Fujifilm's X mirrorless cameras have long been the darlings of photographic enthusiasts and pros alike. Strong image quality and performance, a large library of lenses, and the company's design philosophy, which puts an emphasis on classic styling and dial-based controls, play a big part.
The newest entry in the series, the X-T4 ($1,699.95), debuts about a year and a half after the X-T3 that it replaces, and offers some palpable updates. The big one, in-body image stabilization (IBIS), makes it possible to take longer exposures without the aid of a tripod and smooths handheld video.
Stabilized Image Sensor
The X-T4's IBIS is rated to provide at least five stops of compensation with any X-mount lens, and is able to deliver six and a half stops with eighteen entries in the lens catalog. I paired the camera with the XF 16-80mm F4, which has its own three-axis optical stabilization system. The camera's sensor expands it cover across all five axes of motion, including roll and yaw.
XF 16-80mm f/4 OIS WR, 16mm, f/4, 1/2-second
It opens up new possibilities for photographers—I had no problem blurring moving subjects and keeping static ones stuck in place while taking the camera for a stroll near Grand Central Terminal. I found that a half-second was very usable for handheld shots at a half-second, and was able to get good results at one- or two-second exposures with the aid of a surface to set the camera down—all of the images and video in this article were made without the aid of a tripod.
You'll also see benefits when recording video. The X-T4 has two levels of video stabilization, one that relies on the IBIS and lens-based systems only, and a second that adds some digital stabilization. You can see them in action in the clip above. Neither mode delivered Steadicam-caliber results in our brief look at a pre-production camera, but the effect is certainly evident when compared with video recorded with the IBIS system disabled.
A Camera With Broad Appeal
The X-T4 is Fujifilm's second X body with IBIS. The beefier X-H1, which is no longer in production, didn't prove as popular with photographers—its feature set was more geared toward video. Fujifilm isn't saying whether or not an X-H2 is coming, but recent rumors point to it being about a potential release for 2020. Rumors are, of course, not facts.
XF 16-80mm f/4 OIS WR, 16mm, f/4, 1-second
The X-T4 is more of an all-arounder, with appeal for both still photographers and videographers. Its APS-C format image sensor offers 26.2MP resolution, 15fps capture and focus with the mechanical shutter, and up to 30fps with the electronic one—all in Raw format. It doesn't offer Raw video, but it does capture 400Mbps 10-bit 4K footage internally, and outputs uncompressed footage via its HDMI port if you want to use an Atomos Ninja or similar external recorder.
To squeeze IBIS into the X-T4 body, Fujifilm made it a just a little bit bigger than the X-T3, but not so you'd notice without a side-by-side comparison. Unsurprisingly, the body is a little heavier too, but only by about two ounces. It's still a lightweight kit, about 19 ounces without a lens, and is quite comfortable to hold. The handgrip isn't as deep as on some other models, but there is a vertical shooting grip available if you prefer a bigger camera.
The X-T4's New Battery
The grip, priced at $329.99, also has space for a second battery. Fujifilm is introducing a new one with the X-T4 for extended shooting time. A single battery is rated for about 600 images with the camera set to a power-saving Eco mode, and 500 shots with standard operation. It's a notable update from the older battery used in the X-T3, which was good for about 390 shots at best.
While the X-T4's sensor is now stabilized, it's the same 26.2MP X-Trans IV BSI imager introduced with the X-T3. We expect the same Raw image quality from both cameras, though you can't discount the benefits of stabilization, and the camera's autofocus algorithms have been reworked for better subject tracking. It's able to fire at up to 15fps with the mechanical shutter, improved from 11fps. The electronic shutter can fire faster, 20fps at full resolution or 30fps at 16.6MP.
Bleach Bypass Eterna (XF 16-80mm f/4 OIS WR, 16mm, f/4, 1/50-second)
There have been some updates to the image processing engine. The X-T4 includes the Classic Negative simulation, introduced in the X-Pro3. It adds one new film look, Bleach Bypass Eterna, which shows pleasingly muted colors. It's easy to spot the effect in the image above, which shows how much less vibrant a New York Yellow Cab is than in real life.
All-Weather Build and Tactile Controls
The camera itself is built tough, with a magnesium alloy frame and extensive dust and splash protection. Many, but not all, of Fujifilm's lenses offer similar sealing, making the system a true all-weather option.
Top View
There are a few changes to the controls versus the X-T3, but the philosophy remains the same. Fujifilm skips a mode dial, instead putting an aperture ring on most lenses, while putting shutter and EV dials onto the body itself. Notably, the AF-ON button has moved so it's easier to access, and there's now a dedicated toggle to switch between still and video capture.
The latter is a big deal for hybrid shooters. Exposure settings used for video and still images are often vastly different, after all. With the X-T4, a quick switch is all it takes to go from a Classic Chrome look with a 1/500-second shutter speed for stills to Eterna at 1/48-second for 24fps video. The on-screen Q menu is also split between the two modes, and the Silent Movie Control interface is included so cinematographers can make exposure adjustments from the rear touch LCD.
Vari-Angle LCD
Fujifilm has made a big change to the LCD design. The X-T4 has a true vari-angle display, one that swings out to the side of the camera and can turn to face all the way forward, up, or down. It's more useful for selfie shots than the X-T3's screen, which doesn't face forward, but you do lose the ability to tilt the screen without swinging the screen to the side.
The EVF is similar to the that of the X-T3. It's a 0.5-inch OLED panel packed with 3.69 million dots. Fujifilm has added a special EVF mode for low-light photography—it lowers the display contrast so you can better see details in the shadows. It can also be set to a mode that improves resolution, but lowers the refresh rate, which Fujifilm thinks will be a good fit for manual focus and macro photography, and a 100fps refresh mode which is a better fit for sports and action photography.
XF 16-80mm f/4 OIS WR, 16mm, f/16, 1-second
A Few Dollars More
The X-T4 will be sold as a body only for $1,699.95. It's a $200 increase over the X-T3's starting price. You can buy it in your choice of black or silver.
The on-sale date is in question, however. Fujifilm aims to deliver the camera to customers in April, but a representative was hesitant to lock down a more specific date. The coronavirus outbreak is to blame, as it is already threatening to constrict electronics manufacturing.
Rear View
We hope to have a full review near the time of launch, so check back then.
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