X-T2 upgrade to X-T3

nnowak · Aug 17, 2020

So, I have had my X-T2 for a few years now and thoroughly love the camera, but the big discounts on the X-T3 have me thinking now might be a good time for an upgrade.

My only real complaints with the X-T2 are the phase detect AF points being limited to the central area, and the less than stellar eye detect AF. I know the X-T3 fixes the first issue, but how much better is the eye AF with the X-T3? Also, I have been fairly successful shooting sports with the 50-140mm f/2.8 and X-T2. Will I see much of a boost to AF speed by switching to the X-T3?

When I upgraded from the X-T1 to X-T2, the performance improvements were massive. Obviously the X-T3 is not the same giant leap, but I am hoping those here with experience could quantify how large an improvement I might expect.

TRIODEROB · Aug 17, 2020

knowing what I know now I would not consider the X2 over the X3 even for much less money - the difference in user experience is dramatic

the X3 is a far more capable camera with respect to its auto focus abilities

I found the focus on the X2 to actually be poor for whats available in 2020

Erik Baumgartner · Aug 17, 2020

nnowak said:
So, I have had my X-T2 for a few years now and thoroughly love the camera, but the big discounts on the X-T3 have me thinking now might be a good time for an upgrade.

My only real complaints with the X-T2 are the phase detect AF points being limited to the central area, and the less than stellar eye detect AF. I know the X-T3 fixes the first issue, but how much better is the eye AF with the X-T3? Also, I have been fairly successful shooting sports with the 50-140mm f/2.8 and X-T2. Will I see much of a boost to AF speed by switching to the X-T3?

When I upgraded from the X-T1 to X-T2, the performance improvements were massive. Obviously the X-T3 is not the same giant leap, but I am hoping those here with experience could quantify how large an improvement I might expect.

While the AF-C is indeed a bit snappier, and you do get more PDAF points to work with, I didn't find the "upgrade' worthwhile and I sent my X-T3 back (early production, full price). I hated the stiff and almost unusable rear control dial and found the very high ISO performance to be a bit of a step backwards. For my purposes the X-T2 and some new glass made a lot more sense. The eye AF was absolutely better (than worthless), but i still didn't trust it.

zakaria · Aug 17, 2020

Xt 3 maybe the camera fujifilm should begin with.

It makes my slowest xf 60 mm happy!

--
pentaxian .

fujiian · Aug 17, 2020

Depends.

GAS? Why not.
Need... *need* a backup body? Good choice.
Realistic upgrades: 160 ISO, autofocus, EVF, 2MP on the sensor.
Personally, I’d try out a companion body (x-pro or x-t20/30) or buy a lens. For an alternative, see the first bullet point.

David Mintzer · Aug 17, 2020

At 999, I think its a no brainer. Dont get me wrong- T2 great and is now my backup camera. T-3, however just fantastic.

VisuallyOriented · Aug 17, 2020

AF-C is significantly better on the X-T3 than the X-T2.

AF-C on the X-T2 is nearly unusable to me. Two of the subjects I like to shoot are aircraft and horse racing. The viewfinder blackout on the X-T2 makes panning with things like aircraft and racehorses really hard. The X-T2 tracking isn't great either.

On the X-T3, viewfinder blackout has practically been eliminated and tracking is quite a bit better. Not Nikon good... but better.

JayPhizzt · Aug 18, 2020

nnowak said:
So, I have had my X-T2 for a few years now and thoroughly love the camera, but the big discounts on the X-T3 have me thinking now might be a good time for an upgrade.

My only real complaints with the X-T2 are the phase detect AF points being limited to the central area, and the less than stellar eye detect AF. I know the X-T3 fixes the first issue, but how much better is the eye AF with the X-T3? Also, I have been fairly successful shooting sports with the 50-140mm f/2.8 and X-T2. Will I see much of a boost to AF speed by switching to the X-T3?

When I upgraded from the X-T1 to X-T2, the performance improvements were massive. Obviously the X-T3 is not the same giant leap, but I am hoping those here with experience could quantify how large an improvement I might expect.

I went from X-T2 to X-T3 and it's overall a big upgrade. The AF and the video are of course the biggest improvements, but for me it was more about all the smaller improvements. The AF is definitely faster and more precise and also better in low light.

Aside from the AF and video you get a better EVF, USB-C, a touch screen, ISO160, a bit more DR(less noise in shadows), no more purple/red grid flare, a more protruding EVF, bigger and more protruding back buttons, more firm command dials, thicker subdials, softer shutter button, full performance without the battery grip and it's overall faster and more responsive. Might be a few more things I've forgotten as well

William Loney · Aug 18, 2020

nnowak said:
So, I have had my X-T2 for a few years now and thoroughly love the camera, but the big discounts on the X-T3 have me thinking now might be a good time for an upgrade.

My only real complaints with the X-T2 are the phase detect AF points being limited to the central area, and the less than stellar eye detect AF. I know the X-T3 fixes the first issue, but how much better is the eye AF with the X-T3? Also, I have been fairly successful shooting sports with the 50-140mm f/2.8 and X-T2. Will I see much of a boost to AF speed by switching to the X-T3?

When I upgraded from the X-T1 to X-T2, the performance improvements were massive. Obviously the X-T3 is not the same giant leap, but I am hoping those here with experience could quantify how large an improvement I might expect.

For sports? Definitely!

I didn't buy the 3 initially, after testing it out when it first arrived. Seemed more like a camera focused on improved video features compared to the 2. However, when the latest firmware was released -last Feb?- I tried it out again, and found a very noticeable improvement in AF.

Focuses faster, and doesn't 'hunt' with my 50-140 like the 2 did.

That's when I bought mine.

Foxjet · Aug 18, 2020

JayPhizzt said:
nnowak said:

So, I have had my X-T2 for a few years now and thoroughly love the camera, but the big discounts on the X-T3 have me thinking now might be a good time for an upgrade.

My only real complaints with the X-T2 are the phase detect AF points being limited to the central area, and the less than stellar eye detect AF. I know the X-T3 fixes the first issue, but how much better is the eye AF with the X-T3? Also, I have been fairly successful shooting sports with the 50-140mm f/2.8 and X-T2. Will I see much of a boost to AF speed by switching to the X-T3?

When I upgraded from the X-T1 to X-T2, the performance improvements were massive. Obviously the X-T3 is not the same giant leap, but I am hoping those here with experience could quantify how large an improvement I might expect.

Click to expand...

I went from X-T2 to X-T3 and it's overall a big upgrade. The AF and the video are of course the biggest improvements, but for me it was more about all the smaller improvements. The AF is definitely faster and more precise and also better in low light.

Aside from the AF and video you get a better EVF, USB-C, a touch screen, ISO160, a bit more DR(less noise in shadows), no more purple/red grid flare, a more protruding EVF, bigger and more protruding back buttons, more firm command dials, thicker subdials, softer shutter button, full performance without the battery grip and it's overall faster and more responsive. Might be a few more things I've forgotten as well

I like Jay's summary, you can take that to the bank.

I would add that the blazing fast processor allows electronic shutter to work well for birds in flight shots. The difference in sensor readout speed is incredible. See my Flickr link below for many examples.

I was an early adopter of the X-T3 and experimented with electronic shutter to see the capabilities for myself. Here is a shot I could not get with my X-T2, a Hummingbird Moth in flight. Small, fast, erratic, blurred non contrasty subject, a challenge with any camera/lens.

This is one of many similiar moths referred to as hummingbird moth. Actually this is a White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata).Nectaring on Pride of Maderia.

Regards,

--
Richard

Richard Bledsoe

Explore Richard Bledsoe’s 3,388 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

doak · Aug 18, 2020

The X-T3 & X-T30 have the same processor as the X-T4 so they're more likely to get firmware features trickle down from the newest camera.

nnowak · Aug 20, 2020

Thank you everyone for taking the time to post your personal experiences with these two cameras. The current tally is (paraphrasing):

1 vote for - "meh", not worth it

1 vote for - buy a lens or different body instead

7 votes for - it's a massive upgrade and totally worth it

It looks like I have until September 6th to make and decision and jump on the current sale.

Thanks again everyone!

George Paulides · Aug 21, 2020

Further to the OP request for input, my question is if you primarily like to shoot landscapes and street scenes would the upgrade to the XT-3 be worth it?

Also curious to know re the ISO 160 setting on the X-T3, on the X-T2 you can set the "L" ISO setting to either 100/125/160 ISO.

For arguments sake, if you had the X-T2 on "L" ISO of 160 is that the same as 160 on the X-T3 or is 160 on the X-T3 a true 160 ISO setting?

Do not mean to hijack the thread but it may prove to be interesting to see from landscape shooter's perspective what their opinion is for those that have made the move from the X-T2 to the X-T3.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21702997@N03/

JayPhizzt · Aug 21, 2020

George Paulides said:
Further to the OP request for input, my question is if you primarily like to shoot landscapes and street scenes would the upgrade to the XT-3 be worth it?

Also curious to know re the ISO 160 setting on the X-T3, on the X-T2 you can set the "L" ISO setting to either 100/125/160 ISO.

For arguments sake, if you had the X-T2 on "L" ISO of 160 is that the same as 160 on the X-T3 or is 160 on the X-T3 a true 160 ISO setting?

Do not mean to hijack the thread but it may prove to be interesting to see from landscape shooter's perspective what their opinion is for those that have made the move from the X-T2 to the X-T3.

ISO160 is the base ISO on the X-T3. So yes, it's a true setting. Else it wouldn't even be a fixed setting on the ISO dial

All the extended ISO options you have to assign to the "L" or "H" setting on the dial. It's only the true ISO settings that are marked on the dial.

I shoot landscape and I made the switch from the X-T2 to the X-T3 and like I mentioned in my previous post the DR is a bit better on the X-T3, more specifically there is noticeably less noise in the shadows so that's definitely a bonus for landscape photography. Also, the X-T3 doesn't suffer from the red/purple grid flare that the X-T2 suffered from which is really nice when shooting against the sun for example.

George Paulides · Aug 21, 2020

Thanks.

Samuraidog · Aug 22, 2020

Foxjet said:
JayPhizzt said:

nnowak said:

So, I have had my X-T2 for a few years now and thoroughly love the camera, but the big discounts on the X-T3 have me thinking now might be a good time for an upgrade.

My only real complaints with the X-T2 are the phase detect AF points being limited to the central area, and the less than stellar eye detect AF. I know the X-T3 fixes the first issue, but how much better is the eye AF with the X-T3? Also, I have been fairly successful shooting sports with the 50-140mm f/2.8 and X-T2. Will I see much of a boost to AF speed by switching to the X-T3?

When I upgraded from the X-T1 to X-T2, the performance improvements were massive. Obviously the X-T3 is not the same giant leap, but I am hoping those here with experience could quantify how large an improvement I might expect.

Click to expand...

I went from X-T2 to X-T3 and it's overall a big upgrade. The AF and the video are of course the biggest improvements, but for me it was more about all the smaller improvements. The AF is definitely faster and more precise and also better in low light.

Aside from the AF and video you get a better EVF, USB-C, a touch screen, ISO160, a bit more DR(less noise in shadows), no more purple/red grid flare, a more protruding EVF, bigger and more protruding back buttons, more firm command dials, thicker subdials, softer shutter button, full performance without the battery grip and it's overall faster and more responsive. Might be a few more things I've forgotten as well

Click to expand...

I like Jay's summary, you can take that to the bank.

I would add that the blazing fast processor allows electronic shutter to work well for birds in flight shots. The difference in sensor readout speed is incredible. See my Flickr link below for many examples.

I was an early adopter of the X-T3 and experimented with electronic shutter to see the capabilities for myself. Here is a shot I could not get with my X-T2, a Hummingbird Moth in flight. Small, fast, erratic, blurred non contrasty subject, a challenge with any camera/lens.

This is one of many similiar moths referred to as hummingbird moth. Actually this is a White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata).Nectaring on Pride of Maderia.

Regards,

Stellar shot. Thumbs up.

deednets · Aug 22, 2020

nnowak said:
Thank you everyone for taking the time to post your personal experiences with these two cameras. The current tally is (paraphrasing):

1 vote for - "meh", not worth it

1 vote for - buy a lens or different body instead

7 votes for - it's a massive upgrade and totally worth it

It looks like I have until September 6th to make and decision and jump on the current sale.

Thanks again everyone!

The numbers are way too low to make any decision based on 9 votes in total.

I also had both and would add another vote to the group of 7

Would make this 8.

Deed

a_c_skinner · Aug 23, 2020

Many people on here are more orientated to gear rather than image making, so any question like this will be skewed. That something you don't really need is cheap isn't a good reason to upgrade. I'd come at this from another angle. Would IBIS help you materially? If yes the answer is to wait until the time is right to buy a IBIS equipped body. That is a tangible upgrade that will be visible in images. Buying a 3 now will delay a 4 or an H2 for you.

Flying Fijian · Aug 23, 2020

Lol yes xt4 will be a bigger upgrade (ibis, bigger battery, better grip, separate photo/video switch, better af, film simulations, ability to white balance shift in custom profiles, flippy screen? etc) so maybe wait for xt4 to come down in price

Personally I only just started using fujifilm (xe3) & have already ordered the XT4 lol, my Canon M6ii & ef-m lenses are going on sale soon.

nnowak · Aug 23, 2020

a_c_skinner said:
Many people on here are more orientated to gear rather than image making, so any question like this will be skewed. That something you don't really need is cheap isn't a good reason to upgrade. I'd come at this from another angle. Would IBIS help you materially? If yes the answer is to wait until the time is right to buy a IBIS equipped body. That is a tangible upgrade that will be visible in images. Buying a 3 now will delay a 4 or an H2 for you.

X-T2 upgrade to X-T3

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