Fujifilm X-E4 Review

The Fujifilm X-E4 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor intended to replace the company’s previous model, the X-E3, which was initially presented in 2017.
The new XE4 and the flagship X-T4 camera share a lot of commonalities, even though they have quite distinct appearances and are priced considerably differently from one another.
It is also very similar to the X-Pro3 and the recently released X-S10 in that all four cameras use precisely the same image sensor and processor and broadly offer the exact core specifications and features. The primary areas in which these four cameras differ from one another are their user interfaces and aesthetics.
The XE4 is placed, in terms of its marketing position and price, above the more dated X-T30, below the newly released X-S10, and then in front of the flagship X-T4 and X-Pro3 cameras that are part of the current X-series line.
The body of the Fujifilm X-E4 may be purchased separately for £799 in the United Kingdom, or it can be purchased along with the brand new XF 27mm F2.8 R WR prime lens for £949.
The price of the X-E4 in the United States is $849 for the body solo or $1049 when purchased with the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR lens.
Fujifilm X-E4 Build Quality
The X-E4, the X-S10, the X-T4, and the X-Pro3 all utilize the same image sensor; it is a BSI X-Trans sensor with 26 megapixels and is scaled to fit an APS-C sensor. All of these sensors are the very newest generation.
Additionally, the X-Processor 4 is utilized by each of the four cameras.
Therefore, Fujifilm is now providing you with not just one, not just two, not even three, but a whopping four distinct ways to reach the same level of image quality.
You may select between the rangefinder design of the X-Pro3 and X-E4 and the DSLR design of the X-T4 and X-S10, as well as between the bigger X-T4 / X-Pro3 and the smaller X-S10 / X-E4, and you will still receive the same results from either camera.
In comparison, the older X-E3 utilizes an X-Trans CMOS III sensor with a resolution of 24.3 megapixels and an X-Processor Pro engine. Both of these components are from a prior version.
The sensitivity range of the XE4 camera ranges from ISO 80 to ISO 51,200, with a native range of ISO 160 to ISO 12,800. In comparison, the sensitivity range of the X-E3 camera is from ISO 200 to ISO 12,800, with an extendable range that runs from ISO 100 to ISO 51,200.
Fujifilm X-E4 Image Quality
The Fujifilm X-E4 possesses an identical sensor to the Fujifilm X-T4, enabling it to produce equally exceptional quality images.
The sensitivity range starts at ISO 80 and goes up to ISO 51,200; however, the default setting is between ISO 160 and ISO 12,800.
For an APS-C sensor, it is rather remarkable that there is no discernible indication of noise in JPEG photographs at any ISO setting, all the way up to a set of 6400.
At an ISO setting of 12,800, the effects of noise can be observed as a bit of desaturation of colors and a fuzziness in the clarity of shadow areas.
Even if the extended high settings of ISO 25,600 and ISO 51,200 produce photographs with a gradually increasing amount of noise, those images can still be used.
The noise reduction application in those JPEG pictures is made in a way that is not unduly aggressive and does not obscure the detail excessively.
Even though there is more noise visible in RAW files since no noise reduction is implemented, photos nevertheless seem very clean up to an ISO setting of 12,800.
We cannot say this often about a camera, but we would be happy to shoot the native ISO range in both RAW and JPEG formats.
In other areas, we are impressed by Fujifilm’s color science. The XE4’s sensor employs a separate color array compared to other companies’ sensors, and the results are beautiful. This is especially true when you consider that you can select different color effects using Fujifilm’s film simulation. The default setting is Provia. However, our favorite is Eterna Cinema. Provia is the standard option.
Fujifilm X-E4 Specs
Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
---|---|
Sensor | |
Max resolution | 6240 x 4160 |
Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 |
Effective pixels | 26 megapixels |
Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
Processor | X-Processor 4 |
Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
Color filter array | X-Trans |
Image | |
ISO | Auto, 160-12800 (expands to 80-51200) |
Boosted ISO (minimum) | 80 |
Boosted ISO (maximum) | 51200 |
White balance presets | 7 |
Custom white balance | Yes |
Image stabilization | No |
Uncompressed format | RAW |
JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (Fujifilm RAF, 14-bit) |
Optics & Focus | |
Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
Digital zoom | Yes |
Manual focus | Yes |
Number of focus points | 425 |
Lens mount | Fujifilm X |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
Screen / viewfinder | |
Articulated LCD | Tilting |
Screen size | 3″ |
Screen dots | 1,620,000 |
Touch screen | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes |
Viewfinder type | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.93× (0.62× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
Photography features | |
Minimum shutter speed | 4 sec |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/32000 sec |
Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
Built-in flash | No |
External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
Flash X sync speed | 1/180 sec |
Continuous drive | 20.0 fps |
Self-timer | Yes |
Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedAverageSpot |
Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
AE Bracketing | ±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps) |
WB Bracketing | Yes |
Videography features | |
Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Modes | 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 240p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Microphone | Stereo |
Speaker | Mono |
Connectivity | |
USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
USB charging | Yes |
HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
Microphone port | Yes |
Headphone port | No |
Wireless | Built-In |
Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth |
Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
Physical | |
Environmentally sealed | No |
Battery | Battery Pack |
Battery description | NP-W126S lithium-ion battery & charger |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 380 |
Weight (inc. batteries) | 364 g (0.80 lb / 12.84 oz) |
Dimensions | 121 x 73 x 33 mm (4.76 x 2.87 x 1.3″) |
Other features | |
Orientation sensor | Yes |
Timelapse recording | Yes |
GPS | None |
Fujifilm X-E4 Conclusion
The new Fujifilm X-E4 camera is instantly worth considering because it provides the cheapest way to buy into Fujifilm’s best image quality, fastest processing, and latest feature set. On top of that, it is also beautiful to look at, thanks to a pared-down redesign of its user interface. If you are interested in purchasing this camera, click here.
It is also the smallest and lightest camera to incorporate Fuji’s newest 4th-generation 26 megapixels, APS-C sized, BSI X-Trans sensor and X-CPU 4 processor, so if you want the latest technology within the body that is the most portable, this is the model that you should go with.
The fact that the X-E4 costs almost half as much as an X-T4 but provides the same level of picture quality and performance, as well as the majority of the same features, is another powerful argument in favor of giving this camera some thought.
It also makes a lot of sense as an alternative to the fixed-lens camera X100V that can be used with interchangeable lenses. The X-E4 is quite similar to the X100V in terms of its design philosophy.
It’s not all good news, though, since the previous X-control E3’s layout has been simplified, and the new X-E3 is smaller than its predecessor, which has resulted in a camera that is more complicated to operate and less obvious in its operation than its predecessor was.