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The Fujifilm X-T50 is a major step up from the X-T30 II.
The big kicker is the price, which is far from entry-level.
A modest upgrade to the original, the X-T30 II is a fantastic mid-range all-rounder.
Travel-friendly proportions make it a great value choice for everyday shooting, with solid handling and useful dials.
Its 26.1MP sensor and reliable autofocus perform well, with limited noise in low light.
Uncropped 4K video is excellent as well, if you’re free to live without in-body image stabilization.
Its official: theFujifilmX-T50 is here.
Then you have an X-Processor 5 inside, plus improved video resolution at 6.2K.
But its not quite that simple.
That remains its price today, although its widely out of stock at many online retailers.
The Fujifilm X-T30 II was accessible to beginners as a hybrid to grow with, offering excellent everyday value.
In contrast, the X-T50 at around 1.5x the price is a much more significant investment.
With the Fujifilm X-T5 retailing at $1,700, theres proximity between the two models.
In the long run, it reflects a general upward trend in Fujifilm pricing, as seen with theX100VI.
The X-T50 doesnt buck that trend, but it does refine the formula.
Direct access controls remain plentiful, but the Drive mode dial has been repurposed for the X-T50.
Its now dedicated to Fujifilms Film Simulation modes.
These lean into the vintage theme by emulating the look of analogue film.
The X-T30 II offered 18 Film Simulations through its touchscreen menu.
The X-T50 offers 20, 11 of which can be accessed via the dial.
As we noted in our review, this new control function has a clear audience in mind.
In essence, its a mini X-T5, albeit with a plastic body and no weather seals.
The resolution has been upgraded, though, from 1.62 million dots to 1.84 million.
The pair share the same 2.36m-dot EVF.
The result is a camera that shoots unbeatable stills for an APS-C model.
While the higher resolution does result in more noise at higher ISOs, its not drastic.
Video performance is also significantly better.
While the quality of4Kvideo captured by the X-T30 II was excellent, the X-T50 can record 6K/30p.
Plus it offers 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording, versus external recording on the X-T30 II via HDMI.
By every metric, the X-T50 is a stronger hybrid for video.
Thats not the case when it comes to burst shooting speeds.
Battery life is identical across both cameras.
Fujifilm rates the X-T30 II and the X-T50 for 390 frames with the included NP-W126S battery.
On the one hand, its impressive that the newer model offers enhanced performance without sacrificing longevity.
This wasnt a deal-breaker for stills work, especially when paired with a stabilized lens.
But it did limit the appeal for handheld videography.
That changes with the X-T50.
That gives it the ability to counteract a significant amount of camera movement during exposures and recordings.
In our review, we tested the Fujifilm X-T50 using a lens without optical image stabilization.
While it didnt entirely eliminate camera shake when walking and recording, it did make a difference.
If combined with a stabilized lens, we think it would be an effective setup for handheld video.
Which one should I buy?
Overall, the X-T50 is clearly a better mirrorless camera than the X-T30 II.
It has a sharper sensor, smarter autofocus and records video at a higher resolution.
It also benefits from in-body image stabilization and a faster processor.
But its also a confusing camera.
It doesnt have the latest battery and uses the same EVF as the X-T30 II.
All of this is underscored by the price factor.
But for someone buying their first Fujifilm camera, the X-T30 II probably makes more financial sense.
Its a great value camera, with solid performance, a lovely design and travel-friendly dimensions.