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Will the X-E4 have IBIS?

Started Nov 21, 2020 | Polls thread
Keithpictures
OP Keithpictures Contributing Member • Posts: 832
I'm not convinced
4

It's almost a 50/50 split in the voting, with "Yes" to IBIS maintaining a constant lead. Those who've voted "No" don't convince me. I do remain wary of the release - IBIS isn't promised, nor are other features. But my hope is that Fuji really takes aim at a broad swath of the market with this release, as they did with the X-S10. And it seems people are favoring what I'm about to propose:

SIZE

Absolute compactness is simply NOT what sells this camera, in my opinion. In marketing terms, the Unique Selling Proposition of this line should be: a rangefinder-style ILC that's smaller and more affordable than the X-Pro, more for general interest (including video) and less boutique (no Dura, no focus on heritage and purity etc). It should indeed be compact, but it does NOT need to be the smallest X camera. There's already the X100 series (which I personally love, largely for this reason). No ILC can match it, and why should it try? Only one or two lenses would get it close, and if you are committed to a pancake prime, get the X100V or F. You'll love it. Once a zoom is added, minor differences in size become irrelevant.

BODY TYPE

People are making engineering arguments, which I find ignorant. None of us know what Fuji is capable of in terms of fitting IBIS into a smaller body. Sony (a6600), Panasonic (GX9) and Olympus (PEN) have been fitting IBIS into flat-top bodies for a while now, and the battery and/or EVF have not stopped them. I think these arguments will age badly over time. The latest Sony a7C again proves what is possible, with an even bigger sensor. Yes, maybe this adds some slight bulk, and maybe the EVF is further sacrificed. But again, the USP: so long as it's a stylish rangefinder aesthetic that does what modern consumers want, that's a win. For those that lust for the utmost viewfinder experience, there's the photo-centric X-Pro line. For those that crave pocketability, there's the X100, along with the X-A (and hopefully X80 or new XF).

TARGET GROUP

The X-S10 is clearly aimed at sweeping up m43 users and SLR shooters looking for an approachable, modern camera. They should be doing the same for those of us committed to rangefinder-style flat-top cameras (and I know there are many of us out there). In the m43 forum, there's plenty of clamoring for an updated GX camera, which extends to the L-mount alliance forum. There are Leica lovers (also me) that want something in that vein, but for more general use. Most of us here hate Sony so much that the a7C doesn't count. This is who the X-E4 is for. I can imagine Fuji again favoring the lame PASM dial, and opting for the over-hyped FAS for selfies - both decisions would be highly regrettable and lose me as a customer, but might appeal to the masses. But skipping IBIS? Why would they do that? It's probably the most popular feature there is (after PDAF maybe, and tilt screens).

PRICE

Idk what to say about this, except that they simply have to make it competitive against the competition. That could put it anywhere between $700 and $1500, depending on how that competition is defined. Personally, I think they should step up beyond casual shooters who use an Olympus EP-10 or Sony a6000. Cheapness won't augment their brand, and they've already suffered here with their lower-tier models.

Give us IBIS, classic dials, two-axis tilt-screen and AF and video features in line with the latest sensor/processor tech, and we have a winner. Let people grovel about the smaller details. IBIS is not a small detail. It's become a modern necessity for casual video and low-light photography, which is what someone like me wants, but cannot get with the X100V or X-Pro3.

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