Some people believe that modern mirrorless cameras lack the soul and charm of their film predecessors, and if you are one of those people, then the new Fujifilm X-Pro3 could be for you. Mirrorless cameras have helped hobbyist shooters take their shooting to new heights, but some people also argue that they lack the soul and charm of their film predecessors.
The Fujifilm X-Pro3, the successor to the highly successful Fujifilm X-Pro2, is still an APS-C mirrorless camera that offers the kind of rangefinder-style shooting experience that street photographers have long preferred. However, this time around, Fujifilm has doubled down on the eccentricities of the X-Pro to create a camera that is unique at this price point.
The X-Pro3 ushers in three substantial alterations to the design of the series. In addition to an improved model of its hybrid viewfinder, which helpfully enables users to switch between electronic and optical shooting modes, the company has also introduced two new scratch-resistant titanium models of the camera, both of which come at an additional cost.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 Build Quality
However, the fact that the X-Pro3 has nostalgic flourishes and a minimalist design makes it one of the most desired cameras on the market right now; however, this does not mean that Fujifilm has relied on gimmicks or cheap nostalgia in this product.
Every design choice, from the tactile knobs to the so-called “hidden LCD,” has been designed to direct you toward a particular shooting experience, one that is reminiscent of the uncomplicated nature of film cameras with their viewfinders.
Not every aspect of the design was a good choice. Even though the electronic viewfinder (EVF) of the X-Pro3 is a significant upgrade in comparison to the one found on the X-Pro2, boasting a resolution of 3.69 million dots instead of 1.62 million, it still has a relatively low magnification, which may be a problem for those whose eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be.
This so-called “hidden LCD” is another point of contention. It folds inwards toward the camera, so you are not compelled to gaze at the screen while reviewing your photos or adjusting the settings.
It is possible to drag it down to assist with shooting at waist level, so it is not entirely out of bounds when arranging images. And on the back of this screen, when folded in, is a secondary LCD that shows your basic shooting settings or the film simulation you’re shooting in, endearingly represented by a graphic of the film logo that inspired them. When the screen is unfolded, it displays the image.
Having said that, the X-Pro3 is a long way from giving the same level of versatility as other cameras, such as the Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark III, which features an articulating screen that can swivel in practically any direction.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 Image Quality & Performance
Even when shooting at relatively high ISOs in low light, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 produces extremely outstanding images, which is precisely what you would expect from a camera with the same sensor and technology as the great Fujifilm X-T3.
Because we have not yet been able to review the raw files produced by the X-Pro3, all of the photographs included here are in-camera JPEGs with the standard amount of noise reduction added to them. However, they do demonstrate the adaptability of the X-Pro 3, particularly when making use of the camera’s extensive library of film emulation settings.
The camera’s metering system did an excellent job of judging exposures in general, with the one weak spot appearing to be a tendency towards overexposing when the frame included bright objects. However, this was not something that couldn’t be fixed with a quick tweak of the exposure compensation dial.
Fujifilm’s significantly enhanced Face and Eye recognition performed very well as well, tenaciously adhering to targets for as long as they were at a reasonable distance. However, the X-Pro3 has a perfect AF system that works even in rather dark situations. Sony still has the advantage of tracking autofocus and Animal Eye AF, but the X-Pro3 is a close second.
It is because of these film simulations that the X-Pro3 has a slight advantage over competing cameras like the Leica CL. However, those individuals who would instead create their unique visual style than make use of pre-made looks could look down on these film simulations.
In addition to the more vivid Velvia and cinematic Eterna, as well as the gritty black-and-white Acros, the contrasty Classic Neg simulation is a beautiful new addition to an arsenal.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 Specs
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Titanium |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6240 x 4160 |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2 |
| 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 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (Fujifilm RAF, 14-bit) |
| 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 | 1,620,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic and Optical (tunnel) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 3,690,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedAverageSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| HDMI | No |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (wired, cable release or smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 497 g (1.10 lb / 17.53 oz) |
| Dimensions | 141 x 83 x 46 mm (5.55 x 3.27 x 1.81″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Fujifilm X-Pro3 Verdict
If you are willing to get used to the X-Pro3 and its peculiarities, it is shaping up to be one of the most remarkable cameras for street photography that you can now purchase. It is a powerful stills performer, and features like the hybrid viewfinder and the ‘hidden LCD’ offer it a distinctive (though controversial) mirrorless shooting experience.
Those individuals who do not have a sentimental attachment to rangefinder or film cameras would fare better with more conventional alternatives such as the Fujifilm X-T3 or the Sony A6400.
