I think it would be fair to say, I’m a logical kind of guy. I do my research, an unhealthy obsession; much to my partner’s annoyance. Many hours of watching reviews, hands-on and opinions on YouTube. Mega-pixels this and sensor size that.

I first thought that I wanted a Canon. Why? I guess it’s because everyone seems to have one. In the end it just didn’t excite me as I felt buying a new camera should. Then I came across the Fujifilm range, initially cautious and erring on the side of dismissive; but I watched anyway.

As I watched, the logical side faded and my impulsive side took over. It ticked all my professional needs:

• Dual Card Slots – Tick

• Shoots 4k video at 60 frames per second – Tick

• Lightning fast auto focus – Tick

• Mirrorless & Lightweight – Tick

There are other cameras that can do this also – The Sony A7iii looked stellar but the Fujifilm X-T3 had character, it had something about it. The old school dials on the top to control ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation made it look unique. Many people talked a lot about colour-science and its ability to reproduce stunning colours, and they were not lying.

If you are reading this for a tech review, this isn’t it. This is about that moment when you part with your cash, get your hands on it for the first time and wondering if all that time spent researching has paid off. I won’t lie, excitement soon turned to head-scratching when you have to start trying to figure out how to make it work the way you want it to. Once my head was around it, it was a joy; unlike the lockdown that came soon after getting my hands on it. Frustration grew as I was forced to take photos around the house and garden (It takes some amazing photos of flowers and bees by the way) but I needed to get out. In the bag it went.

A few months passed and I was finally able to leave the house with the camera strapped around my neck and it’s been an absolute joy. It does have the potential to ruin a good walk with your partner however; having to stop every five seconds to get another shot, so I leave it at home at times (unless she is in a particularly forgiving mood).

If you are reading this post because you are interested in this camera, I dare say you will not regret it. A compact monster that will make you fall in love with photography (or videography) all over again.

Read more about the Fujifilm X-T3 on their official website.