X-E4, this might be love

I'd been debating for some time whether or not to replace my X100T with the X100V; I really love the size and form factor of the X100 line, much more so than the X-PRO range, and find it very easy to have with me pretty much all the time.
But I also have an X-T3 and a decent selection of lenses, and it's appealing to at least have the option of switching lenses on a body of this size - I have the wide conversion lens for the X100 and use it a lot, at which point the camera isn't as small as it started out and so I'm used to a bit of a size trade off.

Tuesday night I bought a brand new X-E4 on eBay from a dealer in Italy; it was bundled with the hand grip and thumb rest for only $32 more than the US$ going price - if you could find anyone in the US with any to sell you. It arrived via UPS international shipping ($17) today, so I've only had a cursory first look.

1. I love the size. It's exactly what I was hoping for - very comparable to the X100 when fitted with the 27mm f/2.8 WR
2. Mechanical shutter a little louder than expected, but a satisfying click nonetheless
3. Nice and responsive, through menus, powering on, reviewing shots. I only ever shoot RAW on my X-T3, and so hadn't realized how much of a delay is introduced by in-body clarity on JPGs, and so I'll probably rethink that for the custom settings I create for JPG only shooting.
4. I read here and in a few reviews about the benefit of using the Q menu to create custom setting "collections" associated with type of shooting. This is absolutely fundamental to the mindset needed for the X-E4. The minimalist controls don't matter when you think in terms of type of shot, and then collect all the settings associated with that type of shooting for instant selection through Q and a custom scene. It's reminiscent of the "scene modes" available on some of the program-auto cameras of years gone by, except we have complete control over every setting associated with a scene we create
5. I like the handgrip, which adds more weight than it does bulk. I haven't decided if it will live on the body all the time or not.
6. I don't know yet how I feel about the thumbrest - it's very nicely executed but I don't know that I'd need it with the hand grip.

Image quality I expect to be the same as my X-T3, but I look forward to having some time off over the next week or so to put that to the test

Kevin

I'm glad I chose the XE4 to be the companion to my workhorse XT2 after I traded in the X100S. The XE4 is just as fun to shoot as the ol X100s, or maybe even more. I was concerned about the lack of buttons but after using it since launch it has never been the problem. It would be a perfect Fuji camera for me if they keep the focusing mode dial.

The size of the XE4 is just perfect for small MF lenses that I put on it. Right now the 7artisans 25mm f1.8 and Konica Hexanon 40mm f1.8 are the most frequent paring to my XE4. I'm looking to get voigtlander 35mm f1.2 or 7artisans 35mm f0.95 as my next lens for this badboy.

Enjoy!  The X-E4 is the only X-E camera I don't have.  I want to buy one just to complete the set.

I've been using the X-E4 for about three weeks now. I got it as a smaller companion to my X-T4. Body only, found at a local shop.

1. The size is great. I look forward to the eventual availability of the 27/2.8, but even with the 23 and 35 f/2s I own, it is still a pretty discrete package for walking around. But I really don't find bigger lenses like the 18/1.4 or even the 16-55 to be awkward. With either of the small primes on, I can leave it comfortably hanging around my neck for hours, readily available for quick, discrete shooting.

2. I don't have the handgrip or thumbrest, but it is good to hear the handgrip doesn't add much bulk. It's hard to tell from the images available. A bit of weight I can live with. The thumbgrip looks like it would block easy access to the shutter and exposure comp dial, which I control with that thumb. But the handgrip certainly seems like it would be a benefit when using something like the 16-55 or 50-140. On the other hand, I'm only using those lenses on the X-E4 now because the X-T4 was damaged in a drop, and I have to wait till after the holidays to send it in for repair.

3. Speaking of the X-T4, I didn't realize how much I'd been spoiled by IBIS until I used the non-OIS lenses on the X-E4. With OIS lenses, no problem, but lack of IBIS has shown how sloppy my handholding technique is when using the primes and 16-55 below 1/60 shutters. Really I need 1/125 to guarantee a good image.

4. I was concerned about the lack of buttons and dials to customize, but as you say, spend some time thinking/refining your strategy for the Q menu, and it is pretty seamless, to the point where I will probably mimic those settings on the X-T4 to aid muscle memory when switching and render a bunch of those extra buttons superflous. Right now, I just have the different custom settings set to different custom film sims, with all the other options mirrored. But I probably need to come up with 'street' vs 'action' vs 'landscape' type custom options. I also find the touch screen swipe options to be of use.

5. One issue I have been having is accidentally changing the ISO by bumping the front dial with my middle finger when I handhold. I've gotten home only to find I've taken a bunch of pictures at 12800 or 51200 vs Auto 1 or 3 (1600 and 6400 max, respectively) Or I hadn't noticed that my shutter speed(when set to Auto) had gone unacceptably slow because I bumped the ISO too low. I suppose that could be solved by refining my Q menu settings and control the Auto ISO there, but I'm not there yet.

6. when switching between the X-T4 and X-E4, the difference in build quality is quite noticeable.  The X-E4 is well-made, but the body is plastic, and that plus the small size makes it almost feel like a toy camera sometimes.

All in all, a fun camera, and it will be nice to have the option to switch between two different body styles, or carry the X-E4 with the 35/2 attached and the X-T4 with the 18/ 1.4 when touristing a city and not having to stop and swap lenses.

I use my Fujifilm grip when I want a mini-DSLR experience, and use a leather half case when I want a mini-Leica experience. The metal grip also makes it easier to take on and off my monopod and tripod with the Arca-Swiss heads.

I haven't used my X-T3 since I bought the X-E4 (silver body only). I had a hard time finding one, but eventually managed to find one on the west coast (I'm in the Niagara region)and that was supposed to been of the last ones in captivity in Canada at the time according to the camera store. I leave my original 18-55 on it, have a 35 f2 & the new 70-300. I'll only add one more which will probably be a 23 mm , but I'm studying several options. I have the JJC hand grip on it, works well weight is negligible, no thumb rest. I removed my Lensmate thumb rest from my X-T3 & will probably part with it.

airwilf wrote:

I haven't used my X-T3 since I bought the X-E4 (silver body only). I had a hard time finding one,

Me, too.  My X-T3 lives in a drawer now.  I did take it out a couple times, but meh.

I'm having great fun with the X-E4 and manual non-electronic third party primes.  At the moment my favorite is the 7artisans 55mm F1.4 Mark II ($126).  I bought it even though I did not find reviews and had seen a number of low rankings for the preceding version.  I got lucky!  This is a great lens!

I also have the Lensmate thumb rest.  The Fuji thumb rest was unobtainable, and the Lensmate was $20 less money!  I don't need an accessory grip.  I use it with a Peak Design Cuff.

D_Gunman wrote:

I'm glad I chose the XE4 to be the companion to my workhorse XT2 after I traded in the X100S. The XE4 is just as fun to shoot as the ol X100s, or maybe even more. I was concerned about the lack of buttons but after using it since launch it has never been the problem. It would be a perfect Fuji camera for me if they keep the focusing mode dial.

The size of the XE4 is just perfect for small MF lenses that I put on it. Right now the 7artisans 25mm f1.8 and Konica Hexanon 40mm f1.8 are the most frequent paring to my XE4. I'm looking to get voigtlander 35mm f1.2 or 7artisans 35mm f0.95 as my next lens for this badboy.

You will not be disappointed with the 35 f1.2. I hope more chipped X-Mount lenses are in the works.

Hi,

Thanks.  I sometimes think long similar lines.  Just out of interest, could someone who has an XE4  tell us how much the XE4 weighs with the grip and thumb rest please?  The bare camera is as light as one can get in Fuji (365g), but I find myself wondering whether it might weigh much the same as the XS10 (465g) by the time you add the grip and rest.  And with the XS10 you get all of IBIS, a grip, a rest and a flash built in....  Less pocketable though.

How much does it weigh with the extras?  And do Fuji supply an XF8 flash with the XE4?

Thanks, Rod

Body only, no battery : 318g

with battery : 364g

Add grip too : 450g

The grip is 85g, just 4g less than the 27mm f/2.8 WR

All in with battery, grip, 27mm it’s right around 540g. No flash supplied, but I have a couple of the little ones Fuji throw in with other bodies already.

Kevin

Rod McD wrote:

And do Fuji supply an XF8 flash with the XE4?

Thanks, Rod

The EF-X8 flash ($40) is not supplied. I bought one separately, but I see they are back-ordered at B&H at the moment.

The battery charger is not supplied either.  You can charge the battery in-camera.  My X-E4 came with a USB-C to USB-A cable (USB-C for the camera and USB-A for your USB wall wart power supply).  Note you have to supply your own USB power supply.

I bought a Nitecore FX1 dual battery charger, digital readout during charging, seems to work very well. I also have the charger from my X-T3 that I can use.

The manual deals with the flip screen blocking the eye sensor ,page 15 of the paper manual, not sure of the number if any, in the on line manual. It's in the Before You Begin, Parts Of The Camera section. Not a deal breaker for me as I rarely use the flip capability.

The JJC hand grip weighs 69 grams/2.25 ounces for those looking for various weights.

I am lucky to have got one this past Monday.  I have been looking at store websites in Toronto since last May.  Occasionally I see there is a silver one available, but I waited until earlier this month when I saw a black one in one of shops in Toronto.  I was on vacation in LA and called the store and buy, pay and picked it up this past Monday.  I traded in my X-E3.  My concern of the flipping image is completely gone.  The image does not flip when I flip open the lcd and take photos at waist and low level.  Selfie mode is great.  I have gone through the electronic manual and configured it the way I want.  I do not find the lack of some buttons limiting.  In fact, I find it less confusing with less buttons.  The eye view finder is fine with me, just like the one in X-E3.  I have the 27mm lens as a package, and it is lovely.  It makes the camera like a point and shoot.  I use a thumb grip I had from the X-E3, kept the battery charger and the little flash (both of them I seldom use).  So, I am totally happy with my purchase.

e268 wrote:

I am lucky to have got one this past Monday. I have been looking at store websites in Toronto since last May. Occasionally I see there is a silver one available, but I waited until earlier this month when I saw a black one in one of shops in Toronto. I was on vacation in LA and called the store and buy, pay and picked it up this past Monday. I traded in my X-E3. My concern of the flipping image is completely gone. The image does not flip when I flip open the lcd and take photos at waist and low level. Selfie mode is great. I have gone through the electronic manual and configured it the way I want. I do not find the lack of some buttons limiting. In fact, I find it less confusing with less buttons. The eye view finder is fine with me, just like the one in X-E3. I have the 27mm lens as a package, and it is lovely. It makes the camera like a point and shoot. I use a thumb grip I had from the X-E3, kept the battery charger and the little flash (both of them I seldom use). So, I am totally happy with my purchase.

Perfect, you nailed it! I found mine in Vancouver  afters days of searching.

Hi Kevin -

Thx.  It's a pity they designed it without a small grip and thumb horn, and without that AF/MF switch on the front.  None of them would have added much bulk or weight.  They'd be the three things I'd certainly add back if they ever offer an XE5.

Thx cheers, Rod

I ordered one about 3 weeks ago, even though they currently list it as back ordered. To my surprise it arrived yesterday. I assumed that it would be well into next year.

jrmacd wrote:

I've been using the X-E4 for about three weeks now. I got it as a smaller companion to my X-T4. Body only, found at a local shop.

1. The size is great. I look forward to the eventual availability of the 27/2.8, but even with the 23 and 35 f/2s I own, it is still a pretty discrete package for walking around. But I really don't find bigger lenses like the 18/1.4 or even the 16-55 to be awkward. With either of the small primes on, I can leave it comfortably hanging around my neck for hours, readily available for quick, discrete shooting.

2. I don't have the handgrip or thumbrest, but it is good to hear the handgrip doesn't add much bulk. It's hard to tell from the images available. A bit of weight I can live with. The thumbgrip looks like it would block easy access to the shutter and exposure comp dial, which I control with that thumb. But the handgrip certainly seems like it would be a benefit when using something like the 16-55 or 50-140. On the other hand, I'm only using those lenses on the X-E4 now because the X-T4 was damaged in a drop, and I have to wait till after the holidays to send it in for repair.

3. Speaking of the X-T4, I didn't realize how much I'd been spoiled by IBIS until I used the non-OIS lenses on the X-E4. With OIS lenses, no problem, but lack of IBIS has shown how sloppy my handholding technique is when using the primes and 16-55 below 1/60 shutters. Really I need 1/125 to guarantee a good image.

4. I was concerned about the lack of buttons and dials to customize, but as you say, spend some time thinking/refining your strategy for the Q menu, and it is pretty seamless, to the point where I will probably mimic those settings on the X-T4 to aid muscle memory when switching and render a bunch of those extra buttons superflous. Right now, I just have the different custom settings set to different custom film sims, with all the other options mirrored. But I probably need to come up with 'street' vs 'action' vs 'landscape' type custom options. I also find the touch screen swipe options to be of use.

5. One issue I have been having is accidentally changing the ISO by bumping the front dial with my middle finger when I handhold. I've gotten home only to find I've taken a bunch of pictures at 12800 or 51200 vs Auto 1 or 3 (1600 and 6400 max, respectively) Or I hadn't noticed that my shutter speed(when set to Auto) had gone unacceptably slow because I bumped the ISO too low. I suppose that could be solved by refining my Q menu settings and control the Auto ISO there, but I'm not there yet.

6. when switching between the X-T4 and X-E4, the difference in build quality is quite noticeable. The X-E4 is well-made, but the body is plastic, and that plus the small size makes it almost feel like a toy camera sometimes.

All in all, a fun camera, and it will be nice to have the option to switch between two different body styles, or carry the X-E4 with the 35/2 attached and the X-T4 with the 18/ 1.4 when touristing a city and not having to stop and swap lenses.

Hi there, I have been using xe4 with 18/1.4 and 27/2.8 for a few months.

I bought the thumb grip first. It was good but limited in support and also took place where I attach a small flash.

I then bought Fuji's handgrip and the camera feels so much better to hold. I still use a Gordy's wrist strap but having a handgrip makes a great difference and I didn't feel much weight penalty. I highly recommend.

I've mostly using 18mm and only if I need tighter focusing or if I need a very light set to carry then I leave 18mm and use 27.

The 18mm is so so great, it is a match to Leica's Q. I compared photos I had taken with a Q when I rented for a while and this 18mm.

I hope Fuji upgrades their 16-55 soon making a bit smaller than it is. Or I hope sigma starts making Fuji mount lenses, their new apsc zoom lens is tiny!

KCampbell wrote:

I'd been debating for some time whether

I debated whether to upgrade from a XE3 to the XE4 - glad I did. I got the XE4/27 Mk II kit.

1. I love the size. It's exactly what I was hoping for - very comparable to the X100 when fitted with the 27mm f/2.8 WR
2. Mechanical shutter a little louder than expected, but a satisfying click nonetheless
3. Nice and responsive, through menus, powering on, reviewing shots. I only ever shoot RAW on my X-T3, and so hadn't realized how much of a delay is introduced by in-body clarity on JPGs, and so I'll probably rethink that for the custom settings I create for JPG only shooting.
4. I read here and in a few reviews about the benefit of using the Q menu to create custom setting "collections" associated with type of shooting. This is absolutely fundamental to the mindset needed for the X-E4. The minimalist controls don't matter when you think in terms of type of shot, and then collect all the settings associated with that type of shooting for instant selection through Q and a custom scene. It's reminiscent of the "scene modes" available on some of the program-auto cameras of years gone by, except we have complete control over every setting associated with a scene we create
5. I like the handgrip, which adds more weight than it does bulk. I haven't decided if it will live on the body all the time or not.
6. I don't know yet how I feel about the thumbrest - it's very nicely executed but I don't know that I'd need it with the hand grip.

I got a leather half case and not a thumb rest. Works well as the case provides just a little extra grip. I wrote up my initial impressions of the XE4, which all depends on setting it up to suit one's shooting style, here:

XE4 - I was wrong: Fujifilm X System / SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

I have set up the Q button (it mirrors the settings I have on my XT4), but do not use it much, so for me it is not fundamental. Since the post above in mid Summer, I have been greatly impressed with the little, svelte XE4.

Kevin

Enjoy it.

I’ve had the X-E4 since release day and the only two issues I’ve had with mine is that I miss the AF/MF switch on the front as a quality of life thing since the Q menu just adds 1 extra step… and I’ve really fallen in love with the 27/2.8 mk2 to the point of abandoning my 35/1.4 and wanting to trade it in for an 18mm. Only problem is that I love everything about the 18/2 except the color fringing although I’ve read that some copies are better than others in that regard (my old one was horrific) or just get the 18/1.4 even though I know the latter is to large for my shoulder mounted case I use while hiking/backpacking which means I won’t use it as often as I’d like to.