Thoughts after owning the X-T4, X-T3 and X-S10

I recently won an XS10, which lead me to sell my XT3 along with the XS10 and purchase an XT4. It was the combination of the XT3 feel, controls and build along with the XS10 IBIS that lead me to the XT4, as figured it was the best of both cameras.



However, before I sold them I had the chance to go between all three and review the differences – and ultimately if I'd made the right decision. So I thought I'd reflect on my conclusions in case it's useful to anyone deciding between these cameras, though obviously, these are for my use cases as primarily a stills photographer that prefers to shoot full manual, YMMV.

1. Build: The XS10 is surprisingly close to the XT cameras. It has slightly more plastic around the back and feels (sounds) less insulated as you can hear the IBIS mechanism easier - likely due to the lack of weather resistance? The XT4 has the cheapest feeling battery door and side flaps, so the XT3 felt the best built to me.
2. Controls: I thought the XS10's lack of marked dials would mean it would be less fun to use but as long as I had a lens with an aperture ring I don't miss the dials much. I set the rear dial to shutter speed and there is an ISO button to scroll through all ISO settings. I did miss the MF/AF switch at the front so had to assign that to a function button, and then I ran out of function buttons, which was frustrating. If only it had another two customisable buttons..
3. Screen: I prefer the XT3 screen but I don't mind the flip-out screen. I actually quite like facing the XT4/XS10 screen in and not using it as a way to prevent chipping (XPro3-like?). I also like that it's more protected.
4. Grip: The XS10 is easily the most comfortable out of the box for me, though I found adding a grip to either XT body meant they became more comfortable as I preferred their taller grip versus the XS10 deeper grip.
5. EVF: It wasn't that the smaller EVF on the XS10 bothered me on its own, as it's a smaller camera, However the lack of sealing around the eye cup meant more light got in, and combined with the lower resolutions and smaller size meant that it just didn't feel as nice as looking through either XT camera. I would get used to it if it were my only camera but going between them this was a noticeable downgrade – perhaps the most obvious one.
6. Battery: The XS10 burnt through batteries the quickest but they are also smaller than the XT4's and easy enough to carry spares. This wasn't really an issue but a nice to have on the XT4.
7. Shutter: The XT4 shutter simply feels much more premium, the XT3 shutter is fine but the XS10 shutter sounds quite flimsy in comparison. It doesn't make a lot of difference to me in the end but could tell where the money goes in the XT cameras.
8. Weight: I thought I'd prefer the XS10 here but I actually found it hard to tell the difference between the three of them. A heavier lens made more difference in comfort for me.
9. AF: The XT cameras felt slightly more confident with low light AF. There wasn't a big difference but I did notice the XS10 would turn on the AF light (even though they all had the option on) far more often in order to grab focus.

I feel like the XT4 price is high compared to the other two, especially factoring in buying the charger separately. As I won the XS10 I felt I could justify the price and this was the right decision for me this time, but it would cause me hesitation if I was deciding between the three cameras without winning one. I would probably take the XT3 (especially with the latest firmware) over the XS10 as the controls (lack of) and smaller EVF would annoy me more often than not having IBIS. Then I would probably prefer to spend the money saved buying the XT3 instead of the XT4 on lenses.

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Anthony.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewanderlust

I agree, X-T4 is too pricey for me.

Just curious may I ask what was the main reason for you to get the XT4 over the two cameras you already had?

I wonder when the price of the X-T4 will come down. It will be a great buy when it comes down to $1k.

Batdude said:

Just curious may I ask what was the main reason for you to get the XT4 over the two cameras you already had?

Click to expand...

Well for me it has the best features from both xt3 & xs10...WR, dual card, ibis, dials & buttons, etc...I'm neutral in regards to the flippy screen...plus it has a bigger battery. The only negative is the price which is going down gradually.

Batdude said:

Just curious may I ask what was the main reason for you to get the XT4 over the two cameras you already had?

Click to expand...

Sure. I tried to cover that in the first paragraph but will go into a bit more detail behind the reasons:

1. I didn’t want to sell the new XS10 and give up IBIS as found it gave me another really useful tool for shooting with my primes
2. I didn’t want to sell the XT3 and lose the big evf, marked dials/extra function buttons and WR

So the XT4 was ‘easy’ to justify as would give me the best of the both cameras- and selling both covered the cost of a new XT4.

Anthony.

astonehouse said:

Batdude said:

Just curious may I ask what was the main reason for you to get the XT4 over the two cameras you already had?

Click to expand...

Sure. I tried to cover that in the first paragraph but will go into a bit more detail behind the reasons:

1. I didn’t want to sell the new XS10 and give up IBIS as found it gave me another really useful tool for shooting with my primes
2. I didn’t want to sell the XT3 and lose the big evf, marked dials/extra function buttons and WR

So the XT4 was ‘easy’ to justify as would give me the best of the both cameras- and selling both covered the cost of a new XT4.

Anthony.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewanderlust

Click to expand...

Did you consider getting a used XH1 instead and buy more glass with the extra cash? The XH1 no good for you?

Batdude said:

astonehouse said:

Batdude said:

Just curious may I ask what was the main reason for you to get the XT4 over the two cameras you already had?

Click to expand...

Sure. I tried to cover that in the first paragraph but will go into a bit more detail behind the reasons:

1. I didn’t want to sell the new XS10 and give up IBIS as found it gave me another really useful tool for shooting with my primes
2. I didn’t want to sell the XT3 and lose the big evf, marked dials/extra function buttons and WR

So the XT4 was ‘easy’ to justify as would give me the best of the both cameras- and selling both covered the cost of a new XT4.

Anthony.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewanderlust

Click to expand...

Did you consider getting a used XH1 instead and buy more glass with the extra cash? The XH1 no good for you?

Click to expand...

Not really as wanted to buy new - didn’t have the patience to shop on the used market. Though that may have been a good option, or may have also been a bit of a downgrade from an xt4?

Excellent read!

I'm planning on buying a 100-400 with one of these for wildlife/bird photography, possibly with a 1.4 TC.

The X-T4 is too pricey for me.

Wouldn't the IBIS make the S10 a better choice than the T3 in this case? (prices are similar where I live)