Cracking little camera

I wanted a camera for travel that is light, small, pocketable but with excellent image quality. I've used a Sony RX100M3 for a few years but disliked it; it's only redeeming quality for me was it's size. I don't do serious photography on holiday, I do more snaps, but I still want excellent quality.

Having looked around for several years, all of the smaller cameras had serious drawbacks, at least for me. I came to the conclusion that there is no excellent small camera; which is when I decided to try the X-E4 as it is much smaller than the X-T4 for example and small enough to carry in a coat pocket if need be.

I doesn't go in my jeans pocket as I'd like, but I have a Peak Design Leash strap which works well and is light to carry on the shoulder. I also have on it an XC 15-45 lens which is lightweight, diminutive and turns out good image quality. I like a zoom for travel.

I've just taken the camera on a two week holiday and I am seriously impressed. It does everything I want and more. However, it isn't perfect; is there a perfect camera?

The pros and cons:

Pros - Smallish, excellent image quality, analogue controls in the main, all the film simulations, minimalist

Cons - not particularly weather resistant, needs a grip, no thumb rest, limited function buttons, no ISO wheel, slotted strap mounts, single card slot, SD card a bit of a nightmare to get out, a bit too minimalist

It sounds like there are more cons than pros, but the numbers don't give weighting to what's important. At the end of the day, this a great camera.

One of the biggest problems for me is the lack of something to hold onto. It does not feel comfortable or secure on its own. I added an L grip and that improved things a lot. However, it also doesn't have a thumb rest which I find strange; I added my own using Sugru, after I tried the optional metal thumb rest and found it got in the way of the buttons a bit.

It is a bit minimalist compared to say the X-T4, but I think that is where they are trying to pitch it. I like the idea of minimalist but I think they went a bit too far. I wish the screen fully articulated like the X-T4 so I could hide the screen in general use, but that's just my preference.

I have several small EF-X8 flashes I usually put back in the box and have never used. However, stuck on the X-E4 for a bit of fill or close up work, it works perfectly. Ideal for travel as they are so small but still pack a punch. They might not light up the inside of the Albert Hall but they are good for an average room.

Although I bought this as a travel camera, I was wondering how it might perform for street photography. I bought a Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake lens to go with it, which is a manual lens. At f/8 pretty much everything is in focus from 1m to infinity, so I don't have to worry about focusing. Setting the camera to electronic shutter and turning off sound, it is amazing. I usually use an X100V for street but this camera with the Voigtlander may be even better. It is COMPLETELY silent, zero shutter lag, smallish and discrete. After spending a couple of hours setting it up, it works perfectly. My keeper rate has gone from maybe 80% to 98%, at least focus wise.

I have to say I've never really liked the look of the X-E range before but this is the best so far looks wise in my opinion. It also handles very well with the new grip and thumb rest.

I love using Fuji cameras, I love the analogue controls and the way they handle; and obviously the output. I use an X-T3 and 4 for serious work, the X100V for street and couldn't imagine anything better for my style of use. However, when I picked up my X-T4 with 16-55 after a couple of weeks away using the X-E4 exclusively, I also realised how light the X-E4 is by comparison.

The X100V had been my favourite camera from the moment I got it. Before that it was the X100S. But I hate to admit that the X-E4 may be my new favourite (why do I feel like this is an act of betrayal?). It is a cracking camera and I love it. I can't wait to use it again.

RickCorbishley wrote:

I wanted a camera for travel that is light, small, ...

Ditto. Got a XE4/27 MkII

pocketable but with excellent image quality. I've used a Sony RX100M3...

I too have a Sony RX100 (the VA) but for me its main use is as a pocketable camera, mainly for skiing when it must fit in a ski jacket pocket for when photography is not the main event.

... I have a Peak Design Leash strap which works well and is light to carry on the shoulder. I also have on it an XC 15-45 lens which is lightweight, diminutive and turns out good image quality. I like a zoom for travel.

I too like the PD Leash on my XE4. I had tried the XC15-45 before and although in IQ terms it is excellent, I preferred a manual zoom.

Pros - Smallish, excellent image quality, analogue controls in the main, all the film simulations, minimalist

Agreed.

Cons - not particularly weather resistant, needs a grip, no thumb rest, limited function buttons, no ISO wheel, slotted strap mounts, single card slot, SD card a bit of a nightmare to get out, a bit too minimalist

It sounds like there are more cons than pros, but the numbers don't give weighting to what's important. At the end of the day, this a great camera.

Regarding set up, I shoot mainly aperture priority. On the XE3, I changed aperture with the rear dial (omitted in the XE4). I had two XC lenses, the 27 Mk I and the 16-50 Mk II (replaced my 15-45), but traded in both for the XE4 kit, so now all my lenses are XF with an aperture ring. I suspect that you can change aperture using the front dial.

I have ISO and EC set to the front dial (with the EC wheel set to 'C'), which is two functions and by pressing in the dial one toggles between the two (mostly I leave it on EC so can play with exposure instantly). Even with the case it is very useable. I have the top Fn button to Focus Mode, and the Q Menu with the items I want positioned similarly to those on my XT4. This set up, for me, works well. There are many permutations, so it is worth thinking it all through.

One of the biggest problems for me is the lack of something to hold onto. It does not feel comfortable or secure on its own. I added an L grip and that improved things a lot. However, it also doesn't have a thumb rest which I find strange; I added my own using Sugru, after I tried the optional metal thumb rest and found it got in the way of the buttons a bit.

To resolve the grip issue, I bought a leather half case; I did not want to add more chunks of metal (and the thumb rest is so positioned as to make access to the Q Button all but impossible).  The case is good quality, has a vertical front ridge for one's fingers to grip and a small ridge down the back, which helps. It made all the difference. This was the one I got and I am pleased with it (I have the same make on my XT4):

Fujifilm XE4 Half Case Camera Retro Genuine Leather Cover Insert VR Handmade New | eBay

It is a bit minimalist compared to say the X-T4, but I think that is where they are trying to pitch it. I like the idea of minimalist but I think they went a bit too far. I wish the screen fully articulated like the X-T4 so I could hide the screen in general use, but that's just my preference.

I agree, but with use, it gets better. Personally, I am delighted with the XE4's screen design and do not like that of the XT4 - just shows we all have different tastes (what's the expression - you can please most of the people most of the time but never all the people all the time!).

I have several small EF-X8 flashes

Yes, I use one often, underrated.

I have to say I've never really liked the look of the X-E range

I think they look great and I hope I bought it for performance not looks, but I suspect...

I love using Fuji cameras, I love the analogue controls and the way they handle; and obviously the output.

Ditto

..., when I picked up my X-T4 with 16-55 after a couple of weeks away using the X-E4 exclusively, I also realised how light the X-E4 is by comparison.

Yes, but my use case for each is slightly different. I use my XT4 + 16-55 for hiking as it has WR, dual cards and great performance in one package.

The X100V had been my favourite camera from the moment I got it. Before that it was the X100S. But I hate to admit that the X-E4 may be my new favourite (why do I feel like this is an act of betrayal?). It is a cracking camera and I love it. I can't wait to use it again.

Interesting, when I got the XE3/27 (traded for the XE4/27 WR) I wanted, or so I thought, a X100F (at that time). then decided that I would probably only use the EVF and wanted the flexibility of being able to use other lenses. And it was cheaper. Went through the same thoughts about whether to get the XE4/27 or the X100V. Still decided that for me the XE4 was the better option.

Enjoy it, it is a great camera. Thanks for you comprehensive review.

Fuji thumb rest ($70) remains on back order at B&H.

However, Lensmate has them now, in black and silver. Here is the silver one:

https://lensmateonline.com/collections/fujifilm-x-e4-accessories/products/fujifilm-x-e4-thumbrest-by-lensmate-silver-by-lensmate?variant=40103362560164

I just ordered a black one. Price is $50.

I have a Lensmate thumb rest for my X-E1 and it is excellent.

See link for a "what's the difference" section.  Lensmate thumb area is larger and offers "improved grip" compared to the Fuji.

Tom Schum wrote:

Fuji thumb rest ($70) remains on back order at B&H.

However, Lensmate has them now, in black and silver. Here is the silver one:

https://lensmateonline.com/collections/fujifilm-x-e4-accessories/products/fujifilm-x-e4-thumbrest-by-lensmate-silver-by-lensmate?variant=40103362560164

I just ordered a black one. Price is $50.

I have a Lensmate thumb rest for my X-E1 and it is excellent.

See link for a "what's the difference" section. Lensmate thumb area is larger and offers "improved grip" compared to the Fuji.

UPDATE:  I received the Lensmate thumb grip today.  It does not interfere with access to the "Q" button and only very slightly affects access to the "AEL/AFL" button.  Overall I'm very happy with it!

I chose the XE4 instead of the XS10 because I have never been crazy about the articulating screen that flips out like a bird wing. The XE4 screen is very nicely titling and more so than the other Fuji’s since it can go pretty close to facing down about 90 degrees rather than the 45 degree angle.

Also, I got the hand grip and it does not make it much bigger in any kind of obnoxious way. Still nicely small and compact.

And finally I got the XE4 because you get the $400 newer 27mm lens for only $200 with the kit version and that is quite a bargain in my mind.

As a final thought I will say that also if you want to continue with small and lightweight, the XC 16-50 is a great lens which provides terrific IQ at all focus ranges and coupled with the XE4 it is a very nice package as well.

IWBF wrote:

I am looking at the E4 as well and your nice review gives good insight from user perspective.

What I wonder is this: If one needs an additional grip and thumb rest, the main attraction (size and weight) vanishes. The official grip and thumb rest are 119g and 19g respectively. In total the camera gets heavier than a S10?! And the grip of the S10 gets a lot of praise. Would it not be better to chose the S10 if one does not care much about dials vs PSAM?

I bought the E4 because of size, nothing else. The weight was irrelevant to me. Every Fuji body of mine has a metal L grip because for me they are hard to hold over long periods and the grip resolves the problem. I do like the half cases but prefer a deeper grip than they offer.

I'm replying after 3 months so hope you got sorted and like what you have.

(Three month old thread revival)

Thanks for this review. I have an X-T4 and have been considering downsizing to an X-E4(when they are available again . . .someday) and you hit on pretty much all the points I was wondering about, in particular how much smaller it *feels* compared to the X-T4. I can look and specs and compare the size on camerasize.com but that doesn't tell me how it would feel.

I think I'd prefer the body of the X-E3,(with the grip and thumbrest) but the fixed screen, I don't think I could do it. Plus I'd miss the Negative Classic Simulation.

I have a Z6 with a few lenses, and I'd keep that as my hiking/landscape/low light camera(I do a lot of dawn/dusk shooting), and the X-E4 would be my more discrete urban/street camera, with some primes and the 18-55. That way I wouldn't have two cameras with the same form factor when when is superior technically to the other.

But I can't just quit Fuji altogether. Despite the superior low-light capabilities from the  X-T4, I always just prefer the Fuji in my hands, and the X-E4 would allow that.

Funny how pro's and con's differ for everyone. For me, some of your con's are my pro's.

"Cons - not particularly weather resistant, needs a grip, no thumb rest, limited function buttons, no ISO wheel, slotted strap mounts, single card slot, SD card a bit of a nightmare to get out, a bit too minimalist"

Lack of a grip/thumb rest and limited buttons are all Pro's for me because those attributes align with it's super clean, form follows function design.

Also the lack of an ISO dial, especially Fujifilms latest pull up turn design, is definitely a pro. Slotted strap mounts, OMG so much better than those post style lugs that dig into your shooting hand!

The fiddly single card slot, agreed there, but not a deal breaker by any means.

Lastly, it's minimalism it's it's  biggest pro. There are three (four if you count the 2s) other X-E designs out there with "more", nice to see Fujifilm go minimal on this one to make it stand out from the rest.

Hand's down the most attractive XE camera Fujifilm has designed. We just need more pancake lens options. The smaller and thinner the lenses, the better.

The 18mm and 27mm are good starts, I'd like to see a 40mm pancake with good close focus capabilities (similar to the size of the Pentax 40mm f/2.8).

Great that you enjoy the camera. For me the size and portability also outweigh some of the cons. Even though after a while I get the minimalist approach. Maybe one more button or an AFS/AFC/MF switch would be helpful but I just set it up and shoot. No need for many buttons or an ISO dial.

I also used a Sony RX100MI or MII. I hated the ergonomics and menu system...I just loved its size.

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