The Fujifilm X-E3 is a 24MP mid-level APS-C mirrorless camera, designed as a smaller, more touchscreen-driven sister model to the SLR-like X-T20. In terms of their internal hardware and specifications, the two cameras are very similar, but the X-E3 relies more heavily on its touch panel for moment-to-moment operation, as well as retaining a more rangefinder-like form factor.
It's slightly smaller than the previous X-E models, with the removal of the four-way controller and built-in flash allowing the body to be made a little lighter and more compact. A clip-on flash is included in the box, but it's a simple affair with no tilt or swivel capability to compensate for the decision to make it a separate component.
Key Features
24MP APS-C sensor with X-Trans color filter
Improved AF tracking
Wi-Fi with Bluetooth for constant connection to a smartphone
Shutter speed and exposure comp dials
Twin clickable command dials
AF Joystick
4K (UHD) video at 30, 25, 24 and 23. 97p
USB Charging
The more advanced use of the touchscreen, with directional swipes of the finger replacing the role of the four-way controller, pinch to zoom in playback and the option to use the screen as an AF touchpad when the camera's to your eye doesn't come at the expense of physical controls for all the main exposure settings.
The X-E3 also becomes the first Fujifilm model to gain Bluetooth, which establishes a full-time connection between the camera and a smartphone, allowing instant transfer of images as you shoot them. [or faster re-connection of Wi-Fi if you're just choosing to send selected images]
The company also says it has improved its AF Tracking algorithm so that it can track smaller and faster subjects. Fujifilm say this improved algorithm will also come to the X-T2, X-T20, X100F and X-Pro2 in fimrware updates in November and December 2017.
Fujifilm X-E3
Fujifilm X-T20
Fujifilm X-T2
Fujifilm X-E2S
Pixel Count
24MP
24MP
24MP
16MP
Auto mode switch
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
AF Joystick
Yes
No
Yes
No
Touchscreen
Yes
Yes
No
No
AF Touchpad
Yes
Pending f/w
No
No
AF points
91 or 325
91 or 325
91 or 325
49
Rear screen
Fixed
Tilt up/down
2-axis hinge
Fixed
Exposure comp. range
± 5EV
± 5EV
± 5EV
± 3EV
Viewfinder Magnification
0. 62x
0. 62x
0. 77x
0. 62x
EVF Eyepoint
17. 5mm
17. 5mm
23mm
23mm
Max frame rate
(mech/e-shutter)
8/14 fps
8/14 fps
8/14 fps (11/14 with grip)
7 fps
Built-in flash
No
Yes
No
Yes
Flash sync speed
1/180th
1/180th
1/250th
1/180th
Video
Full width 4K
(by Pixel Binning)
Full width 4K
(by Pixel Binning)
1. 17x crop 4K
(by oversampling)
1080p
Log Video
No
No
Yes (over HDMI)
No
Weather sealing
No
No
Yes
No
Card slots
1 (UHS-I)
1 (UHS-I)
2 (UHS-II)
1 (UHS-I)
Connectivity
Wi-Fi with Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Kit options:
Fujifilm will offer the X-E3 in two kits, one with the excellent 18-55mm F2. 8-4. 0 OIS, the other with the 35mm-equivalent 23mm F2 lens. We're particularly interested to see this second kit, as it's a combination we particularly like. It's also a useful option for anyone who already has an earlier generation X series camera and already owns the 18-55mm.
The camera will be available, body only, for around $899, with the 18-55mm kit costing $1299 and the 23mm kit weighing in around $1149, both of which represent a considerable cost saving over the cost of buying the lenses separately.
Review History
Sept 7th 2017
First Impression Review published
October 24th 2017
Image quality and dynamic range analysis, real world use cases and conclusion added. Operations and controls page updated, samples gallery published.
2017-10-25 16:58
