Fujifilm just announced the upcoming X-Pro3! It will be released on November 29 with an MSRP of $1,800 (body only), or December 13 for the Dura versions, which will have an MSRP of $2,000. This new iteration of the X-Pro camera is much different than the previous two, at least on the inside and back. There are a lot of changes and new features, so let’s take a look at those.
The Fujifilm X-Pro3 has an unusual tilt screen, which is mounted backwards and flips down for waist-level shooting. On the back of the screen, which faces out when the screen is closed, is a small screen that displays some exposure and film simulation information. The idea is that most X-Pro3 users will primarily use the viewfinder and not the LCD for composing. It’s also a way to further differentiate this camera from the X-T3. I think it’s either something you’ll love or hate, and I’m still on the fence with how I feel about it, but I’m leaning towards love. I haven’t had my hands on one to know for sure what I think about it.
Besides the unusual screen, Fujifilm did away with the four-way D-Pad on the back. They also re-arranged some of the buttons. The wonderful hybrid viewfinder has been improved. The camera is now made out of titanium. While the rear is clearly different, the front of the camera looks nearly identical to past models, and internally there are some big changes.
The X-Pro3 includes a new film simulation called Classic Negative. It’s supposed to mimic the look of Superia film. I’m pretty excited about Classic Negative, as I’m sure that I could create several great film simulation recipes using it. I think it might become one of my favorites, just looking at the sample images I’ve seen. There’s a good chance that it will be added to the X-T3 and X-T30 via a firmware update in the coming weeks or months, so I’m looking forward to that.
There are a ton of other new features on the X-Pro3. The headline is improved auto-focus over the X-T3 and X-T30, although Fujifilm will likely give this new algorithm to the other two cameras soon. It’s supposed to be pretty darn excellent, but I already find the X-T30 to be excellent, so it’s hard to understand how much room for improvement there could be.
The X-Pro3 has a new HDR feature, which can combine and auto-align hand-held pictures. It has much more robust multiple-exposure options, for those who do double or triple (or now up to nine) exposures. There’s a new Clarity feature. There’s a new Curves option, but it’s my understanding that it’s simply a different way to see how Highlight and Shadow adjustments effect the image. B&W toning, instead of just the warm and cool slider found on the X-T3 and X-T30, is now more like white balance shift. On the X-Pro3 you can now change the size of the faux grain, not just the intensity. I hope that all of these new features will be added to the X-T3 and X-T30 in the future, but I don’t know if they will, or perhaps just some of them. It’s clear that the X-Pro3 has some great new options to help you achieve your desired look straight out of camera.
My opinion is that Fujifilm gave the X-Pro line a nice update with the X-Pro3. It’s essentially an X-T3, but better looking, tougher, and with some interesting new features. They’ve made it clear that this camera is about the experience of using it. If you enjoy composing through a viewfinder and not an LCD, and if you use camera-made JPEGs, the X-Pro3 was designed with you in mind. Thanks to the titanium body, it’s tough, and made to take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’ and not even get scratched (if you upgrade to one of the Dura models). It’s a camera you’ll want to buy and keep around for awhile, and not dump as soon as the next model comes out. It’s an old-school photographer’s tool, but it’s certainly not for everyone.
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Hi Ritchie. Have you read Jonas Rask’s “review”?
“This is a camera for a different kind of photographer. A photographer who doesn’t require all the ultimate flexibility that you can get from the X-T series.”
https://jonasraskphotography.com/2019/10/23/x-pro3-a-different-breed-first-look-extensive-preview/
I haven’t yet, but thank you for sharing. I will take a look!
uuuuhhhhhh boy …. I’m so into testing the new Film Simulation on the X-T3 (finger crossed!)
My fingers are crossed, too!
I’m just not feeling it. I would rather pick up an XT3
It’s most certainly not for everyone, and that’s ok.
Jonas Rask is worth a read as your man up there says. This one’s not for me, no matter how hard I try with jpgs and simulations, I always go back to RAW 🙄
I started to read it yesterday, but got interrupted. I’ll have to finish today.
There’s nothing wrong with RAW or JPEG, just whatever works for you is what you should do.
since I am rocking an XT2, I doubt I will ever get it so would be interested in a film sim recipe for the new classic neg
I’ve been wondering how close you can get to it using Pro Neg Std, but I will definitely need to see it more before trying.
I have to admit, when the Leica M-D was announced back in 2016, I was very skeptical about the design decisions.
Why would one fork 6 grands on a camera that doesn’t even feature a back screen. And then, a couple months after buying my X-Pro2 I found myself wishing it didn’t have a back screen. How odd…
All in all, I think it really has to do with the experience rather than performance. Of course a back screen will be more convenient, but that’s not the point. This camera is offering a different way of shooting.
There are already a gazillion cameras on the market that are offering an almost identical experience in shooting. Why would Fuji create another copy of it’s already busy line of X-Trans cameras? If the X-Pro3 isn’t working for you there is the X-T2, X-T3, X-Pro2, X-H1—just among Fuji cameras—that should do the trick.
I really don’t understand why the community is reacting so badly.
I don’t understand the reaction, either. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. I think it’s genius, but it’s not something everyone, and maybe not even most, will appreciate. But some will love it and be glad for the option.
From what I have read in the comments section of various website, the negativity is mostly from existing X-Pro 2 users.
Thom Hogan has some not so nice words to say about the X-Pro 3.
http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/2019-mirrorless-camera/october-december-2019-newsv/fujifilm-x-pro3-announcemen.html
Also, the LCD introduces some compromise in the OVF.
https://fujilove.com/first-impressions-the-titanium-x-pro3/#comment-4662946515
Yeah, I’m not sure why there’s so much negativity surrounding the X-Pro3, other than Fujifilm made it just a little more of a niche camera. I’m sure it’s great, it’s just not for everyone.
Yeah, I think people misunderstand what niche means.
Wow! Thom Hogan has some not so nice words to say about the X-Pro 3.
http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/2019-mirrorless-camera/october-december-2019-newsv/fujifilm-x-pro3-announcemen.html
Also, the LCD introduces some compromise in the OVF.
https://fujilove.com/first-impressions-the-titanium-x-pro3/#comment-4662946515