Fujifilm Reintroduces Stabilized Mirrorless

2020.02.26

The Fujifilm X-T4 unveiled this morning is the newest flagship X-mount camera. This APS-C mirrorless takes the flagship position with the greatest feature-set in the lineup, finally overtaking the X-H1 reviewed here that was discontinued after a short run while being the only Fujifilm mirrorless at the time with built-in image-stabilization. Since then, image-stabilization was introduced to the G-mount Medium Format platform but left no Fujifilm APS-C with this highly advantageous feature.

Although adding only image-stabilization would be sufficient to create a worthy successor of the excellent Fujifilm X-T3 reviewed here, the new X-T4 brings on a number of other improvements and one minor set-back. Those are covered below but first the new image-stabilization system. Fujifilm developed a new magnetically-suspended 5-axis image-stabilization system that offers an incredible 6½-stop advantage over hand-holding. They went beyond quote a single number for this new system and detailed its performance with the entire Fujifilm lineup of X-mount lenses, claiming a minimum of 5-stops stabilization which is already very good. The new mechanism is more compact that the one in the X-H1, making the X-T4 only slightly larger than the X-T3.

The Fujifilm X-T4 is built around the same 26 megapixels 4th-Generation X-Trans CMOS sensor as its predecessor yet paired with a much faster processor. This sensor retains unique features launched with the X-T3: a 30 FPS drive with 1.25X crop mode and 2.1 million Phase-Detect sensors to create a virtual 425-Point AF system. The X-T4 records Cinema 4K video at 60 FPS and now Full-HD at an unprecedented 240 FPS. A new hybrid shutter promises to be more durable while offering the same 1/32000s to 15mins timed exposure-range, plus Bulb exposures up to one full hour.

As flagship mirrorless, the X-T4 is extremely capable with every type of control, extensive bracketing options and new fine-grained image-parameters. This high-end mirrorless sports a 0.5" EVF with 3.7 megapixels that shows 100% coverage at 0.75X magnification and offers a built-in Eye-Start Sensor. The rear LCD remains at 3" yet with an increased resolution of 1.6 megapixels. Unfortunately, the hybridization of photo and video made Fujfilm include a less practical rotating LCD rather than tilting one. This is also normally more fragile which is ashame for such an expensive camera. Built-quality of everything else is expected to be high with a durable magnesium allow body that is both weatherproof and freezeproof down to -10C.

Fujifilm introduced built HDR on the X-T4 and made some ergonomic adjustments. The camera features dual control-dials, plus direct dials for ISO, Shutter-Speed, Exposure-Compensation and Drive-Mode, in addition to the Aperture-Ring found on most Fujinon lenses. This makes the X-T4 one of the most efficient cameras to operate. A new deeper grip houses much more powerful batter that manages 600 shots-per-charge.

This new Fujifilm X-T4 is expected to be available this spring for $1700 USD or $2200 CAD. This is certain to be one of the most popular high-end APS-C cameras on the market due to its new stabilization system, the most advanced of any camera with a larger than Micro Four-Thirds system. Both Adorama and B&H Photo are ready to take preorders.

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