Nikon D4S vs Fujifilm X30

Cameras
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Nikon D4S vs Fujifilm X30

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D4S Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D4S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D4S.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D4S conclusion.

2/3 inch 58.1mm²
12.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Fujifilm X30 Review.
How does it shoot? Fujifilm X30 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the X30.
Compare Fujifilm X30 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Fujifilm X30 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5
Compare D4S vs D5
Compare Nikon D5 vs Fujifilm X30

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Fujifilm X30

Larger sensor
35mm vs 2/3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 2.20 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

3020 vs 470 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
16.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.8 fps vs 9.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
78 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Fujifilm X30 advantages over Nikon D4S

Less expensive
$499 vs $5999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
60 mm vs 90 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/1000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
423g vs 1356g
Lighter weight
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D4S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X30 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D4S

Body Only

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Buy the Fujifilm X30

Fuji X30 (Silver)

Fuji X30 (Silver)
Fuji X30 (Black)

Review Excerpt

Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool
Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)
Read our Nikon D4S Review

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.
Read our Fujifilm X30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X10

Nikon D4S

Fujifilm X10

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$599
2/3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

Compare Nikon D4S vs Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X10

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$599
2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X10

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Fujifilm X30

Canon 1DX

$499
2/3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5299
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S

Nikon D4

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher extended ISO

$4500
35mm

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Fujifilm X30

Nikon D4

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S

Canon EOS-1D C

$5999
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Fujifilm X30

Canon EOS-1D C

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Fujifilm X20

Nikon D4S

Fujifilm X20

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D4S vs Fujifilm X20

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X20

$499
2/3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$499
2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X20

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