Fujifilm X-T3 hands on review

Fujifilm has discovered many followers because it launched its X-series of compacts and interchangeable-lens cameras, and the fourth-generation X-T3 is a big step ahead for the corporate. 

Whereas Canon’s and Nikon’s latest entries into the full-frame mirrorless sport, the Canon EOS R and Nikon Z7, could have dominated this yr’s digital camera bulletins, it is taken these corporations so lengthy to get their act collectively that many individuals have already adopted the X-series line as their system of alternative. 

The X-T3 thus turns into an much more key mannequin for the corporate, and prone to be thought of by many as their subsequent improve over earlier X-series cameras such because the X-T2, partly right down to the wealth of modifications over earlier fashions, but in addition due to its a lot keener pricing over full-frame options.

We joined Fujifilm on the Goodwood Revival classic motor racing pageant to place the brand new digital camera to the check and achieve some preliminary impressions.

Fujifilm X-T3: options

• 26.1MP back-illuminated sensor 
• 4K video to 60p (four:2:zero 10-bit inside) 
• 11fps burst taking pictures (as much as 20fps with digital shutter)

To the attention, the X-T3 could seem comparable the X-T2 it updates, however its spec sheet is something however. 

Not solely does the brand new digital camera debut a copper-wired 26.1MP back-illuminated APS-C X-Trans CMOS four sensor and the X-Processor four engine, it additionally introduces a revamped autofocusing system, a better-quality viewfinder, quicker burst taking pictures and stronger video capabilities. Add in a mess of additional additions and refinements elsewhere, and Fujifilm has redefined what we should always now anticipate from an X-T-series mannequin. 

Of the 26.1 million pixels on the sensor, 2.16 million are actually charged with performing phase-detect AF, and a spread of additional enhancements to the system are mentioned within the Autofocus part under. Mixed with quicker readout speeds from the sensor, the brand new processor additionally now permits 11fps burst taking pictures with the mechanical shutter – one thing that was solely attainable with a battery grip on the X-T2 – and this may be boosted to 20fps utilizing the digital shutter. 

On prime of that, a brand new Sports activities Finder mode may be referred to as upon to spice up burst taking pictures to a most 30fps, with a 1.25x crop utilized and 16.6MP ensuing photographs. Because the identify makes clear, it will little question be appreciated by these capturing any sort of sporting exercise, however its attraction ought to lengthen to wildlife and motion photographers who could worth a bit of additional attain and pace. That very same viewers will even be happy to study of the extra Pre Shoot choice, which instructs the digital camera to start out capturing photographs as quickly because the shutter-release button is half-pressed, guaranteeing a important second is not misplaced.

The X-T2’s video specs have been already greater than credible, however issues have moved on additional nonetheless right here. The digital camera is the one present APS-C-based mirrorless digital camera that may seize 4K video at 60fps internally with four:2:zero 10bit output, with an F-Log taking pictures profile in a position to be chosen and each headphone and microphone ports on the facet of the physique. A firmware replace that may make the digital camera appropriate with Hybrid Log Gamma can also be promised later this yr.

Fujifilm X-T3: construct and dealing with

• Climate-resistant design 
• Magnesium alloy physique
• Silver and black finishes

Except for the identify badge, it is tough to inform the X-T3 other than the X-T2, however there are a handful of bodily variations. The dials, whereas just like these on the X-T2, have taken a bit of affect from the X-H1, and the publicity compensation dial is now a bit of additional away from the sting of the highest plate to forestall it being knocked by accident. 

The door to the ports together with the digital camera may also now be eliminated (under) to permit for a number of cables for use with out it getting in the way in which. You simply slide down the catch and the door comes away fairly simply.

The design of the dioptre management additionally now means it is locked in place as normal; you want to pull it out to make any changes, which seems to make it extraordinarily tough to knock misplaced, and given how simply this may occur on different fashions, such a small change could be very welcome. Among the buttons on the rear now press extra positively into the physique – additionally true of the command dials – and a few are additionally bigger than earlier than.

All of this makes the digital camera a bit of higher to deal with and function, though a handful of minor points stay. When taking pictures down low, for instance, the viewfinder’s eyecup obscures the very prime of the LCD display screen when the latter is pulled away from the physique. We additionally discovered the metering and drive mode collars beneath the lockable shutter pace and ISO dials might simply be shifted out of place with out you realizing it. As handy as it’s to have these as bodily controls, it is inescapable that the extra unlockable collars you will have, the larger the prospect that one among them can be inadvertently knocked misplaced.

Fujifilm X-T3: autofocus

• 2.16 million-pixel phase-detect AF, 425 selectable factors
• Working vary right down to -3EV 
• Efficient eye detection

Fujifilm has put a whole lot of work into the X-T3’s autofocusing system, boosting the variety of phase-detect AF pixels on the sensor, decreasing the working vary and bettering issues like face/eye detection. In good mild, with static topics, we typically discovered the system to be a quick performer – usually confirming focus virtually instantly – with a spread of lenses, even longer and heavier ones just like the XF 50-140mm F2.Eight R LM OIS WR and XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR.

When set to trace topics, the focusing system appeared to do an excellent job of adhering to them as they handed by means of the body, or traveled instantly in the direction of the digital camera. We used the third preset within the Steady focus choice that is designed for topics which are accelerating or decelerating, such because the racing automobiles at Goodwood, and our hit fee was superb. Actually, when you’re totally acquainted with the digital camera’s many autofocus choices and the suitable method, the X-T3 might simply be relied on in such a scenario.

A digital camera’s capability to detect eyes when taking pictures portraits has change into a sought-after function lately, and with extra mirrorless cameras now utilizing phase-detect AF techniques the usual has been raised excessive. The X-T3’s capability to detect eyes additionally proved to be superb, and it managed to trace topics precisely as they moved across the body, proper as much as the peripheries. As we would anticipate, it did sometimes fail to attain the preliminary lock-on if the topic solely occupied a lot of the body, but it surely proved itself to be an excellent performer when the topic was the primary factor within the scene.

Fujifilm guarantees a working vary of -3EV for the AF system on the X-T3, towards the -1EV on the X-T2, and we discovered that when set to a extra automated choice (comparable to Vast/Monitoring) the system discovered the topic effectively and targeted promptly in sub-optimal situations. Naturally, you’ll discover a slight slowdown for those who specify a selected level and your topic is not too excessive in distinction, but it surely’s nonetheless greater than usable if the topic is static.

Fujifilm X-T3: efficiency

• Nice Three.69 million-dot EVF
• Very responsive in use
• Clear and logically organized menus

The brand new X-Processor four engine is alleged to be 3 times as quick because the earlier X-Processor Professional, and 20 occasions as quick as the unique X-Processor, and we could not discover any gripes normally operation. We have been in a position to navigate the menus with none delay, and the display screen responded effectively to touches. After capturing a burst of (JPEG) photographs to a UHS-II card (which each card slots assist), it was attainable to evaluate them instantly, and the viewfinder’s eye sensor managed to modify between displaying the feed within the viewfinder and on the LCD display screen with out hesitation. 

We appreciated the readability and fluidity of the brand new digital viewfinder, though we did discover some inexperienced and purple fringing alongside the perimeters of particulars on two separate samples of the digital camera. This wasn’t current in captured photographs, but it surely was noticeable sufficient when taking pictures each black-and-white and shade photographs.

Our preliminary impressions of the JPEG picture high quality from the brand new sensor and processor are superb, notably for photographs captured with high-quality optics – and we have been lucky sufficient to make use of the X-T3 with a number of lenses, together with pre-production samples of the lately introduced XF Eight-16mm F2.Eight R LM WR and XF 200mm F2 R LM OIS WR.

Photographs captured on the new base sensitivity of ISO160 present loads of element and a pleasingly pure sharpness, with no apparent artifacts (see the picture above). Photographs captured additional up the vary, at ISO1600 or so, stay robust, and even at ISO3200, as slight noise discount begins to kick in, loads of element stays. We stay up for taking a better have a look at uncooked information as soon as software program that helps these turns into obtainable.

We additionally loved taking part in with the brand new cool and heat tones that may be utilized to pictures captured in both the Monochrome or ACROS modes. Beneath are examples of photographs captured with each choices set to the utmost +9 setting (which may be tamed if you do not need the impact to be as pronounced):

The Heat Black Tone setting can also be a lovely various to the present Sepia choice obtainable in digital camera, which is hotter and extra pronounced by comparability.

All in all, we’re inspired by what we have seen to date. The brand new sensor seems to be a sound performer and what we all know and love about Fujifilm’s color and default JPEG output stays right here. It is clear than while you accomplice the digital camera with good glass and it is able to some beautiful photographs.

Fujifilm X-T3: pattern photographs

Fujifilm X-T3: early verdict

The X-series celebrates its eight birthday this yr, and the Fujifilm X-T3 feels very very like a digital camera that advantages from the event of all of the fashions which have preceded it. A top-to-bottom sweep of the X-T2’s spec sheet could be very encouraging, with each the core imaging pipeline and the smallest particulars having been attended to, and the result’s a digital camera that strikes issues on considerably from the X-T2. 

It is also nice to see the X-T3 being launched at this type of value. Positive, for a mirrorless digital camera primarily based round an APS-C sensor it is not precisely low-cost, however while you have a look at what Fujifilm has modified from the X-T2, and the place this leaves the digital camera relative to its friends, along with how strong it feels within the palms and the way effectively it is able to performing, you admire you are not precisely being short-changed. Even for those who simply have a look at the place video high quality stands proper now, you must take your hat off to a producer whose fashions have been, for a while, not thought of to be an apparent alternative for video. 

No digital camera is ideal, in fact, and there are some things that hassle us – the slight fringing we noticed within the viewfinder, for instance, along with the tendency for collars on the highest plate to be knocked misplaced, and the eyecup being a bit of in the way in which of the LCD when tilted. Relying on how you’re employed these items could not hassle you, and whereas not all the pieces may be rectified by means of firmware updates, figuring out Fujifilm, something that may be will little question be checked out.

Total, we admire what Fujifilm has achieved with the X-T3, and the place this locations it in an more and more aggressive market. With Photokina only a few weeks away, little question the taking part in subject will change once more earlier than the yr is up, however our preliminary impressions make us very excited to place the mannequin by means of extra by means of testing as as quickly as we now have the chance to take action.