Fujifilm X-T3 Sensor: Can Fujifilm Unlock Full 16 Bit Sensor Power via Firmware Update or Maybe Come to Fujifilm X-H2?

Fujifilm Sony Sensors

We recently reported here, that Sony officially listed the IMX571 26MP Fujifilm X-T3 and the IMX461 100 MP Fujifilm GFX100 sensors on their page.

Now these sensors are also listed at framos.com, and it gives us a few more details:

FUJIFILM X-T3

If you check out the X-T3 sensor details (table below), you will see that Sony’s 26 megapixel sensor has a bit depth that can go up to 16. The Fujifilm X-T3, though, shoots at 14 bit in regular mode and I hear 12 bit in sports mode.

It looks like Fujifilm did not/not yet enable 16bit readout mode, and went for 14 bit instead, because they prioritize speed over image quality.

In fact, 14 bit files are significantly faster to read out than 16 bit files, which, on the other hand, offer lower noise than 14bit.

Now, this is not a rumor, not at this stage… but…

… but I wonder if Fujifilm could enabled 16 bit a later stage via a firmware update, and maybe even give us the option to select between 14 bit for ultimate speed or 16 bit for ultimate image quality.

Anyway, Framos writes:

“The IMX571BQR-C is a diagonal 28.3 mm (Type 1.8) CMOS active pixel type image sensor with a square pixel array and 26.11 M effective pixels. This sensor incorporates maximum 36 dB PGA circuit and 16-bit A/D converter. 16-bit digital output makes it possible to readout the signals of 26.11 M effective pixels at high-speed of 6.84 frame/s in still picture mode. In addition, it realizes 12-bit digital output for high-speed 4K moving picture by window readout mode. This sensor is designed for use in consumer cameras. Please consult your imaging experts at FRAMOS if you have any questions.”

See the Fuji X-T3 sensor details at framos here.

Fujifilm X-H2

Fuji Guy Billy already said here, that the 25% better heat dissipation of the Fujifilm X-H1 body over the X-T2 body, allows them to run the X-Processor Pro faster in the X-H1 than on the X-T2.

I guess the same will be valid for the Fujifilm X-H2, and hence it will be able to squeeze even more power out of the brand new Fujifilm X Processor 4.

I wonder if that would make it easier for Fujifilm to offer 16 bit on the X-H2.

Fujifilm GFX100

Framos.com also shares the details of the Fujifilm GFX 100 sensor, the IMX461. They write:

“The IMX461AQR-C is a diagonal 55 mm (Type 3.4) CMOS active pixel type image sensor with a square pixel array and 102 M effective pixels. This IC incorporates maximum 36 dB PGA circuit and 16-bit A/D converter. 16-bit digital output makes it possible to readout the signals of 102 M effective pixels at high-speed of 2.7 frame/s in still picture mode. In addition, vertical subsampling binning and 3-horizontal pixel weighted binning realize high-speed 12-bit digital output for shooting moving pictures.

See the Fuji GFX100 sensor details at framos here.

Technical Tables

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MIRRORLESS WARS Part 2: Fujifilm vs Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic by Tony Northrup

Mirrorless Wars

Back in August, Tony and Chelsea Northrup have posted their thoughts about the so-called mirrorless war, where they basically predicted success for full frame, and said Fujifilm will remain a niche product, because it’s only APS-C and they don’t have super fast glass to match full frame DOF. You can see the summary of the video here.

Did the release of the Fujifilm X-T3 and Fujifilm GFX 50R made them more optimistic about Fujifilm’s future?

And did the Nikon Z7, Nikon Z6 and Canon EOS R keep up with the hype and hopes? And what about the Panasonic S1 and S1R?

Here some key points:

SONY

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Fujifilm Manager at PhotoPlus: “We Expect Fujifilm GFX 100 to Cost About $9,995. Fujifilm X-T3 Sales are On Fire!”

Fuji GFX100

Cameta Camera interviewed Brandon from Fujifilm about the Fujifilm X-T3 and the Fujifilm GFX100. You can see both videos below.

Here is what Brandon says:

Fujifilm GFX100

  • Brandon expect the Fujifilm GFX100 to cost about $9,995, so just under $10,000
  • Fujifilm invested millions in the new processor, which allows fast autofocus on the X-T3, and the Fujifilm GFX100 will have the same processor
  • the market for 100MP cameras will expload with the Fujifilm GFX100

Fujifilm X-T3

  • it’s an excellent seller. About 1 month after release, sales are just on fire

Fujinon Roadmap lenses

  • XF16-80mmF4: it’s not a replacement for the current kit lens, just an addition. Price will be very attractive
  • XF33mmF1.0: an exciting lens


FR-Reader Images from Photoplus

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Fujifilm X-T3 vs Sony A7III vs Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z7 Video Quality Comparison by Max Yuryev

Video Quality Comparison

Max Yuryev compared the 4K, 1080p and slow motion video quality between the Fujifilm X-T3, Sony A7III, Canon EOS R, Nikon Z7 and Blackmagic Pocket 4K. Check out the video above.

The results:

4K Video:

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Awesome Fujifilm X-T3 vs X-T2 Comparison by Mirrorlessons. No Purple Flare and Wait for Fujifilm X-H2 “Sometime Next Year”?

Fujifilm X-T3 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Mathieu and Heather from Mirrorlessons have just published the complete Fujifilm X-T2 vs X-T3 comparison, and it’s arguably one of the very best you can right now find on the web.

Here are some key points:

BUILD QUALITY

  • X-T3 survived 90 minutes in the heavy rain photographing a soccer game
  • Refined sub-dials and command dials make them more comfortable to turn
  • More customization possibilities on X-T3 command dials

TOUCH SCREEN

  • X-T3 touch screen a bit slow and lacking responsiveness

POST PROCESSING

  • Capture One and Iridient render X-T3 files still better than Lightroom
  • Lightroom – unlike Capture One – adds lots of magenta shift by default to the X-T3 file to display the colours correctly (+65 which is very unusual). Perhaps it is a bug that will be fixed with the next update

IMAGE QUALITY and FILM SIMULATIONS

  • RAW Shadow recovery: both cameras perform well but the X-T3 file has less noise. The X-T2 exhibits some red colour cast
  • RAW Highlights recovery: X-T2 surprisingly retains a little more information
  • JPEG: The two cameras behave in a similar way including how they preserve highlights. The only small difference is that the X-T3 shows more noise in the dark areas but also more sharpness. This means there is less noise reduction applied than on the X-T2
  • Both cameras perform the same up to 12800 ISO, with perhaps slightly more noise in the X-T3 files but you really need to pixel-peep to see it
  • JPEG: more pronounced colour shift on the X-T2 the more you add noise reduction
  • SKIN TONES: With a manual kelvin temperature, both cameras shift towards a green tint but it is more contained on the X-T3.
  • White balance: the X-T3 produces a marginally cooler result for outdoor shots
  • Subtle changes in some film simulations

PURPLE FLARE and GRID ARTIFACTS

  • X-T3 doesn’t suffer at all from purple flare and grid artifacts

AUTOFOCUS

  • X-T3 autofocus breaths new life into older lenses
  • X-T3 much improved face and eye detection that rarely fail even in low-light environments
  • Car rally: the X-T3 only delivered 3 completely out of focus shots out of more than 200
  • Soccer: X-T3 has about the hit rate of the X-T2
  • Birds photography: keeper rate of 60/70%, or 85/90% if he includes slightly soft results. But when the bird flew closer, the AF was usually reactive enough to keep the subject in focus. Normally in this specific situation, the change in focus distance is too big and the action happens too fast for most mirrorless cameras to cope, but the X-T3 did better than most and proved to be capable of matching products such as the Sony A9 or Nikon D500

SPORTS MODE BUG

  • When using the camera in crop mode (Sports Finder or electronic shutter), some RAW files are not written correctly and end up with a vertical black band, making the photo unusable. The percentage is low (around 10 shots on more than 200). Maybe something Fuji can fix with a firmware update because it doesn’t happen when using the full sensor area

VIDEO

  • X-T3 less rolling shutter
  • X-T3 uses face and eye detection in 4K, the X-T2 only in 1080p
  • X-T3 superior video specs

FUJIFILM X-H2

  • The elephant in the room is called Fujifilm X-H2, which mirrorlessons thinks could be out “sometime next year” and they say it could be worth to wait a bit longer to get the superior ergonomics and IBIS of the Fuji X-H2.

Do make sure to head over at mirrorlesscomparison here and read the whole in-depth comparison. It’s definitely worth your time.

And if you are interested, we have launched a few polls regarding the Fuji XH2 as well as a timeline on when we can expect the Fujifilm X-H2, Fujifilm X-T4, Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Fujifilm X200 and Fujifilm X-E4.

  • POLL 1: Are you waiting for X-H2 to upgrade/switch or did you get the Fujifilm X-T3 already?
  • POLL 2: If the Fujifilm X-T3 had IBIS, would you prefer it over the Fujifilm X-H2?
  • TIMELINE: Fujifilm X Camera replacement timeline from 2011 to 2018 and what this could mean for X-H2, X-T4, X-T30, X-Pro3, X-E4, X200

Fujifilm X-T3 (save $130 w/grip): BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

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