Fujifilm X-E3 Camera: 11 Hot Features You Should Know
Fujifilm Corporation has officially announced the release of a new Fujifilm X-E series mirrorless camera: The Fujifilm X-E3. The new X-E3 has been launched to market amid the rumor that Fujifilm decided to abandon X-E series and, instead, shifted its focus to XT and XPRO. However, that rumor proved to be invalid since the launch of Fujifilm X-E3 in June 2017.
Fujifilm X-E3 retains the solid rangefinder design like its predecessors but adds up more concept of minimalist into the camera. Hence, Fujifilm X-E3 looks and feels like compact but loads with tons of new features as a fine mirrorless camera in the market.
1. The Sensor X-Trans CMOS III
Fujifilm X-E3 has equipped with APS-C type sensor X-Trans CMOS III with 24.3 MP resolution. This APS-C type sensor is also used in other Fujifilm’s flagship models such as XT-2 and X-PRO-2 and it is arguably the best Fujifilm’s APS-C sensor available at this moment. Needless to say, its performance can be rival to other mid-range models in the market.
2. 4K Video Capability
Video recording and playback have never been a selling point of Fujifilm, instead, it is well known for its fine quality of photography. However, with the advent of Fujifilm X-T2 has revolutionized the original image of Fujifilm’s cameras with a high resolution 4K video and X-E3 has no exception. Fujifilm X-E3 also supports 4K video recording and playback at 30 fps.
3. Improved Autofocus System
The autofocus system has substantially been upgraded from the previous model to 325 hybrid phase difference AF with a better AF tracking algorithm. Fujifilm also claimed that the autofocus speed of X-E3 at 0.06 second is even faster than those of X-T2 and X-PRO-2.
4. A New Touchscreen display
Like the flagship model X-T2, Fujifilm X-E3 has equipped with fixed touchscreen display. With the aid of a new technology, the user can utilize a touchscreen to mark an AF point without taking the eye off the electronic viewfinder. This feature is available on Fujifilm X-E3 for the first time in this series. The only drawback is that the screen cannot be tiled or flipped.
5. Film Simulation: ACROS
The ACROS film simulation always brings back a sweet old memory of Black & White images. With the film simulation mode, the camera is capable of rendering the better quality of film-like monochrome image than the conventional 35mm Fujifilm Napoleon ACROS black & White negative film did in the past. The ACROS film simulation adds up more “grain-like” element to the image without changing original composition.
6. Upgraded Electronic Viewfinder
The lag time between the change in the scene and the display in EVF is always a drawback of mirrorless camera but Fujifilm X-E3 has substantially upgraded the performance of its EVF to be much faster and more responsive than that of the previous model.
7. Removal of a Directional Pad and Built-in Flash
To achieve the concept of minimalist, Fujifilm has decided to remove a directional pad and built-in flash from Fujifilm X-E3 and let the user control the camera via joystick and touchscreen display instead. The removal of directional pad and built-in flash does make the camera smaller and lighter.
8. Auto Dial Switch
This feature enables the user to switch from manual to auto mode with a snap of fingertip and Fujifilm X-E3 is the first of the X-E series to have this feature installed. The AI in auto mode is clever enough to render a good image quality without requiring a complex setting in manual or even in semi-auto mode. Hopefully, Fujifilm will have this feature available in its high-end models like X-T or X-PRO soon.
9. Built-In Bluetooth Technology
The built-in Bluetooth technology has enabled the user to access and control Fujifilm X-E3 via smart devices. Fujifilm also claims to use a low-powered communication protocol to maintain the connection between camera and phone. It also consumes less power than Wi-Fi connection.
10. The AF Joystick
An AF joystick has been added to access most of camera’s settings, to select and move AF points, or even to be assigned as FN shortcut to particular features. The test result has shown that the AF joystick has a better balance in precision and speed in control.
11. A New Hand Grip Accessory
As mentioned above, Fujifilm X-E3 comes with minimal concept and a directional pad and built-in camera has been removed to make the body smaller and lighter. Hence, Fujifilm X-E3 has no longer supported MHG-XE model and the user must buy a new MHG-XE3 hand grip.
