FUJIFILM is proud to announce the new X-T3 mirrorless camera, ushering in a new, fourth generation of the popular X Series. The FUJIFILM X-T1 and X-T2 have been extremely popular amongst South African photographers looking for a high-quality mirrorless camera with professional features. The 26.1MP X-T3 ups the ante and features the new X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4 image processing engine to significantly improve performance.

The FUJIFILM X-T3 will make its South African debut at the end of October, set to retail in the region of R23 999 for the body, or R29 999 kitted with the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens.

Big improvement, better speed

The X-Processor 4 is an evolved version of X Series’ image processing engine that boasts advanced processing capabilities. The processor, combined with a new algorithm, substantially improves the camera’s ability to track moving subjects, boosting Auto Focus (AF) speed and accuracy, and allowing for a more diverse range of video functions.

Thanks to the X-Processor 4’s high processing speed and improved phase detection algorithm, the camera refocuses (AF) and meters (AE) about 1.5 times more frequently than current models, such as the X-H1. This improves AF even when shooting sports involving fast and erratic movements across the frame, while Continuous shooting of 11fps with the mechanical shutter no longer requires the optional vertical grip.

To further improve AF, the FUJIFILM X-T3’s sensor has increased the phase detection AF area to the entire frame (approx. 100%) with 2.16M phase detection pixels. The low-light AF sensitivity has also been extended from -1EV to -3EV, enabling high-speed AF in even lower light conditions, such as scenes lit only with candlelight.

Fast moving sports a breeze

The increased read speed from the sensor and the new high-speed processor have made it possible to include AF/AE-tracking, blackout-free continuous shooting of up to 30 fps* in approx. 16.6M (1.25x crop) mode using the electronic shutter. This while maintaining a smooth Live View of 60fps to track the subject.

For those capturing fast moving sports, the “Sports finder mode” can be utilised. The new mode marks a cropped area in the viewfinder and shoots at approx. 16.6M (1.25x crop). This is particularly useful for sports and wildlife photography, as one can check the movements of a subject just outside the shooting frame and take advantage of shorter-than-usual blackout time as compared with the mechanical shutter.

Photographers who prefer shooting portraits will appreciate the performance of face-detection AF on a moving person, which has been doubled. The eye-detection AF works in AF-C mode, maintaining accurate focus-tracking with portraits. It focuses precisely when shooting people from either the front or side.

A new sensor, better low light

Boasting a resolution of 26.1MP, the APS-C size sensor uses a unique colour filter array, synonymous to X-Trans CMOS sensors, to control moiré and false colour without the use of an optical low-pass filter. It keeps as low level of noise as current FUJIFILM models even with the increase of the number of pixels. Furthermore, ISO160, previously available only as extended ISO, is now part of the normal ISO range, allowing one to achieve incredibly clean, noise free images.

The FUJIFILM X-T3 inherits FUJIFILM X-T2’s popular design features such as the positioning of dials on the top panel, central viewfinder style for added sense of stability, and excellent grip design for comfort. It can also be constantly paired to a smartphone or tablet device through Bluetooth® connection (Ver. 4.2, low energy) for the automatic transfer of captured images.

Many photographers fell under the charm of having an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) which shows the exact exposure of the image in the frame. The FUJIFILM X-T3 features a 3.69-million-dot high resolution EVF with a high magnification ratio of 0.75x. The display time lag of just 0.005 seconds and refresh rate of approx. 100fps** ensure smooth display and allows you to precisely identify subject movements and focus positions. The EVF’s diopter adjustment is now lockable, achieved by pulling out and rotating a diopter knob, so as to prevent unintended adjustments while carrying the camera.

Videographers will also notice the 3” touchscreen panel with higher contrast, wider viewing angle and better operability than those in previous models to enable intuitive operation.

Film Simulation modes for a variety of colour tones and gradations

The FUJIFILM X-T3 offers 16 Film Simulation modes so that you can match your true photographic intention in a similar way to how photographers used to choose purpose-specific photographic films.

Onboard is also the new “monochrome adjustment” function to faithfully reproduce warm and cool tones which were conventionally achieved using specific photographic papers and developers. This function provides smooth halftones, deep blacks, and beautiful textures to broaden the scope of monochrome expression. Included too is Color Chrome effect for high saturation subjects, producing deeper colours and gradation in subjects with highly saturated colours.

Improved Video Recording

Videographers will find a host of improvements on the X-T3, which is the first FUJIFILM model that features 4K/60P 4:2:2 10bit HDMI output and 4K/60P 4:2:0 10bit internal SD card recording.

The FUJIFILM X-T3’s 10bit colour depth has 64 times the colour information versus an 8bit depth system. With the wide dynamic range of 400% (approx. 12 stops), it enables gradation-rich video recording when applying “ETERNA”, characterised by subdued colour and rich shadow tones, or “F-Log,” which is a gamma curve option with an even wider dynamic range

The introduction of a new noise reduction process and new “4K interframe NR” function have reduced noise at ISO12800 by the equivalent of approx. two stops. The NR process has a greater level of noise-identifying accuracy for appropriate denoising performance.

Available at the end of 2018 via firmware update, the FUJIFILM X-T3 will support video recording in the Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG), one of the formats defined in the ITU-R BT.2100 international standards. In response to user feedback, the firmware update will also allow the FUJIFILM X-T3 to simultaneously output Film Simulation and F-Log footage, further expanding its video functions.

The FUJIFILM X-T3 should be available in South African at the end of October, and will retail in the region of R23 999 for the body, or R29 999 for the kit which includes the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens.

* When using the electronic shutter; Up to 11fps when using the mechanical shutter

** When using the BOOST mode