Fujifilm Launches Highly Anticipated X-E4

2021.01.27

Fujifilm launched their mirrorless digital camera platform with a rangefinder-style camera, the X-Pro1 reviewed here, which took the industry by storm with its unique sensor and design. Later that year, a smaller X-E1 reviewed here was released to introduce a more compact yet equally impressive mirrorless. The X-E2 and X-E2s followed, which were good yet not the the level of the X-E1. Then, the Fujifilm X-E3 reviewed here finally took the series to the next level with superb image-quality and extremely efficient ergonomics.

Three and a half years passed and so the new Fujifilm X-E4 unveiled today appears to tremendous anticipation. This latest mirrorless is built around the same excellent 4th Generation X-Trans CMOS sensor as the flagship Fujifilm X-T4. This 26 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor captures extremely fine details without being prone to moire. The sensor itself has 2.1 million Phase-Detection elements built-in to create a virtual 425-Point Phase-Detect AF system with improved sensitivity down to -7 EV.

Fujifilm squeeze this sensor into the most compact X-mount camera yet. Measuring a mere 33mm thick and weighing just 364g, a hair more than its predecessor, the new X-E4 is incredibly small. Although it retains a similar look to the X-E3, this latest offering takes several significant compromises to achieve its diminutive size. The most obvious ergonomic change is a complete lack of grip.

Changing at the back are more dramatic. A thumb rest and two buttons nested within it were removed compared to the X-E3. The truly disappointing change is significant step backwards in usability: The rear control dial was entirely removed. This pushes the new model down a level, from an enthusiast-grade design to an entry-level offering. The excellent Fujifilm X-T30 reviewed here occupies that level with the same sensor and EVF, so this change is not entirely surprising. As an entry-level mirrorless though, the Fujifilm X-E4 is bound to outperform most of its peers.

Even though external controls are limited, the Fujifilm X-E4 offers the same rich feature-set as the X-T30. High-speed capabilities remain class-leading with 20 FPS full-resolution continuous shooting available for up to 32 JPEG images or 17 RAW files. Using its 1.25X crop-mode, continuous drive reaches 30 FPS. Switching to a Mechanical-Shutter, the X-E4 can sustain 8 FPS for 105 JPEG or 18 RAW files. Pre-buffering capture is available when using the Electronic-Shutter.

This mirrorless offers full manual controls with a direct shutter-speed dial and an aperture-ring present on most Fujinon lenses, plus a dedicated exposure-compensation dial. The shutter-speed dial gets a new P position which puts both shutter-speed and aperture in automatic mode, unlike the A positon that only enables automatic shutter-speed selection. Given that there are only full-stops from 1/4000-1s on the dial, the front control-dial is necessary for selecting fractional stops and speeds outside that range. The Fujifilm X-E4 supports dialing in 1/32000s to 15 minutes, plus Bulb mode can make exposures of up to a full hour.

After the loss of the rear control-dial, it is no longer possible to change ISO sensitivity directly. The standard range of the 26 MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor is ISO 160-12800 which is expandable to ISO 80-25600. This gives the X-E4 mirrorless an extremely wide exposure latitude, although it requires a tripod for relatively slow shutter-speed since the X-E4 surprisingly does not offer built-in image-stabilization, even though the entry-level Fujifilm X-S10 does.

Along with the new APS-C mirrorless, Fujifilm launched two new X-mount lenses. The first is a weatherproof update of an existing lens. The Fujifilm Fujinon XF27mm F/2.8R WR is a highly compact prime lens with a moderate aperture. This new revision takes the same optical construction as its predecessor into a body equipped with an aperture-ring and weather-sealing.

This new lens is 2.3cm thick, just under one inch, and weights just 84g, making it the lightest weatherproof lens ever made for any lens mount. Its front is thread for 39mm filters and even includes a narrow lens hood to minimize flaring.

An super-telephoto zoom was also announced. The new Fujifilm Fujinon XF70-300mm F/4-5.6R LM OIS WR is variable-aperture zoom with a long reach and relatively dim aperture. This lens offers a field-of-view equivalent to a 105-450mm lens in 35mm-terms. Its telephoto zoom is complimented by built-in optical image-stabilization with claimed 5.5-stops of efficiency. The XF70-300mm F/4-5.6 has a weatherproof body for use in adverse conditions.

For a lens with such a long reach, the Fujifilm XF70-300mm F/4-5.6R LM OIS WR is impressively compact, measuring 13cm long and weighing 580g. This is not light but compared to other super-telephoto offerings, is one of the least bulky since Fujifilm designs all X-mount lenses with APS-C coverage.

The Fujifilm X-E4 will ship in late March for $850 USD or $1100 CAD. A bundle with the new slim XF 27mm F/4R WR lens is expected to cost $1050 USD or $1350 CAD. The Fujinon XF27mm F/2.8R WR lens iself will sell for $400 USD or $520 CAD. The Fujinon XF70-300mm F/4-5.6R LM OIS WR is planned to be released at the same time for $800 USD or $1050 CAD.

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