Comparing Fujifilm X-T3 and X-H1 Cameras

Common Features of Fujifilm X-T3 and X-H1 Cameras

• Weather-resistant design (splash, dust, and freeze-proof)
• 0.5-inch 3.69 million-dot EVF, 0.75x magnification
• 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1.04 million dots
• Physical dials for shutter speed, ISO, focus, exposure, and control settings
• Mechanical shutter speed of 15 minutes (T Mode) – 1/8000 second or up to 1/32000 with electronic shutter
• Eterna film simulation mode for video and F-Log
• Dual SD card slots compatible with UHS-II
• 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity

Differences Between Fujifilm X-T3 and X-H1 Cameras

In-Body Sensor Stabilization

X-H1 stands out as the first and only X series camera, up to this point, equipped with a five-axis in-body image stabilization system. This system works seamlessly with lenses lacking image stabilization or in tandem with OIS-equipped Fujinon lenses.

The maximum balance is 5Ev according to CIPA standards, but performance may vary depending on the lens. For instance, Fujifilm claims a 5.5Ev balance with the XF 35mm f/1.4 lens (some tests even suggest better results than Fuji's figures), while with the XF 18-55mm lens, this balance drops to 3.5Ev.

Depending on the advanced level of the stabilization system, X-H1 adjusts the correction between sensor and optical stabilization. For most lenses, the system employs three axes on the sensor (Roll, Y, X) and two axes on the lens (Pitch and Yaw). However, with lenses featuring additional complex stabilization, like the 80mm macro lens, the system uses one axis on the sensor (Roll) and the remaining on the lens (Y, X, Pitch, Yaw). In-body stabilization works for both photos and videos.

For lenses lacking electronic control or extended macro lenses MCEX-11/MCEX-16, three axes are utilized (Roll, Pitch, Yaw), and focal length must be set in the menu.

Although released after X-H1, X-T3 did not inherit the in-body stabilization system. Currently, it seems Fuji intends to keep this technology exclusive to X-H1, likely due to its requirement for a larger body compared to X-T3. Hence, to achieve any stabilization on X-T3, users need to rely on OIS Fujinon lenses or a tripod for optimal results at slower shutter speeds.

X-Trans Sensor and X Processor

Despite being dubbed as a flagship, X-H1 utilizes the older 24.3MP X-Trans III sensor, whereas X-T3 employs the latest 26.1MP X-Trans IV sensor with backside illumination (BSI) technology. The BSI structure enhances low-light shooting performance on X-T3 by allowing the sensor to gather more light compared to front-side structures. According to Fujifilm, the sensor's processing capability is now 1.5x faster than previous models, improving rolling shutter and other features.

X-T3 also introduces additional ISO speeds: a base 160 and expanded 80. All other ISO specifications remain similar to X-H1 (base values ranging from 200 to 12800 and expanded settings of 100, 125, 25600, and 51200).

Moreover, the X Processor 4 image processing unit utilizes a quad-core CPU to accelerate image processing speed threefold compared to previous models.

X-H1 excels, particularly in dynamic range and high ISO values. The real-world image quality of X-T3 is expected to be on par with these paper specifications.

Hybrid Autofocus System

While this area is a weakness for X-H1, X-T3 boasts the most advanced version of Fuji's renowned hybrid autofocus system to date.

Regarding single-point autofocus, X-T3 provides 117 phase-detection points on a 13×9 grid (or 425 points on a 17×25 grid), while X-T2 offers only 91 points on a 13×7 grid (or 325 points on a 13×25 grid). X-T3 also boasts a total of 2.16 million phase-detection points, four times more than its predecessor.

Unlike X-H1 with phase-detection points concentrated in the center, X-T3's points cover nearly the entire height and width of the sensor (99% in both height and width) in all modes, except for AF Tracking with slightly lower coverage (91% horizontal x 94.5% vertical). Phase-detection autofocus in low-light conditions is also more sensitive, surpassing X-H1 by 2 stops (-3EV compared to -1EV). The powerful X Processor 4 enables X-T3 to focus and meter 1.5 times more frequently than X-H1.

Fuji emphasizes improved face and eye detection, more than doubling the effectiveness on the new model, with eye detection usable in C-AF and video modes. This is a welcome change, as these features on X-H1 and previous Fujifilm models were sometimes unreliable.

Both models are equipped with Fujifilm's AF-C Custom Settings allowing users to customize the autofocus system's behavior based on the subject's movement. Five presets are available, with a sixth user-defined setting that can be manually configured with three different options.

Continuous Shooting and Live View blackout-free

X-H1 can shoot up to 8fps with the mechanical shutter and 14fps with the electronic shutter. When the VPB-XH1 battery grip is attached, the camera can shoot at 11fps with the mechanical shutter.

X-T3 boasts impressive specs, capturing 11fps with the mechanical shutter and 20fps with the electronic shutter without the need for a battery grip.

Enabling the Sports Finder mode, X-T3 crops the sensor by approximately 1.25x (16.6MP) visibly shown on the screen. The EVF displays clear frame lines indicating the cropped area while maintaining the sensor's natural field of view. Users can effectively preview beyond the 1.25x area and anticipate shots more efficiently.

However, in Sports Finder mode, users can shoot up to 30fps with AF/AE Tracking using the electronic shutter while still viewing directly at a 60Hz refresh rate. Simply put, X-T3 has become the second mirrorless camera, after Sony A9, capable of maintaining direct view in the EVF/LCD during high-speed shooting. Of course, in this case, we're talking about a smaller sensor being cropped to achieve this capability. Nevertheless, it's an interesting development seeing a camera brand experimenting with such a feature.

Finally, the new Pre-Capture mode is not unfamiliar, resembling Lumix G9's Pre-Burst or Olympus OM-D E-M1 II's Pro Capture modes. When users half-press the shutter button, the camera preloads frames into the buffer but only saves the nearest images when the shutter button is fully pressed. This means even if users react slowly to a fleeting moment, like a bird taking flight or a bee leaving a flower, they can still capture that moment in time.

Design

One of the most noticeable size differences between Fujifilm X-T3 and X-H1 is the extended grip on X-H1, designed to support large telephoto lenses. This grip also contributes to the increased weight and size.

Specific Specifications:

• X-H1: 673g; 139.8 x 97.3 x 85.5mm
• X-T3: 539g; 132.5 x 92.8 x 58.8mm

X-H1 also features a robust, sturdy frame, 25% thicker than X-T3's frame, combined with scratch resistance equivalent to 8H surface hardness.

Only X-H1 provides space for a monochrome top display to showcase essential settings in use. Meanwhile, only X-T3 is equipped with a USB 3.1 Type C port.

Video Specifications

Although X-H1 may be Fujifilm's flagship, its latest successor, X-T3, actually possesses superior video specifications. X-T3 can record high frame rates in 4K mode with faster bitrate and more codec and compression options. X-T3 is also the first mirrorless camera capable of shooting 4K/60p 10-bit video.

Specifically:

X-T3:

• 4K up to 60fps
• Cinema 4K/DCI up to 60fps
• 4K up to 400Mbps
• 4K with IPB or All-I compression
• Codec H.264 and H.265
• Internal recording in 4:2:0 10-bit
• External recording in 4:2:2 10-bit

X-H1:

• 4K up to 30fps
• Cinema 4K/DCI 24fps
• 4K up to 200Mbps
• 4K with IPB compression
• Codec H.264
• Internal recording in 4:2:0 8-bit
• External recording in 4:2:2 8-bit

X-T3 can shoot video in 10-bit, meaning it records with 64 times the color depth of X-T2 with 8-bit. While this may not result in visibly better colors on an everyday screen, it significantly aids color grading in post-production. The key advantage of All-Intra compression is that it encodes each frame individually and requires less computational power to decode on a computer during editing.

For 4K video, X-H1 crops the sensor approximately 1.17x, meaning a narrower field of view. X-T3 implements a slightly larger crop of over 1.18x when shooting 4K at 50 or 60fps but utilizes the full sensor width up to 30p.

In 1080p mode, both cameras can shoot up to 60fps or 120fps in High-Speed mode for improved slow-motion footage. In this case, X-T3 again employs a higher bitrate of over 200Mbps (compared to X-H1's 100Mbps). Additionally, there's another notable crop factor of 1.29x to ensure optimal quality. It's worth noting that the 120fps mode on X-H1 lacks impressiveness due to lower sharpness and excess noise.

Another significant difference is the maximum clip duration:

X-T3:

• 4K up to 30 minutes
• Full HD up to 30 minutes

X-H1:

• 4K up to 15 minutes
• Full HD up to 20 minutes
• 4K and Full HD up to 30 minutes with included battery grip

Both cameras are equipped with the Eterna film simulation mode (designed for video) and can record Fujifilm's flat F-Log profile. The software update in 2018 promises to support hybrid log gamma for X-T3. F-Log on the camera new model has a minimum ISO of 640.

Additional features on X-T3 include added grain patterns, improved rolling shutter and AF performance, digital zoom during video recording, face detection in 4K mode, and a dynamic range of approximately 12 stops when using the DR 400% setting at ISO 640.

Both cameras feature a Silent mode to disable all buttons and dials to avoid any interference, as well as changing all settings via the touchscreen. This feature also allows users to set different configurations for photos and videos.

Monochrome Adjustment and Colour Chrome Effects

The Monochrome Adjustment function combines the warm and cool tones of the Monochrome and Acros film simulation modes, with the Colour Chrome effect debuting on the GFX 50s medium format. The Colour Chrome effect is based on the Fortia reversal film and provides balanced hues for high-contrast images.

Additional Features

Some unique features of X-T3 not found on X-H1, although nothing is impossible as the company will soon update the software.

First is the Digital Microprism, an assistant for manual focusing simultaneously focusing through the viewfinder of a traditional SLR.

Second is the Night Vision mode that ensures visibility in low light by turning the LCD screen's background into gray and text into red.

Battery Life

The difference in battery life may seem small but impactful. Although both use the NP-126S battery, X-T3 can capture up to 390 photos on a full charge, while X-H1 yields a less impressive result of 310 photos (according to CIPA standards).

When shooting in 4K, X-H1 can last for 35 minutes, while X-T3 can extend that time by an additional 5 minutes. However, users can also increase battery life for both cameras by adding an upright battery grip.

According to CIPA standards is one thing, real-world usage is another story. The camera might even capture more than listed on paper, but one thing is certain: the video features of X-T3 will consume a considerable amount of battery life, fitting the saying 'The more modern, the more... power-hungry.'

Price

Currently, X-H1 remains the most expensive Fujifilm camera in the APS-C lineup, priced at around $1900. X-T3, on the other hand, has a more modest starting price of about $1500.

Conclusion

Although X-H1 is now the official flagship camera of Fujifilm's X series, X-T3 brings a lot of superior and innovative features, like a breath of fresh air into the mirrorless camera segment, such as the ability to shoot 4K 60fps/10-bit, a completely new sensor with BSI technology, advanced AF system, and improved continuous shooting with electronic shutter.

In a nutshell: The Fujifilm X-T3 seems to be a promising camera, especially in terms of video capabilities, and could potentially elevate Fujifilm to a higher pedestal in the battle against Sony and Panasonic.