I’m not the primary on the block to jot down concerning the Fujifilm X-E4, however I lastly received round to doing it and I’m glad that I did.
Full disclosure: Fujifilm North America despatched me the Fujifilm X-E4 freed from cost together with the brand new 27mm f/2.8 II, thumb grip, and backside plate hand grip, so mainly your entire package. Nevertheless, there have been no strings hooked up and I used to be not required to speak concerning the digicam nor make any content material with it.
I name this a overview, nevertheless it’s hardly that. I don’t overview gear the identical method others do. I don’t care about specs — I focus my path when it comes to consumer expertise, in order that’s how that is going to roll going ahead.
The X-E4 is Fujifilm’s fifth digicam on this collection. You might be shaking your head questioning why it’s referred to as the X-E4 and never the X-E5. Nicely, I’m going to inform you so simply be affected person. Initially this new digicam line was named — are you able to guess? — the X-E1. No shock there however then we had the X-E2 after which a variant of the second digicam named the X-E2s which was surpassed by the X-E3.
The X-E3 was the primary digicam on this line to get rid of the beloved D-pad. Oddly sufficient I not often miss it these days and that’s simply tremendous as a result of the brand new X-E4 has carried over the custom of the lacking D-pad. In actual fact, the entire digicam is extraordinarily minimalistic in its strategy. At first look, this may increasingly appear problematic however after taking pictures all of it week lengthy, I hardly seen the lacking buttons and truly discovered it liberating to a level.
The day earlier than my getaway to sunny Sarasota, Florida, with my spouse Nikki, three packing containers arrive at my doorstep. The Fujifilm X-E4 and the 27mm lens in a single, a thumb grip that attaches to the new shoe in one other, and within the final field a backside plate which additionally has a considerable grip and Arca Swiss sort tripod mount milled into the underside portion. It permits quick access to the underside entice door which homes the battery.
Sadly, this similar entice door is used for the one card slot much like the Fujifilm X100V, which is a disgrace as a result of I discovered it extraordinarily tough to take away the SD card from its slot location whereas having the underside plate grip hooked up.
One factor to notice is that the thumb grip and backside plate grip come at an additional value, they usually simply may be wanted as a result of with out them you might be left maintain what’s mainly a magnesium flat field much like that of a Leica M or Leica Q. Whereas talking concerning the X100V, it’s solely crucial to handle the plain: which do you purchase? In my trustworthy opinion, the 2 cameras couldn’t be extra completely different although they share similarities.
What Makes Them the Similar?
Total construct high quality. Sure, I’m conscious the X100V is climate resistant and the X-E4 shouldn’t be, however when it comes to supplies, they’re the identical. This was not all the time the case. After I owned my X-E3 and X-E2S they felt a bit on the plastic facet. All that’s gone now and the perimeters are simply as refined with the X-E4 as they’re with the X100V.
They home the identical sensor, the 23.5mm x 15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS 4, supplying you with 26.1 megapixels.
They’re roughly the identical measurement relying on what lens you connect to your X-E4. They each have flip-up screens and an EVF.
In each facet they’ve the same taking pictures expertise.
What Makes Them Completely different?
Nicely, what most obvious is the X100V is a hard and fast 35mm focal size digicam that makes use of a leaf shutter. The X-E4 is an interchangeable lens digicam that makes use of a normal shutter.
The X100V has a hybrid optical and digital viewfinder an OLED display screen with 3.69 million dots whereas the X-E4 makes use of solely a Digital viewfinder which has an OLED display screen with 2.36 million dots. Fact be informed the distinction to my eyes was negligible.
The X100V has a flip-out display screen whereas the X-E4 has a full tilt display screen which will be flipped 180 levels to makes use of as a selfie display screen.
The X100V has a built-in 4-stop ND filter which now’s accessible in video and the X-E4 has none.
The X-E4 will shoot 30fps with a 1.25x crop. The X100V will spit out 20 fps with the identical crop issue.
Each have related video specs however once more you’re restricted with the X100V each is lens alternative in addition to display screen show choices. The X-E4 homes its ports on the left which incorporates the usual 3.5mm jack whereas the X100V has them on the best and makes use of an odd 2.5mm jack.
The X100V has a Guide, Steady, and Single-shot swap on the physique of the digicam. This isn’t the case with the X-E4, the place a menu dive is important or one should assign a {custom} operate button.
The X-E4 has two {custom} operate buttons when you depend the AEL/AFL which will be assigned and one entrance management dial solely which is clickable however you get three {custom} operate buttons with the X100V in addition to the assignable AEL/AFL button and each entrance and rear management dials.
The X100V has a built-in Flash and the X-E4 has… nicely, nothing!
17 Movie Simulations with the X100V and the X-E4 gives you 18 with the addition of Eterna Bleach Bypass nevertheless each are lacking the brand new Nostalgic Detrimental although the X-E4 was launched alongside the brand new GFX100S.
The X100V has a separate ISO dial throughout the shutter dial. Once more the X-E4 requires a menu dive and a custom-assigned button for ISO modifications. I take advantage of my AEL/AFL for this activity.
I’m additionally having fun with the brand new menu fashion of the X-E4 the place they’ve added shade logos to the movie simulations much like that of the rear display screen on the XPro3. They’ve additionally added a function the place you may merely replace your movie recipes a lot simpler now with their “Auto Replace Customized Setting” function.
So now that I’ve damaged my very own rule by spewing out specs for every digicam I have to sum up which to purchase. Nicely… I’m not going to inform you that. That might be a private alternative dependent upon what and the way you shoot. I’m actually blissful I’ve each nevertheless it’s going to be a tough promote for me to switch the X100V. In actual fact, most cameras won’t ever be capable of do this based mostly on my taking pictures fashion, however I do see the worth within the X-E4 and I feel it’s price its weight and a powerhouse in its personal proper.
I by no means discovered myself wanting or needing a distinct digicam whereas dedicating myself to the X-E4 whereas vacationing for the week. The X-E4 would most likely be higher in comparison with the Fujifilm X-Professional line of cameras than that of the X100 collection because it shares most of the similar traits with that lineup.
Learn additionally: Hands-On First Impressions with the Fujifilm X-E4
Now Onward to the Glass
The 27mm f/2.8 II is new and improved? Nicely, sure when you contemplate climate resistance and an aperture ring a optimistic, which I actually do. Nevertheless, with that mentioned and out of the best way, your photos are going to be the identical with the unique model of this lens. I’ve seen quite a few first-gen 27mm lenses on sale so you might get one at a cut price value. If water resistance and the aperture ring usually are not vital to you, then go for it. For me they have been and the aperture ring was a biggie in my e book.
I feel this was one of many causes I not often used my outdated 27mm and it’s a disgrace as a result of I completely love the 40mm efficient focal size and the pancake profile is ideal for having a small digicam rig to stroll round with. I discovered the lens to be very sharp and exhibit little or no distortion. Despite the fact that the lens has been up to date, we’re nonetheless getting the noisy focusing that we had within the earlier model.
I’ll go away you with a number of snaps I took with the Fujifilm XE-4 whereas on trip.
Total I discovered the digicam to be extraordinarily responsive and an ideal companion for a time out on the streets. Sufficiently small to position in a bag or giant sweatshirt pocket when having the tiny 27mm hooked up.
I discovered the 27mm an important all-around lens. Extensive sufficient for avenue (being near a 35mm focal size) and in addition shut sufficient to 50mm to supply some topic isolation and portrait snaps. If one is fortunate sufficient to personal the Fujifilm X-E4, you’d be hard-pressed to seek out your self in a state of affairs the place this digicam wouldn’t carry out in a method that you just count on it to.
Concerning the writer: Joseph D’Agostino is a marriage, occasion, household, and portrait photographer based mostly in New Jersey. The opinions expressed on this article are solely these of the writer. You will discover extra of D’Agostino’s work on his website, Facebook, and Instagram. This text was additionally revealed here.
