Fujifilm X-T3 announced with a 26.1 megapixel sensor, better autofocus and 4K video recording at 60 fps

Fujifilm has announced the $ 1,500 X-T3, the latest addition to the company's APS-C line of mirrorless cameras. This is the sequel to the 2016 X-T2, a popular camera among Fujifilm shooters, which has become more powerful and more capable over time, thanks to numerous firmware updates. The X-T2 of today is a completely different beast than when I first tested it. His autofocus, video capabilities and subject tracking have all been developed. But after reaching the ceiling of what he can get out of the X-T2, Fujifilm decided that the time had come for new equipment.

The X-T3 marks the beginning of a new 26.1-megapixel sensor, it can shoot 4K videos at 60 fps, and promises the best autofocus system that the company has produced up to present. It will go on sale on September 20th at a starting price of $ 1,499.95 (or $ 1,899.99 with the familiar 18-55 kit lens). The X-T3 actually costs $ 100 less than the X-T2 at launch. To reach this price level, Fujifilm has moved the assembly of the camera from Japan to China, a decision that does not suit some fans of the company. Unlike the famous "made in Japan" that was engraved on the back of the X-T2, the Chinese acknowledgment is hidden behind the rear LCD screen.

But after a little manipulation of the X-T3 – and as someone who has accumulated years of experience with X-T1 and X-T2 – I think you can probably leave negative assumptions or concerns about the quality of manufacturing at the door. It looks like an X series everywhere I look and feel. Fujifilm has already produced several bodies and lenses between China, Thailand and the Philippines, and there was no obvious disparity between them and the units made in Japan. The X-T3 shares the same body style and button placement as the X-T2, even though it measures a little larger and is a little heavier.

I want to review some of my favorite little additions before going too far in the specifications. The X-T3 connects via USB-C (USB 3.1) for faster connection performance, although Fujifilm tells me that charging the battery via USB takes about as much time as with the X-T2. What, we can not put the USB power delivery in a camera? The X-T3 has a built-in headphone jack for audio monitoring (you no longer need the vertical grip) and has an extractable lockable diopter; it was too easy to rotate the old one inadvertently, so I'm glad Fujifilm has seen it. The dials at the top and the buttons at the back are also a little larger.

At 3.69 million points, the X-T3's 0.5-inch OLED electronic viewfinder is much sharper than the X-T2. Its refresh rate is 100 fps and the display delay is 0.005 seconds. Fuji has not made any substantial changes to the rear LCD screen, which makes it a touch screen. It's still a 1.04 million dot panel, which falls a bit behind the mirrorless pack, but now you can press to focus or even fire if you feel the need. It still leans in three ways (up, down and to the right), but does not tilt 180 degrees for selfies or blogs.

The new back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor is paired with Fujifilm's X-Processor 4, a quad-core processor that is three times faster than current X Series cameras. More power means the X-T3 refocuses and measures 1.5 times more frequently than the X-T2. The new processor is also more efficient, so Fujifilm has increased the estimate of shots you will get on a full battery of 340 (X-T2) at 390. That's fine, but you'll definitely still want to have a replacement part. .

Fujifilm distributed the phase detection pixels – 2.16 million in total – over the entire surface of the sensor. For one-point focus, you can choose between 117 AF points or 425 points, but very accurate. Providing such a full range of phase-detecting AF points could be one of the best features of the X-T3. The low-light focus could be another. The X-T3's phase-detection autofocus can focus up to -3EV compared to -1EV on the X-T2. Fujifilm also says that the detection of the face and eyes of the camera has improved (with the detection of eyes now available in AF-C). These changes all result in much higher success rates for the autofocus system, according to the company.

Auto focus continues using the mechanical shutter ends at 11 ips; with the X-T2, you had to buy the expensive vertical grip to get this burst mode at 11 frames per second, but now everything is in the body; no accessories required. Switch to the electronic shutter (and a 1.25x crop) and you can perform up to 30 frames per second of continuous shooting without interruption.

All of Fujifilm's usual film simulation filters are there – as well as the phenomenal JPEG quality of the company. And the X-T3 also takes a new "chrome color effect" that increases the saturation and detail of the shadows. This software was already available on the company's medium format GFX 50S, but is now available on the X series. There is now an option to adjust monochrome images between warm and cool tones to your preference.

And then there is the video, the area where Fujifilm claims to have reached a number of firsts. The X-T3 "is the first mirrorless digital camera capable of recording 4K / 60P 4: 2: 0 10bit SD cards and the first mirrorless digital camera with APS-C sensor or larger capable of 4K / 60P 4: 2: 2 HDMI outputs 10 bits, "according to the company. It supports H.264, but also adds H.265 for more efficient compression; The HEVC option allows you to set a high quality bit rate of 400 Mbps when shooting 4K at 30 or 24 fps. (The limit for other modes is 200 Mbps.)

Fujifilm says it has reduced the shutter to less than 10 milliseconds. The X-T3 gets the Eterna movie simulation that debuted on the X-H1; it is useful for quick evaluation if you do not want to enter everything and register F-Log. The company has also added zebra strips to help with the exhibition and "a new noise reduction algorithm and 4K inter-image noise reduction".

On several fronts, the X-T3 seems to be a big evolution of the X-T2. With a new sensor, a faster processor, a significantly improved autofocus and an even better EVF than before, there is a lot to like – and this before the video and the 4K60P are taken into account. The X-T2, like the X-T1 before it, turned out to be a great camera, so I can not wait to test the X-T3.

If you want or need a stabilization of the image in the body, you have to turn to the X-H1; Fujifilm still considers this camera as its flagship product despite all the progress made with the X-T3. We will probably find much of what will be in a possible X-H2 and, as is the tradition, a cheaper XT-30. But aside from IBIS, if you're strongly in favor of upgrading to the latest X series, it's hard to imagine how and where you'll be disappointed.