Photography News Issue 59

Photography News | Issue 59 | photographynews.co.uk

News

Fujifilm’s newgeneration Price £1349 body only Sensor

Specat aglance

The Fujifilm X-T3 is the fourth generation interchangeable lens X-series camera, and at its heart is a new, 26-megapixel backside illuminated X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor. The X-Trans technology means the sensor features Fujifilm’s 6x6 photosite array that defeats moire without the need for an optical low pass filter, and gives full- frame quality from an APS-C size unit. Being a BSI design – the first X-series camera with a BSI sensor – means light delivery to the recording pixels is more efficient, so this should mean ISO performance is better than ever before in a Fujifilm camera, for exceptional image quality across the ISO range. The sensor’s surface includes four times more phase detection pixels – 2.16 million – compared withprevious cameras, coveringalmost thewhole frame to give superior all-round AF performance even in very poor light. The AF system is rated at -3EV, so will work with scenes lit by candlelight. More AF benefits are possible because image processing is handled by the new X Processor 4 that features four CPUs, to deliver a processing speed three times faster than current models. Thus, AF speed is said to be 1.5x quicker than current models and will deliver greater accuracy and better eye/face detection (eye detect is now possible with continuous AF). Improved phase detection algorithms mean AF tracking of quick- moving subjects during continuous shooting is significantly enhanced. The X Processor 4 also enablesaworldfirst:theX-T3isthefirstmirrorless APS-C or format camera to give 4K/60P 4:2:0 10- bit output recorded to internal SD card. HDMI output is available simultaneously.

26.1-megapixels, BSI X-Trans CMOS 4 with X-Processor 4 image engine Sensor format 23.5x15.6mm (APS-C), 6240x4160pixels ISO range 160-12,800, expandable to equivalent ISO 80, 100, 125, 25,600, 51,200 Shutter range 15mins-1/8000sec, 4secs to 1/32,000sec (electronic shutter), Bmode up to 60mins, 1/250sec flash sync Drive modes Up to 30fps (with electronic shutter, 1.25x crop) up to 60 frames burst in lossless Raw compression. 20fps whole APS-C format, up to 34 frames uncompressed Raw Metering system 256-zone metering with multi, spot, average and centre-weighted Exposure modes PASM Exposure compensation +/-5EV, AEB up to nine frames Monitor 3in, 1040k dots touchscreen showing 100% of image Viewfinder 3.69million dots OLED EVF Focusing Intelligent hybrid AF with single, continuous and manual focus modes Video DCI 4K (4096x2160), 4K (3940x2160), full HD Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI type D Storage media Two slots: SD/SDHC/SDXC Dimensions (wxhxd) 132.5x92.8x58.8mm Weight 539g body with battery and card Contact fujifilm.eu/uk

Above The X-T3 is the first FujifilmX-series model to have a backside illuminated sensor.

Fujifilm’s popular Film Simulation modes also benefit from the new processor, and the X-T3 is the first X-series with Color Chrome (from the medium-format GFX 50S). There is ETERNA cinema mode and more adjustability with the standard monochrome and ACROS modes. The EVF has a 3.69million dot LCD with a 0.005sec time lag and 100fps refresh rate that helps accurate framing of moving subjects, while a new Sports finder mode means you can see subjects before they enter the shot. There is also a digital microprismmanual focus assist feature. For action shooters, the X-T3 can work at 30fps (with a 1.25x image crop) with AF and AE

tracking, while the effect of rolling shutter has been halved compared with existing models. There is a Pre Shot feature (with a 1.25x image crop and electronic shutter) where the camera starts shooting up to 20 shots with partial depression of the shutter release and up to 20 more when the shutter release is fully depressed. Other benefits include a lockable dioptre adjustment knob, larger control and mode dials, and a more intuitive touchscreen. The Fujifilm X-T3 is available from 20 September in black or silver, with a body price of £1349 or £1699 with the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens. The optional MHG-XT3 grip is £299.

Hands onwithAdamDuckworth

If you are used to the handling of any of Fujifilm’s recent cameras then it’s fair to say you will have no problems getting to grips with the new X-T3. The body may now be a four-piece design and some of the control dials have been altered, but the camera is the same size and has the same controls Fujifilm users are used to.

If you have a background in old-school film SLRs then you’ll have no issues either, thanks to the traditional layout with knurled control rings for ISO and shutter speed. Even users of modern DSLRs with swoopy plastic bodies will have little trouble adapting to the retro-style controls as the X-T3 can be customised to work like a Nikon or Canon, with two control wheels changing major settings. It remains a cool-looking camera that is simple to use, quickly and efficiently. Add on the new and slightly larger battery grip and it feels far better balanced with larger lenses. It’s a shame there is no dedicated AF-ON button on the back for back-button focusing, however.

In terms of actually using the camera, little has changed from the X-T2. But internally it’s a whole new camera, based around a brand new 26.1-megapixel backside illuminated sensor with a much faster processor, allowing a huge boost in speed, focus and video spec. The super-fast sensor readout has enabled huge changes in the AF system, which now has 425 phase detect autofocus points that give 99% coverage when using single-point AF, and focuses down to -3EV, two stops better than the X-T2. Fujifilm says it focuses 1.5 times faster than the X-T2, has improved face detection and now has eye detection in continuous focusing. In use it certainly locked

on well to static subjects, even in darkened rooms. When shooting carsatspeed,itoccasionallyhunted a little when I first half-pressed the shutter, but quickly acquired and locked on focus. The AF is adjustable for tracking speed and sensitivity, with different presets for different types of action, and these make a big difference to how the AF performs. The new 100fps viewfinder – the same as on the flagship X-H1 –

has a tiny bit of lag but is still quick enough to make sports shooting easy. Action is helped by the frame rate as it rattles through at 11fps with continuous AF using the mechanical shutter, but switch to the electronic shutter and it leaps to up to 20fps. Checking out the JPEG files, the colours are bold even in standard setting. The noise is very well controlled and the files are detailed and sharp.