The Fujifilm X-E3 is Officially Announced
– This morning I awoke to some exciting news from Fujifilm. They officially announced the upcoming Fujifilm X-E3, a significant update to their popular X-E2s (along with some new lenses and some substantial firmware updates). I’m a huge fan of Fuji cameras, especially their awesome X-Trans sensors, even though I don’t own one of their cameras. With every new announcement I ask myself: “Is this the camera that will finally get you to buy into the Fuji system?”
Today’s X-E3 announcement has me substantially closer to making a move to Fuji cameras and in today’s article I’ll share the featured specifications Fujifilm announced and some of my thoughts about the Fuji X camera system.
My Background with Fujifilm Cameras
While I’ve never owned a Fujifilm digital camera that doesn’t mean I’m not extremely familiar with their equipment. Their lenses, for example, are some of the best I’ve ever used. In my big projection days, for example, the massive Sony 4K cinema projection systems used Fujinon lenses and they looked absolutely amazing. I can’t pick up a Fuji lens without thinking about my time working with their professional lenses. I pretty much get the same positive feelings every time I’m handed a Fuji camera.
From the first time my buddy, RC Concepcion, handed me his personal XT-1 to try out I knew there was something special about what Fujifilm was doing. Some time after that was given a Fuji XT-1 for an entire day to use on a Disney Vacation (and this was before I had invested in mirrorless gear of my own). The resulting images from my tests were incredible – and I did far less editing on my Fuji shots than I normally do with my Sony shots. Fuji’s film simulation modes and the X-Trans sensor are spectacular. Ever since I’ve wondered when the day would come that I’d shift from Sony for still shooting to a Fuji…
The Fuji X-E3
Fuji’s official announcement of the X-E3 included a whole lot of great upgrades from the previous model (the X-E2s). Here’s a look at the headline specifications (with the ones that really caught my eye highlighted in red):
- 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III Sensor (up from 16.3MP in the X-E2s)
- X-Processor Pro Image Processor (the X-E2s used the EXR Processor II)
- UHD 4K Video Recording at 30p (the X-E2s was HD 1080p Video at 60p)
- a rear touchscreen (the X-E2s didn’t have a rear touchscreen)
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (the X-E2s only had Wi-Fi
- A dedicated Focus Lever provides faster, more intuitive control over selecting specific focus points while shooting
The Fujifilm announcement doesn’t share many more details, but I fully expect them to fill in more details as we get closer to the camera’s release date.
I’m especially excited to see the 24MP sensor resolution and the UHD 4K video upgrades. These two updates bring the $1,300.00 Fuji directly into the same market place as Sony’s A6500. As of right now I don’t know if the focus or frames per second specs will compare to the Sony – but the ergonomics of the Fuji are clearly superior to what Sony offers. Additionally, the awesome film simulation and unique look of the X-Trans sensor mean this camera should be absolutely amazing.
For Fuji X-E2s owners the new X-E3 looks like a great upgrade that should give a noticeable improvement in quality (especially for video) when used with the lenses they already own.
Price and Availability
The Fujifilm X-E3 will be available in both black and silver versions with a price of $899.00 (body only). Two “kit lens” options will also be available. For $1,299.00 you can get the X-E3 with a 18-55mm f2.8-4 optically stabilized lens. For $1,149.00 you can get the X-E3 with the killer 23mm f2 lens that would give you a crazy fast prime lens in an incredibly small package that would be spectacular for street photography.
The Fujifilm X-E3 can be pre-ordered now and will begin shipping on September 28.
You can preorder the X-E3 now at B&H Photo
Will I Add a Fuji X-E3 to my Camera Bag?
I’m not going to lie – I LOVE Fuji lenses and the ergonomics of their camera bodies. Even if the image quality was the same as before I’d love to own a Fuji system – but it looks like the image quality has been substantially updated (and it can capture 4K video). I’ve always kept an eye on the XT series cameras, but the XT-2 (along with all the lenses I’d want) would mean an investment of well over $4,000 dollars. The Fujifilm X-E3, on the other hand, would offer a nice entry into the Fuji world. From there it would be easier to build a lens collection and then make the upgrade to a camera like the X-T2 (with the X-E3 being a respectable backup camera).
I’m going to contact my friends at B&H for a review sample as soon as they become available. I can’t wait to see how the Fuji compares to the Sony system I’m deeply familiar with. The only thing that worries me is falling in love with the X-E3 and wanting to keep the review sample (or ordering a brand new one).
Note: All the images in this article were supplied by Fujifilm, USA
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