Fujifilm X-E3 Review

Written by Alyza AngelesPublished • November 29, 2017

Mirrorless cameras are now being raved about, not only for their compact body but also for their superior image/video quality and performance that are at par with some DSLRs out in the market. With that being said, does the Fujifilm X-E3 has what it takes to be the next ultimate mirrorless camera? Find out in our review.

Table of Contents

Design and Construction

At first glance, you can definitely tell that this camera is from Fujifilm. The X-E3 sports a distinctly retro look that is similar to the rest of the X-series, which is minimalistic, sophisticated and premium. Up front, we can see its focus mode selector (M = Manual, C = Continuous AF, S = Single AF), AF-assist illuminator/self-timer lamp, and the front command dial to adjust the shutter speed.

On top of it, we have the manual controls for the shutter speed and the aperture dial which allows you to set exposure modes (Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual). Apart from that, we can also see the on/off switch, the clicker, the microphone, and the exposure compensation dial.

There’s also a 3-inch 1040K-dot Touchscreen color LCD monitor that supports intuitive operation with your fingertips such as flick, double tap (to enlarge photos/playback zoom), tap (AF area selection), drag, and pinch in and out. We also have an electronic viewfinder that boasts a display time lag of 0.005 seconds.

Fujifilm ditched the usual capacitive navigation buttons and replaced it with a joystick. The stick feels stiff and sturdy, although we can’t predict if the feel would remain the same over time. That being said, we still prefer the traditional button. There’s also a ‘Q’ button or also knows the Quick Menu, Menu/Ok button, Display/Back button, and the Playback button.

One cool feature on this camera is that even though you’re using the electronic viewfinder, you can still use the touchscreen LCD monitor to adjust the settings. It’s a nice feature to have, but it isn’t necessarily that useful since your face will cover the LCD monitor while using the EVF, anyway.

On the right side, we find the microphone or remote release, HDMI, and micro-USB (charging or file transfer) ports.

The battery chamber and the speaker are located underneath the camera.

In the hands, the camera feels comfortable to hold and it comes a bit hefty at 287g, but its compact design makes it convenient and portable, especially for quick snaps.

Display

The X-E3 has a 3-inch touchscreen display which gives off accurate colors and sufficient brightness even when used under bright environments. It would’ve been better if the screen could be tilted or swiveled so users can have more freedom and flexibility when taking pictures or videos.

The screen’s UI was pretty responsive too, but it isn’t that snappy when we tried to use it to focus on our subject. Good thing the X-E3 comes with a handful of dials so users have more alternatives to operate certain features. The EVF (electronic viewfinder) was sensitive, and Fujifilm stayed to true to its claim that it boasts a display lag as low as 0.005 seconds.

Performance

Inside, the X-E3 carries a 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor and X-Processor Pro (responsible for image processing) which is said to be 4x faster than its previous model. So far we’re satisfied with its performance. It has 325 focus points, and we were impressed that it detects and focuses on the subject very quickly, even when we’re shooting a video. Image processing is fast too and we didn’t experience any stutters when doing continuous shooting.

The X-E3 is the first from the X-series to have a Bluetooth connectivity feature. In order to use this feature, you first have to install the FUJIFILM Camera Remote to your iOS or Android devices then pair them afterward. We especially liked this feature as it is convenient for us to post our shots from the camera straight to our SNS.

Image Quality

The unit we have is accompanied by a 23mm f/2.0 lens, and shooting with it for a week has been an enjoyable experience. We especially liked using the Fujifilm presets as it offers the classic Fujifilm colors. Its ISO starts at 100 up to 51200, while its shutter speed can go up to 1/32000sec.

Resulting photos look very pleasing, vibrant, and crisp. Colors are well-saturated, and you pretty have much the option to adjust the highlights, shadows, color, and sharpness to your liking under the Quick Menu button. Low light photos look pretty decent too although noise gets persistent at around ISO1600.

Below are our sample shots.

The X-E3 can shoot up to 4K at 30fps. There’s also a Full HD option that can shoot up to 60fps. Quality-wise, videos looked pretty great and sharp. Another good thing is that you may apply a Fujifilm preset to your video. We would like to note that its autofocus is indeed fast while recording.

Battery Life

The X-E3 is packed with NP-W126S Li-ion battery, the same battery used in most select X-series cameras. During our time with it, it was able to last us an entire day of moderate use (2-3 hours) before it completely exhausted. Charging it from scratch took us 2 and a half hours at most.

Conclusion

The X-E3 could be your new partner if you’re on the lookout for a mirrorless camera that performs really well, both picture and video-wise. Plus, it’s got a retro, minimalistic design, and lightweight body.It’s well suited for you if you’re someone who is always on the go and would want a camera that’s sleek looking, and is also capable of producing great images. It also records in 4K and delivers great results. Its Bluetooth function is also convenient if you want to transfer your shots on a whim.

The X-E3 is priced at Php50,900 for body only, Php64,990 with 23mm kit, and Php72,990 with 18-55mm. It’s available at all authorized dealers nationwide.

Fujifilm X-E3 specs:
24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor
X-Processor Pro
Ultra Sonic Vibration
Fujifilm X mount lenses
Supports continuous shooting
Up to 51200 ISO
Up to 1/32000sec shutter speed
3-inch 1040K-dot touchscreen color LCD monitor
Records up to 4K (30fps, 25fps, 24fps), Full HD 1080p (60fps)
USB2.0 (High-Speed) port
HDMI micro connector (Type D)
2.5mm stereo mini connector (Microphone)
Bluetooth 4.0
SD card slot (up to 256GB)
Wireless communication (Image transfer)
NP-W126S Li-ion battery
121.3 x 73.9 x 42.7 mm
287g (w/o accessories)
337g (w/ accessories)