Is the Fujifilm X-T3 a Professional Camera?

The Fujifilm X-T3 is undeniably capable of taking amazing shots, but is that enough for professional photographers to use it for client work?

Many professional photographers use the Fujifilm X-T3. The X-T3 features a 26.1 Megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and has dual SD card slots, which is essential for many professionals. As part of Fujifilm’s X-Series, the X-T3 pairs with Fujifilm’s quality APS-C-sized lenses.

There must be a reason why many photographers, including myself, use the X-T3. Keep reading as I list some of the key reasons that photographers pick the X-T3.

What Makes A “Professional Camera”?

Though you may hear the term a lot, in reality, there is no such thing as a “professional camera”. Any camera can be used professionally, even the one on your smartphone. Most of the time when photographers say “professional camera” they actually mean high-end camera.

High-end cameras may have features that professionals will use and value more than hobbyists or amateurs will. Many beginner or amateur photographers fall into the trap of believing they need better gear to take good photos. This is not actually true.

There’s a common saying in the world of photography that says “The best camera is the one with you”. It’s true that higher-end cameras make your life easier with features like better autofocus, faster continuous shooting, larger sensors, or higher resolution, but that doesn’t affect crucial factors like composition or lighting.

Some of the key features professional photographers value in high-end cameras are; weather sealing, more robust build quality, WIFI/Bluetooth connectivity, and button/dial customizability.

On the topic of WIFI/Bluetooth connectivity, it should be noted that many professionals don’t actually use these features during client shoots. Instead, these features are used on personal shoots to keep editing to a minimum.

After spending your entire week editing photos for clients, the last thing you want to do is to have to edit photos for a beach day out with your family. This is why it is convenient to shoot photos using a camera’s built-in profiles (film simulations for Fujifilm) and transfer them directly to your phone to be shared, no editing is needed.

Can You Use The Fujifilm X-T3 Professionally?

Now that we know what some of the features professional photographers value in their cameras, we can consider this question; can you use the Fujifilm X-T3 professionally?

The answer: absolutely! I have used my Fujifilm X-T3 on plenty of client shoots and plan to continue to use it in the future on plenty more.

One of the first things I check for when I’m buying a camera for client work is that it has dual card slots, a feature that the X-T3 includes. This means I can put two SD cards into my camera for more storage or to shoot with backups.

Most professional photographers shoot with backups. What this means is that every time a photo is taken, it saves to both SD cards separately. This means that if one card corrupts, you have a backup saved on the other card.

Backups are crucial in the world of photography because a lot of the time we only have one chance to take our photos. That being said, I have never had an issue shooting with my X-T3, apart from user error (shooting JPEG instead of RAW almost feels like a rite of passage for us photographers).

As for the X-T3’s sensor, it features a 26.1 Megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor. There are arguments that can be made for larger sensors like the ones features on Fujifilm’s medium format GFX lineup, but 26.1 MP is more than enough for client work.

For more information on the Fujifilm X-T3’s sensor, check out my article explaining why the X-T3’s APS-C-sized sensor is more than enough.

With the X-T3’s 26.1 MP sensor, there is still enough information in each image to comfortably crop in a moderate amount and still have a sharp image.

Why Do Photographers Choose Fujifilm?

Many photographers get sucked into buying top-of-the-line gear, hoping it will make them better at photography or inspire them to take good photos. At the end of the day, any camera can take great pictures, even cell phones.

If you are looking for a more detailed explanation of the point I am making and some examples of photos taken on a cell phone, check out my article detailing why your phone’s camera is a good option for photography.

If any camera has the potential to take good photos, why do photographers pick Fujifilm specifically? well, there isn’t one specific reason, and every photographer is different so here is a list of some of the top reasons highlighted on Reddit’s r/Fujifilm page:

The feel of tactical dials. All it takes is one look at Fujifilm’s mirrorless cameras to see that they have a retro look reminiscent of a film camera while housing the capabilities of other modern mirrorless cameras. Other camera brands use scroll wheels to adjust shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. Fujifilm elects to use dials for these three settings which gives you tactical feedback while changing settings and looks visually pleasing.

The out-of-camera shots. Thanks to Fujifilm’s colour science, the photos you take on any Fujifilm camera look amazing right out of the camera which is perfect for photographers wanting to share photos immediately after taking them without editing.

The film simulations. The amazing out-of-camera shots are thanks to Fujifilm film simulations. As a major player in the world of film photography, Fujifilm has included film simulations on each of its mirrorless cameras that emulate classic film strip looks. To get an even more “filmic” look, some photographers choose to pair their Fujifilm cameras with vintage lenses.

The size of their cameras. Fujifilm’s cameras are small and portable making them easier to travel with, lighter to carry, and less imposing when shooting in public. This is preferred by street photographers as they are often photographing strangers and a large camera setup can be intimidating to their subject.

The versatility of their cameras. As a result of their size and colour science, these cameras can be used for professional or personal shoots. This is preferred for photographers who want a reliable camera for client work and a portable camera that can be used for point-and-shoot photography when needed.

The quality lens lineups. Although Fujifilm doesn’t have the same number of lenses as Canon, the quality of the lenses they feature is amazing. These lenses can be tossed in a bag and hauled all over the world without concern (though I don’t recommend you do that, always protect your gear when travelling with it).

The price-to-performance ratio. Fujifilm cameras come packed with features for a competitive price. Many photographers choose to go with Fujifilm because you truly more than the price you pay.

The continued firmware updates. Fujifilm is known for the continued support of its cameras even after a camera’s successor is released. The X-T3, for example, at the time of writing this article is still receiving firmware updates even though the X-T5 has already been released.

For more information about Fujiflim’s photography lineup, check out my article outlining which Fujifilm photography camera is right for you.