Don't Buy a Fujifilm X-Pro 3 in 2023

Finding a Fujifilm camera more divisive than the Fuji X-Pro 3 is difficult.

It seems as though there is always some kind of Fuji drama happening whether we like it or not.

As an ex-Sony shooter, I don’t seem to remember this kind of thing happening much in that ecosystem, but Fuji seems to have a knack for getting people talking. 

The X-T4 stirred the pot by adding the flip-out screen for hybrid shooters, and skyrocketing demand for the x100V caused prices to go through the roof even on used models, but I maintain nothing has come close to the drama we saw around the hidden screen of the Fuji X-Pro 3. 

It’s a strange entry in the Fuji world. It has absolutely no appeal for video shooters whatsoever, and yet it’s one of the most expensive cameras in the lineup. It’s a professional enough tool that you can do serious photography work with it, and yet very few people who shoot weddings or commercial work would ever choose it for that kind of work.

The aggressively photographer-focused design paired with premium materials, a hybrid EVF/optical viewfinder, weather sealing, analog dials, and a minimalistic button layout make for an extremely unique and interesting tool. 

So with such a niche camera, we have to ask: How has the X-Pro 3 held up over the years?

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It’s getting ‘old’

Released in October 2019, the X-Pro 3 is ancient in camera terms. I have always maintained that cameras do not become obsolete as quickly as manufacturers would have us believe. In all honesty, nearly anything made in the last decade is overkill for 80% of photographers. 

But at nearly four years old at the time of writing? For one thing, the Fujifilm world is anxiously awaiting the announcement of an X-Pro 4. Or at least, I certainly am.

I think we’re all curious to see what happens next…

The uncomfortable reality is that Fuji’s Pro line is not the cash cow that some of their other cameras have been- and is therefore not immune to being axed at the whim of an executive seeking to focus (pun intended) on more lucrative pursuits. 

The way I see it, the Fuji X-Pro 3 is kind of a boutique camera.

It’s similar to something you might see from Leica, and it certainly does not appeal to everyone. In some ways, that’s a very Fujifilm thing, but with the company observably cutting corners in quality as I pointed out in my initial Fuji X-T5 review, and struggling to manufacture enough cameras to satisfy the demand for X100Vs and other bodies, I could see the Pro line being the first to get delayed, forgotten, or cut entirely. 

But is it showing it’s age?

The truth is, yes. Compared with the Fujifilm X-T5, it feels slow, both navigating through menus and in terms of autofocus. And although I have nothing but disdain for the higher megapixel sensors, with everything getting the 40mp bump, it’s looking less and less competitive- especially at its premium price point.

Even the regular black model is still going USED for $1,700+ US (at the time of writing - August 2023).

That’s frankly absurd for a four-year-old camera with a reputation for screen malfunctions, no video capabilities, and a very narrow audience.

My copy (purchased second-hand and used relentlessly for the last two years) looks and feels brand new. I insure all my gear so I don’t have to worry about the screen issue, dropping it in the ocean, etc., and as a result, I’m not particularly careful with it. 

I bought my X-Pro 3 for the same price it’s currently going for two years ago, and at that point, it was already two years old.

These should not hold their value like vintage Leicas. They are great cameras sure, but this is a supply/demand issue, not a testament to the camera itself. 

Wear and tear

So are the premium materials worth it? I’d say yes, but honestly, I wouldn’t mind if a camera I used as heavily as the Fuji X-Pro 3 was beginning to show some battle scars. As long as it’s purely cosmetic, I’d chalk that up to added character, to be honest. 

It’s funny, the 27mm pancake that stays virtually super glued to my Pro 3 IS, in fact, starting to show some scuffs and wear, so clearly there is an increase in material quality with the body here. 

Is the Fuji X-Pro 3 still a good purchase in 2023?

No, honestly it’s not. 

Don’t get me wrong- I absolutely love mine and I have no regrets whatsoever about buying mine. I don’t even feel as though I need to replace it with something more high-tech. Even next to my brand-new Fujifilm X-T5, I pick the Pro 3 every single time I head out when I don’t need video capabilities.

So it’s a truly excellent camera that I love to pieces, but the reality is Fujifilm should have new bodies coming up just around the corner.

For this category: compact rangefinders aimed at people like you and me- that’s to say, people who’d be interested in a Pro 3 to begin with, you almost certainly have more options approaching. 

New Fujifilm cameras

Fujifilm is bound to announce a successor to the X-E4 and the X100V any day now, and I hope we can expect an X-Pro 4 somewhere in the near future too.

• The X100 6 (or whatever they call it) will likely reduce X100V prices, making that camera more accessible

• The X-E5 should be relatively budget-friendly even at launch AND make the X-E4 dirt cheap

  • The X-E4, by the way, is the exact same camera as the Pro 3 in a slightly different package

• The Fuji X-Pro 4, if it’s announced anytime soon, likely won’t be significantly more expensive than a used X-Pro 3, so it could be worth splashing out a little extra cash.

If prices had come down the way they should have with regular supply and demand, and you were looking at Fuji X-Pro 3 bodies around the $1,000 mark, that would be a different story.

But for almost two grand, there’s no way I could recommend this camera. 

Again, it has absolutely nothing to do with its capabilities. It’s my favorite camera to shoot with, but the value proposition for folks looking to buy now is simply not there.

Wrapping up

To be honest, I set out here to write an article about how much I still love my X-Pro 3, and I still absolutely do! But the truth is, I can’t recommend it for people looking to pick up a camera like it these days. 

I’m not sure if I’d have the heart to sell off my trusty Pro 3, but with used prices holding steady, I’ve been keeping a close eye on Fuji Rumors. Depending on what gets announced through the end of the year, it might make a lot of sense to make an upgrade. 

My advice to you? Hold out a little longer for what’s next and go from there. Hopefully, the next wave of rangefinders will not only give you more to choose from but mitigate the prices of some of the current lineup. 

Thanks for reading! Get in touch with me if you have any questions about what I’ve written here. My DM’s are always open.