Fujifilm X-E4 Quick Review: Much changed compared to previous generations, but in a positive or negative direction?

This is the Fujifilm X-E4 I just borrowed, and since it was not attached to the "full box", I would like to ignore the box-beating part as well as introduce what's in the box.

Compared to the Fujifilm X-E3 released in 2017, this new version has evolved to keep pace with the times, and the first thing we can easily see is that the appearance is more square than before. .

From the soft curves of the X-E3, this year's version has more angular, sharper and more masculine. The X-E4 now looks like it has been transformed from the dynamic boy ever, transformed into a more mature, elegant and somewhat more . mechanical man.

You can see them from the version of the Fujifilm X100V released in 2020, and now the X-E4 has inherited it. Jokingly, the X-E4 is considered a cousin of the X100V with the ability to change lenses.

Fujifilm is increasingly aiming to be more minimalistic for their products, and the X-E4 is the most conspicuous example: both the front and back have reduced the number of buttons. As on the front panel, the X-E4 no longer has a focus shift lever for M, AF-s and AF-c. This makes the camera look more seamless, like an old film camera, BUT it caused some inconvenience during use when I had to scroll through the menu to change the focus mode when needed.

In addition, this minimalism is a bit "too hands" when the front grip (grip) and the thumb rest (thumb rest) are gone. Despite being compact (only 364g), the lack of hand support will make anyone feel uncomfortable if used for a long time.

Remember in my previous X-T100 review the camera was cut off the front bezel, but the inside of the box is still attached to a detachable clip that users can attach easily. But at this X-E4, that stretcher was gone forever.

The X-T100 also comes with a front grip

According to a Fujifilm representative, the market will cut down on this accessory stock to lower the selling price, and users can buy accessories from third parties, like the Smallrig that I am installing here to take advantage of. More work (from shooting to shooting) and the price is lighter.

The next noticeable change is the system button operation has been reduced, specifically the AEL-AFL button has been combined, the View Mode button has been removed (reasonable), Quicksetting (Q) and Fn have been moved up. machine top.

The rear control gear has also been removed and moved to the front gearbox. This way of Fujifilm helps users to combine many different parameters in the same gear, by pressing the gear once to switch and turn to add and subtract parameters. User can assign up to 3 operations on this gear, and these include shutter speed, ISO, EV and aperture.

The LCD screen is still 3 inches in size, but greatly improved: 180 degrees flip suitable for vlogging or taking pictures at difficult angles with the EVF, with touch, 1.62 million pixels compared to 1.04 million pixels ago. In addition, the EVF screen with an OLED panel along with 2.36 million pixels displays good color and detail when viewing, in addition, the refresh rate reaches 100fps, so when watching while panning the camera moves. Less lag phenomenon.

User-friendly communication ports: micro 3.5mm jack instead of 2.5mm as before, USB-C charging port instead of micro-B USB 2.0 and Micro HDMI type D supporting 4K 4: 2: 2 10- bit.

We all understand that first impressions are always important, and this compact camera accidentally lost 1 point at first sight with some people (myself included), just because minimalistic a bit "too hands". For a more specific example, in terms of ergonomics, I would choose the Sony a6400 in the same price range thanks to the built-in front grip and thumb hunchback on the back, at which point my wrists would not be tortured no matter what. taken for a long time.

On the other hand, I still rate it with a plus point that makes the device look cleaner, less grumpy than before and certainly the team that loves minimal items will love.

In addition, reducing the number of buttons, moving some operations to the touch screen will help beginners easy to grasp (plus points) but for those who do not like touch because they often touch the wrong focus point. Every time I walk around like me, this is a minus point.

How is the X-E4 shooting experience?

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience this camera in a variety of genres, from street photography, portraits, to flowers, landscapes, products . In short, the X-E4 responds. All of today's popular photography needs, if you want to ask quickly. For further analysis, the Fujifilm X-E4 has the points that I really like, which will be given below:

26.1MP X-Trans CMOS IV sensor with X-Processor 4 processor that we can see on the recent X-T4. In other words, if you like the XT series but barely allow it, then the X-E4 is the optimal choice at this point and the rest of the cost can accumulate to buy good lenses. The wide dynamic range, maximally fine-tuned from ISO 80 to ISO 51,200, allows users to capture any situation even in the dark.

I tried a couple of nightscape shots and the results were quite impressive, details were well preserved and noise was handled very effectively at high ISOs:

 Focus capability is also something that many people care about, and the Fujifilm X-E4 really won't disappoint. Advanced phase-detection AF system with 425 autofocus points, it can be said that AF coverage is almost all-sensor. Through the practical experience, the device gives a very fast and accurate focusing speed, especially when choosing to automatically focus on the face. According to Fujifilm, the X-E4's AF system has a focusing speed of 0.02 seconds and is able to focus under -7 EV light conditions.

If you need to capture fast motion, the Fujifilm X-E4 features Burst Shot that shoots continuously at 8 frames per second with the mechanical shutter, compared to the X-T4 which is 15 fps. However, when switching to the electronic shutter, you get 20 frames per second full resolution or 30 frames per second with the resolution cropped down to 1.25x. Actually, for general use, 8fps is more than enough.

As Fujifilm cameras, it is impossible not to mention film color simulation - a specialty since the early days and has created a huge success for its digital camera line for many years. Surfing around the photo groups on Facebook, surely you have many times come across posts sharing how to adjust colors to look like Fujifilm, or how to set them on Fujifilm to get the best color tones, Film Simulation itself. This company has created a fever until now.

And with the X-E4, Fujifilm updates the latest film colors, bringing 18 choices for users and maybe we don't need to post-production or blend much more because of these "pre-seasoning". has helped more than 90% of the process.

Unlike the design that makes me uncomfortable in manipulation, the performance of the Fujifilm X-E4 has partly compensated, from the quality of the focus, the new sensor and processor to the film color emulator will " captivating "anyone when they start taking pictures. In response to the question in the title of the article, the change of this machine has resulted in two-way results, but fortunately the positive has helped to support the negativity a lot.

On a total scale, I rate this machine at 8/10 because losing 2 points in terms of design makes it difficult for users and only a small wish is to be gifted with a grip for a better experience. . That's enough!

Lesley Montoya

Update 14 March 2021