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Fujifilm’s latest model in themassively popular X Series is the X-T4, amirrorless camera that can rattle along at 15 frames-per-secondwith a whisper-quiet shutter – and there’smuchmore that grabs the attention, too FujifilmX-T4 full details COVER STORY
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cameras I findmyself with four options anyway – so tome this is a simple but very useful change. “The vari-angle screen flips out sideways and can face forward, so it’s ideal for vloggers and selfie shooters, but might be less welcome to those who like to shoot waist level discreetly. Of course this is still possible, but the downside is that the screen is out to one side, somore obvious. “If it’s discretion you’re after, the new shutter gives it. It’s very smooth, lowpitched and quiet – so quiet that in normal situations it’s barely audible. It means themechanical shutter is usable in almost “The newAFalgorithm made a significant impact on the responsiveness and speed of focusing.The actual AF system in the X-T4 is the same as that in theX-T3, but doing a side-by-side comparison showed how superior the new camera was with tracking and face/eye detect. In a quick test, I had the camera on a tripod and thenmoved around in front of the camera while videoingmyself moving about, walking in and out of frame and turning my face to and from the any situation without attracting attention, instead of using the electronic shutter.
camera.TheAF tracked my face/eye impressively well.When it did loseme –when I turned around, for example – it took an instant or two for theAF system to reacquireme, but it managed. “Finally, I tried the X-T4’s IBIS, shooting the same indoor scene using the 18-55mmzoomat 18mm. I got three out of five shots at 0.5sec
pin-sharp, but I didn’t get sharp shots beyond this shutter speedwith the pre-production sample. “You can't make any judgement after an hour with a pre-production camera, but I walked away impressedwith theX-T4. Its handling, the autofocus, IBIS and the way still and movie shooting has been streamlined, all give the camera great appeal.”
FUJIFILM’S LATESTMODEL, the X-T4, features threemajor component innovations and a fewmodified controls but sharesmuch from the X-T3 (which continues in production), including the sensor and processor. Firstly, there is a new focal plane shutter mechanism. It features a high-torque, coreless DCmotor that means you can now shoot at up to 15fps in burst mode, making the X-T4 the fastest APS-Cmirrorlessmodel around. Response time has improved, too, and shutter lag is down to just 0.035secs. The shutter is durable enough for at FUJIFILMX-T4 KEY FEATURES › IBISmechanism, with 6.5EV benefit withmost FujifilmX lenses › 26.1megapixel backlit sensor › Newbattery gives 500 shots in normal mode › New, very quiet shutter – enables › Dedicated still/movie control › Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulationmode › Full HD, 240p videomode › Two SD card slots › Optional vertical grip 15fps burst shooting › Vari-anglemonitor › Improved autofocus
least 300,000 actuations, and is also 30% quieter than the X-T3. The second new component is probably themost important for many potential buyers. The X-T4 has a five- axis, in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) mechanism that offers up to 6.5EV benefit when usedwith 18 out of 29 XF/XC lenses. This is a seriously useful benefit to still and video shooters. The final major component change is the NP-W235 battery. The newmodel offers up to 500 shots in normal mode and 600 frames in economymode. USB C charging is possible as well. The X-T4 has key design innovations, too. The 1.62million-dot vari-angle monitor can be positioned to one side and face forwards. The autofocus systemhas gained a new algorithm for more accurate tracking when shooting at 15fps through the EVF (or 8fps in live view), and face/eye detect has also been improved. Switching between still andmovie modes ismade simple on the X-T4, with a dedicated collar around the base of the shutter dial. Plus, there are now independent still andmoviemenus. Video features have been enhanced: there’s Full HD video at 240P for 10x slowmotion, an image stabilisation boost mode for evenmore stable shooting, and video can be recorded to both SD cards at the same time. FujifilmX-T4 stocks are expected from late April, and the unit, body only, will be £1549. fujifilm.eu
“I had the chance to try a pre-productionX-T4 camera, with anX-T3 handy for comparison. “While theX-T4 body is the same height as theX-T3, it is slightly deeper and features the same contoured profile handgrip. For me, this made the new camera evenmore comfortable to hold, allowing a solid grip. “I really like themajor control changes Fujifilm hasmade on theX-T4. I wasn’t a fan of video mode buried in the drive menu, but now there’s a dedicated dial that is somuch better. Having independent video and still menus seems obvious, too. It means the still and whichmakes life somuch easier when you go from stills tomovie shooting and back again. “Speaking of menus, I really like the Qmenu having the option of four, eight, 12 or 16 slots –when I shoot FujifilmXSeries moviemenus can be separately configured,
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IMAGES The X-T4 boasts a new in-body image stabiliser (IBIS) that claims a 6.5EV with 18 out of 29 FujifilmXF/XC lenses. The shutter speed used for this shot was 0.5sec, using 18-55mm zoom at 18mm
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