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The X-Pro3 is, by design, a divisive camera: it's intended to appeal to two very specific types of photographer (the waist-level street shooter and the style-conscious optical viewfinder user), to the exclusion of others.
And 'appeal' is a key word there. The looks, the titanium top and base-plates, the rear screen and, to a degree, the price tag are all intended to make the camera seem exclusive and alluring. Chances are you'd already decided whether it was for you or not, even before you started reading the review. On that level, I'd argue the camera works and perhaps does so more than the previous versions.
But, even if we accept that this is a decision you make more with the heart than the head (after all, the X-T3 is the more rational choice, in just about every way), is the X-Pro3 good enough to justify that appeal within its niches?
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Lightly edited to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. |
On a practical level, the image quality is excellent and the rest of the performance is perhaps better than its needs to be. It certainly succeeds as an attractive object that constantly reminds you that you're shooting with more than just another black, camera-shaped box of consumer electronics.
The X-Pro3 is intended to appeal to two types of photographer, to the exclusion of others
The OVF experience isn't as singular as shooting with a real rangefinder, but it's still something that feels rather special. And, in many respects the X-Pro3 is more practical and adaptable than a digital rangefinder, as well as being many times less expensive. However the optical viewfinder itself feels like a step back from the previous X-Pro cameras. The loss of a slot-in magnifier means the OVF is more limited (and limiting) than in previous models, and the loss of infinity indications means focusing from a near object to a more distant one adds an unnecessary degree of unpredictability. Even as a 23/35/50mm shooter, this took some of the shine off the OVF experience for me.
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The X-Pro3's multi-shot HDR mode won't be to everyone's taste, but it add something extra its box of tricks. |
The flip-down screen increases the camera's attractiveness to would-be street shooters and I can see its appeal to that crowd, over the more prosaic X-T3. Would you ever tire of being asked 'is that a film camera'?
But, more than with most cameras, it's all a question of how this camera speaks to you. Personally, although I can recognize the X-Pro3's appeal, I don't find that I feel it enough to give it a Gold award. But I can see how it'd be a Silver to some people. Or, perhaps: rose-tinted silver with an immediate worn-looking patina.
What we think
Dan Bracaglia
Editor
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I thoroughly enjoyed shooting with the X-Pro3. It's the type of camera that encourages users to slow down and think about the shots they're taking. The hidden screen also discourages 'chimping'. In an age when your smartphone camera can pretty much do it all, it's refreshing to shoot with something so squarely aimed at purist photographers. |
Scoring
Scoring is relative only to the other cameras in the same category. Click here to learn about the changes to our scoring system and what these numbers mean.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 Category: Semi-professional Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR |
Build quality Ergonomics & handling Features Metering & focus accuracy Image quality (raw) Image quality (jpeg) Low light / high ISO performance Viewfinder / screen rating Performance Movie / video mode Connectivity Value | PoorExcellent | ||||
Conclusion The X-Pro3 is a unique mirrorless camera, and will appeal to those who want a waist-level screen or an optical viewfinder experience. It'll be a camera you either covet or don’t see the value of, but that polarization is the X-Pro 3’s defining characteristic, and some photographers will find it very compelling. | |||||
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