for the X-T30. As at all times, how a lot life you pull out of the battery relies upon vastly on how you utilize the digital camera, however this does counsel the Sony has a slight edge.
Winner: Sony A6400
Picking an total winner
Daven Mathies/Digital Trends
David Elrich/Digital Trends
These cameras are direct opponents, and but have utterly totally different design philosophies. Overall, we desire the X-T30 for each basic images and videography (particularly in the event you spend money on an exterior HDMI recorder). But for sports activities and motion images, the Sony’s superior Real-time monitoring autofocus will give it an edge.
But no digital camera is an island, and picture high quality is just pretty much as good because the lens in entrance of the digital camera. We are large followers of Fujifilm’s XF lens lineup, which comprises some wonderful quick primes particularly designed for the APS-C format. Most of Sony’s greatest lenses are constructed for bigger full-frame sensors, which suggests you pay for glass you’re not utilizing in the event you mount one to the A6400. The Fujifilm X sequence is solely the extra full and higher system in the event you’re fantastic sticking with APS-C; nevertheless, if you need the choice of transferring to full-frame sooner or later, that’s the place it might make sense to go together with the Sony. You can begin investing in full-frame glass now, and improve to a full-frame digital camera down the street.
The easy fact is you could’t go flawed with both of those cameras. But before you purchase, consider your future must the acquisition choice, as a result of one system might serve you higher down the street.