In My Opinion The Fujifilm X-T3 Is The Best "All Around" Camera In The Market Today

Fujifilm X-T3 with the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8–4 lens (Official Fujifilm PR Image)

That is one very bold statement.  Let me explain why I feel this way.

When you consider the long list of attributes (below) that a digital camera has and compare those among all of the interchangeable digital cameras currently available, I don't think any other camera gives us so much with so well thought out engineering and is so well done in every way in such as great physical package as does the Fujifilm X-T3.  

The Fujifilm X-T3 may not be the absolute best at any one thing, but it is really good, if not excellent, at everything.  This camera does not disappoint.  It comes in way above its pay grade, so to speak.  This is not only a "do everything" camera but it is a "do everything extraordinarily well" camera.  Because it does so much so well, I believe that the Fujifilm X-T3 is the best "all around" camera in the market today.  

Other cameras can do some specific things better than the X-T3.  There are specialty cameras for ultra low light.  There are specialty cameras for high speed photography, ultra fast focus, ultimate image quality, high resolution and ultra low noise when making images in near total darkness.  There are very small cameras available.  However, rarely does one need all of those special attributes in one camera so manufacturers make specialty cameras that give photographers options.  Manufacturers also price those cameras accordingly.  But when considering everything a camera needs to do for the vast majority of average photographers in the vast majority of photographic circumstances, I don't think there is any camera out there that does all things better than the X-T3.

What about the X-H1 which has almost all of the goodness of the X-T3 plus it has in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS)?  I don't own one but I've handled one. Really a nice camera.  Felt good in my hands.  But right now I believe it is almost as good as the X-T3.  When Fujifilm completes development of an X-H2, which I assume will include the new BSI sensor technology as well as the new X Processor 4 and have the latest and greatest focus speed and accuracy, PDAF focus points, features, advanced video, etc. that are now in the X-T3, I suspect that will become the best "all around" camera in my opinion.  Until then, the X-T3 wins that award for me.

You may have a different opinion than me and that is okay.  These are my opinions based upon all of the reading I do about photographic tools, the kinds of photography I practice and my experience with not only the X-T3 for the past few months, but also the X-T2 and X-T1.

Here is a list of 27 attributes I chose to compare when deciding upon my best "all around" camera:

Price
Size
Weight
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Controls
Menus
Configurability
Sensor
Processor
Image Quality
Resolution
Dynamic Range
Focus Speed
Focus Points
Color Palate/Science
Noise Characteristics
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
Burst Speed (FPS)
Available Shutter Speeds
Shutter Options
Battery Life
Additional Features
Video Capabilities
Available Lenses
Available Accessories
Factory Support/Firmware Upgrades/Improved and Additional Features

Here are some thoughts about each of the attributes listed above.

PRICE
The X-T3 came to the market at $1499.00 US.  It isn't the least expensive camera on the market but for the price/performance/features it has, it outclasses everything else on the market.  For $1499 US, I don't think other cameras come close.  You can spend more money to get fewer features, lesser image quality and a less than satisfying experience with other cameras.  $1499 is a deal as camera prices are quickly rising.  The price/performance ratio of this camera is about as good as it gets today.

SIZE
The X-T3 is not the smallest nor largest camera on the market today.  Others are smaller, if that is what you want.  Think Olympus Pen-F.  Too small a camera makes it difficult to easily grip and use well.  Still other cameras are larger. That's good, if you have big hands.  Think Nikon D5 or Canon 1 DX MKII.  I find the size of the X-T3 is right in the sweet spot for me as far as size goes.  Not too big, not to small, but big enough to fit perfectly and comfortably for all day handholding use.

WEIGHT
The X-T3 is not the lightest camera.  If it were poorly made of all plastic, it could be.  But it is not.  It has a magnesium alloy frame for strength.  It is just heavy enough to give it the mass needed to assist in steadying the camera and lens in one's hands for sharp images.  It also balances nicely with the Fujifilm lenses.  I have found that when a camera is too light, it is very hard to keep one's hands steady.  There is not enough mass to hold it steady.  A bit heavier is better in some instances, but not too heavy that you don't want to keep the camera in your hands for long.

BUILD QUALITY
The X-T3 is built of high quality materials including a magnesium alloy body.  The camera feels like "quality."  It is well weather sealed and all of the buttons, knobs and finish speak high quality.  There may be other cameras that have more extensive weather sealing, but in all of the times I've been out in the rain, snow and other bad weather, my Fujifilm cameras have never faltered.

ERGONOMICS (efficiency of working with the camera; ease of use)
I have found this camera to be easier to use than any other digital camera I've owned (with the exception of my X-T2 and X-T1, which are about equal in ease of use). Everything about the camera seems intuitive to me.  When lumping together controls, menus, feel, build—everything, this camera just fits and make photography easier.  Dial and knob placement, button layout and controls all just seem to be where they should be.  Some of you may like the modern digital controls, wheels, menus better, but I prefer the "analog" style of the X-T3.  I suspect it goes back to all those years using a fully manual film camera.

CONTROLS
Controls on a camera are a very personal thing.  Some like traditional controls, such as those knobs, buttons and dials that are found on the X-T3.  Some like the new digital camera modern controls.  When it comes to the X-T3, you can have it both ways.  You can use the aperture ring, shutter speed dial and exposure compensation dial or you can configure the camera to change those settings with the front and rear command dials.  Fujifilm understands that flexibility is paramount for the user experience.

MENUS
Some cameras may have better menu systems than the X-T3.  Again, that is subjective.  However, I find the menu systems easy to understand, intuitive, logically laid out and comprehensive.  Are they the best out there?  That is a personal decision.  For me, I haven't found any better or easier to use.  The Q-Menu is at the touch of a finger as is the fully configurable "My Menu."  There are a myriad of buttons and dials that can be programmed to your liking to instantly invoke menu items as well.

CONFIGURABILITY
There may be cameras that can be configured in more ways than the X-T3 but Fujifilm provides so many options that I don't know if any one will every have the need to employ all of them.  As I just mentioned, the Q-Menu is fully configurable, the My Menu is fully configurable, all the buttons and dials are configurable and we haven't even touched the menu options that affect image files, such as film simulations, saturation, sharpness, highlight detail, shadow detail, etc.  There is seemingly an infinite number of ways to configure this camera and it should be able to meet just about everyone's desire.

SENSOR
The X-T3 doesn't have the latest and best technology in its sensor, but the sensor is back side illuminated (BSI), which provides more low light capability.  I believe only a couple of Sony cameras have BSI combined with "stacked sensor" technology, which is the latest and greatest.  It also isn't the highest resolution sensor out there.  Do you need more than 26.1mp?  Or do you just want more pixels?  This new 26.1mp sensor packs a wallop in resolution, low noise, dynamic range and color rendition.  If you want more pixels, plan on paying a lot more for them.  Only a very few photographers actually need more than 26.1mp.

PROCESSOR 
The X-Trans CMOS X-Processor 4 is a speed demon.  There are faster and better data processors out there at a much higher price point, but you can't get the capabilities of this processor in any other camera in this price range.  It rips!  It makes everything about this camera fast!  For example, start up is 0.3 sec., maximum AF speed is 0.06 sec., shutter release lag time is 0.045 sec., EVF refresh rate is 100 fps, and maximum burst rate is 30 fps.  Do you need anything faster?

IMAGE QUALITY
The X-T3 doesn't have the absolute best image quality.  Medium format and full frame cameras technically have better image quality.  That's physics.  However, the image quality from this camera, I believe, will meet or exceed the needs of 90% or more of the photographers out there.  One has to ask himself or herself, how many pixels, how little noise, how high ISO, how big of prints, etc. do you really need?  The image quality of all digital cameras today is excellent.  Its like the perfectionist.  You can be efficient and effective to get 90% to perfect.  Anything above that is no longer cost effective as it takes an extraordinary amount of time, effort and money to do so. Same with digital cameras.  Do you need 45mp, ISOs to 102,000 or make 6 ft. x 9 ft. (2 x 3 m) prints?  Ninety-nine percent of us can answer no.  I can find no fault with the image quality of my X-T3.

RESOLUTION
Again, the X-T3 doesn't have the most pixels.  It has a sensor which provides 26.1mp.  I have said for years that my sweet spot for the number of pixels was about 24mp.  You can buy a camera with many more pixels but do you really need them, or just want them because they are available?  If you want more pixels, get out your credit card and get a part time job to supplement your full time job.  There are a lot of myths about what you need and don't need when it comes to the number of pixels on a sensor.  Nice to have?  Yes.  Need to have? No.

DYNAMIC RANGE
The X-T3 doesn't have the widest dynamic range but it has plenty.  If you want more dynamic range you will have to spend more money and step up to a full frame sensor.  Just the laws of physics.  That being said, I've never had an issue in not being able to produce the images I wanted to make with my X-T2 or X-T3 because of a lack of sufficient dynamic range.  I almost never have to bracket and blend images any longer, but when I think I do, I can set the camera for automatic bracketing and it will expose the three images at two stops apart in a fraction of a second.  End of story.

FOCUS SPEED 
I find the focus speed of the X-T3 as good or better than any other digital camera I've owned.  Both AF-S and AF-C.  Fujifilm also gives us a variety of parameters when using continuous focusing to adapt the cameras focusing processor to the types of dynamic scenes you might find yourself having to photograph.  These parameters are a) Tracking Sensitivity, b) Speed Tracking Sensitivity and c) Zone Area Switching.  By configuring these three parameters, you can tailor the AF response to about any type of fast moving subject.  Fujifilm also give us 5 pre-programmed custom AF settings and a sixth you can program yourself, using the parameters mentioned above. I don't know of any other manufacturer that gives you that kind of versatility for the money.  

FOCUS POINTS 
The X-T3 has 425 focus points spread across almost the entire viewfinder screen.  There are cameras with more focus points, but again, you will pay more for very little gain.  The X-T3 also gives you a choice of 6 different sizes of a single focus point. Six!  It will also provide you with a choice of multiple focus points in a grid of 3 x 3, 5 x 5 and 7 x 7.  Finally, you can choose the entire array of 425 focus point for tracking.  Remember the days when we only had one center autofocus point?  Not even a cross-type!  Lol.  We've come a long way.

COLOR PALATE/SCIENCE
Fujifilm has been known for their extraordinarily high quality film for decades.  They have carried that knowledge over into the digital world by creating film simulations based upon their history of film manufacturing.  Are their colors the best?  That is up to each of us to decide, but one of the reasons I reach for my Fujifilm gear is that I love the colors.  I have even replicated the X-T3 film simulations in Lightroom so I can apply them to files from other digital camera brands.  The JPEGs out of the camera are magnificent, in my opinion.  I read about a lot of photographers who love the Classic Chrome film simulation as well as the Acros black and white film simulation.  I don't believe there is any other manufacturer that gives its camera users even close to the versatility of color science than does Fujifilm.

That being said, the award winning publication Photo District News (PDN), employed the company Image Engineering to test color accuracy of various cameras.  You can read the article here.  According to Image Engineering's extensive testing, the Fujifilm X-T3 tied for first place (with the Sony A7III) for accuracy of color reproduction.  So when you hear a blogger or YouTuber tell you that another brand has more accurate and better color science, you may want to take their anecdotal advice with a grain of salt.  Point them to actual scientific testing.

NOISE CHARACTERISTICS
The X-T3 doesn't have the least noise of any digital camera out there.  If you want the least amount of digital noise be prepared to pay more than the cost of this camera for it.  The noise characteristics of this camera are excellent.  Noise is minimal and unobtrusive.  If you have a bit of noise you want to reduce, get a copy of a good plug-in or use Lightroom.  I have found Topaz AI Clear to be excellent in eliminating noise but retaining detail.  The best I've tried so far.  But mostly, if I add noise reduction at all, it is a minimal amount in Lightroom Classic.  Noise is not an issue for me.

ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER (EVF)
The X-T3 doesn't have the absolute best EVF on the market.  I believe a Leica, which you can buy at many thousands of dollars more, does but the EVF in the X-T3 is state of the art and terrific.  With the exception of the Leica it is as good as it gets.  Bright, clear, configurable and you can see into the shadows and highlights by turning off film simulations.  The EVF also refreshes at 100 fps.  When using the electronic shutter and using a high speed burst mode, there is no EVF blackout.  I can't see any reason to ever go back to an optical viewfinder.  There are just too many advantages to an EVF, especially a great one such as this.

BURST SPEED (FPS)
The X-T3 doesn't give your the absolute fastest rate of frames per second.  I know my Olympus can give me 60 fps.  The X-T3 will give me 30 fps with a 1.25 crop and 20 fps without a crop using the electronic shutter.  To get the 60, I have to do down a step in sensor size as a compromise to move that much data that fast.  How many FPS do you really need?

AVAILABLE SHUTTER SPEEDS
The mechanical shutter on the X-T3 will provide a photographer up to 1/8000th second shutter speed and the electronic shutter can go as high as 1/32,000 second.  What more is there to say?

SHUTTER OPTIONS
Additionally, when evaluating the shutter, the X-T3 give us a variety of shutter combinations to use according to our needs.  You can set the camera to strictly a mechanical shutter., You can also set it to an electronic first curtain with the mechanical shutter.  You can set it to an all electronic shutter you can set it for a combination of the three—electronic first curtain, mechanical shutter to 1/8000th sec, then it automatically switches over to the electronic shutter if you need a faster shutter speed (up to 1/32,000th sec.).  That is how I have my X-T3 set.  I never have to worry about maxing out the shutter speed and over exposing a photograph.  How great is that?

BATTERY LIFE
Again, the battery life of the X-T3 may not be the absolute best.  But it is better than good enough and, with a spare battery in your pocket which you probably won't need, most of us can photograph all day and not worry about running out of battery power.  Including a bigger battery would require a larger camera body or reduced electronics inside the camera body.  I think the battery life as compared to camera body size and features is an excellent compromise.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES
The feature set on the X-T3 is robust and comprehensive.  There are only a few cameras that have more features, but most people don't use all of the features on their cameras anyway.  The feature set on the X-T3 gives us about everything we need for daily photography.  Focus bracketing is one of the newest and welcomed ones for me.  Also, dual card slots which both have UHS-II speed capabilities.  Additionally, I like the ability to copy images from one card to another (additional backup without having to bring a computer and hard drive) and to convert RAW files into custom processed JPEGs in-camera for quick sharing.  The Pre-Shot function is great for not missing peak action. 

VIDEO CAPABILITIES
I don't know much of anything about video but from what I read and see, Fujifilm has hit a home run with this camera in its video capabilities.  This camera seems to get a lot of praise for what Fujifilm did in the way of video capabilities and quality.  I'll let others comment more on this aspect of the camera.  But, I don't think you can get equal features for less money.  A terrific bargain.

AVAILABLE LENSES
Fujifilm gives their customers a wide choice of prime and zoom lenses that are as good as any other manufacturer and better than most.  The lenses are well built, sharp, contrasty, focus quickly and accurately and, as a bonus to its customers, Fujifilm publishes a lens "Road Map" so photographers know what is coming.  Additionally, Fujifilm listens to its customers as to what lenses they most desire to be developed in the future.  I've owned probably 10 different camera brands and have bought easily over two hundred lenses in my photographic career and I am as happy with Fujifilm lenses as my most expensive Leica M and R lenses, as well as my Canon, Nikon, Pentax 6X7, Mamiya lenses.  

AVAILABLE ACCESSORIES
Whether it is a battery grip, power grip, accessory grip, flash units, microphones, batteries, extension tubes, cases or whatever, Fujifilm provides a nice line of accessories.

FACTORY SUPPORT/FIRMWARE UPDATES/IMPROVED AND ADDITIONAL FEATURES
There is no camera company that provides more support through firmware upgrades, improvements and additional features than does Fujifilm.  I'm sure many other manufacturers are not pleased that they provide such great customer support as we know other companies make you buy the next model camera if you want upgrades.

When you look at all aspects of the Fujifilm X-T3, as I said, it may not be the very best at any one thing.  There are other cameras that do certain specialized things better.  But, I believe, when you consider the price/performance ratio, the entire package, the Fujifilm X-T3 is the best "All Around" camera today because it does "everything" extraordinarily well.

Your mileage may vary.  Remember, these are my opinions and I'm not stating them as fact.  Opinions are neither right nor wrong, just opinions.

DISCLAIMER:  I am not sponsored by Fujifilm, have no relationship with Fujifilm and don't get anything free, discounted or to test from Fujifilm.  I buy and use Fujifilm cameras because I believe they are the best tools available for my kinds of photography.  I buy my Fujifilm gear at the same retail outlets as others and pay the same prices.  All of these thoughts are my opinions and my beliefs and have been derived from using Fujifilm gear for the past several years.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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