Fujifilm X-T3 Review

Fujifilm has developed a variety of camera lines that are tailored to the needs of more experienced photographers. These cameras vary from pocketable compacts to interchangeable-lens cameras supported by an expanding selection of lenses and accessories.

In contrast to its X-Pro line, which is reminiscent of rangefinders, the X-T series has generally been centered around the design and operation of a DSLR. As a result, these cameras have a more defined grip and two command dials, in addition to a viewfinder positioned in the camera’s center.

The new Fujifilm X-T3 seems as attractive as its predecessors, the X-T1 and X-T2, but it comes equipped with a feature set that is noticeably more robust than its predecessors.

It occupies the more senior end of the enthusiast camera market, with an APS-C sensor, and it asks for a price in the four-figure range. This means that it must compete against a notably diverse collection of rivals.

See: Best Lenses for Fujifilm X-T3 | Best Gimbal for Fujifilm X-T3 | Best Memory Cards for Fujifilm X-T3 | Best Video Lenses for Fujifilm X-T3 | Best Flash for Fujifilm X-T3 | Fujifilm X-T3 Black Friday Deals | Fujifilm X-T3 Bundles Deals

Nevertheless, due to the incorporation of a significant amount of new technology, there is a considerable amount about which to be enthusiastic, regardless of whether you are already an X Series user.

Fujifilm X-T3 Features

The sensor that comes with the X-T3 is all-new; it is a back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS sensor from the fourth generation. Fujifilm asserts that this should be able to support better a lens with a maximum aperture of f/1, the first example of which will be the XF 33mm f/1.0 R WR, which is scheduled for release in the year 2020.

The natural base sensitivity, formerly ISO200 on older models, has been reduced to ISO160 thanks to the new sensor. Users of wide-aperture lenses will receive this change as it simplifies employing such lenses in brighter settings when you do not have an ND filter at your disposal.

Fujifilm has also equipped the X-T3 with an updated processing engine known as the X-Processor 4, and this appears to be the driving force behind many of the camera’s changes, including a reduction in start-up time, which is now as low as 0.3 seconds, and a shutter lag interval that is as low as 0.045 seconds.

Fujifilm X-T3 Build Quality

Compared to the design of the body of the X-T2, which wasn’t too far from the creation of the X-T1, Fujifilm hasn’t made significant modifications to the X-T3, but they have made a few adjustments here and there.

On the rear, there is a little more space for the thumb to rest, and some of the buttons on the back plate are somewhat larger and easier to push into the body than they were in the past.

The dials have undergone a very subtle modification, and the diopter control must now be taken out of the body before it can be set. This is a nice change that prevents the rule from being accidentally bumped while it is being adjusted.

Even though it cannot be locked in place like the shutter speed and ISO dials can, the exposure compensation dial has also been moved further into the body to reduce the likelihood of the same thing happening. However, it still appears to be somewhat susceptible to the problem because of the inability to lock it in place.

Even though its smaller size would make changes a bit more cumbersome here, there does not appear to be any apparent reason why this can’t have the same type of locking button as the other dials.

Fujifilm X-T3 Autofocus

Even while the AF system on the X-T3 uses the same type of Phase- and contrast-detect technology as the one on the X-T2, the new sensor and processor have expanded the range of what is achievable.

There are now 2.16 million phase-detect AF pixels available on the sensor of the X-T3, and they cover about 99% of both the vertical and horizontal axes. This is a fourfold increase over the X-total T2s of 500k pixels, and the broader distribution implies that the system should retain a similar performance level over the entirety of the captured region.

This is especially important when taking video or utilizing continuous focus, both of which require using phase-detection AF pixels, which are better able to maintain track of moving targets.

The user can manually address 425 AF points; however, this number can be reduced to 117 points if the user does not wish to be required to go through such a large number of issues. It is also possible to modify the size of the focusing area to enable the camera to concentrate more precisely on the subject of the photograph.

For this reason, for instance, you might want to make this as small as possible while concentrating on the stamens of a flower since the camera might not be able to recognize them as quickly if it isn’t made as little as possible.

When the camera is used for general photography, it can focus swiftly and precisely on various subjects. In addition, the focusing process is relatively quiet when utilizing those above 18-55mm kit lenses.

Although it is to be expected that the camera will have some trouble focusing on low-contrast subjects. While it does have some difficulty doing so occasionally, it generally does a good job even when the lighting isn’t ideal (more so in the Wide/Tracking and Zone options than when you’ve defined the AF point yourself).

Fujifilm X-T3 Performance

Coming from a DSLR, you might have observed that the earlier mirrorless cameras had a slow start-up time. This was especially noticeable when switching from a DSLR. However, the gap began to close over time, and models such as the X-T3 demonstrate how far it has come since then. Even while it is not quite immediate, there is just the tiniest gap before the camera is ready. This is because the focusing system, viewfinder/LCD feed, and shooting information fall into place simultaneously.

The response stays consistently high no matter what you do with the camera. It reacts instantly whenever you make adjustments like the exposure compensation and the shutter speed, and there is only the tiniest amount of latency whenever you traverse the menus.

When you keep one of the directional menu pad buttons pressed down, you can quickly move through the collected photographs, making it relatively easy to look over the images from an entire day’s worth of shooting.

The camera can meet its 35-frame raw and JPEG buffer depth when it is set to capture images continuously, and it can flush this to the memory cards in just a few seconds. When this mode is used, the camera can capture both RAW and JPEG images. You can still enter the menus and adjust the settings at any time since it doesn’t freeze up while doing this, which is perhaps the most astounding thing about it.

Fujifilm X-T3 Image quality

It’s not the first time we’ve seen a Fujifilm camera, but this is the first time we’ve seen the 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 version. We’ve become accustomed to Fujifilm using a particular sensor in a number of its models.

The fact that it has a back-illuminated design bodes particularly well for those who tend to take pictures at the higher end of the ISO range and indicates the incremental improvement in resolution from the previous version, which had 24 megapixels, isn’t anything that inspiring.

It is encouraging to see that the X-T3 has excellent control over noise throughout the entire range and maintains this control even at higher settings. Images captured at low ISOs reveal only a trace amount of texture, and it appears precisely where one would anticipate it to appear (large, detailless areas such as skies).

Raw files captured at the highest native setting of ISO12,800 show noise that is not aggressive at all, which makes the default ‘0’ noise reduction option for JPEGs appear to be a little heavy-handed. Raw files retain good detail and show noise that is not aggressive at all.

Fujifilm X-T3 Specs

Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Body material	Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution	6240 x 4160
Other resolutions	4416 x 2944, 3120 x 2080
Image ratio w h	1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	26 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type	BSI-CMOS
Processor	X-Processor 4
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	X-Trans
Image
ISO	Auto, 160-12800 (expands to 80-51200)
Boosted ISO (minimum)	80
Boosted ISO (maximum)	51200
White balance presets	7
Custom white balance	Yes (3 slots)
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, normal
File format	JPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (14-bit RAF)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View.
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	425
Lens mount	Fujifilm X
Focal length multiplier	1.5×
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live View	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	1.125× (0.75× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution	3,690,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)	1/32000 sec
Exposure modes	ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual
Built-in flash	No
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port)
Flash X sync speed	1/250 sec
Drive modes	SingleContinuous (L/H)Bracketing
Continuous drive	20.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weightedAverageSpot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes
Videography features
Resolutions	4096 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p)
Format	MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Modes	4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Connectivity
USB	USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
USB charging	Yes
HDMI	Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	Yes
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.2 LE
Remote control	Yes (via smartphone or cable release)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	NP-W126S lithium-ion battery & charger (non-WW model only)
Battery Life (CIPA)	390
Weight (inc. batteries)	539 g (1.19 lb / 19.01 oz)
Dimensions	133 x 93 x 59 mm (5.24 x 3.66 x 2.32″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	None

Fujifilm X-T3 Verdict

Anyone familiar with the series will feel very comfortable with the additions that the X-T3 makes, even though the X-T3 may appear to be a replica of the X-T2. Numerous improvements have been made, making this camera substantially more robust. It is encouraging to see equal attention paid to the fundamental aspects and the more minute details.

When combined with a high-quality lens, the new sensor can capture a high level of detail and maintain a low level of noise. Additionally, the wide distribution of phase-detect AF points across its surface enables moving subjects to remain in focus regardless of their position within the frame. The video quality is maintained at a high level, and the updated processing system guarantees that the camera will always be responsive to the user’s input.

Aside from the problem we had with the EVF, the only things that are frustrating are the relatively minor design and operating peculiarities. For example, it would be nice if the next model of the X-T had a redesigned grip that would better support the camera when using longer lenses, such as a lockable exposure compensation dial.

Fujifilm X-T3 Pros & Cons