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. 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.
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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.
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.
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 better support a lens that has 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. Owners of wide-aperture lenses will receive this change since it will be simpler to use these 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 itself wasn’t too far distant from the design of the X-T1, Fujifilm hasn’t made a significant number of modifications for 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 improvement over the 500k pixels that the X-T2 had, and the broader distribution implies that the system should retain a similar performance throughout 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.
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. The gap began to close over time, and models such as the X-T3 demonstrate exactly 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 move through the collected photographs rapidly, making it relatively easy to look over the images from an entire day’s worth of shooting.
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 gotten accustomed to Fujifilm employing a particular sensor in many models.
The fact that it has a back-illuminated design bodes particularly well for those who tend to capture images at the higher end of the ISO range is excellent news for those individuals. Although the increase in resolution isn’t too exciting, the fact that it has a back-illuminated design is.
It is encouraging to note that the X-T3 looks to have excellent control over noise across the whole spectrum and that this control is maintained 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).
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
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The Fujifilm X-T3 is a camera constructed with great care and has benefited from a comprehensive update to the X-T feature set. With a robust new sensor, improved focusing, enhanced video capabilities compared to its predecessor, and a few helpful new features, this camera is flexible enough to appeal to established Fujifilm customers and curious DSLR owners looking for something new.
