Fujifilm X-T3 Review

Fujifilm X-T3 with the XF 35mm f/1.4 R Lens — The Fujifilm X-T3 and XF 35mm f/1.4 R

A Review of the Fuji X-T3

Thanks to Leo’s Camera Supply in Vancouver for making the Fujifilm X-T3 available to me for my review. I was able to take it for a spin over the weekend.

The Fujifilm X-T3 was released in September 2018 and was instantly very popular, no doubt due to an impressive feature set. The reviews were positive and the camera received accolades for improved video specs.

I will be looking at the X-T3 from a travel photographer’s perspective and will not dive into the video capabilities of the camera. Nice to know it will shoot stellar video footage if need be.

The Fujifilm X-T3 with an XF 14mm f/2.8 R

Fujifilm X Series History

In 2016 we set out for a trip to the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Europe and my camera choice at the time was the Fujifilm X-T1, a camera, which strongly reassembles a Contax 139 I had back in the early eighties.

Fujifilm is known to look for design clues in old film cameras. This was Fujifilm’s first SLR-styled mirrorless camera and it was a good move as it further solidified the X Series.

The Fujifilm X-T3 camera with an XF 35mm f/1.4 R lens — The Fujifilm X-T3 with an XF 35mm f/1.4 R

I enjoyed shooting with the X-T1. The adjustable tilting LCD especially, was a welcome addition when shooting from low angles as a travel photographer.

The sensor in the X-T1 rendered pleasing images in many situations but came up short for landscape photography. The 16-megapixel sensor did not cut it for the finer details.

At the time I had just sold a Canon EOS 5DsR so the difference was significant. The X-T2 was released in September 2016 with a long list of improvements including a new 24-megapixel X-Trans III sensor, a faster shutter, a new processor, more AF points, and a joystick.

At the time, I had already upgraded to an X-Pro2, which had similar specs to the X-T2.

The camera market is relentless and a mere two years after the X-T2 release the X-T3 was launched. New features include the X-Trans IV sensor at 26.1 megapixels, base ISO now at 160 instead of 200, better EVF, and better AF including eye detect autofocus. The X-T3 also uses a BSI (backside illuminated sensor), which gathers more light.

Handling

The X-T3 feels solid in the hand. Fujifilm has not cut any corners. The buttons are good, and the door to the SD card slot snaps into position without any creaking. The tactile feel of the ISO and shutter speed dial is also very pleasing.

The tilting LCD seems well-built and I believe it will stand the test of time. The on/off button is not flimsy as it is on some cameras. So far so good.

I am not a fan of the exposure compensation dial. It is very tight and hard to move with just one finger. It makes for jerky adjustments or you are forced to use two fingers.

Having easy access to an exposure compensation dial has become an essential part of my shooting style, especially with my X-Pro2. Perhaps more time and experience with the X-T3 would alleviate this concern.

One other issue I have discovered is the placement of my right thumb, which inadvertently hits the command dial and AF-L button on the back when holding the camera. The X-T3 is a relatively small body and a grip may negate this issue.

A couple goes for a swim in English Bay at Sunset in Vancouver. A sample image from a Fujifilm X-T3 — Fujifilm X-T3 and XF 35mm f/1.4 R @ f/8

Fujifilm X-T3 in Action

As the X-Series cameras evolve, so do the menu systems. They are getting more and more complex. There are more menu items to go through and more decisions to make setting up the camera to your liking.

I only had the camera for 4 days. Spending more time with the manual would probably have been in order but instead, I headed out for some hands-on.

One example of the complexity is the added touchscreen ability. To some photographers, I am sure this is a welcome feature. The more bells and whistles the better, right?

I tried the touchscreen functionality for a while on my X-H1 but no matter how I set it up, I would end up making camera changes inadvertently by the slightest touch.

Brazilian live music at English Bay Beach in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X-T3 — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-T3, XF 35mm f/1.4 R @ f/1.4

You guessed it. I turned it off on the X-T3 as well. It is however cool how you can completely customize this camera to your shooting style and quickly make changes with several custom function buttons laid out on the camera the way you prefer.

I do like the shutter sound from the X-T3. It reminds me more of the X-Pro2 than the X-H1, which feels too soft at times. The X-T3 gives you a nice reaffirming sound. Strange to talk about this really, but I find it an important part of the parcel.

I did not have a sporting event on my agenda during my test so that I could test out the true speed of the X-T3. You can now fire away at 11 fps using the mechanical shutter and 20 fps with the electronic shutter and it even features a 1.25x crop mode giving you the option to shoot 30 fps.

For travel photography, you rarely need those kinds of frame rates.

Tilting rear LCD on the Fujifilm X-T3 — Rear LCD on the Fujifilm X-T3

Fujifilm X-T3 vs. X-T4

I have only had brief hands-on with the X-T4 but my initial impressions were good. The size of the body is an almost perfect merge of the X-H1 and X-T3. The body feels sturdy with a very dampened shutter sound.

It has a new, fully articulating rear LCD. You do, however, have to swing the LCD out to the side but Vloggers will enjoy this feature as you will be able to see yourself while filming. It also enables you to turn the LCD toward the camera in order to fully protect it.

The X-T4 has a new battery, the NP-W235, getting you 500 shots per charge compared to 390 for the older NP-W126 used in the X-T3. The X-T4 now has a dial that instantly takes you from shooting stills to shooting video. This is a welcomed and much-needed feature compared to the X-T3 and X-H1.

A man walks across the Burrard Bridge in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X-T3 — Fujifilm X-T3 and XF 23mm f/1.4 R @ f/8

The sensors in the X-T3 and X-T4 are the same X-Trans IV but the big news for the X-T4 is IBIS. In body stabilization. This can be a lifesaver in many situations and especially if you shoot handheld video with non-IS lenses. At $1,699 + $69.99 if you want a separate battery charger it is considerably more than the X-T3.

The current deal (as of September 2020) at $999.00 for the X-T3 including a spare battery and a 32 GB SD card makes the X-T3 an affordable and quite attractive option in the X-Series lineup. I encourage you to look up all the specs and see which camera ticks the most boxes for you.

Update:

I have now had a chance to review the X-T4:

Fujifilm X-T4 - Review

Fujifilm X-T3 vs. X-H1

23.8 oz, 673 g, for the X-H1 and 19 oz, 539 g, for the X-T3 do not make a huge difference. That said, the X-H1 is beefier with a deeper grip and has the top LCD which I found quite handy. Most notably the X-H1 has in-body stabilization and a dampened shutter mechanism, which allows for low shutter speed handheld photography.

The IBIS also comes in handy for video. The X-H1 does not have the new 26.1 megapixels X-Trans IV sensor found in the X-T3. Instead, the X-H1 has a 24-megapixel X-Trans III sensor.

The X-T3 shoots more frames per second and has an improved autofocus system. Fujifilm’s aggressive pricing on the X-H1 towards the end of its cycle made it a very attractive option in the Fujifilm lineup.

If you are having a difficult time choosing between these two, I would encourage you to try them both out at your local photo store or rent each for a few days to get a better feel.

The cameras feel quite different in the hand and the shooting experience is also distinctive for each one.

Car analogies are often used when speaking of cameras and I will turn to one now. Let’s call the X-T3 the VW Golf GTI with a firm suspension. Fast in the corners with a rigid body.

The X-H1 is the top-of-the-line Passat with leather seats and a sunroof, it gives you a smooth ride and yet has some performance packed under the hood.

The two cars are cut from the same DNA and some aspects will feel familiar and both with get you from A to B in style. In a quarter-mile race, the GTI would cross the finish line first.

For more about the X-H1:

Fujifilm X-H1 - Review.

A size comparison between the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-H1 — Fujifilm X-H1 and X-T3 size comparison

Fujifilm X-T3 Image Quality

With any new camera and sensor, there is a learning curve and adjustment period in how you post-process, and over time you will learn the sensor’s strengths and weaknesses enabling you to create presets suited for the camera.

For the longest time now I have been processing images from the 24-megapixel X-Trans III sensor and regrettably, there was not a big wow moment opening up the X-Trans IV files from the 26-megapixel sensor.

With time I may have come to appreciate the subtle differences. In my limited test, the files from the X-T3 appear to come out with a flatter profile needing more work in post-processing in order to get my desired result.

I usually shoot auto white balance and dare I say, my X-Pro2 and X-H1 are better at nailing the correct white balance. This could just be the new look of the files throwing me off.

After the edits, the results are comparable but they do look slightly different than my usual files, which is to be expected with a new sensor.

Rear flip-out LCD screen on the Fujifilm X-T3 — Rear flip-out LCD screen on the X-T3

Conclusion

I wanted to test the X-T3 to see what the new sensor could produce. Would it be an idea to merge two cameras into one for travel, as in selling my X-Pro2 and X-H1, and grab an X-T3 instead?

After my brief test, the X-T3 looks to be a solid performer but the improved specs were perhaps not what I was looking for and it would be hard for me to part ways with my X-Pro2.

As a travel photographer, I do not need the higher frame rate and I do not shoot enough video that I would be longing for the improved specs of the X-T3.

The X-T3 would make a great all-around travel camera and should be able to handle just about anything you would throw at it. If you shoot sports, wildlife, or any fast action the X-T3 would be well suited due to the fast processor, faster frame rate, and better AF system.

A sunflower in late September, Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm X-T3 — Fujifilm X-T3 and XF 23mm f/1.4 R @ f/2

The video specs are impressive and if you are serious about video, you most likely have alternative ways to stabilize your camera with a video head tripod, gimbal, or rail.

Because the X-T3 has enjoyed as much success as it has, there are many third-party options to customize your video rig if you are so inclined.

The X-T4, however, is appealing with a new form factor, IS, and a new battery. If you plan to shoot any handheld video this could be a game-changer. As I wrap up this review I would be hard-pressed to make a choice between the X-T3 or X-T4. Would you go with the value winner, the X-T3, or the latest and greatest with the X-T4?

Pros

Great all-around performance for stills and video
Improved autofocus
Rugged built quality

Cons

Handling could be better

Update:

After testing the X-T3 I have had a chance to test the X-T30 as well as the X-Pro3 and the X-Trans IV sensor is growing on me the more I try it. It’s good to know the X-T3 still has the most advanced sensor from Fujifilm shared with the X-T4 also.

Update: August 2022.

The Fujifilm X-T3 has now been discontinued.

Fujifilm X-T3 - Sample Images

Below are a few sample images from Vancouver, processed in Capture One Express. Some images are slightly cropped and on some of the images, I have used Fujifilm film simulations, such as Classic Chrome, Velvia, Pro Neg. Hi, and Acros.

Please click to view larger images.