Fujifilm’s new X-T3 mirrorless camera upgrades everything that matters most

Fujifilm has simply introduced the $1,500 X-T3, which is the most recent addition to the corporate’s X Sequence lineup of APS-C mirrorless cameras. It’s the follow-up to 2016’s X-T2, a beloved camera — amongst Fujifilm shooters, anyway — that’s grown extra highly effective and succesful over time due to a bevy of firmware updates. The X-T2 of right now is a wholly completely different beast than after I first examined it. Its autofocus, video capabilities, and topic monitoring have all been extensively fine-tuned. However having hit the ceiling for what it might probably get out of the X-T2, Fujifilm has determined that now’s the time for new {hardware}. The X-T3 marks the debut of a new 26.1-megapixel sensor, it might probably shoot 4K video at 60 fps, and it guarantees the very best auto-focus system that the corporate has produced but. It goes on sale September 20th at a beginning value of $1,499.95 (or $1,899.99 with the acquainted 18-55 equipment lens). The X-T3 truly prices $100 lower than the X-T2 did at launch. To hit that value level, Fujifilm moved meeting of the camera from Japan to China, a choice that isn’t sitting so nicely with among the firm’s followers. In contrast to the proud, outstanding “made in Japan” that was stamped onto the again of the X-T2, the China acknowledgement is hidden away behind the rear LCD. However after dealing with the X-T3 for a bit — and as somebody who has tallied years of expertise with the X-T1 and X-T2 — I believe you’ll be able to most likely go away any unfavourable assumptions or issues over construct high quality on the door. This looks like an X Sequence in every single place I appear and feel. Fujifilm has already produced a number of our bodies and lenses between China, Thailand, and the Philippines, and there’s been no apparent disparity between them and the Japan-made models. The X-T3 shares the identical physique fashion and button placement because the X-T2, although it measures barely bigger and is a tad heavier. I wish to run by means of a few of my favourite smaller additions earlier than going too deep on specs. The X-T3 connects over USB-C (USB 3.1) for quicker tethering efficiency, although Fujifilm tells me that charging the battery by USB takes about so long as it did with the X-T2. What, we are able to’t put USB Energy Supply right into a camera? The X-T3 has a built-in headphone jack for audio monitoring (you don’t want the vertical grip anymore), and has a pull-out, lockable diopter; it was means too straightforward to by accident rotate the previous one, so I’m glad Fujifilm took discover. The dials on prime and buttons on again are all slightly bigger, too. At 3.69 million dots, the X-T3’s 0.5-inch OLED digital viewfinder is much sharper than the X-T2’s was. Its refresh charge is 100 fps, and there’s a show time lag of 0.005 seconds. Fuji hasn’t made any substantial adjustments to the rear LCD past making it a touchscreen. It’s nonetheless a 1.04 million-dot panel, which is falling behind the mirrorless pack a bit, however now you’ll be able to faucet to focus and even fireplace off a shot if you happen to really feel the necessity. It nonetheless tilts 3 ways (up, down, and to the suitable), however received’t flip 180 levels for selfies or running a blog. The new backside-illuminated X-Trans CMOS Four sensor is paired with Fujifilm’s X-Processor 4, a quad-core CPU that is 3 times quicker than present X Sequence cameras. Extra energy means the X-T3 refocuses and meters 1.5 occasions extra regularly than the X-T2 does. The new processor can also be extra environment friendly, so Fujifilm has upped the estimate of pictures you’ll get on a full battery from 340 (X-T2) to 390. That’s good and all, however you’ll undoubtedly nonetheless wish to carry a spare. Fujifilm has unfold part detection pixels — 2.16 million of them in all — throughout your complete sensor space. For single-point focusing, you’ll be able to select between seeing both 117 AF factors or the overwhelming-but-very-precise 425. Providing such a complete unfold of phase-detect AF factors may show one of many X-T3’s greatest strengths. Low-light focusing might be one other. The X-T3’s part detect AF can focus all the way down to -3EV in comparison with -1EV on the X-T2. Fujifilm additionally says that the camera’s face and eye detection have gotten higher (with eye detection now out there in AF-C). These adjustments all result in a lot increased hit charges for the autofocus system throughout the board, the corporate claims. Steady autofocus utilizing the mechanical shutter tops out at 11 fps; with the X-T2, you had to purchase the costly vertical grip to get that 11 fps burst mode, however now it’s all in-body; no equipment required. Swap over to the digital shutter (and a 1.25x crop) and you may crank that means as much as 30 fps of blackout-free steady taking pictures. All of Fujifilm’s standard movie simulation filters are right here — as is the corporate’s signature, phenomenal out-of-camera JPEG high quality. And the X-T3 additionally picks up a new “shade chrome impact” that boosts saturation and element in shadows. This was already out there on the corporate’s GFX 50S medium-format, however now it’s coming to the X Sequence. There’s additionally now an choice to regulate monochrome pictures between heat and funky tones to your desire. After which there’s video, the realm the place Fujifilm claims it has achieved plenty of firsts. The X-T3 “is the primary mirrorless digital camera able to inside SD card 4K/60P 4:2:0 10bit recording and the primary mirrorless digital camera with APS-C or bigger sensor that is able to 4K/60P 4:2:2 10bit HDMI output,” in line with the corporate. It helps H.264, but in addition provides H.265 for extra environment friendly compression; choosing HEVC means that you can set a high-quality bitrate of 400 Mbps when taking pictures 4K at 30 or 24 fps. (The restrict for different modes is 200 Mbps.) Fujifilm says it has diminished rolling shutter to beneath 10 milliseconds. The X-T3 positive factors the Eterna movie simulation that debuted on the X-H1; it’s helpful for fast grading if you happen to don’t wish to go all in and report F-Log. The corporate additionally added zebra stripes to assist with publicity and “a new noise discount algorithm and 4K inter-frame noise discount.” On a number of fronts, the X-T3 appears to be a terrific evolution of the X-T2. With a new sensor, speedier processor, considerably improved autofocus, and even higher EVF than earlier than, there’s so much to love — and that’s earlier than factoring in video and buttery-smooth 4K60P. The X-T2, just like the X-T1 earlier than it, proved itself to be a wonderful workhorse cameras, so I’m wanting ahead to a while testing the X-T3. If you need or want in-body picture stabilization, you’ll have to look to the X-H1; Fujifilm nonetheless considers that camera its flagship regardless of all of the developments it’s making with the X-T3. Loads of what’s right here will little doubt be present in an eventual X-H2 and, as is custom, a lower-priced XT-30. However exterior of IBIS, if you happen to’re firmly in favor of upgrading to the most recent X Sequence, it’s onerous to think about how or the place you’ll be dissatisfied. https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/6/17823930/fujifilm-xt3-camera-announced-features-pricing-release-date