Fujifilm X-T4 Review

What’s New?

Let’s start with what’s new with this camera and then we will dive into the details.

In this newest camera by Fujifilm, the X-T4 brings with it some new features that will please some crowds while upsetting others. One thing is for sure that Fujifilm are listening to its customers and giving them what they want.

• 5 Axis – In Body Image Stablisation (IBIS)
• Flip Out LCD Screen
• Brand new Li-ion battery NP-W235 rated up to 600 Shots on a single charge. Approximately double the capacity of X-T3
• Dedicated Still and Movie switch, backed by their own unique Menu system and settings
• New Film Simulations – Eterna Bleach Bypass and Classic Negative

I have to say that Fujifilm’s flagship camera is an impressive piece of kit. X-T4 is a brand new camera with a slightly updated new look which includes a flip-out LCD screen and slightly bigger handgrip.

X-T4 has a rock solid feel like its predecessors X-T3, 2 and 1. Having owned all these cameras I can say with experience that they are built to last. I dropped my X-T1 on solid pavement but it still rocked on till the day I sold it and just last week, while shooting some YouTube cover shots I dropped my X-T3 on tiled floor with a 23mm F1.4 lens. My heart skipped a few beats but you’d be glad to know both lens and body are fine and continue to work flawlessly.

I did not drop test the Fujiflm X-T4 as I’m sure Fujifilm Australia would not appreciate me dropping their Loan Unit, but I am sure its just as rock solid, however the new flip out screen could be the one on venerability of the X-T4.

In comparison to its predecessors the size of the body is slightly bigger and slightly heavier. The handgrip is certainly bigger and if you have big hands like me then you’d certainly appreciate the added meat to this area of the body. It comfortably moulds into your hand.

Image quality

Equipped with the same sensor at its predecessor X-T3, the image quality is the same as before, however Fujifilm have jazzed it up by including two new Film Simulations; Classic Negative and Eterna Bleach Bypass. These simulations are not like profiles that Canon and Nikon through into their cameras. It all goes back to Fujifilm’s roots in the film days and brings those films to the digital world in your camera. You can change the film simulation which will completely change the look and mood of your photograph. It brings a whole new dimension to taking photographs and story-telling.

As always you can apply these film simulations to both Stills and Video. I have a video demonstrating the simulations in videos (coming soon). My favourite though remains Astia, which is what I shoot all my YouTube videos in.

The sensor is now supported by 5-axis In Body Image Stablisation (IBIS) which makes this sensor float. Its pretty cool to see the sensor power up and IBIS move it in place ready to shoot.

The camera is not just great at photographs but also amazingly becomes a video camera edging towards pro-cinema quality video it can produce at 4K now being able to shoot at 240 FPS doubling its predecessors frame rate from 120 FPS. You can get some amazing slow motion shots at such speeds. Astonishing to see that a pro-sumer camera can be so good at both Stills and Movie.

Fujifilm have even dedicated a dial, replacing the metering modes dedicated dial to become a Still and Movie selector switch. Each mode has its own MENU system and SETTINGS so you are just a switch away from shooting stills to movies.

One of the advantages of now having IBIS, is that you can handhold for some shots that otherwise you couldn’t obtain without a tripod.

I even shot some long exposures of the waterfall at a local park. I could never do that on my X-T3. IBIS also helps in Low Light situation where previously you’d need to reach for your trusty tripod, now you can handhold and shoot in same conditions.

Performance

IBIS performs amazingly well and is great for shooting Stills and Video. It is something that lot of us had wished was available in the Fujifilm X-Tx line of the camera. There are many people who use manual lens on their X-T3 and having stablisation would make so much difference. Now you have it!

Burst rate of the camera is also increased. 15fps is astonishing for an APS-C Sensor Camera. 11fps was fast but now the increased it by 4 more frames. That’s incredible!! You have to hear the shutter fire at 15fps.

New Battery NP-W235, increases the camera’s capacity to shoot by almost 100%. In the X-T3, I would shoot about 300-350 shots but the X-T4 can shoot up to 600 shots now with this new battery. The battery also makes the handgrip more chunkier than before which is a plus.

This camera takes Fujifilm’s X-T range to a whole new level and now putting some serious competition out to other brands equipped with IBIS, larger battery and flip out screen which were some missing elements in the previous models.

Auto-focus is super fast when it comes to finding the subject either via phase detection or face detection. Nothing new to me, I’ve been very impressed with how fast these APS-C sensor cameras focus and somehow since X-T2 Fujifilm make it even more faster with each model. Don’t forget that you also get form time to time improvements via FIRMWARE updates which is not necessarily the case with other manufacturers (can speak of Canon as an ex-Canon shooter). 

PRICE

The price of around AUD 2,900 for the body alone seems quite steep. Its something to do with the economy and crap exchange rate of the Aussie Dollar. However when you consider what this camera is, you may reconsider the price you pay for it.

It is a perfect camera for vloggers, content creators and YouTubers because of the image and video capabilites. Gone are the days where you need to carry TWO cameras in your bag (I used to have this: X-T1 for my stills and Canon 80D for video), now the X-T4 replaces them both.  

Conclusion

The two weeks I got to spend with the Fujifilm X-T4 were certainly very exciting to see where FujiFilm have come with their X-T line of cameras since it was released in 2014. It was great fun playing around with this camera and put it through its paces. I am certainly looking forward to owning one of these in the very near future.

Fujifilm have accelerated their growth and market share in the APS-C and Medium Format market by release many camera over the years and this X-T4 certainly packs a punch to its competition.

Have a look at some of these samples and videos in this post. Let me know in the comments below what your thoughts about this camera and if you have any questions I will do my best to answer them.

The Score Card

The scorecard below outlines my independent score awarded in the various areas and an overall score of 90 out of 100.