For our recent visit to Waynesville I rented another camera – the Fuji X-T3. It’s the latest version of my existing camera, the X-T1, and I wanted to see how it compares. It was an interesting experiment, with mixed feelings. The Folkmoot photos from my previous post were taken with that camera, and here are a few more.
All in all, the camera would be a worthy upgrade from the X-T1 if I happened to be in the market. But I’m not. The obvious reason would be cost, because in addition to the camera itself I would need to upgrade my memory cards, buy new batteries (my current batteries fit but have a lower power output so will supposedly not last as long), buy a new L-bracket and eventually – because of the 26MP files vs. my current 16MP – I would need to buy larger hard drives. Sorry, that would cover the cost of a nice vacation!
Another, albeit minor, negative would be the slightly larger size of the X-T3 body. In my opinion the X-T1 borders between just right and a little large (weird to say since my initial impression 4 years ago was that it was tiny compared to the Canon 5D!).
On the positive side, the files were quite nice, although I wasn’t blown away by a huge difference between the newer camera and mine. There is definitely a slight improvement in detail, and I found that with files almost twice as large, zooming in to 50% instead of 100% is far enough. Any closer than 100% just accentuates the flaws, and I don’t need to accentuate them any more, thank you!
The menus are a bit more complex, necessary due to the customization the camera allows. But it wasn’t impossible to figure out, probably because I’m already used to the setup. I liked being able to see blinking highlights in the viewfinder, which I can’t do with my current camera. That’s not a big deal but it is helpful in certain situations. The EVF is nice and bright, and contains all of the information found on the main screen.
One of the things I should have paid more attention to is the ability to set different autofocus parameters based on specific shooting situations. I tried tracking subjects in the parade but found a lot of missed shots because I didn’t have it set up correctly. That’s not something I usually do, so I didn’t think about it until after the fact.
So, no new cameras for me – yet! Although those new Canon point & shoots are due out any time…hmmmm! 😉
Interesting and I’ll go along with your opinion. No need for me to buy the X-T3. I still think I would like the upgrade to the X-T30. They may have a newer upgrade by the time I am ready to buy. 🙂
The camera I’ve always had my eye on is the X-Pro series, which is rumored to be scheduled for an (likely also too pricey) update. I love the “rangefinder” form factor and it was the camera that originally attracted me to look at the Fuji. Although the first one I actually bought was the compact X10. Ultimately I would like camera exactly like the X10 but in the APS-C format. But I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. The fixed-lens X100 is probably as close as we’ll get.
Truthfully, if I were buying today I would definitely consider the X-T30 or the X-E3. I have an X-E2 and it takes the same photo as the X-T1 for just over half the price. I don’t need all the fancy stuff that we pay for in the “pro” cameras.
I’m tossing between the X-T30 and the X-E3. The sensor size is not the issue but the the fixed LCD on the X-E3 shifts me to the X-T30.
Good point. One of the positives of the X-T3 is the tilting screen. The X-T1 shifts up but the X-T3 shifts up, down and right. I don’t use it that often, but it’s something you don’t think about until you don’t have it!