XE-2, XE-3, or X-E4... The Dilemma

FTOG wrote:

3Percent wrote:

It gets a bit complicated to recommend one or the other, because the X-E4 not only has some brilliant internal and aesthetic design upgrades to previous models (yes even in the handling department), yet equally head scratching almost frustrating physical design downgrades. This leaves me wondering why Fujifilm just can't get it right. It appears to me that camera companies are often stricken with tunnel vision syndrome and are unable to see the forest through the trees when making final design decisions.

Big X-E fan here. I'm afraid the answer is not what we (X-E users) would like to hear. My guess - absolutely reading tea leaves here - is that as soon as SLR styled bodies (X-T1, X-T10) were released, they quickly outsold the prior rangefinder styled bodies (X-E1, X-Pro1). I wouldn't be surprised if the VF placement helped, at that time, to convert users moving over from DSLRs.

The X-E2 (incl. its minor refresh in the X-E2s) remained a current model for a pretty long time, with some rumours even speculating there might never be a midrange rangefinder styled body to follow it.

If I am not entirely off the mark, as a manufacturer of a model selling below expectations, you hit a fork in the road. Discontinue a line of products, or try and realign a product to make it more commercially successful.

The latter scenario would explain Fuji's change in trajectory regarding the X-E line. Fuji certainly aren't afraid to adjust a formula to (try and) find what the market likes (e.g. X10/X20/X30, XQ1/XQ2, X70/XF10, X-A10, X-A20...) before ending a product line.

In the end we, the consumer, are often left with feeling left out in the design consideration process.

That might be true for those who are happy with the product line to begin with, but if there are too few such consumers, the manufacturer has less incentive to stick to the product line's formula (see above).

So with that said, while the XE2/4 models show the greatest extremes of pro's and con's of the series, I feel the XE3 then splits the difference and offers the closest "goldilox" experience of all.

The XE3 handles better than the XE4, but not quite as good as the XE2. It has better technology internally than the XE2, but that's not quite as good as the XE4. So to me, the question then becomes how close to either extreme the XE3 is.

The answer is, it is very close the XE2 in the handling department, but the XE4 certainly is not. And, it's very close to the XE4 in the internal tech department, but the XE2 certainly is not.

[...]

So in the end, I mostly appreciate the X-E3's well rounded advantages. I'll miss the pop-up flash of the X-E2 (that can be pulled back for bounce flash indoors), but I realized that it was time to upgrade despite any small advantages that camera has over the X-E3.

The improvements in technology, the better sensor, and the slightly more compact nature of the X-E3 make it feel modern and highly capable without kicking handling and ergonomics to the curb. Is it perfect? Nope, of course not. But will I appreciate it more than the other two models most of the time?

Yep. And that's the best you can do sometimes.

I agree to many of your observations. After shooting with the X-E2 for some years, I have ultimately ended up with two X-E3 bodies these days.

Aside from the integrated flash, might I ask what else you are favouring in the X-E3 that its predecessor offered?

For this class of camera (that is key), I like the fixed screen more as well. A flip screen is great on my GFX 50S for example, but not needed on such a light and nimble camera for me. Button placement is generally better too, for example... the AEL lock button is always a pet peeve of mine, and I appreciate it's location on the X-E3 better. Also, I do like the 24mp sensor a touch more than the 16mp version.

I'm asking because in practice (for me) I found the X-E3 to be a much smaller change in handling than maybe the discourse made it out to be at the time. Indeed, I found there be next to no downsides to the X-E3 in actual use, compared to the X-E2:

• General operating speed, AF speed and resolution increase are just that.
• While there was a lot of fuss about the touch screen capabilities, and certainly they aren't the most responsive, I find it's a largely optional addition. Once turned off, the handling doesn't all that differently to the X-E2 (except for fewer quick access functions, see below). I find myself using the touch functionality for image review and it's convenient there.
• Probably the most controversial change was the removal of the D-Pad and addition of the AF joystick. I could see this being an inconvenience for those who frequently used these for quick access. On my X-E2, I only used the D-Pad for AF point adjustment. So - for me anyway - the AF joystick is a superior solution.
• The extended exposure compensation dial range can come in handy, but I'm more likely to use the "C" position for command dial adjustment
• The Auto switch isn't something I find myself using that often, but it can be handy when briefly handing over the camera to a non-camera person
• With all the talk about the touchscreen and the D-Pad/AF joystick changes, a surprisingly large number of reviewers - including DPR, I believe - missed highlighting that the X-E3 added a front command dial (the X-T10 had it then, but not the X-E2).
• The general rearrangement of buttons - which Fuji seems to enjoy on all model lines - was something to get used to. I find it works better for one-handed operation on the X-E3 because no buttons remain on the left side of the LCD. With that said, when using both hands to operate the camera, the left hand is quite under-utilized.
• Much has been written about the shorter eye point. Whether with glasses or contact lenses, I didn't find there to be a major difference, personally.
• Like the D-Pad, I am sure some won't appreciate the removal of the integrated flash. For me, that's a non issue. I literally used my X-E2's integrated flash twice in several years of use. I really am not a flash photographer.

Obviously, other user's experience can and will vary.

All the X-E3 is missing, for me, is a tilt screen. WR sealing would be nice, but it's not something we'll see in Fuji's midrange (so as not to cannibalize pro model sales).

I'm curious what an eventual X-E5 (if ever released) will signify for the X-E range. I'm really not keen on the add'l bulk and weight (nor the hybrid VF) of the X Pro line, so I hope to see a model I'll like being released in the future.