The Story With the New Fuji X-T3

The big news is right at the heart of the new Fujifilm X-T3

All-new sensor, all-new processor: That's the basic takeaway for the new Fujifilm X-T3 announced today. Yes, there are other changes, but most of the big ones revolve around the sensor and processor.

Although effectively the same resolution as the X-T2 sensor (26.1 megapixels vs. 24.3, an unnoticeable difference if nothing else changes), it's Fuji's first APS-C sensor to have a back-illuminated structure with phase detection pixels distributed across the surface. Of course the new sensor means the camera has to have a new processing engine. It's a quad-core CPU called "X-Processor 4."

The effects of the new sensor and processor: AF performance (originally a bit of an embarrassment to Fuji when the X-Pro1 was introduced) can be expected to leapfrog into the realm of the cutting edge; AF now takes place over the entire frame with 2.14 million distributed phase-detection pixels. Focus tracking is expected to be vastly better; the camera refocuses and takes AE readings 1.5 times more often; low-light autofocusing ability jumps from –1 EV to –3 (vs. –4.5 for the Canon EOS R—Canon's advertised spec cheats a bit by using an ƒ/1.2 lens for its "–6 EV" claim); 4K/60P 10-bit video output; shutter lag is getting close to instantaneous; and a smoother, more responsive viewfinder.

There are some other minor changes (160 base ISO, a locking diopter knob, and the adoption of Color Chrome Effect from the GFX-50S for example) but it's the sensor and processor and all the functions they affect that are the main story with the update.

Proud
Fuji claims the sensor readout is ten times faster than the original X-Trans sensor, and that the processing engine is twenty times faster than the one in the X-Pro1. It calls the X-T3's AF performance "exceptional" and proudly states that the X-T3 "boasts the highest performance in the history of X Series."

Price is $1,499 for black or silver (which apparently is not the deluxe and expensive "Graphite" finish that was optional on the X-T1 and X-T2). Note that that's $100 cheaper than the old regular price for the X-T2. The camera ships on September 20th, two weeks from now.

Mike

P.S. Meanwhile, the older X-T2 is a still a swell camera and on sale for a bargain price.

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Andy F: "This is a worthy upgrade and you didn't mention its class-leading video capabilities. It's a crying shame it doesn't have IBIS."

Mike replies: At least Fuji now has a camera with IBIS. But it appears they're going to ghettoize it into that one model. I was hoping for trickle-down into the right-sized-for-me X-T[1-2-3] series. You know what they say: Oh well.

Craig: "Wow. Impressive. I had been thinking I was perfectly happy with my X-E2s, but I may have to consider this...."

Dennis Mook: "This new X-T3 may be more of a bargain than just US$100 less expensive than the original price of the X-T2. In order to benefit from faster AF, higher frame rates and a few other things, one had to buy the X-T2’s Power Booster grip for an additional $300. Now those features are standard in the X-T3, effectively a $400 savings."

Kenneth Tanaka: "The X-T3 looks to be every bit the the sort of thoughtful incremental model improvement that Fuji owners have come to expect. It looks to me like nearly all of the camera's technical improvements are aimed toward the movie-makers. It's mostly the same still camera as the X-T2. While I've enjoyed my (admittedly very under-used) X-T2, I recently downgraded to try an X-T20...and I love it. Same image quality and imaging features as the X-T2 in a smaller camera body with a very handy tiltable touch-screen at a nice price!"

Comments

[Richard Man]

As a RF user, I would be interested in HEARING when the XPRO-3 will come out (not that I would BUY one.. ha)

[Stan B.]

And it's a looker!

[Kodachromeguy]

Another fantastic new camera. This is a great time for digital photographers. But the big question: since most serious photographers already have amazingly good cameras, will the new Nikons, Canons and Fujis be enough of an improvement to convince them to buy new hardware? Will their photography really improve? Compared to, say, 10 years ago, I bet more and more photographers look at their budgets and say "no, why bother."

[Grumpy Stu ;-)]

Have Fujifilm done just enough to get me to upgrade my X-T1 to an X-T3, or should I save £400 and get an X-T2 run out deal? Or have Canon done enough to pursuade me to buy an EOS R?

The perils of having two camera systems and not being mega-rich! The X-T1 has never done enough to convince me to part with my Canon system, there are too many handling annoyances... but then, every time I decide to sell off my X-system I find myself unable to part with those gorgeously tactile XF primes...

I think I need help! ;-)

[Peter Church]

No IBIS that will be a deal breaker for Mike!

[louis mccullagh]

I wonder how this compares to the technology in the X-H1.
I was startled to see the amount of negative comments about the X-H1 in fuji forums.

[Dan Khong]

Not to be outdone by Nikon, then Canon, Fuji - now having waited until patience can no longer stand it anymore - made its release.

Fourth player Sony, which I am sure will not want to be left labelled as not keeping up with the times, will want to launch another torpedo.

Leica, all this time in a different league, are entertaining folks with deep pockets all manner of fine wines, canapes, entertainment, and interesting guest speakers. It seems that anything badged with a little red dot sells.

[Bill Mitchell]

As you feared, no IBIS.
Looks good otherwise, but I won't be buying one.

[Peter Wright]

The latest Fuji would certainly beat out the Nikon Z and Canon RF in a beauty contest. This shouldn’t matter, but it does.

[Eolake]

“boasts the highest performance in the history of X Series."

I’m reminded of Apple always used to say: “This is the fastest Mac we’ve ever made.”
Well, duh. Why would they make a slower one when processors continually progress?

[Stephen Scharf]

The reason IBIS is not in the X-T3 is two-fold:

1) IBIS has an impact, to some degree, on outright image quality (this is also why Panasonic did not put IBIS GH5S). The IBIS mechanism that Fujiflm specifically designed to minimize the impact on absolute image quality has a specified engineering requirement that the camera frame/body shell be 8mm thicker than the X-T2/X-T3 body to accomodate the IBIS mech. This is also why there is not, much to the chagrin of YouTube talking heads, no flippy LCD screen on the X-T3, because it would also have to be thicker so as to not interfere with the video and data interface ports on the left side of the camera. Based on input from customers, Fujifilm did not want to make the X-T3 body thicker (and therefore, also heavier) than the X-T2. Hence, no IBIS or flippy screen.

2) IBIS would have added at least $200 to the retail price of the camera, putting it out of the price range that Fujifilm wanted to sell the camera.

@louis mccullagh: The purpose for the X-H1 is misinderstood by many X-T series owners. Its viewed by them as a line extension to the X-T series, when in fact, its actually an APS-C version of the GFX 50S, what I refer to as a "hard-core" professional body; for folks like photojournalists, sports, commercial studio and professional videographers. I have a very demanding set of requirements for motorsports photojournalism work, and the X-H1 is the best Fuji X-cam I've used to date. Because its built to achieve and maintain incredibly tight optical tolerances (less than 0.1 micron) for the lenses it was specifically designed for (e.g. the Fujinon 20mm f/2.0 and MK cine lenses), its capable of fully extracting maximal image quality from Fujinon lenses, and as a result, produces truly outstanding image quality that has many of the attributes of the medium-format GFX50S. It also has the best control set, viewfinder, ergonomics, build quality, and durability of any interchangeable lens Fuji X-cam I've ever used.

[Cagey75]

The image gallery for the X-T3 on Dpr leaves a lot to be desired sadly. It shows some old issues popping up again, like weird artifacts in areas of foliage, the Jpegs look to get 'smudgier' as ISO goes up too

[David Wilson]

+1 for Mr. Scharf’s comments on the X-H1. Its the best platform they’ve yet made for XF lenses. I can see the visible difference in the files when using the bigger, heavier red label zooms, especially the no OIS 2.8/16-55mm. Having a big grip, more mass and 3 batteries helps as well. It’s an excellent video platform too, even handheld; X-T3 won’t be in the same league.