FUJIFILM X-Pro3 Reviews
Wonderful Retro Camera - Everything Old is New Again
By Mark
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-18
I own a Fuji GSW690III, a medium format rangefinder that shoots 6x9cm Velvia transparencies using a razor sharp 28mm (35mm equivalent) lens. This was my favorite camera of all my large (5x4 inch) and medium (6x7) format cameras (I've had it since new and it's 25 years old at least). Landscape trannies scanned and printed up from this camera could cover a wall and remain sharp. The Fuji X-Pro3 is a miniature version of this wonderful camera. Film is dead, and too much hassle and too expensive to use now, but I can't part with my wonderful Fuji GSW690III - more museum piece these days. The X-Pro3 is modelled on this rangefinder, but it is a completely different beast. It's easier to use, technologically bristling with picture improving options and is small, light and a joy to use.
It is really great fun to use, takes great pictures, but is not as easy and functional to use as the X-T series cameras. I shoot landscapes, portraits, travel, architecture and wildlife. This camera is fine for everything apart from wildlife. I like the contentious screen, BUT, even with a bespoke grip attached (rosewood handle on alloy frame), the screen won't drop 180 degrees when on a tripod. That's okay, I can still use the screen fine when on a tripod. The issue is you have to be mindful not to ram the screen too far down as the smaller external screen will smash against the tripod head and scratch or worse.
Image files will render large prints if handled carefully and a good lens is used, but I'm not sure how they'll compare to my GSW690III prints - I'll have to test that one out some day. I bought the new Fuji 18mm f1.4 to go with this camera body, and they pair up beautifully.
Overall, a tribute to past days, but built for the modern era. A beautifully crafted camera that engenders a positive approach to the craft. I own all the fast fuji primes which match this camera well. It isn't suited to longer lenses and zooms in the same way. The only zoom I have is the 10-24mm, which is a must for landscapes, and okay on this camera, although I prefer to use it on my X-T variants.
Don't hesitate, buy it (if you can). It's been unavailable for ages. It popped up at B&H and I struck quick. Less than a week after receiving it, It was out of stock again. I went for the black paint version as I didn't like the Dura versions magnetism for fingerprint oil. In any event, the black paint looks better in my humble opinion.
Beautiful camera, but not for everyone
By James
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-11-24
When Fujifilm announced the X-Pro3, like so many other people, I thought the designers at Fuji were off their rocker. But then I got to thinking about how I shoot and how I use the back screen, and it started to makes sense. And when I started shooting with one, I quickly fell in love with it. The screen easily folds down in one smooth motion to be used discreetly as a waist level finder without sticking off to the side attracting attention like a typical flippy screen.
This camera can do great quality video, but is not the best designed camera for video, or for people shooting selfies. But Fujifilm, and all the other brands, have plenty of choices for people wanting the flippy screen experience. This camera is for the stills photographer who want to be discreet and quietly fade into the background while photographing their subjects.
The one flaw...
By Huss
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-11-11
I love this camera but the one flaw is with the exposure compensation dial. Every click on it feels the same. The center zero setting should have a much firmer click to make it harder to move, and make it obvious that exposure compensation has been set.
There have been a few times that I have not noticed that it has been moved off the zero setting until after I have taken a few shots.
Not sure how this got past Fuji when the camera made it to production, but it seems like it would be a really easy fix.
I initially was jazzed by the Color Neg setting but frankly tired of it really quickly. It looks nothing like color negative film! It blows highlights and blocks shadows (all at the same time!) while giving the image an overall brownish/sepia tone.
But, so what, right? Just don't use it! I much prefer the other options, and this camera really is just so nice to use with super results overall. Highly recommended. (Just fix the exp comp dial!)
Oh yeah, I put a carbon fiber wrap on my camera for fun and protection. Plus it makes it look toight!
The most fun camera i've used
By Byron Gabriel
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-11-08
Seriously, this camera is made to have fun in the street. I had the sony a7 before and it never felt good to actually use it. This one is so stealth with its form factor and the lenses available people never realize you take a picture of them, specially with wide angle lenses, i can be very close and get them with the silent shutter. Maybe the only thing i would've wished for is a built in flash to help you in low light situations, not that this camera is bad in low light, but an internal flash like in the x100v would make this an even more versatile camera.
Not as Expected
By Mark
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2021-09-15
I like the X-Pro3 but, it's NOT as amazing as most YouTube reviewers say it is-based on much research, my expectations of this camera were high-especially for my $2,000+ (after tax). The fit and finish is poor compared to my Olympus M1 MKII; e.g., the top plate screws protrude (which is unpleasing to the touch), the fit of the top plate doesn't transition to the top of the camera well (not a very good design), the cheap USB connection cover fits loosely and wiggles when in place (so much for water resistance), etc.
I personally believe that the camera is way overprice for what you get-I totally expected better. The supplied USB cable and camera strap is the poorest quality of any cable or strap that I have with my other cameras--it would have been better if Fuji would have just left the cable and strap out of the box so to spare me from humiliation-if I knew they weren't supplied, I could have justified it prior to the purchase of the camera. It appears to me that Fujifilm doesn't care about their customers first impressions when unpacking the camera box! First impressions say a lot!
Plan on buying, if you don't already have, some sort of image management software-what Fujifilm offers for free on their website is mostly junk--the should feel ashamed. Included in the box is a flyer that offers a free download, for Fujifilm cameras, from Capture One and, what little I have used it, seems to be more than sufficient to meet my needs. Coming from Nikon and Olympus image management, the Fujifilm system seems the least efficient.
I also find that the X-Pro3 fatigues my hand-even after only one hour of use, picking up my Olympus M1 MKII felt therapeutic.
Best camera
By Tareque
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-07-05
Best camera in the market. Fantastic upgrade from my old Sony. Most importantly B&H bend over backwards to get me the camera within 24 hours.
A great upgrade from X-T1
By Gretchen
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-12
I wanted to upgrade from my X-T1 and was going back and forth between the X-Pro3 and X-T3 - the X-Pro3 won out because of the location of the viewfinder. The centered viewfinder was always a hinderance on the X-T1 and I decided that the rangefinder-style viewfinder was a more important feature than an always showing rear screen. And I was right! I don't really miss the rear screen at all and the function buttons on the X-Pro3 seem to me to be more logically located. I've been using it now for almost 2 weeks and am considering selling the X-T1 even though I'd initially planned on keeping it. Great camera!
One of the best
By Adi
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-12-07
There are already a lot of info on this camera on the web. I can say that this camera is awesome for photographers, not video makers. It is meant to shoot photos mainly and it does it greatly.