When FUJIFILM launched the X Series of mirrorless digital cameras, way back in 2011, it marked the beginning of the development of the company’s X-Trans CMOS image sensor, which featured a unique color filter array that has garnered plenty of critical acclaim for its spectacular color rendering. The latest iteration of the X-Trans sensor is incorporated in the X-T3, FUJIFILM’s latest professional CSC (compact system camera) body that was launched today.
The X-T3 features the new X-Trans CMOS 4, a 26.1-megapixel APS-C sensor that does away with the usual anti-aliasing low-pass filter and uses a unique colour filter array for controlling moire patterns and helping to eliminate false colours. The X-Trans CMOS 4 is Fuji’s first back-illuminated CMOS sensor and it delivers improved image resolution while keeping the signal-to-noise ratio low for excellent noise levels in low light. A minimum sensitivity of ISO160 is now part of the regular ISO range and should prove useful for shooting images with a shallow depth of field in daylight.
Also new to the X-T3 is the all-new X-Processor 4, an image-processing engine which brings the new Monochrome Adjustment function to the X-T3’s Film Simulation modes. Monochrome Adjustment can create warm black and cool black images that until now were only available using conventionally photography methods with specialty photographic papers and developers.
The X-Processor 4 also brings FUJIFILM”s Colour Chrome Effect to the X-Series for the first time. Previously this feature was only available in the FUJIFILM GFX50S medium-format mirrorless digital camera. The effect produces deeper colors and gradation in subjects with highly saturated colors, such as vivid-colored flowers with shadows, a notoriously difficult subject for gradation reproduction. The high-speed processing power of the X-Processor 4 means the effect can be applied even when shooting in continuous mode.
The X-T3’s new sensor has 2.16M phase detection pixels positioned across its entire surface. Phase detection improves the responsiveness of a mirrorless camera’s autofocusing, even on subjects positioned at the edge of the frame. The low-light phase detection limit has also been extended by around 2 stops from -1EV to -3EV, making it possible to focus accurately even in candlelight. The X-Processor 4’s increased processing speed and improved phase detection algorithm means the X-T3 refocuses and measures light more frequently than current models in the X-Series range, enabling accurate autofocusing even when shooting fast-moving sports
The X-T3’s electronic viewfinder has a 3.69-million-dot high-resolution with a magnification ratio of 0.75x. With a display time lag of just 0.005 seconds and refresh rate of around 100 fps, the EVF provides a smooth display of moving subjects. Furthermore, the continuous shooting rate of 11 fps, with the mechanical shutter, no longer requires the use of the optional vertical grip, enabling fast continuous shooting without the weight.
This is the world’s first mirrorless digital camera capable of internal SD card recording 4K/60P 4:2:0 10bit. It is also the world’s first (*2) mirrorless digital camera with APS-C or larger sensor capable of 4K/60P 4:2:2 10bit HDMI output. Supported video formats include the widely-used H.264/MPEG-4 AVC as well as H.265/HEVC for greater data compression. This enables the use of high 200Mbps bitrate in the recording of 4K/60P 4:2:0 10bit, as well as simultaneous HDMI output while recording. Video compression options available are ALL-Intra and Long GOP. When using ALL-Intra, video is recorded at 400Mbps.
The sensor’s read speed is about 50% faster than current models, which enables fast 17msec reading of 4K/60P video. The rolling shutter distortion has been reduced for smooth replay of a fast-moving subject. The camera’s support for 10bit color depth boosts the amount of color information – 64 times compared to 8bit. This is combined with 400% (approx. 12 stops) dynamic range for capturing materials of rich gradation, such as a sunset landscape.
The introduction of a new noise reduction process and new ’4K interframe noise reduction’ function have reduced noise by the equivalent of approx. 2 stops. The new NR process has an enhanced level of noise-identifying accuracy for an appropriate reduction in noise. The 4K interframe NR function uses differential data between adjacent frames to reduce noise. Furthermore, the minimum sensitivity for shooting F-Log and DR400% footage has been extended from the current models’ ISO800 to ISO640.
Comment: FUJIFILM has managed to carve out an enviable reputation in the mirrorless/CSC camera market. The color reproduction offered by the X-Series has found favor with professional photographers, particularly in the fields of portraiture, landscapes, and weddings. Until now, the X-Series lagged in terms of video quality as well as focus speed and shooting rates, which are essential for sports and action photography. The launch of the X-T3 addresses these shortcomings and should remove the objections leveled at FUJIFILM by videographers and sports photographers. We look forward to testing the X-T3 in the near future.
Pricing: The FUJIFILM X-T3 is available from September in both black and silver finishes.
Body only: £1,349 / $1,499 / €1,499
Body and XF18-55mm lens: £1,699 / $1,899 / €1,899
More info: www.fujifilm.com
FUJIFILM X-T3 specifications:
| Model name | FUJIFILM X-T3 | |
| Number of effective pixels | 26.1 millions pixels | |
| Image sensor | 23.5mm×15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS 4 with primary color filter. | |
| Sensor Cleaning system | Ultra Sonic Vibration | |
| Storage media | SD memory card (~2GB) / SDHC memory card (~32GB) / SDXC memory card (~512GB) | |
| UHS-I / UHS-II / Video Speed Class V90 *10 | ||
| Lens mount | FUJIFILM X mount | |
| Sensitivity | Standard output | AUTO1 / AUTO2 / AUTO3 (up to ISO12800) / ISO160~12800 (1/3 step) |
| Extended output | ISO80／100／125／25600／51200 | |
| Continuous shooting | Approx. 30fps [Only electronic shutter, 1.25 x Crop ] (JPEG： 60 frames Lossless compression RAW： 35 frames Uncompressed RAW： 33 frames) | |
| Approx. 11fps (JPEG: 145 frames Lossless compression RAW: 42 frames Uncompressed RAW: 36 frames) | ||
| Approx. 5.7fps (JPEG: endless Lossless Compression RAW: 62 frames Uncompressed RAW: 43 frames) | ||
| Pre-shot: Approx. 30fps [Only electronic shutter, 1.25 x Crop ] (max. 20 frames while half press, max. 20 frames after full press, total max. 40 frames) | ||
| *Recordable frames depends on recording media | ||
| *Speed of continuous shooting depends on shooting environment and shooting frames | ||
| Viewfinder | 0.5 inch approx. 3.69 million dots OLED Color Viewfinder Coverage of viewing area vs. capturing area: approx. 100% Eyepoint: approx. 23mm (from the eyepiece lens) Diopter adjustment: -4~+2m-1 (lockable) Magnification: 0.75× with 50mm lens (35mm equivalent) at infinity and diopter set to -1m-1 Diagonal angle of view: approx. 38° (Horizontal angle of view: approx. 30° ) Built-in eye sensor |
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| LCD monitor | 3.0 inch, aspect ratio 3:2, approx. 1.04 millions dots touch screen color LCD monitor(approx. 100% coverage) | |
| Movie recording | File format | MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265, Audio: Linear PCM / Stereo sound 24bit / 48KHz sampling) |
| Movie compression | All Intra/Long-GOP | |
| * All Intra can be used with following settings. DCI4K/4K 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 400Mbps Full HD（2048×1080）/Full HD（1920×1080） 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 200Mbps |
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| File size | ［DCI 4K（4096×2160）］ 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 400Mbps/200Mbps/100Mbps 59.94p/50p: up to approx. 20min. 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p: up to approx. 30min | |
| Frame rate | ［4K（3840×2160）］ 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 400Mbps/200Mbps/100Mbps 59.94p/50p: up to approx. 20min. 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p: up to approx. 30min | |
| Recording time | ［Full HD（2048 ×1080）］ 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 200Mbps/100Mbps/50Mbps up to approx. 30min. | |
| ［Full HD（1920×1080）］ 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p 200Mbps/100Mbps/50Mbps up to approx. 30min. | ||
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［Full HD（1920×1080) High speed rec.] 120p／100p 200Mbps(recording) up to approx. 6min. *For recording movies, use an SD memory card with UHS Speed Class 3 or higher. *For recording movies in 400Mbps, use an SD memory card with Video Speed Class 60 or higher. *Recording movies in 400Mbps can be done with DCI4K/4K 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p. *DCI4K 59.94p/50p is not available when H.264 is selected. *Although movie recording will continue without interruption when the file size reaches 4GB, the subsequent footage will be recorded to a separate file which must be viewed separately. |
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| Film simulation mode | 16 modes (PROVIA/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Classic Chrome, PRO Neg.Hi, PRO Neg.Std,Black & White, Black & White+Ye Filter, Black & White+R Filter, Black & White+G Filter, Sepia, ACROS,ACROS+Ye Filter, ACROS+R Filter, ACROS+G Filter, ETERNA/Cinema),B & W Adjustment: -9~+9 | |
| Color chrome effect | STRONG, WEAK, OFF | |
| Wireless transmitter |
Standard | IEEE802.11b/g/n (standard wireless protocol) |
| Encryption | WEP / WPA / WPA2 mixed mode | |
| Access mode | Infrastructure | |
| Bluetooth® | Standard | Bluetooth Ver 4.2 (Bluetooth low energy) |
| Operating frequency (Center frequency) | 2402 – 2480MHz | |
| Power supply | NP-W126S Li-ion battery (included) | |
| Battery life for still images*11 | Approx. 390 frames (Normal Mode) When XF35mmF1.4 R is set. | |
| Dimensions | (W) 132.5mm × (H) 92.8mm × (D) 58.8mm (minimum depth 35.4mm) | |
| Weight | Approx. 539g (including battery and SD memory card) Approx. 489g (excluding battery and SD memory card) |
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| Starting up period | Approx. 0.3sec. | |
| Accessories included | Li-ion battery NP-W126S, Battery charger BC-W126S, Shoe-mount flash unit EF-X8, Shoulder strap, Body cap, Strap clip, Protective cover, Clip attaching tool, Hot shoe cover, Vertical Grip connector cover, Connector cover (detachable), Sync terminal cover, Cable protector Owner’s manual, |
