Are you struggling over selecting between the Fuji XT2 vs XT3? I’ve thought lots about this and I believe I can assist you out with deciding between the 2.
The XT2 was probably the greatest mirrorless cameras available on the market on launch in 2016 and when it paired with Fujifilm lenses, it’s nonetheless a terrific piece of expertise. Nonetheless, it was notably behind Sony by way of autofocus efficiency and behind Panasonic in videography.
That’s why Fujifilm determined they’d pull out all of the stops after they launched the XT3. This APS-C monster of a digital camera provides blazing quick focusing efficiency and a few of the finest video specs available on the market proper now.
However does that imply it’s time to improve from the XT2?
Fuji xt2 vs xt3: Principal Similarities
Similar Construct and Dealing with
Each cameras use Fujifilm’s well-established design of handbook controls for publicity, customized operate buttons, and magnesium-imbued, weather-sealed our bodies. Some customers report the XT3’s dials are too unfastened in comparison with the XT2’s, however that’s a matter of private style.
Measurement-wise, they’re fairly shut. The XT2 weighs in at 507 g. and the XT3 at 539 g. However Fujifilm’s engineers have managed to pack lots of new tips into that 32 further grams! The XT3 does function a touch-sensitive LCD panel and an digital viewfinder with extra decision as nicely. However each of those are extra incremental upgrades; not precisely ground-breaking.
Similar Picture High quality (Nearly)
26.1 Megapixels is an 8% improve in decision. And contemplating most of us are already spoiled for megapixels, it’s not value an improve in of itself. 24 MP is the usual for an excellent motive: it offers photographers room to crop with out impacting low mild efficiency and dynamic vary.
Whereas sensor dimension issues lots by way of dynamic vary and lightweight gathering, pixel dimension additionally impacts this. There’s lots of technical wizardry these days that helps make this much less necessary. But it surely stands that 24 megapixels is sufficient for every thing save the biggest panorama prints. The XT3’s bottom illuminated (BSI) sensor does have some slight benefits we’ll discover under. But it surely doesn’t provide vital boosts in dynamic vary and lightweight sensitivity over the XT2.
Fuji xt3 vs xt2: Principal Variations
Completely different Sensor Development
As I mentioned earlier than, the picture high quality is kind of similar. However not 100% the identical. Like every X-Trans technology, the XT3 makes use of a model new sensor. By utilizing a back-side illuminated (BSI) sensor, the XT3 has elevated efficiency at increased ISOs in comparison with the XT2. BSI sensors change the order of the photodiode substrate (mild delicate area) and steel wiring so the wires don’t impede incoming mild.
Nonetheless, we’re speaking pixel-peeping enhancements from ISO 6400-12,800. To this point, we haven’t seen the ½ to full cease enhancements different BSI sensors like Sony’s A7 line present over equal sized, non-BSI sensors. The XT3 feels extra like a proof of idea, for now.
The XT2 can also be no slouch by way of low mild efficiency and the film-looking noise Fujifilm sensors have a tendency to point out is extra pleasing to the attention whatever the mannequin. Relating to the XT2 vs XT3, the third gen physique gives you a marginal edge at nighttime. However provided that you’re capturing usually at ISO 6400 or above. And if you’re, you actually must be capturing full-frame anyway.
Having the ability to pull all the way down to ISO 80 with the XT3 is a pleasant trick for portrait pictures, although! With ultrafast Fuji lenses just like the 56mm f/1.2 or upcoming 50mm f/1.0, capturing extensive open within the day could be a actual problem attributable to overexposure!
XT2 vs XT3 Sensor Development winner: XT3 (barely…)
Completely different Autofocus and Processor Design
Right here’s an space the place the XT3 vs XT2 debate is clearly in favor of the brand new mannequin. If you take a look at the bottom specs of every mannequin, you’ll see that the XT2 has 325 hybrid section/distinction detection pixels, with section detection clustered within the middle of the body.
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The XT3 not solely has 425 hybrid factors throughout the sensor however depends on 2.16 million particular person section detection zones vs the five hundred,000 of the XT2. These are grouped into the 425 selectable websites and likewise cowl 99% of the sensor width. This offers the XT3 far superior focus acquisition and monitoring skills in comparison with the XT2.
The innately quicker focusing system can also be backed by the brand new X-Processor 4 quad-core processing system that’s thrice quicker than the XT2’s! That is the digital camera you need if topic acquisition and monitoring are one thing you employ usually. These enhancements additionally embrace focusing all the way down to -3EV, which is basically candlelight. Rumor has it the XPro3’s -6EV (close to darkness) focusing capability may even be given to the XT3 by way of firmware replace quickly! That’s an affordable expectation given the XPro3 makes use of the identical sensor because the XT3.
Associated: Fuji xt3 vs xt30 In contrast
Lastly, Legacy lenses just like the 24mm f/1.4 and 35mm f/1.4 are well-known for his or her sluggish topic acquisition. The focusing protocols of the XT3 vastly scale back the noisy searching and pecking they’re recognized for.
XT2 vs XT3 Autofocus System winner: XT3
Completely different Video Specs
That is one other space the place the XT3 vs XT2 debate will get a bit tough for the older mannequin. The XT2 was most likely Fuji’s first severe try at videography. However the XT3 actually is on a complete new degree. 4K decision (DCI 4096 x 2160p and UHD 3840 x 2160p) at as much as 60 frames per second, anybody? 1.18x sensor crop at 50/60fps however full sensor width at 30 fps.
You get a typical 30 min recording restrict with the XT3, shortened to twenty min recording at 60 fps as a result of the digital camera tends to run particularly scorching. Followers of versatile coloration grading may even be happy by the 10-bit 4:2:0 inner and 10-bit 4:2:2 exterior HDMI recording choices.
Once more, the XT2 isn’t any slouch, providing 4K UHD at as much as 30 fps with a 1.17x sensor crop. The bitrate can also be considerably lowered; 100 Mbps most for the XT2 vs 400 Mbps with the XT3!
The second to latest Movie Simulation, Eterna, can also be not accessible on the XT2. Eterna was created with the videographer in thoughts. It provides a flattened coloration profile for an instantaneous cinematic look with out enhancing or messing with Log footage. The XT3 may even most likely get Basic Detrimental, the latest Movie Simulation, in a future firmware improve.
XT2 vs XT3 Videography winner: XT3
Conclusion
XT2 vs XT3: is it value upgrading? Properly, it’s true that the XT3 is the very best APS-C digital camera available on the market proper now. When you completely want essentially the most decision and the very best videography specs and autofocus accuracy, that is the digital camera for you.
For instance, if you’re into wildlife pictures, motion sports activities pictures and likewise wish to mix pictures and videography, the Fujifilm XT3 is the very best crop sensor digital camera cash can purchase.
However the XT2 continues to be knowledgeable device that’s much more engaging right now. The worth is about 60% of the brand new XT3.
When you’re extra into journey and panorama pictures like I’m, you’ve got little to achieve shopping for the XT3. When the XT3 was introduced I hoped for an even bigger battery, higher dynamic vary, and higher low mild efficiency. And the XT3 does have these. However very incrementally.
I’m sticking with my XT2 for now and hoping the long run XT4 shall be tailor-made extra to the wants of panorama and journey photographers.
Once I switched from Sony to Fujifilm 2 years in the past I bought the Fujifilm XT2. However, if I have been switching right now I might positively get XT3 to ensure my new digital camera is future-proof for years to come back.
