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Fujifilm X-T30 II vs Sony a6400

Fujifilm's film colors and dials, or Sony's sticky autofocus and huge lens system? Two of the best APS-C cameras under a grand, compared.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we pick

Two of the most cross-shopped APS-C cameras at this price, and two very different characters. The Fujifilm X-T30 II leads with tactile dials, a 26-megapixel sensor and the film-simulation colors Fujifilm is famous for. The Sony a6400 leads with class-leading autofocus, weather sealing and the enormous Sony E-mount lens system. Both have a viewfinder and a selfie-friendly screen; neither has in-body stabilization.

So this isn’t a battle of image quality — both take beautiful photos. It’s a choice between how a camera feels and how reliably it focuses. Here is how they compare.

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Fujifilm X-T30 IISony a6400
SensorAPS-C X-Trans CMOS 4, 26.1 MPAPS-C CMOS, 24.2 MP
MountFujifilm XSony E
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast AFReal-time Eye AF (class-leading)
Video4K30 (DCI/UHD)4K30 (oversampled)
Rear screenTilt-onlyTilts up 180° (faces forward)
Weather sealingNoYes (dust/moisture resistant)
Weight383 g403 g

Both cameras in full

#1Best for color and handling

Fujifilm X-T30 II

The camera to buy if the photos-should-look-like-film thing appeals to you. Fujifilm's color profiles are the real draw, and the dial-driven body is a joy for stills. It is more photographer's camera than vlogger's — the screen tilts but doesn't flip forward.

Strengths

  • Fujifilm film-simulation color is genuinely distinctive
  • Tactile shutter-speed and exposure dials
  • Excellent 26 MP sensor for the price

Trade-offs

  • Tilt screen doesn't face forward for vlogging
  • Small body and grip; modest battery life
SensorAPS-C X-Trans CMOS 4, 26.1 MP
MountFujifilm X
Video4K30 (DCI/UHD)
Viewfinder2.36M-dot EVF
Weight383 g with battery

Specifications read from the manufacturer listing, on July 18, 2026.

#2Best for autofocus and video

Sony a6400

A durable all-rounder that has aged well thanks to genuinely sticky autofocus and a proper viewfinder. It is the pick if you want stills as much as video and don't need in-body stabilization — the eye AF still tracks a moving subject better than a lot of newer, cheaper bodies.

Strengths

  • Real-time Eye AF that still holds up years later
  • Built-in electronic viewfinder for shooting in bright sun
  • Weather-sealed against dust and moisture

Trade-offs

  • No in-body stabilization
  • Menus are the older, denser Sony layout
SensorAPS-C CMOS, 24.2 MP
MountSony E
Video4K30 (oversampled)
Viewfinder2.36M-dot EVF
Weight403 g with battery

Specifications read from the manufacturer listing, on July 18, 2026.

Which should you buy?

Buy the Fujifilm X-T30 II ifyou love the craft of photography. The shutter-speed and exposure dials make shooting deliberate and fun, the 26-megapixel sensor is a touch more detailed, and the film simulations hand you gorgeous, finished color with no editing. It’s the more characterful camera, and if the Fujifilm look is what pulled you in, nothing else scratches that itch.

Buy the Sony a6400 ifyou want the camera that focuses fastest and grows furthest. Its Real-time Eye AF is still a benchmark years on, it’s weather-sealed for shooting outdoors, and the E-mount has the widest, most affordable lens selection of any APS-C system thanks to Sigma and Tamron. It’s also the better video camera, with oversampled 4K and sticky autofocus — which is why it appears in our hybrid camera guide.

The short version: choose the X-T30 II for color and the joy of using it, and the a6400 for autofocus, weather sealing and lenses. If you shoot a lot of moving subjects or video, lean Sony; if you mostly shoot stills and want a camera you’ll enjoy holding, lean Fujifilm. Either way, a fast prime is the best next buy — see our portrait lens guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which has better autofocus?

The Sony a6400. Its Real-time Eye AF and subject tracking remain a benchmark for the class, locking onto eyes and holding moving subjects more reliably than the X-T30 II. If you shoot kids, pets, events or video, that difference is the biggest practical reason to choose the a6400.

Which has better color out of camera?

The Fujifilm X-T30 II, for most people's taste. Its film simulations (like Classic Chrome and Velvia) produce distinctive, finished color straight from the camera, so you can shoot JPEGs you love without editing. The a6400's color is perfectly good but more neutral, and typically wants a little post-processing to sing.

Which has more lens options?

The Sony a6400, by a wide margin. The E-mount is supported by huge third-party lineups from Sigma, Tamron and others, which means more choice and often lower prices. Fujifilm's X-mount has excellent lenses too, but the ecosystem is smaller and generally pricier.

Is either one weather-sealed?

Only the Sony a6400, which has dust and moisture resistance that helps outdoors and in poor weather. The X-T30 II is not weather-sealed, so it needs more care in rain or dust. If you shoot outdoors a lot, that's a meaningful point in the a6400's favor.

Sources

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