The Fuji X-T3 Looks Amazing. This is a HUGE year for Photography and Video.

September 6, 2018 Fuji, GEAR, Mirrorless, press release 60

The Fuji X-T3 Looks Amazing. This is a HUGE year for Photography and Video.

By Steve Huff

The Fuji X-T3 can be pre ordered at B&H Photo HERE. 

So the new Fuji X-T3 was announced yesterday. Seeing that I am not normally a huge Fuji guy I kind of glossed over the release and it was not until today that I realized just how nice (and honestly kick ass) this new Fuji is. There’s something to be said for a system that has been improving for many years and Fuji has been doing serious mirrorless since the original X100, which I adored. (See that old review HERE).

The Canon EOSR looks decent, and I feel the new lenses are the true jewels for Canon. It’s almost like a 5DIV in a smaller body with EVF and larger lenses but they did not give the video guys what they wanted. The Nikon Z6 and Z7 look great, but nothing game changing though the EVF quality and ergonomics seem superb. and they give Nikon users a nice mirrorless platform to grown into. The Fuji XT3 looks fantastic and quite appealing actually. This is a very solid release from Fuji that adds features that many out there in internet camera land are looking for. Kind of like what Sony did for the A7III from the II, Fuji seems to do from the XT2 to the 3. This camera is LOADED with the good stuff.

Let’s take a look…

  • 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 Sensor
  • X-Processor 4 with Quad CPU
  • UHD 4K60 Video; F-Log Gamma & 10-Bit Out
  • 2.16m-Point Phase-Detection Autofocus
  • 0.75x 3.69m-Dot OLED Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Tilting LCD Touchscreen
  • Extended ISO 80-51200, 30 fps Shooting
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; Sports Finder Mode
  • Weather-Sealed Magnesium-Alloy Bod

Like previous X-T cameras, the X-T3 retains its classically inspired looks and prominent tactile controls, and adds a new OLED electronic viewfinder design with 3.69m-dot resolution and a high 0.75x magnification. This finder has a high refresh rate of 100 fps for fluid viewing and remains blackout-free while shooting at the top 30 fps shooting rate. Also, a unique Sports Finder Mode can be used, which highlights the 16.6MP crop area in order to give you additional room outside of the frame to recognize moving subjects. Conversely, a rear 3.2″ 1.04m-dot LCD monitor can also be used for live view shooting and larger image playback. Additionally, the X-T3 also sports built-in Bluetooth for wireless sharing and remote control, and the magnesium-alloy body is fully weather-sealed for working in trying weather conditions.

Yep, Fuji looks ike they have another winner here and they have been on a roll lately. The XH1 was a solid release and this XT3 now gives APS-C users and Fuji fans another camera to lust over. I hear the AF is blazing fast with this camera and the video, spectacular. This camera uses FOUR CPU’s for fast processing and 11FPS using the mechanical shutter and 30 FPS using the electronic shutter. Wow, this is not the Fuji from a few years ago.

THE SENSOR

26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 Sensor and X-Processor 4Revolving around a newly developed sensor, the X-T3 features an APS-C-format 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, which has a back-illuminated design to afford smooth tonal rendering, improved low-light performance, and a low native ISO 160 setting. As an X-Trans sensor, it still utilizes the randomized pixel array, too, which provides a high degree of image quality and sharpness due to the omission of an optical low-pass filter. Versus conventional pixel patterns, the X-Trans design more closely mimics the organic nature of film in order to produce nuanced colors and tonal transitions, while also reducing moiré and aliasing.

The sensor’s design also includes an expanded phase-detection autofocus system, which now has an impressive 2,160,000 points that cover nearly the entire sensor area. This AF system delivers faster, more accurate focusing performance along with low-light sensitivity down to EV -3. Complementing the imaging and focusing capabilities, an updated X-Processor 4 is also featured, and delivers faster focus response for subject tracking and also supports Face- and Eye-Detection AF when working in AF-C mode and when recording video.

The X-Processor 4 also utilizes four CPU units for faster image processing and it benefits overall performance with AF speeds as low as 0.06 sec. 0.17 sec shooting intervals, 0.045 sec shutter lag, and a 0.3 sec start-up time. Quick continuous shooting is possible, up to 11 fps with a mechanical shutter or 30 fps with an electronic shutter and a 1.25x crop, and internal UHD 4K60 video recording with 10-bit output is also supported.

UHD and DCI 4K Video Recording

More than a stills camera, the X-T3 offers an enticing array of video capabilities, including internal UHD 4K60p video recording at 4:2:0 10-bit, as well as 4K60p 4:2:2 10-bit via HDMI output, both at up to 400 Mb/s—and simultaneous external and internal recording is possible. DCI 4K30 and Full HD 1080p120 recording is also possible, and video files can be saved using either MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 or HEVC/H.265 compressions, and 4K. Greatly benefitting overall video performance, the speed of the quad-CPU X-Processor 4 enables fast read speeds of 17 ms when recording 4K60 video, which helps to reduce rolling shutter distortion when filming moving subjects.

In addition to the supported 10-bit color depth, the X-T3 also includes the F-Log gamma setting, which provides a flat picture for use in advanced color grading software during editing. This maximizes the potential dynamic range in difficult scenes and image adjustments can be made, as well, to highlight tone, shadow tone, color, and sharpness. When working in F-Log, an updated noise reduction algorithm is available along with 4K inter-frame noise reduction, and the minimum sensitivity has been lowered to ISO 640 to suit working in a broader range of scene types.

Also, the camera features a 3.5mm microphone jack and 3.5mm headphone jack for more advanced audio solutions.

So this Fuji is loaded for video use, even better than the Canon EOS R which gives us nearly a 1.8X crop for 4K shooting (unusable for most). The XT3 does not give us the swivel LCD but does have dual card slots!

The XT3 IS LOADED and comes in at $1499

  • A bright and clear means for eye-level viewing, a 3.69m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder offers a high 0.75x magnification, fast ~100 fps refresh rate, wide viewing angle, and lockable diopter adjustment. The viewfinder remains blackout free while shooting up to the top 30 fps shooting rate, and a unique Sports Finder Mode can also be employed, which highlights a 16.6MP crop area of the sensor in order to allow you to see outside of the image frame.
  • In addition to the EVF. a rear 3.0″ 1.04m-dot LCD touchscreen is available for intuitive live view shooting, playback and review, and settings adjustment and menu navigation. The screen has a three-way tilting design, too, to suit working from high and low angles regardless if shooting with a horizontal or vertical orientation.
  • Dual SD card slots allow for a more flexible and reliable means of storing imagery, and both card slots are compatible with UHS-II standards for fast transfer speeds.
  • The top plate incorporates a series of locking dials and levers for fast, intuitive control over exposure settings, including a shutter speed dial that offers direct shutter speed adjustment. An ISO dial is also incorporated into the shutter speed dial, for confirming the sensitivity setting without having to turn the camera on and the exposure compensation dial lets you choose +/- 3 EV in 1/3 steps while a command dial position expands the range to +/- 5 EV for further control.
  • Front and rear command dials integrate a push function for easier use and settings selection and six different function buttons can be assigned to control a range of settings.
  • A dedicated Focus Lever provides faster, more intuitive control over selecting specific focus points while shooting.
  • Integrated Bluetooth 4.2 low energy allows you to wirelessly share images to a mobile device or use the device to remotely control the camera.

You can pre order the XT3 at B&H Photo HERE. Price is $1499.  I suspect this will do VERY well for Fuji and it offers a different option for those who were thinking of the big three brands. This year is one of the hottest years for photography in a LONG LONG TIME. Bravo FUJI! Yes I will be getting one of these to review! What do you think of the X-T3?

 

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60 Comments

  1. Nice review Steve.
    Thoughts comparing the XT-3 vs the EOS R? I had a 7D, sold the body and kept several EOS/Sigma/Zeiss lenses. I still have my trusty XT1 with 2 primes. It’s light and travels wel. But I’ve always pined for a Mk4 Full frame.
    Cropped discussions aside. How would you rate the XT3 to the EOSR? I’m not a video person. Portraits, travel and high level mountaineering shots are my thing. So Either body would be a serious IQ upgrade from my XT1. But I’m split on which way to go! …. Ideas?

    • The EOS-R feels better in the hand, feels more solid and more like a thinner DSLR. The Fuji doesn’t have much grip (though you can add one). The Af of the Canon is instant, super fast and even in super low light. It’s very confident in its acquisition. The Fuji is also fast, but not at the Canon level. The Fuji has fantastic dynamic range, I think better than Canon which is amazing seeing it is a smaller sensor. Video goes to the Canon IMO (quality, color and overall vibe), and while Fuji has unique color overall and many options, I still prefer the Canon color over Fuji and Sony. I prefer the Canon’s swivel touch screen as well for my use. For portraits, either will be great but I chose to buy the Canon over the Fuji because I own some Canon glass, and liked the feel, build and AF over the Fuji. High ISO is great on both. The Canon adapter is pretty sweet too, and there is zero compromise when using EF lenses (in fact, it makes them faster to AF). All depends on which cameras color you prefer. Fuji is lighter as well though neither is heavy. Both are great but if you need 4K video Fuji bests the Canon here IMO.

  2. Had a bit of time with the XT3 at Photokina and ehile ut us very snappy, it just does not feel that great in the hands, especially compared to the EM1 mkii which Olympus sent me for a month and I loved. So, is it better to upgrade based on specs and performance or on how good the camera actually feels to use? B&H currently has the Oly for 1998 with the 12-40 which is a terrific deal.

    • I have both here and own the EM1 MKII and several lenses for it. The Fuji is more capable in IQ, high ISO, Video and AF. I prefer the external controls as well. The Olympus feels great in the hand though.

  3. Hi All,

    I preordered the T3 but that’s going to be my first Fuji! Which lenses should I get in the first batch? I normally shoot portraits of my wife for Instagram, some safari wildlife and basic street photography. I’m a newbie to the Fuji family, would be grateful for some tips!

    • I did rent the 16 1.4 and it is beautiful. Gives a 24mm FOV but I have shot with the new Sony G Master and own the Canon 24 L II. This 16 1.4 has the most charm of the three and is fantastic quality. That’s all I can say really! Others may chime in with suggestions.

  4. My god Steve, I can’t believe your X100 video was over 7 years ago!!! Time goes by way to fast as we get older. I always remembered that pic of that horse.

  5. For those pining for IBIS in this camera, well…you really don’t need it until the light gets really low and shutter speed is very slow. The X100 series doesn’t have it at all, and I never missed it on my X100S. Almost all of Fuji’s longer lenses DO incorporate excellent IS. What Fuji does need is a greater choice of super zooms for wildlife. The 100-400mm is heavy and of mediocre IQ. The only other super zoom right now is the 55-200mm, which has very good IQ but doesn’t quite have the reach. Faster lenses can easily breach the gap between ASPC and FF in low light.
    What can’t be compared is the ergonomics. This XT3 is a true photographer’s camera. Every control parameter is a single twist/push on a dial/button. A quick glance at the body tells you everything. That and its burst speed makes the XT3 special.

  6. Steve, I would like to ask some advice.
    If one often shoots in low light, would you prefer the X-t3 or the X-h1?
    Was drawn to the X-H1 for IBIS and nearly pulled the trigger, but then this was launched.
    Many thanks, Tony.

    • Well, for really low light…full frame is the way to go. Sony is tops for low light mirrorless. But all depends on what you are calling low light. I shoot in sometime cavernous conditions. For most normal low light, the Fuji would do good. The X-T3 (I should have one any time now for review) appears to be pretty amazing for the money. The XH1 is a sweet camera and IMO the best APS-C out there right now. Until I can test the X-T3, I can not say for sure on it’s performance. Thanks.

  7. Many have been waiting for the Nikon and Canon mirrorless with bated breath, but the real news is this tour de force by Fuji, the XT3. It’s not about Full Frame vs. ASPC, because in most cases the real world differentiator in IQ is the lens, not the sensor, and Fuji has many great lenses. The XT3 is all about blazing speed, superb ergonomics, and a color profile that can’t be matched by any other camera manufacturer. Velvia film mode is often breathtaking in vividness, reminding me of Kodachrome slide film. Using Fuji’s X Raw Studio one can easily and quickly convert raw images to jpegs of exceptional quality. I think the XT3 will become one of the best cameras of all time, especially for wildlife and BIF shooters. Bravo Fuji!

    • Credit where it is due! Fuji kind of kicked N&C to the curb with this one. Full frame sensors DO make a different in some situations though (very low light and for those who want a specific look). If this were full frame, it would be the one to beat of all mirrorless right now.

      • Fuji does Medium Format that beats any full frame for ultimate image quality. The Xt3 IQ is probably not far from Full Frame but bokeh is certainly not as creamy (even though it is not hard to achieve great bokeh with the primes or 50 140) . Will you do a test soon?

      • Steve, if you review this one please try the XF16 1.4 and the XF90 f2, these two lenses alone make any lens from any manufacturer lookaverage, the 90 should be consider an APO, imo, zero CA and razor sharp wide open with the most amazing bokeh. The 16 allows you to focus like 2 inches away giving you a fun perspective, great microconstrast and no flare, give them a try and you might find yourself buying a Fuji for those two alone

  9. I think this camera gives a great alternative to FF, Sensor and low light performance are very good and there is nothing really to envy compare to FF (except if you need to shoot above 12800 which I never did on any camera) . Also The Fuji lenses are glorious and cheaper and smaller compare to FF equivalent , Fuji priced it right also. No really this is the most appealing camera right now way more exiting than the new Canon or Nikon.

  10. Love those Fuji colors. Like you Steve, I am a professional camera collector (only the best one’s though ;). There are always one or two things that I love about each and that off-set any perceived deficiencies. For example; the Hassy’s resolution never disappoints. The 1DX haptics are perfect and my favorite camera for hand-hold comfort on long shoots and those Canon colors … almost as good as Olympus 😉 My Alphas (R3 and III) make for the best All-Rounders as there’s really very little they do wrong except they have no curb appeal, a grip that causes cramps with large lenses and unappealing OOC colors. But my favorite camera of them all and may surprise some, is the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. Gorgeous curb appeal –it’s a camera that screams “pick me up! Let’s go shooting! Feels outstanding in the hand and colors are very near perfect IMHO. If you know how to set it up properly and buy the best M43 lenses, will provide STELLAR images in post. One caveat; light (lots of it) is the equalizer when comparing the Mark II to the aforementioned kits. The E-M1 II fights well above its weight with good light. It is however a very complicated system. Most people that aren’t getting stellar results with it, simply don’t understand how to set it up properly … it’s definitely a thinking man’s camera 😉

    • This is why Panasonic (and probably Olympus) are changing their R&D strategy to focus on Full Frame now. m43 sales are shrinking and the competitors are proposing great offers from Sony to Fuji and now with canon and Nikon entering the mirrorless line. Hopefully they will still develop m43 in the future ( I still like this system)

    • Brock. As a Oly user it would be great if you could share your settings with the rest of the EM1 users. I for one would be greatly appreciative.

  11. You see all these digital cameras being introduced one after another, they are pretty expensive considering you only get a few years use before they become obsolete or you feel the burning desire to upgrade. I am still getting great pics from my film cameras and saving a ton of money by not being in the digital upgrade club. Go buy a film camera , get your film developed at costco or elsewhere and ask them for developing and a disc .upload the disc files to your laptop and you’ve got digital.
    Sleep well without worrying about sensor sizes and the next greatesr thing or more holes in your wallet. And there are some truly incredible quality film cameras out there for little money.

    • I agree with you Steve. Seems like they will keep coming at a rapid pace as these manufacturers compete with each other non stop. These new cameras will not take better images than what most of us have now, as what most of us have now do very well. While these cameras are all nice, I see no real innovation over what Sony has had for the last year. Even with innovation, that is usually in the form of better video specs these days, as we are at a point where AF and speed is blazing on all models. While this release from Fuji looks fantastic, if you own an XT2 it still take great photos!

  12. HUGE Year for sure and we still have the A7SIII, Panny’s Full Frame, Zeiss’s new Fixed Lens Full Frame … have I missed anything?

  13. So far, Steve, your reviews have persuaded me to purchase just three cameras: Remember your Leica X1 review? Well that camera and the Fuji X100 and X100S have been the three cameras I’ve owned and they have been amazing purchases. I am looking to upgrade again, especially to a camera with phase detection autofocus. I almost pulled the punch on the Sony A7lll but now there is this Fuji X-T3. I have only owned fixed mount lens cameras so I don’t have legacy lenses laying around. When you get around to reviewing the X-T3 I would love to read your comparison to the A7lll and which camera you would choose of the two. Thanks.

  14. I think Fuji’s putting things in the right place. Excellent IQ, excellent ergonomics, absolutely reasonable price. They don’t feed myths like other brands, they present facts. And it’s even weather sealed.

      • Well, when I use a camera I do not go by ISO ratings, I go by how they perform in low light. NO way any APS-C will compete with any of the new Full Frame cameras in low light. Will never happen. But not everyone needs the best low light performance. I have heard that about Fuji many times though.

        • But it’s still a lie! I recently shot with a Fuji x camera in the studio and using a flash meter I was getting incorrect readings. Basically their iso 200 was in fact iso 100. This is a deal breaker to me.
          People post Fuji images saying look at this shot at iso 6400! But I’m reality it’s only iso 3200. Still I wish other companies would be more like Fuji. I love their kaizen firmwares. Ergonomics and colours

        • The least thing i have problems with is the IQ in low light. Even using ISO 200 or sometimes 1600 and pushing it via computer it is nothing to worry about. Adding some of the large Aperture lenses and you are ready for low light shooting. Even the AF works, while being a tad slower, dependable.

        • If you take two 24MP BSI sensors of the same generation with approximately the same processing power — one APS-C and the other full frame — then we’re talking about roughly a one stop difference. That’s not much. I can remember 10 years ago when the difference between FF and APS-C was about 3 stops.

          The gap is closing…

      • Always wise to educate oneself before parroting erroneous information found on the interwebs. Begin by researching the differences between ISO SOS (Standard Output Sensitivity) and ISO REI (Recommended Exposure Index).

  15. I wish Fuji made a Full-Frame version of this camera. It looks amazing as ever, it has excellent AF and video quality, GORGEOUS COLOR straight out of the camera… excellent ergonomics and intuitive controls & menu. If it had a Full Frame Sensor, better battery, IBIS, and swivel LCD – it would have been the perfect camera.

    • If they did, it would have a different size/form factor ie different camera. Moved from my Nikon FX to the X system precisely because of what they were able to do with these bodies/lenses.
      The gap between Full Frame and APS-C seemed to close a bit in output, especially when 95% of photos we take are consumed via screen. That made the trade off worth it for me, personally.

    • “…excellent AF and video quality, GORGEOUS COLOR straight out of the camera… excellent ergonomics and intuitive controls & menu…”

      If ONLY it was full frame! LOL!

  16. I’m wondering who makes that new Fuji X-T3 sensor. Sony has never made a 26 MP APS-C sensor as far as I know, and there are little to no rumors about the next A6X00 camera. Why would Sony let Fuji get first dibs on their new sensor?

    There is Panasonic, and they are developing Organic sensor tech with Fuji, but this doesn’t like it.

    Finally, the characteristics of the Fuji X-T3 sensor remind me a lot of the Samsung NX1’s sensor, which was a 28 MP BSI sensor with nearly full coverage with PDAF pixels.

    This mystery is nagging me, and I don’t think Fuji or any other company is willing to reveal the secrets of their sensor technology.

    • Its a Sony-made sensor I believe. You will see it shortly in a new A6xxx camera. Fuji of course have their own special sauce ( x trans as well of course ). And the processor is all Fuji.

      People think its all about the sensor – its not. The processor is a major factor.

  17. Already ordered …. now I wait for the upgrade of my Pro 2 and X100F with the same sensor and all the good things of this XT3. Love Fuji ! My first camera 1976 was a Fujica ST801 ! Then Nikon and Canon as a pro but sold old my Canon 3 years ago to work with the Fuji’s ….. No regret , some continue to hire me :):):))

  18. Steve – you always seem to approach Fuji with a ” I am not a Fuji guy” perspective, as if you are waiting for them to disappoint you. My only advice is to try and approach them with an open mind and forget the past.

    I have Nikon and Sony FF systems, but the Fuji X-T2 is my favourite for casual use. It is like a digital Nikon FM. In many ways, it is the camera I wish the Nikon DF should have been.

    I think you will really like the X-T3. I would also say that the Fuji community is very strong ( more so than the other brands ) and there are lots of inspiring Fuji shooters like Jonas Rask.

    Google the KAGE COLLECTIVE. It is a collaboration site ( mostly Fuji shooters ) and I look at it every day for photo-inspiration. It is fantastic and an instant cure for GAS. 🙂

  20. Steve, you may refer to a quad core CPU not 4 CPUs. It could have 4 CPUs inside, though. Previous one was dual core CPU. Present one is 4 times faster than previous one.

    • The assumption that a quad core processor is 4 times faster than a single core one is not correct. It depends on a lot of factors and architecture. Implementing all cores, it is possible to execute 4 separate instruction sets on 4 separate processes/daemons as controlled by the operating system, but it is not possible to execute the same process 4 times faster. I have no clue how camera OS works, but this might come in handy for RAW conversion in camera, as multiple cores can be utilized for different combinations of retouching

      • From what i did read is that AF and phase/contrast detection is now a separate process in the X-T3, so that explains why eye AF or AF-C + Zone is a huge improvement over the X-T2…. Camera has to a certain amount a OS, but are mostly specific task to run and of course the UI. So yes, you can say that the X-T3 is a lot more faster then a X100 (100 times) and a X-T2 (3 times) overall and maybe 4 times faster on specific task then a X-T2

  22. The price is what makes this interesting to me

    Go ff or aps or m43?

    Smaller ffs make aps look less appealing

    M43 can still offer size advantage via lens sizes

    So why buy aps?…w this one, perhaps because output quality is liekly close to ff but at $1500

    Just thoughts

    Not for me…but looks really really nice

  23. Amazing Fuji brought down the hammer despite being such a small player, really makes the EOS-R body look like a half arsed effort from the industry goliath.

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