Fujifilm X-T30 II vs Sony A6400: A Deep-Dive Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing the right mirrorless camera can feel like navigating a maze, especially when two contenders hit similar price points but follow different philosophies. I’ve spent countless hours behind the viewfinders of both the Fujifilm X-T30 II and the Sony A6400, putting them through their paces - from studio portrait sessions to wild outdoor escapades. This comparison goes beyond spec sheets, engaging with how these cameras actually perform in the real world across photography disciplines you care about.

Expect to get detailed insights on build quality, image quality, autofocus, video capabilities, and lens ecosystems - plus sample images and scoring breakdowns to inform your ideal choice.

Let’s start with a hands-on look at the cameras themselves.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Right off the bat, both cameras share a compact, mirrorless body but with noticeably different design vibes and handling.

The Fujifilm X-T30 II adopts an SLR-style body with retro charm and well-tuned dials - aperture, shutter speed, ISO - right at your fingertips. For photographers who relish tactile controls and manual overrides, this camera offers that joy in spades. Its 118 x 83 x 47 mm dimensions and lightweight 383g body make it comfortable to hold for extended periods without being bulky.

In contrast, Sony’s A6400 brings a rangefinder-style design. Its flatter top plate and slightly smaller grip may feel less traditional but offers a sleek, modern profile (120 x 67 x 50 mm, 403g). Controls lean more on menus and buttons rather than analog dials, which might be a learning curve if you prefer hands-on exposure adjustments. Still, the camera’s lean frame makes it perfect for street or travel photography where discretion and portability count.

If comfort and control layout influence your shooting style deeply, check out the comparison of top controls next.

The X-T30 II’s top plate dedicates dedicated dials for classic exposure settings - ideal for shooters who want to keep their eyes on the scene, not menus. Sony's design bundles these into buttons with a traditional mode dial, suitable for intuitive switching but somewhat less tactilely engaging.

Both feature tilting touchscreens, but their ergonomics and tactile feedback will dictate your comfort during long photo sessions or rapid shooting scenarios.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the System

Both cameras boast APS-C sensor sizes (23.5 x 15.6 mm), which is a critical factor for image quality, depth of field control, and native lens selection.

• The Fujifilm X-T30 II’s sensor pushes 26 megapixels based on BSI-CMOS technology without an anti-aliasing filter. This, to my experience, yields sharper, more detailed images with less moiré - a benefit when shooting finely detailed landscapes or textures.
• The Sony A6400 offers 24 megapixels on a standard CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter. While this can slightly soften images, it reduces artifacts, particularly valuable for video shooters or those capturing intricate patterns.

In side-by-side shoots, Fujifilm’s X-Trans sensor pattern and color science contribute to richer, more film-like colors - something Fuji users have loved for over a decade. Skin tones render naturally with nuanced warmth, while Sony tends toward a more neutral baseline - allowing flexible post-processing flexibility if you prefer that.

ISO performance from both is solid up to native ranges. Fujifilm peaks at ISO 12800 (boosted to 51200), Sony’s native range extends higher, maxing out at 32000 (boosted to 102400). Comparing ISO noise performance, the A6400 retains cleaner noise structure in extreme low-light scenarios, yet the X-T30 II's noise is more filmic and pleasant at moderate ISOs - ideal for portraits or night scenes.

Autofocus Showdown: Speed, Accuracy, and Intelligence

If you shoot fast-moving subjects like weddings, wildlife, or sports, autofocus (AF) performance can make or break your decision.

Both cameras feature 425 AF points, blending phase-detection and contrast-detection technologies - covering most of the frame.

• Sony A6400 leverages the renowned Bionz X processor and boasts real-time Eye AF for both humans and animals. This is a game-changer in my testing: eye-tracking is swift and reliable even in challenging lighting or with moving subjects - ideal for portrait, wildlife, and pet photography. Continuous AF tracking operates smoothly up to 11 fps without blackout, letting you capture fleeting motions crisply.

• Fujifilm X-T30 II also provides 425 hybrid AF points with phase detection, delivering excellent AF performance for its class. Unfortunately, it lacks dedicated animal eye AF but does offer face and eye detection for human subjects, which works quite well. The standout feature is 30 fps continuous shooting with electronic shutter - although buffer limitations apply - beneficial for sports and fast action. That said, in low light or tracking unpredictable motion, Sony's AF often proves more consistent.

Both cameras support touch-AF and focus peaking for manual focus enthusiasts, but Sony’s AF system is simply more sophisticated on a technical level.

Let’s Talk Build Quality and Durability

Sony’s A6400 edges ahead with partial environmental sealing, protecting against dust and moisture - something I always appreciate when shooting outdoors in less-than-ideal conditions. This subtle toughness reassures when you’re hiking through fields or shooting under light drizzle.

The Fujifilm X-T30 II does not offer weather sealing, which means you’ll want to be more cautious around the elements and potentially invest in protective housing for rugged adventures.

In terms of materials, both cameras use durable polycarbonate and metal alloys, but Sony’s slightly heavier build gives it a sturdier feel in hand.

Viewing and Framing Experience: Viewfinders and Screens

A bright, sharp display and a responsive viewfinder are essential for composition and focus checking.

The X-T30 II sports a 3-inch 1.04 million-dot tilting touchscreen with very intuitive touch-to-focus and menu navigation. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) packs 2.36 million dots with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification, offering a lifelike preview of your scene.

Sony’s A6400 similarly has a 3-inch touchscreen but with slightly lower resolution (922k dots), tilting upward 180 degrees for vlogging or selfies - a handy feature missed by the Fuji. The EVF packs an almost identical dot count (2.36 million) with marginally higher magnification at 0.7x.

Personally, I found the Sony’s EVF marginally more comfortable for prolonged use due to the higher magnification and cleaner optics - but Fujifilm’s color calibration in the EVF gives a very pleasing image preview.

Coverage Across the Photography Spectrum: Performance in Your Genres

Fujifilm X T30 II front Fujifilm X T30 II screen back Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back

Portrait Photography: Capturing True-to-Life Skin Tones and Bokeh

Both cameras handle portraits impressively, but Fujifilm’s X-T30 II has the edge with its renowned color science and natural skin rendering, lending a warm, flattering look straight out of camera. The X-T30 II's lens ecosystem also features some of the most enchanting primes designed especially for portraits with smooth bokeh (think the Fujinon 56mm f/1.2).

Sony’s A6400, with real-time eye AF and animal eye AF, simplifies sharp capture of moving subjects. However, its color processing tends toward a more clinical tone, needing more post-editing warmth for portraits.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Detail

Sony’s sensor excels with slightly better dynamic range at base ISO, capturing shadows and highlights with more latitude. The A6400 also offers an extensive lens lineup from Sony and third-party manufacturers, superb for landscapes where wide-angle and ultra sharpness rule.

Fujifilm's higher resolution (26MP vs 24MP) and lack of anti-aliasing filter offer sharper textures and finer detail. Yet, its slightly narrower dynamic range may require bracketing for extreme lighting situations.

Weather-sealing on Sony again nudges it into the “go anywhere” category, especially for adventurous landscape shooters.

Wildlife and Sports: AF and Burst Speed

For action photography, Sony’s reliable tracking, animal eye AF, and 11 fps buffer depth make it a natural choice. Fujifilm’s 30 fps burst speed sounds impressive but remember it’s fully electronic shutter reliant, and buffer depth is limited - so Sony wins for sustained bursts.

Sony’s larger lens availability, including native 70-350mm telephotos and third-party super telephotos, outpaces the X-T30 II lens count in reach and variety.

Street Photography: Discreet and Fast

The Fujifilm’s retro dials allow rapid manual exposure tweaking without breaking stride - great for street shooters who value stealth and speed.

The X-T30 II’s quieter electronic shutter mode further enhances stealth. Sony’s tilting screen and selfie mode appeal less for street but suit hybrid content creators better.

Sony’s smaller width and flatter grip may appeal to some, but I prefer Fuji’s handfeel for stability when shooting handheld.

Macro Photography and Close-up Work

Neither camera offers built-in stabilization, so your lens choice and technique matter even more here. Both can leverage focus bracketing techniques for stacking but only Fujifilm supports it out-of-the-box, handy for macro enthusiasts seeking extended depth of field.

Accuracy of manual focusing is aided by the touchscreen AF in both cameras.

Diving into Video Capabilities: YouTube and Beyond

Both cameras shoot 4K UHD, but the Fujifilm X-T30 II extends to DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 30p, 25p, and even 24p, recording in H.264 with Linear PCM audio up to 200 Mbps bitrate - great for high quality capture.

Sony A6400 delivers 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 30fps max with the XAVC S codec, also H.264, but capped at 100 Mbps bitrate. Despite less bitrate, Sony includes S-Log profiles for better color grading flexibility.

Audio-wise, both provide mic input, but only the Fujifilm offers headphone output for critical monitoring - a crucial feature for serious videographers.

Neither camera features in-body image stabilization (IBIS), so you’ll want lenses with optical stabilization or consider gimbals for smooth footage.

Battery Life, Connectivity, and Storage: Practical Considerations

• Battery Life: Sony slips ahead with rated 410 shots per charge, compared to Fujifilm’s 380. Don’t expect miracles with mirrorless, so pack spares.
• Memory and Storage: Both use a single SD card slot supporting UHS-I speeds - fast enough for most day-to-day use though not class-leading for professional burst shooters.
• Ports and Wireless: Both include microphone ports; Fujifilm adds a headphone jack, enhancing video monitoring. USB on the Fuji is 3.2 Gen 1 (faster file transfer), Sony uses USB 2.0.

Wireless features include Bluetooth in both, but Sony also sports NFC for rapid pairing.

The Lens Ecosystem Debate: Which System Offers More?

• Fujifilm’s X-mount features 62 native lenses, celebrated for superb optics and unique film simulation modes. These lenses are designed with photography in mind before video, attracting those who like classic primes.
• Sony’s E-mount claims over 120 lenses from Sony and third-party makers including Tamron, Sigma, and Zeiss, covering everything from ultra-wide to super-telephoto. It’s a larger ecosystem especially strong in autofocus telephotos and zooms.

If lens variety and versatility rank at the top, Sony has a head start.

Price vs Performance: What Do You Get for Your Money?

At roughly $900 MSRP each, both cameras target enthusiast-level buyers wanting capable mirrorless systems without breaking the bank.

While Sony offers a more advanced AF system and slight durability benefits, Fujifilm delivers sharper imagery with better color science and a more tactile shooting experience.

The X-T30 II lacks weather sealing and doesn’t have animal eye AF, but makes up for it with higher resolution and superior video bitrates.

Summing It Up: Which Camera Fits Your Style?

Both cameras score well on my performance scale, but with different emphases.

• Choose Fujifilm X-T30 II if you:

  • Prioritize image quality and color science straight out of camera
  • Love tactile manual controls and classic dial layouts
  • Want sharper files for landscapes and portrait work
  • Seek superior video bitrate with headphone monitoring
  • Prefer higher burst speeds for occasional fast action

• Opt for Sony A6400 if you:

  • Need the most reliable, advanced autofocus and subject tracking
  • Shoot action, wildlife, or sports frequently
  • Want a more rugged build with weather sealing
  • Desire a larger lens ecosystem, especially telephoto options
  • Value tilt screen flexibility for video blogging and selfies

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Here's a quick rundown of strengths by photography type:

Final Thoughts: My Personal Take After Testing

Having extensively tested both bodies, I find the Fujifilm X-T30 II is a dream camera if you’re someone who values the photography experience itself: rich colors, satisfying dials, and crisp images that need minimal post-work. It’s perfect for portrait, landscapes, studio, and travel where image quality and direct control matter.

Conversely, the Sony A6400 shines if autofocus speed, tracking, and handling challenging subjects like wildlife or sports is your priority. Its robustness and lens variety also cater well to professionals or hybrid shooters who balance stills with video.

In a perfect world, I’d carry both, but your choice boils down to which strengths align with your style. If you want the full tactile, colorful joyride - go Fujifilm. If bulletproof AF and versatility top your list - choose Sony.

I hope this comparison helps clarify where each camera excels and where compromises lie. Feel free to tap into my included test images, control layout visuals, and performance charts as you decide.

Happy shooting!