X-T3 versus the XPro-2
Currently, I own an X-Pro 2 and have been looking at the new X-T3 to see if there is enough of an improvement to consider trading up to this new model. Having handled the camera for an hour and gone through its features with some representatives and local experts, I was impressed. So impressed that I left with the strong impression that I should be upgrading my camera, as many of the features were an advantage to my habit of full manual shooting and my current projects involving bracketing and stitching.
However, as Photokina is still about to open and there is the prospect of a new series of camera announcements including the possibility of a medium format Fujifilm camera. It did not make sense to jump on the X-T3. But that should not stop me from looking at what the advantages of upgrading might be. Which I have done below, the only thing that is unclear at the moment is the new BSI sensor in this camera should provide better dynamic range, but without the ability to compare RAW files it is not possible to determine if this is true. Unfortunately, the reviewers are all over the place, some saying it has worse noise at higher ISO, and no difference and others is contradicting this finding. However, the performance is better at the native ISO
So here are the Pros and Cons of upgrading without any idea of whether or not there is an IQ improvement.
Pros:
– Faster fps which are good for bracketing
– Better quality viewfinder
– Multiple viewfinder displays better for manual shooting
– Flexible screen wonderful knee saver
– Night shooting mode lighting
– Bluetooth for GPS tagging will save me a lot of time
– Bluetooth for sending files to phone as well
– It is a smaller package
– The lock on lock off on all dials including the diopter a nice bonus
– tapping the screen to set off the shutter is an exciting way to take photos (you can isolate areas of the touchscreen to be active or not)
– The pre-shot setting takes multiple shots before and after the shutter and stores up to 40 in the buffer that you can select from to store to the card.
– USB C is included to power the camera from a brick.
(Not sure if the touchscreen is a good thing or bad)
(7 custom jpg engines you can program yourself was intriguing)
(It has focus check like the Sony with on-off capacity)
(Blackout free shooting at 30fps is kind of cool but at 16 megapixels)
Cons:
– If the noise reduction or image quality is worse, then that is a deal breaker
– It is heavier
– It is less ergonomically easy to use
Sept 2018 New 24mp Mirrorless of Note
Below is the X-T3 alongside the new Nikon Z6 and the Sony A7III. All three cameras are in the same megapixel range the X-T3 at 26MP and the other two at 24MP. However, the X-T3 is an APS-C sensor, unlike the other two full frame mirrorless cameras. l
DPReview
Three Blind Men and an Elephant
Comparison Chart
| X-T3 | Z6 | Z7 | A7III | A7RIII | GFX 50 R | X1D | |
| Lens&Camera | CA$2680 | CA$3398 | CA$5198 | CA$4550 | CA$5950 | CA$7575 | CA$8640 |
| Tax | CA$322 | CA$408 | CA$624 | CA$546 | CA$714 | CA$909 | CA$1037 |
| Total | CA$3002 | CA$3806 | CA$5822 | CA$5096 | CA$6664 | CA$8484 | CA$9677 |
| Difference | -CA$5482 | -CA$4678 | -CA$2662 | -CA$3388 | -CA$1820 | CA$0 | CA$1193 |
| Price of Body | CA$1900 | CA$2599 | CA$4399 | CA$2600 | CA$4000 | CA$5700 | CA$8640 |
| sq mm sensor | 329 | 864 | 864 | 864 | 864 | 1452 | 1452 |
| $ per sq.mm | CA$5.78 | CA$3.01 | CA$5.09 | CA$3.01 | CA$4.63 | CA$3.93 | CA$5.95 |
| Mount Dia. | 44 | 55 | 55 | 46 | 46 | 65 | 61 |
| pixel pitch | 3.76 | 5.94 | 4.35 | 5.91 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Stabilization | no | 5-axis | 5-axis | 5-axis | 5-axis | no | no |
| Sensor Shift | no | Yes | |||||
| Card Slots | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Low Pass Fil. | no | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Megapixels | 26 | 24 | 46 | 24 | 42 | 51 | 51 |
| Weight | 539 g | 675 g | 675 g | 650 g | 657 g | 775 g | 725 g |
| Battery Life | 390 | 330 | 330 | 710 | 650 | 400 | |
| EVF Res. | 3,690,000 | 3,690,000 | 3,690,000 | 2,359,296 | 3,686,400 | 3,690,000 | 2,360,000 |
| Base ISO | 160 | 100 | 64 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
| Sensor Type | CMOS-BSI | CMOS-BSI | CMOS-BSI | CMOS-BSI | CMOS-BSI | CMOS | CMOS |
| Focus Points | 425 | 273 | 493 | 693 | 399 | 425 | 117 |
| Age of Camera | Sep 6, 2018 | Aug 23, 2018 | Aug 23, 2018 | Feb 27, 2018 | Oct 25, 2017 | Sep 25, 2018 | Jun 22, 2016 |
| Frame/sec | 20 | 12fps | 9fps | 10fps | 10fps | 3fps | 2.3fps |
| 50mm Lens | CA$780.00 | CA$799.00 | CA$799.00 | CA$1950.00 | CA$1950.00 | CA$1875.00 | |
| Fine Arts | Hi resolution, and high Image Quality | ||||||
| Action | Low resolution, high burst rate and best autofocus | ||||||
| Video/Still | Best video options and excellent stabilization | ||||||
| Generalist | Low cost, medium resolution. Light weight and smaller. | ||||||
References:
Fujifilm X-T3 Full Menu Overview & EPIC New Features
Fujifilm X-T3: Are 2/3 Stops Better Low ISO Dynamic Range Compared to X-T2 Realistic?
Fuji X-T3 Quick Hands-On: Canon & Nikon Take a Hit
Fujifilm nailed this…
Fujifilm X-T3 vs. Panasonic GH5 for Video: Quick Look
Fuji X-T3 vs. X-T2 Dynamic Range Differences
Fuji X-T3 Explanation of shutter curtain optionsFuji X-T3 Quick Hands-On: Canon & Nikon Take a Hit, Three Blind Men and An Elephant Productions
Fujifilm X-T3 First Impressions Review, Sep 6, 2018, | Richard Butler, Jeff Keller from DPReview