The FinePix J30 was an ultra-compact model in Fujifilm's entry-level J-series, announced on 22 July 2009 and in shops from August 2009. Its selling point was slimness — a 20mm-thin body measuring just 92x56x20mm and weighing 133g — offered in pink, silver and black finishes for the fashion end of the point-and-shoot market.
It carries a 12-megapixel 1/2.3in CCD sensor behind a Fujinon 3x optical zoom covering 32-96mm equivalent at f/2.9-5.2, framed on a 2.7in LCD with no viewfinder. ISO sensitivity reaches 3200, and automation includes face detection, Auto Scene Recognition, Fujifilm's Picture Stabilisation mode and a panoramic mode that stitches three consecutive frames in-camera. Movies record with sound, and power comes from a small rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
The J30 is a shirt-pocket snapshot camera: light, thin and fully automatic, well suited to casual street and everyday shooting where carrying anything bigger is a chore. The slow telephoto aperture and lack of optical stabilisation limit it in dim light, and the slim body offers little to grip, so it rewards a deliberate two-handed hold.
As a used buy it is inexpensive and simple. Many examples come body-only, so confirm the correct lithium-ion battery and a charger or USB lead are present. The thin body is prone to dents and cracked corners from drops — inspect edges and the battery door. Check the lens extends without hesitation and the screen backlight is even.