Important Quirks and Features of the Fujifilm X-T3 for Video Shooters
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Fujifilm X-T3 Info

Important Quirks and Features of the Fujifilm X-T3 for Video Shooters

A full rundown of the important video features of the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema 6K for video shooters.

Updated to firmware version 3.0.

The Fujifilm X-T3 (Amazon, B&H) is a powerful video camera in many ways:

  • 10-bit 4:2:0 internal recording, 10-bit 4:2:2 external recording in 4K 60 fps – and simultaneously if you want to.
  • APS-C/Super 35mm sensor with up to 12 stops of DR with F-Log.
  • Fujifilm profiles – Provia, Velvia, Astia, Eterna and more.
  • Film simulation is available via HDMI even if you’re recording F-Log.
  • All for just $1,499!

This article will look at some of the important quirks and features of the Fujifilm X-T3 you should be aware of.

Video Record Modes

Here’s the complete table of the best settings for the Fujifilm X-T3 for video:

4K and UHD Internal

Frame RatesCodecColorData Rate
23.976 to 29.97 fpsH.265 ALL-I10-bit 4:2:0400 Mbps
50 and 59.94 fps*H.265 IPB10-bit 4:2:0200 Mbps
23.976 to 29.97 fpsH.265 IPB10-bit 4:2:0400 Mbps

*There is a 1.18x crop at 59.94/50p.

Via HDMI

Frame RatesCodecColor
23.976 to 29.97 fpsUncompressed10-bit 4:2:2
50 and 59.94 fpsUncompressed10-bit 4:2:2

High Speed 1080p

Frame RatesCodecColorData Rate
100 and 120 fpsH.265 ALL-I10-bit 4:2:0200 Mbps

So, for the best quality, you need to export via HDMI, and the maximum is 4K 60 fps. This is rewritten as Prores/DNxHR depending on the codec you use in the recorder.

Is it really Super 35mm?

The Fujifilm X-T3 (Amazon, B&H) has a sensor size of 23.5mm×15.6mm. Super 35mm film has a size of 24.89mm x 18.66.

The X-T3 has a crop factor of 1.06 horizontally, when compared to Super 35mm. Furthermore, there is a 1.18x crop at 59.94 or 50p. The first isn’t a significant difference, the second, kind of, is.

Any lens that covers Super 35mm will cover the X-T3.

Memory cards

The Fujifilm X-T3 (Amazon, B&H) has a dual SD-card slot.

Ideally you need UHS-II v90 class SD cards, like the Sandisk Extreme Pro series (Amazon, B&H). I recommend 64 GB or higher.

You get about 20 minutes on a 64 GB card @ 400 Mbps 10-bit 4:2:0 4K.

For a list of supported cards, click here.

Important!

There is a recording limit, unfortunately:

  • 20 minute record limit for 59.94/50p, 30 minute limit for other frame rates.
  • 6 min record limit for slow motion video with 1.29x crop.

External monitor options

Notes:

  • The Fujifilm X-T3 (Amazon, B&H) has a HDMI micro connector (Type D).
  • No mention of timecode.
  • There is no control from monitor/recorder to camera.

Which one to get? The Atomos Ninja V (Amazon, B&H) is the best bang for the buck.

The biggest advantage though, is the ability to swivel the screen to see it at any angle. The X-T3 has a tilt screen that sort of swivels to the side a bit – but not very useful for video:

Important!

For 4K 60p make sure you get a 2.0 or “high speed” HDMI cable (Amazon, B&H). About 1-3 feet is fine.

Power over USB-C

The battery life according to Fujifilm are as follows (Face detection is OFF):

  1. Normal recording: 40 minutes in 4K
  2. Continuous recording: 55 minutes in 4K

You can extend the battery life by using power banks over USB-C (USB3.1 Gen1). Fujifilm recommends 30 W banks like the

  • Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD (Amazon, B&H) or
  • Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD (Amazon, B&H).
  • Search for newer models on Amazon here.

Tip:

With the 26800 you’ll get 11 times more runtime. So in 4K normal operation, you should get about 7 hours!

Is the X-T3 a low light camera?

No, unfortunately.

The ISO range (standard) is between ISO 160 to 12800. The last usable ISO is about 3200, though I don’t recommend shooting beyond ISO 1600 if you can help it.

Image Stabilization

There is no internal image stabilization. You’re restricted to what the lenses are capable of doing, if they are supplied the adequate power.

How good is the Autofocus for video?

With firmware version 3.0, the Fujifilm X-T3 (Amazon, B&H) has improved its face detection and tracking for video:

Audio

The camera has the following audio jacks:

  1. 1 x 3.5mm stereo jack for microphones, mic level.
  2. 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack.

The audio format is Linear PCM 24-bit 48 KHz, which is decent.

Finally, ergonomics

The camera is weather resistant, as long as you use weather resistant lenses as well.

There is only one 1/4″ thread at the bottom and no registration pin. If you need a cage, I would highly recommend a universal cage. This one (AmazonB&H) is great:

To purchase the Fujifilm X-T3 camera please use these links – (Amazon, B&H). In the next article, we’ll look at lenses.