Review: Fujifilm X-T4 APS-C Mirrorless Camera

How does the 2020 Fujifilm X-T4, the 26.1-megapixel APS-C mirrorless camera, perform today? The Fujifilm X-T4 had a tough act to follow in the Fujifilm X-T3. In this in-depth Fujifilm X-T4 review, we’ll explore the Fujifilm X-T4’s handling, design and features so you can see if it's the right camera for you. Check out the X-T4's image quality with sample photography from MPB’s Ian Howorth and wedding photographer Matthew Palmer. 

While the Fujifilm X-T1 was released back in 2014, it was only two years later—with the 2016 Fujifilm X-T2—that these cameras began to challenge Nikon and Canon DSLRs as an option for pros. And with the 2022 release of the Fujifilm X-T5, where does this leave the 2020 Fujifilm X-T4?

Fujifilm X-T4 Specs

Let’s compare the Fujifilm X-T4 against its predecessor, the Fujifilm X-T3, and its successor, the X-T5. 

Pros

• 6-stop IBIS works very well

• Faster mechanical shutter than predecessor

• Improved autofocus

• Additional picture control parameters

Cons

• Not huge improvements over X-T3

• Heavier and larger than X-T3

• Video specs are very similar

Design and Controls

In the X-T4, Fujifilm has maintained the unique nature of the X-T range. While these retro-styled shooters are easy on the eye, the X-T series goes further and emphasises usability and control. 

The X-T4’s three top-mounted dials are effectively the same as those of its predecessors. The dedicated dials allow you to control exposure compensation, exposure mode/shutter speed and ISO/shooting mode. 

If you shoot in manual or semi-auto modes, you’ll likely spend most of your time changing your exposure settings. These dials are simple and effective in doing so. They all have a wonderful click to them. You always know that the X-T4 has registered your changes. Plus, two of the dials have a locking button to prevent any accidental changes to your settings. 

Moving on to the rear of the camera, the button layout is pretty much perfect. The Q menu—with frequently used settings like white balance, timer and picture profile—sits next to the main rear thumb wheel. You can set the wheel to control your shutter speed, which is useful if you wish to bypass the top dial. I’d reiterate the wonderful placement of all the control dials and buttons on the rear of the camera. These all work intuitively. 

The joystick's simple main deck functions as a multi-purpose control for menus and autofocus point selection. The X-T4’s standard D-pad takes centre stage for further control of the camera’s main menu. As Fujifilm is starting to remove D pads from their cameras, it's nice to see it still in full force on the X-T4.

On the right side of the camera, there are two SD card slots and the battery—the excellent Fujifilm NPW-235—is accessible through the battery door underneath the camera. If you want to shoot long exposures on Bulb mode, you don’t need a proprietary cable release. Any standard old-school threaded cable should work perfectly well with the X-T4. 

Handling

At 607g, the Fujifilm X-T4 has gained a little weight since the X-T3’s svelte 539g. The difference is likely down to additions like IBIS and the larger battery, which are both well worth their weight.  In any case, in normal shooting conditions, you probably won’t notice the difference in weight. The X-T4 body has also gained a more comfortable grip, which you’ll appreciate if you’re shooting for long periods of time.

Some photographers will be able to wrap their fingers around the grip. While you shouldn’t expect Canon or Nikon DSLR levels of comfort, Fujifilm is still very much trying to keep that narrow SLR aesthetic going as long as possible. 

Overall, the X-T4 controls and ergonomics are well-designed, comfortable and easy to use. 

In-Body Image Stabilisation

With the X-T4, the in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) is a welcome upgrade from the X-T3. IBIS is becoming more and more popular for photographers who want to leave the tripod at home. IBIS also allows you to use slower shutter speeds to raise exposure, rather than upping the ISO or opening up the aperture.

Fujifilm rates its IBIS to six stops, but we found this tricky to achieve. At wider focal lengths, like 16mm and 23mm on our 16-80mm f/4 lens, we managed a one-second shutter speed hand-held. But as you go up the zoom range, you’ll probably need at least a half-second shutter speed to have a decent rate of keepers.

I’ve always recommended following the 1:1 rule for focal length and shutter speed. So, when you’re using a 50mm lens, you’ll want to keep your shutter speed around 1/50th. Although the X-T4 is rated at six stops, I’d say that—in practice—it’s closer to three or four stops of usable IBIS to get a decent rate of keepers.

I tested the X-T4 with the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR, 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR and 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR.

Autofocus

I see the Fujifilm XT-4 as a solid all-rounder. Especially now, with attractive prices, the X-T4 offers good value for money. For an APS-C camera, the X-T4 covers pretty much all the basics quite well—and that includes its autofocus capabilities.

The challenge is to determine how it compares to later models. For example, can the X-T4 still hold its own as a secondary camera for professional event photographers?

The X-T5’s subject detection is better than the X-T4. While the X-T5 can detect faces, eyes, animals, birds, planes—almost every moving object under the sun—the X-T4 will recognise faces and eyes only.

For most photographers, the X-T4’s autofocus tech will be good enough. And it performs well, tracking a duck as it decides whether to stay on shore or go for a swim.

Some photographers might think the X-T4 lacks a little in the autofocus department. Face and eye subject detection is the bare minimum. Some professionals might be left wanting more. But in practice, it’s still a solid performer. 

Remember how older DSLRs would ‘hunt’ for focus? Well, the X-T4 doesn’t really have that problem. If it misses focus, the camera tells you pretty quickly. You can lift your finger off the shutter release and have another go straight away. 

ISO Performance

ISO will depend on your point of view, and what you prefer in your images. I've never had a problem with high ISO performance in Fujifilm cameras. While noise is accentuated past 800 ISO, you still retain a sharp image with plenty of detail.

As the X-T4 has an APS-C sensor, the smaller sensor means it’s able to gather less light than a full-frame sensor. Less light means either longer shutter speeds (leading to motion blur) or higher ISO (and therefore noise). So if you want sharp images in low light, you’ll have to accept a certain amount of noise. Luckily, the X-T4’s noise is pleasing and never distracts from the image. The noise almost looks as though you’ve added a small amount of grain in post-production.

I shot these images on a dark night. I used a tripod and lifted the exposure by around 1.5 stops. Even then, the X-T4 did pretty well rendering the scene at 3200 ISO. However, by 6400 ISO, I had to take care in handling the dark areas to avoid the image breaking up.

Image Quality

Fujifilm image quality is generally phenomenal, and the X-T4 is no different. The camera’s green rendering is arguably the best in the business, and the images are easy to manipulate in post. Those gorgeous colours always pop, regardless of how haphazardly you use those sliders.

While full-frame or medium-format sensors offer the best image quality, Fujifilm has worked its magic with the RAW files from the X-T4’s smaller APS-C sensor. 

The X-T4’s dynamic range is great. The images look natural, even after lifting the shadows or taming the highlights in post-production.

With 14 stops of dynamic range, the X-T4 has enough detail in the shadows to edit later.

No Fujifilm review would be complete without mentioning the incredible in-camera JPEG processing. The X-T4 has nine colour profiles, based on Fujifilm’s own film stocks, as well as the ability to add grain and increase/decrease contrast. So, if you wish to bypass post-production, you can fully customise your look in-camera.

The X-T4’s black-and-white conversion is fantastic. The camera offers three main presets, and Acros is the star. Add contrast to certain scenes, through a yellow, red or green filter simulation, and you have arguably the best black-and-white simulation from any camera brand.

Colour simulations can be difficult to recreate using a RAW file, as Fujifilm uses its own JPEG editing algorithms in-camera. The black-and-white simulations are a little easier to recreate, as Lightroom can import your base settings so you can apply them later. However, the JPEGs are so good you might often want to simply shoot JPEGs and bypass post-processing altogether. 

When setting up the X-T4, remember to choose both FINE (JPEG) and RAW in the image quality settings. The camera will save both file types simultaneously, and the FINE setting ensures your JPEGs are the best possible quality. Thankfully, the X-T4 has dual SD card slots, so the camera can save RAWs to one card and JPEGs to the other.

Video Performance

In terms of video performance, the X-T4 isn’t a huge upgrade from the X-T3. While the X-T4 offers 4k 4:2:0 10-bit internal recording, it’s sadly missing the extra depth and information of the X-T5’s 4:2:2. Still, the X-T4 still gives us plenty of options. The H.265 codec, paired with the 400 MB/s data rate, is pretty robust. 

The X-T4 can shoot in flat F-Log for plenty of room in colour grading. If you prefer not to use F-Log, you can use one of Fujifilm stills presets. These will make your footage look great, straight out of the camera. This is a great touch, especially if you want to reduce the time spent on colour grading in post-production. 

All in all, the X-T4 is a pretty adept hybrid camera for both videography and photography. 

What’s the Fujifilm X-T4 best for?

The beauty of Fujifilm cameras is that they are good at many different things. The APS-C sensor’s smaller size allows for more processing power. This means the X-T4 can offer faster in-camera editing for JPEGs and provides decent video codecs like 10-bit 4k. 

The Fujifilm X-T4 is a capable professional camera for events, weddings and corporate shoots. It’s equally adept at street photography or shooting hybrid photo-video content. 

Fujifilm X-T4 for Wedding Photography

We asked wedding photographer Matthew Palmer to review the Fujifilm X-T4 at a wedding in Las Vegas. Matthew used the X-T4 with the 23mm f/1.4 R.

“The style of the camera looked the part. The X-T4 allowed me to feel more like a part of the wedding proceedings, rather than just a photographer-for-hire. It looks almost like a prop camera for a film!” 

“I was able to walk into Last Vegas’ casino floors and take hundreds of images—even with flash—without raising any security concerns. I'm not sure would have been possible had I turned up with a traditional DSLR & flashgun.”

“The articulating screen allowed me to get the most intimate wedding shots I've ever captured. In the car with the bride and groom, I sat in the back seats with them—rather than sitting in the front passenger seat—and managed to get some beautiful candid moments.”

“The X-T4’s low-light capabilities might not be as impressive as those of full-frame cameras. But the ISO noise appears almost like film grain.” 

Want to learn more about wedding photography? Read our interview with Gauthier le Guen, one of France's leading wedding photographers.

Should I choose the Fujifilm X-T4 or the X-T5?

Deciding whether or not to upgrade is always a tough decision. Your choice of camera will depend on your creative requirements. 

The Fujifilm X-T5 offers a big leap in performance over the X-T4. The X-T5’s resolution increased from 26 to 40 megapixels, and IBIS has been increased by an extra stop. The electronic shutter speed is now 1/180,000. The X-T5 also added more focus tracking options, including animals, cars and bikes. Plus, the video codecs are more robust with the inclusion of 4:2:2 colour space. However, the X-T5 is more expensive than the X-T4, and the higher resolution means bigger files. So, you’ll need a bigger budget—and more storage space, too. 

Want to learn more about the X-T5? Read our Fujifilm X-T5 review.

If you need those additional features and have the money to spend on them, the Fujifilm X-T5 is a worthy upgrade. Otherwise, the Fujifilm X-T4 offers a good balance of features and affordability. I’d recommend the X-T4 as a secondary setup, or if you’re a casual photographer looking for a small, all-rounder camera. The X-T4 certainly doesn’t disappoint, and it’s more than sufficient for most types of shooting.

Fujifilm X-T4 Verdict

Before starting this Fujifilm X-T4 review, I honestly thought my time with the X-T4 would be spent wishing I had the X-T5. How wrong was I! Sure, the X-T5 shows improvements over the X-T4 almost everywhere. But is every photographer out there going to make the most out of every improvement? Unlikely. 

The X-T4’s features are good enough for most photographers. For example, its ability to track a moving duck—despite its lack of ‘bird’ subject detection—shows that the X-T4 can still perform well today.  

Despite being superseded, the Fujifilm X-T4 remains a phenomenal camera today. 

Read more camera gear guides on the MPB content hub.