I take a documentary approach to photography, working to capturing the extraordinary in my everyday. My favorite images have a strong narrative but also leave a bit of mystery, allowing me to tell the story in a more intriguing, less straightforward way. I don’t direct my children or position them to achieve a certain aesthetic. Instead, my motto is, “it is what it is,” and it’s up to me and my camera to capture the scene quickly and authentically. With my boys, I have to think, move and shoot quickly! It’s so important that I have a fast, accurate camera that can help me achieve my vision. The FUJIFILM X-T3 is exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
Already an avid Fujifilm lover, I knew there was no way the newest X Series model, the X-T3, could ever disappoint. I was so excited to have the honor of testing the FUJIFILM X-T3 and was anxious to see how Fujifilm would outdo itself again. I can’t wait to share my review with you!
1. The FUJIFILM X-T3 is power in a small package.
As I unpacked the FUJIFILM X-T3, I was thinking, “Where has this camera been my whole life?!” I was in love at first sight with the compact physical design of this camera. When I picked up the X-T3 and I felt its excellent grip design, I was immediately pleased with how extremely comfortable it felt. It fit perfectly into my small hands, which made me feel in control and unstoppable. I could not wait to take it out and shoot everything that inspired me. The X-T3 works so well for me and my style of shooting because it is small and easy to handle, but still incredibly powerful.
2. The X-T3 is so easy to use that I take it everywhere.
I take my camera everywhere. I love to document my boys in public spaces, interacting with the world around them. I’m also currently shooting and curating a personal project of how it feels to be a child in an adult world. The X-T3 made it so easy for me to have a camera with me all the time while remaining inconspicuous and in the moment with my boys.
When I had the X-T3 with me on my everyday errands and daily routine, I found that I could effortlessly carry it around and easily store it in my purse or tote bag. The compact size of the camera made it so easy to take it everywhere. I also absolutely love that the shutter on the X-T3 is so quiet that I can shoot without drawing attention to myself.
Another thing I adore about the FUJIFILM X-T3 is that the controls, dials and features are so easy to use. I can customize the controls to my preferences by assigning the buttons and dials to whatever I need from a list of available commands. The large top-panel dials and front and rear command dials on the X-T3 are placed perfectly, allowing me to quickly change my settings while shooting without ever having to take the camera away from my eye. This means I never have to miss a moment! Plus, a genius feature that FUJIFILM has added to the X-T3 is the ability to lock the large top panel dials and the diopter adjustment dial so that my desired settings do not accidentally change.
3. The FUJIFILM X-T3 is fast enough to capture the speed of life.
The FUJIFILM X-T3 blew me away in the areas of speed, accuracy, and reliability. This X Series model features a newly-developed back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and the speedy X-Processor 4. This camera is so incredibly fast at locking focus to capture sharp images. I can’t tell you how important this is to me! I’m always shooting fast-moving subjects and moments that are quickly and constantly changing.
The X-T3’s focus is accurate in both low light and in high contrast lighting scenarios. The continuous high-speed shooting mode captures 11 frames per second while using the mechanical shutter.
I can also review the images I just shot with virtually no lag time, due to the X-T3’s blackout-free continuous shooting of up to 30 frames per second. To be able to capture that many frames per second with spot-on focus is life changing for me. When documenting real, authentic moments, if I miss the “decisive moment” my image doesn’t have the same impact.
4. My life happens in low light, bold color and all parts of the frame. The X-T3 can handle that.
I’m in love with the overall functionality and quality of the FUJIFILM X-T3. My life doesn’t just happen center-focused in great light. I need creative control even when the situation is challenging. This camera can not only keep up with me, it can also help me achieve my artistic vision.
The FUJIFILM X-T3’s improved sensor has expanded the phase detection AF area to the entire frame. Simply said, the focal points now cover and can lock focus in any part of the frame, not just in the center area. I frequently use creative crops and this feature eliminates the inaccuracy of focusing and recomposing with a smaller focus area.
The FUJIFILM X-T3 produces colors that are incredibly clean and true to life. I love to shoot bold, vibrant colors and the upgraded sensor provides spot on tones and contrast. It also helps reduce any unnecessary color moiré.
The best moments in life are not always lived in beautiful light, so the fact that the sensor is more powerful and can now handle a larger native ISO range of 160-12800 really accommodates how I shoot. My images are so sharp and noise-free in low and tricky light.
5. The X-T3 has features I never knew I couldn’t live without.
The X-T3 is now enabled with a new Pre-AF mode that allows the camera to continuously re-focus on my subject as he moves without pressing a button. This is mind-blowing to me because a big part of my documentary style is to be ready and then wait for the moment to happen. Now the focus will always be ready and all I have to do is press the shutter!
The X-T3 has two memory card slots, perfect for high-speed cards. I highly recommend using the second memory card slot to store a spare so you’re ready when life happens. The high continuous shooting mode is so accurate and convenient that it is easy to quickly fill up one memory card with amazing shots.
When shooting in tricky artificial lighting situations I used the X-T3’s auto white balance setting to get the right mix of temperature and tint. The auto white balance on this camera is spot on. The X-T3 also has the option to tweak the temperature and/or tint of the auto white balance results based on my preference.
6. The X-T3 allows me to seamlessly add video to my day.
The FUJIFILM X-T3 also sets the bar really high in the video department. It is the world’s first mirrorless digital camera capable of internal SD card recording 4K/60P 4:2:0 10-bit and is also capable of 4K/60P 4:2:2 10-bit via HDMI output simultaneously. Home videos can now be recorded at a professional level and it is so easy to switch from shooting stills to filming with just the turn of a dial.
All photos by Karen Osdieck
This is a sponsored post, but opinions are those of the author.
What lens did you use whit the x-t3?
For these I used a 35!
I also would like to hear about your lens choices.
Love everything about this. Is there a lens u love and can’t live without?