This premium mirrorless digicam is geared toward skilled beginner photographers or professionals, because it’s the world’s first APS-C digicam with the flexibility to file 10-bit 4:2:0 (color sampling) video straight onto its SD card. You additionally get an exhaustive listing of capabilities for capturing each stills and video. In brief, it’s one of the vital feature-rich cameras Fujifilm has to supply but. It’s time to see how the Fujifilm X-T3 fares with real-world utilization.
Fujifilm X-T3 design and ergonomics
Bodily, the X-T3 appears to be like nearly similar to the X-T2, with the same button structure and design. The physique is barely heavier at 539g, and with the 18-55mm package lens, the general package deal may really feel a bit fatiguing after about an hour of capturing. The handgrip isn’t very pronounced however we discovered this digicam comfy sufficient to carry due to the textured rubber coating on the physique. The Fujifilm X-T3 was additionally designed to face up to mud, water, and freezing temperatures, which is sweet.
The X-T3 has the type of retro design that’s now grow to be a staple with Fujifilm’s X sequence cameras. If you happen to’ve used even the lower-end fashions, this button structure must be immediately acquainted. We’ve three predominant dials on the highest for ISO, shutter velocity, and publicity compensation, of which, the primary two have buttons to lock them in place and are stacked on prime of one other set of rotary controls.
The one under the ISO dial helps you to change the drive mode, whereas the one under the shutter dial helps you to change the sunshine metering mode. You regulate these parameters utilizing tabs that stand out from the bottom of every dial. The system works properly, however we struggled a bit with the metering tab because the shutter button will get in its manner.
You additionally get two horizontal multi-purpose command dials, just like what we noticed on the Fujifilm X-E3. There are a number of extra controls on the again, together with a four-way navigation pad and a joystick, plus some extra rubber cladding for you thumb. The buttons have good suggestions however a few of them are slightly too small, which could possibly be a problem when you’re capturing with gloves on.
The digital viewfinder or EVF has a delicate rubber shroud hooked up. You additionally get an eye-sensor, which lets the digicam mechanically change between the LCD and the EVF whenever you deliver it up to your eye. There’s a diopter adjustment dial as properly. The EVF has a excessive decision of three.69 million dots, a 60fps refresh charge, and a magnification of 0.75x. Enabling Increase Mode bumps the refresh charge as much as 100fps.
The three-inch LCD is a touchscreen, however this must be enabled, and the setting for it’s buried within the digicam’s menu for some purpose. The show has a decision of 1.04 million dots and is definitely legible even underneath daylight. There’s a three-way articulating arm, just like what we’ve seen on the X-T2. You may flip it out sideways by about 70 levels if you have to shoot vertically, and it could actually additionally flip up and down. Nonetheless, it could actually’t flip all the way in which over to the entrance, so this digicam isn’t very properly suited to vlogging.
On the fitting, we have now a weather-sealed flap for the 2 SD card slots. Playing cards rated as much as UHS-II for velocity are supported. You may configure two playing cards for redundancy, or have stills saved on one and video clips on the opposite. Over to the left, there’s a single flap overlaying the microphone enter, headphones socket, Micro-HDMI port, and USB-Sort-C port. You need to use an influence financial institution to cost the battery by the Sort-C port when the digicam is off, and even preserve the digicam powered whilst you proceed to make use of it.
The Fujifilm X-T3 is obtainable as only a physique, or it may be bought with an 18-55mm package lens, which is the package deal we acquired for evaluation. The lens is extraordinarily properly constructed and feels each bit as premium because the digicam itself. It has a optical stabilisation and an aperture vary of f/2.8 on the huge to f/4 on the telephoto finish. There’s a change for guide or auto aperture management and three rings for adjusting the aperture, zoom, and focus.
Within the field, you get some manuals, a neck strap, an exterior charger for the battery, and the EF-X8 hot-shoe flash, because the digicam lacks an in-built one.
Fujifilm X-T3 specs and options
The Fujifilm X-T3 includes a barely higher-resolution26.1-megapixel sensor, in comparison with 24.3 megapixels on the X-T2. Extra importability, it additionally has the newer X-Trans IV picture processor, which guarantees higher autofocus speeds, extra correct face and eye detection, and the flexibility to push out greater bit-rate movies.
There’s a hybrid autofocus system similar to earlier than, however the variety of PDAF factors has been bumped as much as 425, which covers practically your complete width of the sensor. Burst capturing can be improved to 11fps when utilizing the mechanical shutter and upto 30fps with the digital shutter, however with a 1.25x crop issue. The native ISO vary is 160-12,800, and the utmost shutter velocity is 1/8000s.
For video, the Fujifilm X-T3 can shoot at as much as 4K at 60fps or at as much as 1080p at 120fps. The digicam additionally helps the DCI-4K 17:9 format with a 2160×4096 decision. 10-bit recording to the SD card is barely out there when you select the H-265 (HEVC) codec, in any other case the digicam defaults to 8-bit high quality. If you happen to’re utilizing the HDMI output to file to an exterior machine, the X-T3 can shoot 10-bit 4:2:2 video, which is one thing many professionals could be pleased with. F-log can be supported when you want to shoot with a flat color profile and grade the output in post-production.
The menu system is properly organised, however fist-time Fujifilm customers will want a while to familiarise themselves with the structure. A lot of the buttons on the again will be customised to your liking; you possibly can create a customized menu with the settings you entry probably the most, and also you get a wealth of choices for stills and video to mess around with. Fujifilm’s standard movie simulation modes are current too, and now embrace a Basic Chrome impact for softer colors and enhanced shadows, aside from the standard ones.
The digicam has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which can be utilized with the Fujifilm Digicam Distant app. The implementation isn’t excellent although. It’s an actual chore pairing the digicam to a telephone over Wi-Fi, and even after paring, capturing remotely or searching by the photographs you’ve shot are sluggish, clunky affairs. Bluetooth pairing is simpler and can be utilized to repeat pictures to your telephone, however the auto-transfer function didn’t work fairly as marketed, in our expertise. We weren’t very impressed, and Fujifilm’s effort is much behind what different producers at present provide.
Fujifilm X-T3 efficiency and battery life
We start with our ISO check, wherein we test how the X-T3 handles noise at excessive ISO ranges. This additionally offers us a good indication of how the digicam will carry out in low mild. We’re blissful to see that there’s an imperceptible improve in noise ranges as much as ISO 1,600, which is kind of spectacular. At ISO 3,200, the shaved areas of the pencils exhibit a slight loss intimately, however there’s nonetheless no seen noise.
Fujifilm X-T3 ISO check
It’s the identical at ISO 6,400, which is superb. At ISO 12,800, which is the utmost native restrict, the perimeters of the pencils begin to get slightly fuzzy and there’s a little bit of noise within the shadows. With the prolonged ISO 25,600 setting, the picture turns into fairly grainy and isn’t actually usable. You may regulate the ISO in one-third-stop increments, which supplies you quantity of management. General although, the X-T3 fared properly on this check.
In daylight, the Fujifilm X-T3 was fast to lock focus, and each face and eye monitoring have been very responsive. Not like with earlier X-series fashions such because the X-E3, the X-T3 can observe a topic’s eye even when they don’t seem to be immediately wanting on the digicam. Nonetheless, there have been just a few odd cases when the digicam tried to trace faces on topics that weren’t individuals. It didn’t occur too typically however we propose that when you’re not capturing human topics, it’s finest to show this off.
The elevated variety of autofocus factors helps in locking concentrate on topics which might be on the edges of a body. For single-point focus, you get all 435 AF factors in a 17×25 grid, however for zone and monitoring AF, you get 117 AF factors specified by a 9×13 grid. The joystick and the command dials make it very handy to change between totally different AF modes.
Fujifilm X-T3 digicam pattern (resized for net): ISO 160, f/5.6, 1/500s, 27mm (35mm) (faucet to see full-sized picture)
Fujifilm X-T3 digicam pattern (resized for net): ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/220s, 76mm (35mm) (faucet to see full-sized picture)
Fujifilm X-T3 digicam pattern (resized for net): ISO 160, f/4.5, 1/80s, 59mm (35mm), Velvia filter (faucet to see full-sized picture)
Picture high quality was excellent when capturing underneath good mild. Even JPEG information taken immediately off the digicam provided unimaginable element and vigorous colors at one hundred pc, with no post-processing. The 18-55mm lens carried out properly for informal capturing in our expertise. Objects across the edges of frames didn’t at all times have one of the best sharpness however we didn’t encounter any chromatic aberration or barrel distortion points.
The zoom vary isn’t a lot, however even at 55mm, the lens maintained good sharpness. Because of the massive sensor, we have been in a position to get very usable crops from our photographs.
The lens stabilisation labored properly in low mild. The touchscreen is useful, particularly whenever you need to pull focus from one finish of a body to the opposite. It could possibly additionally be used as a touchpad for shifting the main target level round when utilizing the EVF. Nonetheless, we want the interface was a bit extra responsive, as we felt a really slight delay from the time we touched the display to when the main target level truly shifted. It’s not a really massive deal, however for finer changes, the joystick works faster.
The digicam has a built-in panorama mode, which shoots a burst of photos as you pan round. You may select the path of the pan, which is sweet. The tip outcomes nevertheless have been a bit hit-or-miss for us, as vertical striations appeared barely warped.
Burst mode labored properly, and we have been in a position to get hit-rate with shifting topics. The X-T3 gives 5 totally different steady autofocus choices for various situations however we discovered it finest to go away it at ‘multi-purpose’ for constant outcomes.
Low-light efficiency was commendable. The Fujifilm X-T3 lacks sensor stabilisation however the lens type of made up for that in our exams. Focusing velocity remained stable, and the digicam provided dynamic vary. Colors have been additionally nonetheless wealthy, and a few of Fujifilm’s movie simulation filters did wonders to reinforce the look of our pictures. Evening photographs will be comparatively freed from noise when you preserve the ISO at about 3,200. You get three customisable Auto ISO settings to select from, and every one can have a distinct minimal and most restrict, which could be very handy.
Fujifilm X-T3 digicam pattern (resized for net): ISO 1,000, f/4, 1/80s, 83mm (35mm) (faucet to see full-sized picture)
Fujifilm X-T3 digicam pattern (resized for net): ISO 6,400, f/2.8, 1/26s, 27mm (35mm) (faucet to see full-sized picture)
Fujifilm X-T3 digicam pattern (resized for net): ISO 1,600, f/2.8, 1/27s, 29mm (35mm) (faucet to see full-sized picture)
The X-T3 does an excellent job with video too. The standard of 4K video is superb underneath good mild, and the high-framerate 60fps mode is rock stable. Picture high quality is vey good and you’ll even range the monitoring sensitivity and autofocus velocity when shifting focus from one object to a different, relying on the type of transition you’re in search of. The digicam does get a bit heat even with a few minutes of capturing 4K video, although.
We have been notably impressed with the face and eye monitoring velocity of the X-T3. The digicam by no means misplaced its lock on an individual we have been capturing whilst he moved everywhere in the body. The particular person’s face was at all times in focus always with none looking points. Nonetheless, we missed not having the ability to observe objects, which was little disappointing. You are able to do this when capturing stills, however there isn’t an possibility for video.
Video high quality was nonetheless good at night time. When manually rising the ISO, we discovered that noise within the shadows is suppressed very properly until ISO 6,400. Going upwards did reveal some noise within the shadows nevertheless it was nonetheless an appropriate quantity.
For the reason that digicam lacks each in-body stabilisation and digital stabilisation, you’re actually depending on the lens. This isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, since even with simply OIS from the lens, footage we took whereas strolling got here out pretty steady. Plus, you don’t get any of the annoying shimmer impact that comes as byproduct of digital stabilisation.
The Fujifilm X-T3 is rated to ship round 390 stills on a single cost. After all, what you get will range so much primarily based on the how you might be capturing, and whether or not or not you will have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. For video recording, every cost rated to ship roughly 40 minutes at 4K, with out face monitoring. In our expertise, we sometimes ended up with about 50 p.c battery life remaining after taking 180-200 stills and video clips. A while was additionally spent twiddling with the menus to alter settings, which barely ate into the battery life.
Verdict
The X-T3 is Fujifilm’s most feature-packed APS-C digicam but, and in some ways, it competes with the corporate’s personal flagship digicam, the X-H1. In truth, each are priced equally for simply the physique. The most important distinction between the 2 is the presence of 5-axis sensor stabilisation within the X-H1, which the X-T3 lacks.
As a substitute, the X-T3 boasts of barely higher options akin to 4K video recording at 60fps, and higher eye and face detection due to the newer and sooner picture processor. If you happen to completely want in-body stabilisation, you must think about the X-H1, however we predict quite a lot of individuals could possibly be happier with the X-T3, merely due to the sheer variety of options it gives.
Additionally price contemplating is the truth that the Fujifilm X-T3 prices round Rs. 1,49,999 (with the 18-55mm package lens). This places it very near full-frame mirrorless digicam territory, and lots of could be tempted to swing that manner.
A few issues may have been higher, akin to monitoring for non-human topics in video mode, higher entry to the metering dial, and a totally articulating show. Additionally, it’s excessive time that Fujifilm overhauled its smartphone app, which simply feels dated and clunky.
Nonetheless, the X-T3 nonetheless makes a compelling case for itself, because it’s simply among the finest compact APS-C mirrorless cameras available in the market proper now, and gives an unimaginable set of options, backed by nice efficiency.
Value (MRP): Rs. 1,49,999 (with 18-55mm package lens)
Professionals
- Climate-resistant and rugged physique
- Exhaustive function set
- Nice efficiency for stills and video
- First rate battery life
- Twin SD card slots
Cons
- Metering dial will be difficult to make use of
- Monitoring in movies is restricted to faces
- Clunky smartphone app
Rankings (out of 5)
- Construct/ design: 4.5
- Picture high quality: 4
- Video high quality: 4.5
- Efficiency: 4.5
- Worth for cash: 4
- General: 4.5