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A Long TERM REVIEW OF THE FUJIFILM X-T3: THOUGHTS AFTER 4+ YEARS OF DAILY USE

In the fast-paced world of photography, where new models emerge each year, it’s natural to wonder if older cameras can still hold their ground. The Fujifilm X-T3, released in 2018, has long been a favorite among photographers—but as we step into 2025, does it still offer enough to be a worthy investment? Let’s discuss.

I actually wrote a similar article back in 2024, so if you’re curious to see more of my thoughts on this, you can check out that blog post here.

I also released a YouTube video about this camera. Watch the full video here.

A Personal Journey with the X-T3

My journey with the Fujifilm X-T3 began unexpectedly. After a mishap with my Canon 5D Mark IV—which tragically took a dive into a waterfall during a shoot in North Carolina—I needed a reliable yet affordable replacement. Initially, I saw the X-T3 as a temporary solution, but it quickly became an essential part of my kit, proving its worth time and again.

Shooting street photography in Times Square with the Fujifilm X-T3.

What Makes the X-T3 Stand Out?

Image Quality: The 26MP back-illuminated sensor delivers crisp, vibrant images—even in low light.

Classic Design & Usability: With its retro-inspired look and manual dials, the X-T3 offers an intuitive and immersive shooting experience.

Top down view of the film-style dials on the Fujifilm X-T3.

Durability & Build Quality: From deserts to rainforests, this camera has endured harsh environments and accidental drops without missing a beat.

Top down view of the ergonomics & grip on the Fujifilm X-T3.

THE CONS OF THE X-T3

While the X-T3 remains impressive in some areas even still, some aspects show its age when stacked against newer models like the X-T4, X-T5:

Battery Life: The X-T3’s battery performance is pretty bad in my opinion, as it uses the older batteries. I never take this out without having multiple extra batteries on me. I’ve found myself to run through them very quickly.

Autofocus & Stabilization: With newer Fujifilm models offering IBIS (in-body image stabilization) and faster autofocus, the X-T3 may not be the best choice for fast action or handheld video. Even with firmware updates, these things sometimes do make a significant difference in certain situations (e.g. low light, fast action sports, low light street photography, night photography, etc.), but I still don’t see them as a barrier to making good images with this camera.

Dynamic Range: Now that I have the newer X-T5, I do see a major difference in the amount of freedom I have when editing my raw files, particularly when it comes to pulling down highlights or raising shadows. Overall, if you edit heavily, the newer models do offer quite a bit more freedom than this camera.

Why the X-T3 Still Holds Value in 2025

Front view of the Fujifilm X-T3 with no lens.

Despite technological advancements, the Fujifilm X-T3 remains a compelling choice for many photographers -

Affordability: As newer models are released, the X-T3's price continues to drop, making it a great entry point into Fujifilm’s ecosystem.

Proven Reliability: Many photographers still prefer the X-T3 for its image quality and color science, which competes with cameras far newer and more expensive. I’ve personally shot 90% of my best work up until this point using just this camera, and that’s even true for client work as well. It definitely holds up if you use it properly.

Charm: With older build quality, the classic button layout thats favored by much of the Fujifilm community, its got somewhat of a “rustic” charm to it, if I had to describe the feeling I get when using it. This is especially the case when I compare it to the X-T5, which has a much lighter, plastic-feeling build.

Final Verdict: Is the X-T3 Worth Buying in 2025?

Yes—but with some caveats. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, high-quality camera with classic controls and reliable performance, the X-T3 is still a fantastic choice, even now, 7 years after release, in 2025.

However, again, this is NOT the latest tech. If IBIS, cutting-edge autofocus, or battery life are top priorities, you may want to consider the X-T4, X-T5, or something else with a newer generation sensor/internals.