New to Fuji: which X-T20 or X-T30 set?

DutchGijs wrote:

Hi Fuji enthusiasts,

I am at the point of buying a new camera and the Fuji X-T20 and X-T30 draw my attention. First maybe some background so you might understand my situation. I am a student so my budget is a little tight, i am willing to spend around €1000. The last few years I haven't done much photography but I liked to take photos with my Panasonic DMC-FZ28 when I was younger. The coming year I will have some nice trips planned (Italy, Alps and Central America) and I would like to pick-up photography once again. However, I am not completely sure if I only like travel photography, or once I have the equipement I also like to do other kinds of photography back at home. For sure, I wouldn't be the first one to buy good photography stuff, use it twice and then let it catch dust for years.

I have found a deal online for the X-T20 combined with the XF18-55 and XC50-230 for about €900. On the other hand I could by the X-T30 combined with the XC15-45 and XC50-230 for about €1100. The difference of €200 is quite serious money and could be spend on accessoires or as additional budget to my travels.

So my question to you guys is, should I go for the better body with a simpler lens or should I go for the older body with a better lens. I have found a lot of discussion on the XC15-45 vs the XF18-55, what I conclude is that people not necessarily dislike the XC for the IQ but mostly for the lack of a zoom ring.

Looking forward to all your valuable responses!

I owned an X-T20 and now own an X-T30 as my second body to my X-H1. If you want to hold to your tight budget, I also would go X-T20 to save a few bucks for lenses. The cameras are so similar the X-T20's controls and capabilities are good enough.

Having said that, I like the X-T30 much more than the X-T20 because I really like the focus stick on the X-T30 so much.  It also focuses faster; but, for stills, I think the X-T20 focuses fast enough.

Compare prices, especially if you buy used. You get within say €200 difference between the two setups, I would go X-T30 and save a bit longer before buying the rest of your lenses.