• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 900.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 2/3 inch 58.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Fujifilm S8600 advantages over Fujifilm X30

  • More telephoto lens reach
    900 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X30 advantages over Fujifilm S8600

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    2/3 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.20 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.4 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X30

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for its class; Very good optical performance from the bright f/2-2.8 4x lens; Quick autofocus, even in very low light; Fast burst modes; EVF fixes the flaws of optical viewfinder in X20; Tilting high-res LCD screen; Excellent feel in the hands; Very good battery life.

  • Top shutter speed is only 1/1000s when lens is wide open; No built-in ND filter; 28mm eq. may not be wide enough for some; Shallow buffer depths; Default NR processing a bit heavy-handed.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-810UZ

Fujifilm S8600
Olympus SP-810UZ
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bulb shutter
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Fujifilm X30
Olympus SP-810UZ
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm S8600
Fujifilm X10
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X10
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 2/3 inch

Compared to Fujifilm X20

Fujifilm S8600
Fujifilm X20
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X20
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch

Compared to Nikon L820

Fujifilm S8600
Nikon L820
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
Fujifilm X30
Nikon L820
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels

Compared to Nikon L830

Fujifilm S8600
Nikon L830
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
Fujifilm X30
Nikon L830
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
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