Continuing my search for a lighter and more compact substitute for my beloved D500 with a Tamron 70-200 mm f2.8, The XT-3 is a formidable competitor for fast action sports. I used the Fuji50-140 f2.8 lens. First, it fit into my small and lighter case. Second, it was about half the weight, or at least it felt that way, without putting it on a scale.
The fps was equal or faster than the D500.
Most important: (1) the buffer size is as big as necessary and I did not experience any delay from shot to shot and (2) the auto-focus and eye detection is faster and gives sharper images at least looking at the images on the back screen. So sharp I was able to decipher facial features through the players’ hockey helmets.

Now I just have to figure out how to post process the XT3 RAW images on my iPad. Post processing of RAW images from the XT-3 is entirely different from simply popping a memory card and importing to Photos or LR.

If anyone can enlighten me how to do this I would be grateful.

Thanks
Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Mike
You echo my sentiments about how fond I am of my D500, which only makes the decision more difficult. But, it’s only a camera.
I agree too that as I have become more experienced my bursts are much shorter. So the smaller buffer may not be relevant. 200 may just be unnecessary.

Auto focus is key. Here, Steve Perry’s book on Nikon’s Auto focus system has been invaluable. I’m just going to have to give the XT3 a dry run for a week or so to see how it performs. The marketing is of course very positive. I don’t think the lack of IBIS is going to be critical because I would be using it a high shutter speeds for sports.

So, you’re right, there are attributes other than buffer size to consider. Which brings it down to the need to try it out before I make the decision.

I am trying to get a more “tactile” experience from my sports camera, meaning that all the basic exposure controls are on the outside of the camera including the aperture control ring on the lens, zone focusing distance scale. But only if it has a comparably sized buffer.

Also, i have come to like the mirrorless features more than DSLR. For non-sports I shoot with a FF Leica and for travel I use a M43 Lumix G85. They have features that I enjoy that D500 doesn’t. Like silent shutter (because its mirrorless) for one; compact and lighter, etc.

Overall, DPReview rates the D500 higher than the XT3. While that’s of interest, the bottom line with all these very fine cameras, is (1) does it do the job for which its intended? (2) which one will satisfy my own subjective preferences?

Another factor: how much can I sell my D500 and lenses for in relation to the cost of the XT3?

_________________

I think you’re right—that I’ve answered my own question, but some credit goes to the good spirited and helpful fellow “hoggers” who provide a sounding board and, frequently, some reliable and relevant data that provide the basis for making rational choices.

Thanks for your input.

Thanks so much. That’s a statistic I missed when I read DPReview.
Not as enormous as 200, but then again,is that big a buffer really necessary? Probably not.
Will definitely have to try the XT-3.

Thanks again.

Apologies accepted. Let’s stick to photography.

The suggestion for the gym membership was directed at ME, not you. I meant no offense to you. Keep going strong and stay well.
(That’s what I’ve been trying to do myself since removal of my pancreas for pancreatic CA, spleen and gall bladder in 1985, plates and screws in my ankle in 1995; and a liver transplant in 2014)
No clue about life? Bite you tongue. LOL.

Glad to hear that its as fast as the D500. I think the only solution to the "still heavy" problem may be a membership at the gym and more frequent workouts. Thanks for the reply. Much appreciate it.

BJW

rg: Thanks for that interesting reply. Great point. I think the speed of the memory card is important in terms of the time it takes for the images to get from the buffer to the card and then for the shutter to reset.

With the D500, the primary card is an XQD, which purports to be faster than the standard memory cards, with a memory card in the backup slot. I'm pretty sure I was using the fastest available card in both the G9 and A7iii, when I tried them out. But even still, the size of the buffer seems to be the principal factor when shooting in continuous shutter mode. That's why I'm focused on buffer size.

Thanks

BJW

I have been looking for a lighter and more compact camera that will give me as large a buffer as my beloved D500. It has an enormous sized buffer that permits firing up to 200 shots in succession in continuous shutter mode. The importance of that to me is that I shoot fast action high school and college sports (ice hockey). The D500's fps is 10 frames per second. More importantly, I can continue firing without stop because of the buffer size. When I do stop shooting and then turn to focus on the next scene, there is no delay in writing to the memory card. This is critical, if I don't want to miss shots waiting for the camera to reset the shutter. I've tried the Lumix G9 and the Sony A7 iii but on both, I experienced the very delay I want to avoid, although they are otherwise phenomenal cameras. (I haven't tried the Sony A9 yet, but really don't want to spring for $4K and don't know if the rumors about a baby A9 are true.) Now comes the Fuji XT-3, which seems to be suited for fast action sports and one Youtube presentation compared it to a "machine gun".

QUESTION: Has anyone personally used the XT-3 to shoot sports or BIF and what did you find about the buffer size and delay?

Thanks for your input.
BJW

Thanks for the reply. Tell, me, have you had occasion to use the XT3 for action shots, such as sports or birds in flight? I use a Nikon D500 to shoot high school ice hockey and it is great--but I am looking to go mirrorless to replace the D500, because of its weight and bulk. What makes it so great is the enormous buffer, there being no delay for writing to the memory card after each burst of shots in continuous shutter mode. Have you found any delay using the XT-3 in continuous shutter?

(Thoughtful replies such as yours are helpful in pushing me toward making the purchase. Thanks again.)

I am so happy to hear that those of us who use an ipad or iphone to upload our images from SD cards won’t have trouble with the Fuji XT-3. I’m on the verge of buying one. I think. The best travel companion I have found is that “dongle” (SD card reader) from the Apple store that plugs into my iPad. It works like a charm, especially for RAW files.

I own the D500 and have rented the G9 for indoor ice hockey. With the former I use a Tamron 70-200. The latter a 35-100 Lumix. The pros vs the cons of the respective sensor sizes, weight, etc.,are stated elsewhere by the others who have responded to the OP.
I wanted to replace my D500 with the G9 because of weight and size. But for now I am sticking with the D500 for one major reason: BUFFER SIZE especially when using high speed continuous shutter. The fps, I find, is not as important as buffer size. With the D500 you can shoot up to 200 frames without delay in between capture and writing to card-no missing a shot with the D500! With the G9 I found an annoying delay after shooting about 10 frames. In fast action sports that’s really frustrating. I presume with wildlife too especially BIF. The delay causes missed shots. The 4K burst mode on the G9 is not an adequate alternative for my use.
The AF on the D500 is more reliable than the G9. (Here, Steve Perry’s Nikon Auto Focus eBook is invaluable)
The viewfinder of the D500 is better and portrays color more accurately.
On balance, for the action sports that I do, I’m sticking with the D500 for now—but I do love the Lumix brand and especially the Leica glass that I have for my Lumix G85.
And, because I do suffer from GAS, I am going to check out the XT-3.

Rent and try out before you buy.

Happy shooting, either way!

XT-3 is very new and it may be that Apple has not yet updated its software to read the XT3 images. I understand Adobe hasn’t either. Yet. Be patient, they will.

I travel with Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS100 which i carry in a fanny pack. Has a great adjustable pop up lense that can bounce flash off the ceiling.
Cost me about $450. Very pleased with its features and excellext Leica 2.8-5.9 lens.
Check out DP Reviews 2018 comparison of several compact cameras. Safe journey.

See
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS100K-PANASONIC-LUMIX-Parent/dp/B010NU5AX8/ref=as_at?imprToken=Kb2jNUKR8YxoUgUccZXXCA&slotNum=22&SubscriptionId=AKIAJHZHL2PTF4QQSIQA&tag=dprmobile-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B010NU5AX8