The Fujifilm X-T4 makes some big promises, but can it deliver? Chris and Jordan put it to the test and tell us if this is the Fujifilm camera we've all been waiting for.
I had the new X-T4 in my hands the other day. Nice camera. And I know it was a preproduction firmware, but still the focus wasn't *that much faster* than my X-H1. If I didn't already own the H1, then this would be a compelling option. Since I do though, it's not fair to say that this new camera "obsoletes the X-H1."
Footage is very decent but have to say Pana S1H gives much smoother, sharper and better colours footage. Difference is not day and night but it's there. Im comparing footage done by Chris and Jordan with Xt4 vs S1H. What you guys think?
Fujifilm recently introduced X-T200 which looks to come real close to the specification of the X-T30.
Under current market conditions I would not be surprised if Fujifilm will let go of the X-Txx line. They have already said they were going to change the product portfolio to shift to a higher segment.
We would then get:
X-H X-T / X-Pro X-Txxx
4 cameras less diversification in target groups..
For those X-Txx users they will then have to make the choice. Using a lower-end camera or invest in the more semi-professional model.
For those buying the X-T4 - beware that Fujifilm is probably playing the X-H1 trick upon you. Sony just introduced a new 42MP 8K capable APS-C sensor that would perfectly fit into the X-H2 early next year.
X-H could then become the professional high resolution model X-T could grow to the new Sony 32MP sensor and so Fujifilm then finally made a clear separation between the X-T and X-H line.
The xt30 was probably the best selling camera out of that entire 3 series line-up. They probably sold more XT 30s than they did the entire 3 series line-up put together I doubt they are going to alienate that large of a user base. Nearly every company has a low mid and high level camera. There's no way that they would get rid of their mid-level camera. They made their current crop of low-level cameras good this time around because they want to increase their user base. The xt3 xpro3 xt30 xt200 xa7 all essentially share the same guts. which over the long run probably cost them less
Actually the T1 / T2 and T3 always have sold better as the Txx series.
The current market condition will dictate that the differences in features will get bigger between models not smaller.
They will want you to choose and of course will make the appeal bigger for you to buy the higher end model as it will bring them more cash.
Fujifilm is a business not a sponsor of free gear.
As for your information XTxxx and X-A series contain a different sensor and are not x-trans models. Besides the fact that X-A series are not being produced and developed by Fujifilm, but are branded for Fujifilm.
And yes even though many models share many components. You still have the extra costs for different production lines and extra cost for each product line as far as branding, marketing and distribution.
I like what I am seeing mostly for stills (don't do video). The grip is always important to me - I was hoping would be a change - I am glad there is. Always been a fan of the fully articulating screen too.
Video using the gh5 looks so much better.Usual quality Fuji shots.Seems like the xpro should have whatever this has seeing that the release is so close .
So you must really like the constant pulsing of the autofocus of your GH5. Something that is clearly visible when an artificial lightsource is in view.
Oh good, I counted three different times Chris and Jordan made excuses for how it's pre-production firmware.
It'll just ship buggy like every Fuji and then it'll get fawning adulation from the Fujicrew that Fuji deigned to make their cameras work as they should from the release date.
This camera felt much more 'beta' than a lot of cameras we see before release. Lock-ups, inexplicable mode changes, and performance inconsistencies were quite frequent. Usually cameras are pretty much ready to ship, with occasional minor bugs when we get them in. In those cases, we're pretty comfortable drawing some conclusions about the camera's behaviour.
With the X-T4, it felt far too early to be drawing serious conclusions, which is why we re-iterated that it was still pre-production several times. I'd be shocked if the camera ships in the state we saw it. Remember that the last few Fujifilm releases (X-T3, X-Pro3, X100V, X-T200) have been very solid at launch.
No they are being produced in Japan, but with every device these days even if it is produced in Japan, US or EU they still get most of the components out of China.
It's always difficult to try and speak/project for a broad range of users, however, IMO, I believe that the X-T4 will not necessarily be the where-with-all for X-T3 or even X-H1 users. However, for new folks coming into the Fuji fold, users of X-E cameras, or for previous X-T users (other than the X-T3), this may very well become their nirvana. I am continuously being impressed by Fuji with their release/update schedule, along what they are releasing.
Now, hopefully, some day I hope that Fuji's IBIS develops parity with the likes of what Olympus has accomplished. I mean to say, with Olympus IBIS cameras (specifically their 5, 5.5 and 6.5 axis versions), you can capture subjects at 1 to 3 seconds and still have very sharp results. It's just such a spoiling feature and once you've experienced this, there's no turning back.
Part of the difficulty of that will be the larger sensor. A bigger sensor means more mass, which makes life harder for IBIS, so it's unlikely to match the Olympus's capabilities.
Firstly you can only go so slow with a fast lens before it all gets blurry and secondly you might not be happy with the Depth of Field or sharpness if you really open the lens up anyway. If I'm shooting somewhere quite dark (e.g. some museums) I either take an IBIS camera or a lens with a very good stabiliser (They tend not to be big on tripods).
(With a faster lens) going from f/4 to f/1.4 is 3 stops, a 5 stop IBIS allows 2 stops more darkness or 2 stops less ISO.
At 1/50th (e.g. 35mm lens on 1.5x crop), ISO 200 and f/1.4 you can shoot down to Ev6: * If it's darker you need more ISO. * If you want more DoF you need more ISO. * If you want more lens sharpness you need to stop down (then see DoF).
Also if you want to shoot a burst to stack then IBIS is a great plus, as it keeps everything much better aligned.
You forget that any subject that moves will always come out blurry when using a slow and longer than usual shutterspeed. No matter if the camera has IBIS or not.
It will only help you photographing static object.
The idea that IBIS only helps photographing static subjects is just not true in practice.
It's much easier to move the camera a pixel or two with handshake than it is for your subject to move a pixel or two when they are 5 meters away. Sure, their eyelashes may not be tack sharp, but the shot can still be usable. A blurry mess is not usable.
It is weird how so much attention was put on the X-T3 not having IBIS and now that we've got a fully featured successor WITH IBIS it seems like no one seems to care as much.
My current cam does not have IBIS, but a previous cam did. I really miss it. I shot an Oly EM 1.2 and when used with the 12-100 pro zoom you can shoot down to two seconds hand held at the wide end. IBIS combined with lens IS is amazing. Looks like that's where Canon is going, as well. Anyway, it's true; we don't *need* IBIS, lens IS, AF, automatic metering, or any other feature introduced since the 1940s. But it sure is nice to have them.
@s1oth1ovechunk there are still X-H1 available new here and there, and excellent used examples for significantly less.
If you can live with .02 second slower AF in low light, and carrying a spare battery in your pocket, then you can save $1000 and shoot an ergonomically excellent camera that takes fantastic pictures.
Fuji know this, and I think it's why they're cripple hammering it with no updates even for things it could handle just fine, CPU-wise.
With a price hike of £200 in the UK (for the body alone), it's hard to see this as an easy upgrade for photographers. I do understand the interest for video, and while I would welcome IBIS, because I have a tremor, it doesn't seem like there are £200 worth of new features compared to the 18-month old X-T3.
If you can take advantage of IBIS I think the extra is worthy. In my case I prefer the tilt screen and metering dedicated dial so I will keep using my XT3.
Depends on how quickly the price falls really... I understand the XT3 started at £1349 and is £1199 quite widely now (£999 at Jessops apparently), but was available for £1199 3 months after launch and £1099 a year ago. Currently the XT4 pre-order is £1549, but that comes with some lens discounts like £170 off the 16-55.
You say its very buggy, but what kind of problems did you encounter?
Nobody is waiting for the lockup problem the X-T2 and X-H1 have had.
Fujifilm better make sure they get these problems solved. The unreliability of these cameras was one of the reasons to say goodbye to Fujifilm. Professionals need to be able to trust the equipment they are using.
It's sad, to see the metering Option gonna go, under the right Dial, as a Setting, should being done then via Menu.
As for the Gallery, somehow a bit weird that DPR chooses to post pre-production Gallery Samples - other brands to prohibit this behaviour, sometimes.
I do hope for "Kaizen", later this year, perhaps around Sommer or so, there will be a tech transfer of features from the shiny X-T4 to the now "older" X-T3 Body, via Firmware Update.
I might get the T3 someday, or even the T4...but it's not yet for myself, as i am being settled with my old Gear, and it's quite good enough.
That guy under my post here, who takes 4k, 8k mobile video from a cellphone being seriously? Those spec freaks, nobody gives a damn about these cheap flicks, from a Smartphone. But it does seem, "Kids" into their 20's do need such features to pose around...funny though.
It is already said this camera will not be available before mid may due to Corona virus going around (Fujirumors). The earliest you then may expect a firmware update for the X-T3 would then not be before late 2020.
Otherwise they would be shooting themselves in the foot. X-T4 is not much more than a stabilized X-T3 and a new battery.
In my case the only thing that I would like in my XT3 is animal-AF. I prefer the tilt screen and the dedicated metering dial. IBIS is nice, but not enough for switch to it. For me, this is an ”X-T3s” more like an additional option for videographers.
Where is the beast, man?!?!?? The new smarphone from Samsung, the S20, which costs 1300€ or so, offers 8K video, and here it is a brand new dedicated camera, that is more expensive, and don't even offer 6K video?!?!!? this is nuts!!! no wonder peoplestart buying smartphones instead...Who cares about 4K video, It is been around since 2014... camera brands are taking baby steps... that's embarrising to watch... all this time only to see finaly a camera with a fully articulated/selfie LCD that records 4K video?!?!? and I doubt there is any difference in IQ bewteen the 4Kvideo of the XT3, and the XT4...., we want 8K :( ... as much as I hate it, my next video camera will probably be a.... cellphone?!?!?.... crazy!! Here, 8K footage, from a simple device designed to make phone calls.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OefocRFlDss
"we will reach the point where you can capture any 33mp picture from video, and then... bye, bye, dedicated photo cameras"
For many of us who enjoy photography, it's not just about getting that picture in the end, it's as much about the activity of taking the picture. Shooting video is a different experience, and looking through a large number of video frames looking for a usable picture sounds incredibly boring.
Video is very similar to shooting high FPS stills. But even if we relied on 'video' for still photography, it would be a very different process than shooting video. I will say it is pain going frame by frame trying to find a suitable 'still'. I'd rather take one still and spend more time processing it.
What is so funny about capturing a everyday video or even photo with a 1300 $ device in bright, sunny full daylight?? Every 100 $ action cam toy will show similar results. Sorry - but this is nothing but boring.
I agree with you. Also, ergonomicaly speaking shooting video with a smart phone is awful, but you can always use a gimball, or other gagets... What makes me mad, is that for video, 8K, or 6K, is handy, if you want to do zoom ins, etc... and also, if you just want the camera for Photography, maybe you should stick with an older, and cheaper model, with no AF, only manual focus lenses, and FF, for better low light, and bokeh.... so why spending 1700€ then? Shouldn't a camera have better specs than a cell phone? Full HD video arrived first at cameras, not at cell phones, right?
How do you know? I shoot with a plain and simple T 100 and use vintage and manual lenses most of the time. For proper video shooting I am simply not patient enough🙂
I just think what matters in the end is IQ, for video I mean, and I bet there is no significant difference in IQ between the Xt4, and the Xt3. Ok, It is the best mirrorless camera for video out there, with its IBIS, and flip out screen, but these features should be added long time ago. Things are taking too much time to change, in the camera realm... in the end, the IQ is identical to the one you can get with the Sony A6300, that was released several years ago...I demand more I want 6K video at least... after all this camera was called "The beast"
"Things are taking too much time to change, in the camera realm..."
Compared to the vastly larger smartphone market, the camera makers simply don't have the volume that can justify spending as much money on product development as the major phone makers do. And it's not going to get better, if the camera market keeps shrinking.
Sadly, there is still a 30 minute record limit. This applies to high speed clips as well, however 30 minutes is the final output time. So 1080/240P at 24P output gives you three minutes of real world capture time, which plays out as a half hour clip.
Looks pretty much like the pro video version of the T 3. Not much more to offer for photographers to make them think about upgrading. At this price level there are better options and even more to come.
Is IBIS good for non Fujinon lenses? For example, I’ve got a bunch of Nikon F-mount AI-s lenses. They work quite good on my Fuji X-T30 but IBIS would make me totally dump my Nikon bodies.
Yes, I know the Z6 has IBiS (Z50, not) but I don’t need full frame.
Hmm, I am really curious, what would make you as a Nikon shooter to pick the $1700 APS-C sized X-T4 vs a the $1800 full frame Nikon Z6? Especially that you have F mount lenses. The X-T4 is not smaller at all, the Z6 has excellent specs, too, a top seller.
Z 6 and Z 7 series cameras employed powerful in-body 5-axis VR image stabilization applied to all NIKKOR Z lens you’re using. Utilizing 5 different axis to stabilize your images including yaw, pitch, roll as well as X and Y. You can also choose between Normal VR mode for static subjects or Sports VR for moving subjects.
During video recording, optical VR can be combined with electronic VR (e-VR) for even steadier shots depending on the shooting condition.
Z 7 & Z 6 Z mount Lenses: Non-VR equipped Lens 5 axis (Sensor stabilization) Z mount Lenses: VR equipped Lens 5 axis (Sensor + Lens stabilization)
Only with old F-Mount lenses the stabilisation is over 3 axis not with the Z lenses then it offers 5.
You are telling fud, like so often when it comes down to Nikon.!
@Miki I started investing in fujifilm with XQ2, X30, X-T100, X-T30 plus a few Fujinon lenses. I no longer need/want FF.
Was hoping that the Z50 would have had IBIS but am now doubtful that Nikon will be going to put it in APS-C bodies. If I am wrong then of course that would make more sense.
@Miki, Re: XT-4 vs Z6: you are right that there is little difference in body size and weight. But Fuji has a wide selection of compact lenses - small primes and compact zooms like the new 16-80mm. The Z system has few lenses and the primes are rather large and expensive. So as a system the Fuji is attractive due to the lens selection.
"Doesn't bring that much to the table over the X-T3 other then FAS, IBIS and better battery life" so not much at all then. I mean what has Fujifilm ever done for us eh?
No audio is captured in the high speed record modes. Autofocus is still retained, and it looks like similar performance to what you see with standard framerates. There is a record limit of 30 minutes for the outputted clip, so if you are shooting 1080/240P, output at 24P, you can capture three minutes of realtime footage, which will give you a 30 minute clip.
I was debating to upgrade to the xt 4 or wait for the xh 2 next year. However, fuji not including the headphone jack on the body of the xt 4, they made it easy for me to make my decision. Will wait for the xh2, since i’d like to do more video on the xh2 and will use the xt2 (which i have) for stills.
Great video, Your audio was all over the place! Ups and downs and even muffled at times. Is this a new microphone problem or is the Fuji really that horrible for audio. Also the IiBIS was not nearly as impressive as I hoped. Compared to the rock steady on a boat IBIS from the Olympus Em1mk3, this was not stable with walking. But I like the new placement of the controls. Just as a photographer hate the new flippy screen. Hope fuji releases a T40 with IBIS and tilt in axis screen. That would be a good way to seperate the lines. The H2 will probably have all the video stuff Jordan could ever want.
Apologies about the audio levels. I was in a bit of rush to get this out in time for the embargo.
The full review will be more polished and we'll do a proper test of the audio pre-amps.
The inclusion of in-body stabilization in Fujifilm's X-S10 means it's able to offer a lot of the features of the flagship X-T4. So, price aside, what are the differences between the two models, and how much of a bargain is the smaller camera?
After two rounds of voting, DPReview readers have decided on their favorite product (and runners-up) of 2020. Find out which cameras and lenses topped the list!
We've taken a look back at our year of Instagram posts to the @DPReview account and compiled the 10 most popular cameras of 2020, based on most 'likes' to a single post.
For the past few weeks, our readers have been voting on their favorite photographic gear released in the past year in a wide range of categories. Now that the first round of voting is over, it's time to reveal the first-round winners and pick the best overall product of 2020.
Chris and Jordan from DPReview TV have been handing out their 'best and worst' camera awards since 2013, with the 2020 awards announced yesterday on YouTube. In this article, Jordan reviews the winners and provides more detail on why they were selected.
It says Olympus on the front, but the OM System OM-1 is about the future, not the past. It may still produce 20MP files, but a quad-pixel AF Stacked CMOS sensor, 50 fps shooting with full AF and genuine, IP rated, weather sealing show OM Digital Solutions' ambition. See what we thought.
DJI's Mini series has always been a great entry-level option for beginners, hobbyists, or those willing to sacrifice features for size. But with its newest model, the Mini 3 Pro, DJI promises to bring pro features to its most compact model. Does it succeed?
Sony has just announced its updated 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and there are a host of impressive upgrades. We took this new lens around a very soggy downtown Calgary to see how it performs.
The Nikon Z9 is one of the best cameras we've ever tested. But is it the best of the best? Chris and Jordan have been testing the Z9 with the new 2.0 firmware for a while, and they have the answers.
What's the best camera for shooting landscapes? High resolution, weather-sealed bodies and wide dynamic range are all important. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting landscapes, and recommended the best.
What’s the best camera for around $2000? These capable cameras should be solid and well-built, have both speed and focus for capturing fast action and offer professional-level image quality. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing around $2000 and recommended the best.
Most modern cameras will shoot video to one degree or another, but these are the ones we’d look at if you plan to shoot some video alongside your photos. We’ve chosen cameras that can take great photos and make it easy to get great looking video, rather than being the ones you’d choose as a committed videographer.
Although a lot of people only upload images to Instagram from their smartphones, the app is much more than just a mobile photography platform. In this guide we've chosen a selection of cameras that make it easy to shoot compelling lifestyle images, ideal for sharing on social media.
It says Olympus on the front, but the OM System OM-1 is about the future, not the past. It may still produce 20MP files, but a quad-pixel AF Stacked CMOS sensor, 50 fps shooting with full AF and genuine, IP rated, weather sealing show OM Digital Solutions' ambition. See what we thought.
The app is developed by cinematographer and colorist Zak Ray, who's brought together over 1,000 lenses and 150 cameras into a comprehensive and interactive database app for planning out your shoots.
The leaked renderings and information suggests this new FPV drone will come in at around 500g (1.1lbs) and feature a CineWhoop-style design with protected propellers for safely flying in tight spaces.
The lens, which was previously avaialble for Sony E-mount, is fully manual, but chipped to provide support for focus confirmation and in-body image stabilization with compatible Nikon Z-mount camera systems. Cosina says the lens is set to go on sale next month, June 2022.
The total lunar eclipse will start tonight in most hemispheres and extend through midnight into early Monday morning. Here are some tips on where to view it and capture this rare event.
Is the GH6 the best hybrid camera there is? Jordan has been shooting DPReview TV with the Panasonic GH6 for months, so he has plenty of experience to back up his strong opinions.
The Sony a7 IV includes a new screen reader assistive feature that makes the camera more accessible for the many people who struggle with vision impairment and loss. It's a great first step in making photography and digital cameras more accessible.
Markus Hofstätter Is no stranger to massive DIY photo projects, but his latest one took three months to complete and resulted in bringing back to life a massive scanner that he now uses to scan his ultra-large format photographs.
Representation matters. Google is working to improve skin tone representation within its products and services and improve its AI technology to better understand images of people of all skin tones.
As we work towards our GH6 review, we've taken a closer look at some of the video options by shooting clips to highlight some of the compression options, picture profiles, image stabilization modes, the dynamic range boost mode, and low light performance.
By leveraging hardware acceleration, Adobe has managed to speed up 10-bit 4:2:0 HEVC video export times by 10x on macOS computers and Windows computers running AMD GPUs. Adobe has also sped up smart rendering, added HDR proxies and more.
Sony's new Xperia 1 IV smartphone promises to be a true flagship phone for content creators thanks to a true optical zoom, 4K/120p video and new livestreaming capabilities.
Adobe has finally brought Content-Aware Fill to Photoshop for iPad. Other new and improved features include Remove Background, Select Subject, Auto adjustments and more.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope team recently tested the onboard instrument, MIRI, by imaging a portion of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The new image is incredibly sharp and points toward exciting possibilities when Webb begins scientific operations this summer.
We've taken Nikon's Nikkor 50mm F1.2 S prime lens around the state of Washington to see how it performs wide open, both inside and outdoors. Check out our gallery to see what sort of images it's capable of capturing.
Western Digital has announced new products in its SanDisk Professional series, including the Pro-Blade modular SSD ecosystem and faster SanDisk Extreme Pro SD and microSD cards.
SpinLaunch's kinetic space launch system uses a centrifuge-like design to launch payloads into orbit using significantly less fuel and at a much lower cost than traditional rocket-based approaches. A recent SpinLaunch Suborbital Accelerator test included an onboard camera.
DJI's Mini series has always been a great entry-level option for beginners, hobbyists, or those willing to sacrifice features for size. But with its newest model, the Mini 3 Pro, DJI promises to bring pro features to its most compact model. Does it succeed?
DJI has announced its new sub-250g drone, the Mini 3 Pro. It features a 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing 4K/60p video, a three-direction sensor array and a slew of new and improved features.
When we reviewed DJI's Mavic 3 Cine drone in November it was still missing quite a few advertised features, most of which were added via firmware updates over the past several months. We tested these updates to see how much the Mavic 3 has improved.
While on holiday in southern Australia, Sydney resident Graham Tait became the victim of theft when someone broke into his car at a hotel and stole $10,000 worth of items, including a laptop and two cameras. Thanks to Apple AirTags, Tait quickly located his gear.
Venus Optics says the lineup will kick off with three primes: a 27mm T2.8, a 35mm T2.4 and a 50mm T2.4, all of which offer 1.5x squeeze in incredible compact form factors.
YouTube Channel DM Productions has published a video showing a collection of low-light test footage they allege were captured on DJI’s new ‘Mini 3 Pro’ drone.
The lens has been available for Canon EOS-M, Canon RF, L-mount, Micro Four Thirds and Nikon Z-mount camera systems, but these new mount options offer up yet another 75mm full-frame equivalent option for Fujifilm X- and Sony E-mount users.
After seeming to fall behind for a few years, Canon has been on a roll lately. There's plenty to compliment, but also room for criticism. Chris and Jordan don't pull any punches in this candid conversation about one of the industry’s biggest players.
Gordon Laing of Camera Labs is back with another edition of his excellent 'Retro Review' series. The latest camera to get tested many years after its original release is the Nintendo Game Boy Camera, one of the strangest and most accessible digital cameras of its era.
Samsung has announced UFS 4.0 flash storage smartphones. The new technology is faster and more efficient than the previous standard, UFS 3.1, and should provide users with better overall performance and battery life.
Comments