Photography News issue 72

Big test

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Final word

Verdict

I can't recall when a camera feature divided opinion like theX-Pro3’s hiddenmonitor. Depending on your viewpoint, you’ll either think it’s awesome or a gimmick. I’mnot going to risk splinters by fence-sitting and I'mhappy to say I really enjoyed not seeingmy shots the instant after taking themand, yes, I enjoyed the EVF and the sub-monitor was cool. I only had the camera for a short time and perhapsmy viewmight change in the longer term–maybe! What won't change is how impressed I was with the camera’s autofocus and exposure systems and the quality of images, especially at higher ISOs.These factors, coupled with the camera’smostly favourable handling, including the excellent handgrip and the body’s robust build, make the FujifilmX-Pro3 a terrific camera that possesses that rare quality of personality. Both finishes are fairly priced, too.

ABOVE This is a straight-out-the-camera JPEG, which shows the exposure system’s accuracy, giving a very good balance between highlights and shadow areas. Aperture-priority AE was used and the settings were 1/170sec at f/8, ISO 200 on a Fujifilm 35mm f/2 lens

X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and the X-Processor 4 to give the same

impressive AF performance, high ISO skills and collection Fujifilm’s Film Simulation modes, where there’s a new setting: Classic Neg. Pictures shot using this setting are shown in this review and while it won't suit every scene, its subdued colour rendition produces a lovely, soft mood that can look wonderful in the right situations. With new firmware, the phase-detect AF system works down to -6EV, which is pitch darkness, and indeed it did perform accurately in appalling light, but, as you would expect, it still needed something to lock on to. Give the AF systemmore favourable conditions and it works very swiftly and accurately. In terms of AF points, the X-Pro3 has the same arrangement as previous X-Pro and X-T models. There’s the choice of 117 or 425 AF points set out in a 13x9 or 17x25 grid respectively. Within that grid, you have the option of working in wide area mode, the choice of 3x3, 5x5 and 7x7 zones that can be moved within the 13x9 area and then six different size single AF points. In the smallest AF point all 425 points can be used. Moving the AF zone/points can be done with the focus lever or, if the monitor is down, by touch AF.

FEATURES Impressive sensor, sensitive AF, robust build HANDLING Positive controls, logical layout and excellent handgrip PERFORMANCE Image quality is excellent and AF system very capable A flagship model is never going to be cheap, but the X-Pro3 is good value OVERALL The X-Pro3 is a mighty fine, very capable camera and lovely to use VALUE FOR MONEY

23 /25

24 /25

22 /25

ABOVE The X-Pro3 will appeal to street and documentary photographers with its discrete looks and hidden monitor. Its mechanical shutter is very quiet and there’s the option of the silent electronic shutter. Aperture-priority AE was used and the settings were 1/450sec at f/2.8 on a Fujifilm 35mm f/2 lens. The ISO used was 1000, which shows the image quality possible even at high sensitivities

92 /100

years older, but the benefit of the newer camera was very, very apparent, so a big thumbs up for the X-Pro3’s AF skills. In fact, it's an overall general thumbs up fromme. With its styling, the hidden monitor, the cool sub-monitor and features like multiple exposures (up to nine), focus bracketing, HDR and 4K video (no headphone jack though), the X-Pro3 is a thoroughly modern machine with a twist. Some aspects of handling could be better and in that I include the compensation dial and two-stage setting of exposure and focus bracketing (the drive control followed by the menu), but these are minor and not enough to deter me from recommending the X-Pro3. This, of course, assumes you buy into the hidden monitor concept, because it does need a mind shift. WC

The X-Pro3 has face/eye detection and that worked consistently well and accurately, even when the subject was quite small in the viewfinder, and could perform a decent tracking job even with subjects traversing across the wide focus area. For continuous AF, which is selected by a front lever, the camera offers five case studies to suit different subjects and their behaviour (a suddenly appearing subject, for example) and there’s a custom option where tracking sensitivity, speed tracking sensitivity and zone area switching can be adjusted. I tried the X-Pro3 with wide, standard and telezoom lenses, including the Fujifilm 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 and found the AF system very responsive and faster, and noticeably better than my X-T2. True, that camera is a couple of

PROS Hidden monitor – it’s cool to use, image quality, the quality EVF, sensitive and accurate AF system, high ISO performance, in-camera Raw processing CONS Hidden monitor – it’s gimmicky and slow for menu changes, compensation dial needs a firmer click-stop or a lock

“WITH ITS STYLING, THE HIDDEN MONITOR AND FEATURES LIKE MULTIPLE EXPOSURES, THE X-PRO3 IS A THOROUGHLY MODERN MACHINE WITH A TWIST”

58 Photography News | Issue 72

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