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

Clive99 wrote:

GreatOceanSoftware wrote:

jhorse wrote:

Clive99 wrote:

Absolutely spot on. I have the xe3 and xe4. You echo my feelings. I really like the AF upgrades and the tilt screen of the xe4, so my preference tilts that way. But really, Fuji, why did you mess with a good thing? I know a bar of soap is asthetically pleasing, but it's not much fun to handle! For me a camera is a tool.

I agree with the AF and screen upgrades, but only partially agree with the bar of soap view.

As one who had the XE3 and now use the XE4. My style is pretty simple; no video and mostly shoot aperture priority. Initially I was sceptical about the ergonomics of the XE4 relative to the XE3, but after deciding to buy the XE4 I came to the conclusion that my scepticism for me was misplaced (I wrote about it here: XE4 - I was wrong: Fujifilm X System / SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com).

In sum, after setting up the XE4 for my style and putting it inside a quality leather half case to make handling better ( agree with the bar of soap analogy without a case and know that many people prefer not to use one, but I like them) I find it an intuitive, fast and very usable camera. Each to their own.

Totally agree. I have two copies, one with a Gariz half case and one with the Fujifilm metal grip. The one with the metal grip usually has the (relatively) longer lenses, and easily mounts on a monopod/tripod. The Swiss Arca plate adds as much value as the grip, IMO. The half case usually has a wide angle and feels really luxurious in hand. Both cameras fit nicely in a Peak Design 6L.

Yes, the lack of controls is not as big an impact as i first thought (still prefer more). But both of you make the point that's it's fine with a leather case or a grip...and yes, that's how i shoot it too. My point is if you're intending it to be a small camera, what was the point in making it a bar of soap so you *have* to make it bigger with a case or grip? My xe3 doesn't need either to be comfortable.

I think Fujifilm was thinking that everyone would walk around with the 27mm pancake kit lens combo in their coat pocket, and that it would need minimal resistance. That combo only works for me about 2% of the time, so yeah, I probably wouldn’t have made that design choice either 😒