From the birth of the Fujifilm X-T1, the photography mega-brand has seen huge leaps in popularity. Now with the revelation of the Fujifilm X-T4, they may have just set a new benchmark for mirrorless shooting and filming, with quieter, longer and faster capabilities than ever before. So what makes this beast tick? Read on for the full lowdown.

The all-new Fujifilm X-T4 is now the pinnacle of the Fujifilm X Series, delivering the highest performance in both stills and video shooting. A new shutter unit has been developed to be fast, durable and quiet. Thanks to the development of a new algorithm, the X-T4 provides fastest ever autofocus performance in an X Series camera, offering photographers the ability to capture any moment. The X-T4 is also the first model in the X-T Series to feature in-body image stabilisation [IBIS], dramatically boosting the potential of the camera for stills and video shooting. The standalone video mode, which is now activated with a simple switch, and the use of digital image stabilisation in the video mode, provides unparalleled shooting smoothness, allowing users to dive deep into video production. A new Film Simulation mode, ETERNA Bleach Bypass, simulates the traditional film processing technique to create a unique world of low saturation and high contrast.

Key features and enhancements in the Fujifilm X-T4

The X-T4 is the first model in the X-T Series to feature an IBIS mechanism. It provides 5-axis 6.5 stop image stabilisation when used with 18 out of 29 XF / XC lenses. It offers many new components, including new materials to the base part, a refined layout of the shutter’s shock-absorbing structure and newly developed gyro sensors that boast approximately 8 times the detection accuracy of the IBIS unit in the X-H1. This particular mechanism assists night photography and sports photography, and also helps video recording in situations prone to camera shake. The new IBIS unit uses magnetic force rather than springs, which boosts functionality while making it approx. 30% smaller and 20% lighter than X-H1’s image stabilisation mechanism.

The X-T4 is equipped with a very speedy focal plane shutter. Thanks to newly developed high-torque coreless DC motor, the shutter has the capability to shoot up to 15fps in burst mode and has advanced response performance with a shutter release lag of just 0.035 seconds. The shutter unit also boasts double the durability with 300,000 actuations and offers shutter noise approx. 30% quieter compared to the X-T3.

The new NP-W235 battery has a large capacity that is approx. 1.5 times that of an NP-W126S battery. It lasts for approx. 500 frames per charge in the Normal mode, approx. 600 frames per charge in the Economy mode and up to approx. 1,700 frames when two additional batteries are used with the optional battery grip [VG-XT4].

The X-T4 uses the back-illuminated 26.1MP X-TransTM CMOS 4 *3 sensor and a high-speed image processing engine, the X-Processor 4. Combined with FUJIFILM’s colour reproduction technology, nurtured over 85 years of R&D for photographic films, the X-T4 delivers a wide variety of options so you can recreate a scene exactly as you remember it.

Unique colour reproduction technology

The X-T4 features “ETERNA Bleach Bypass,” a new Film Simulation mode, that uses Fujifilm’s unique technology to provide versatile colour tones. The new mode simulates ‘bleach bypass,’ which is a traditional processing technique for silver halide films; creating images with low saturation and high contrast for a special atmosphere.

Highlight and shadow tones from -2 to +4 can now be adjusted by 1/2 stops, instead of 1 stop, allowing for finer tonality, and White Balance now has “White Priority” and “Ambience Priority” options in addition to “AUTO.” The “White Priority” mode reproduces a stronger white, while the “Ambience Priority” produces a warmer tone. When “RAW” is selected, users now choose the non-reversible “Compressed” option in addition to the reversible “Lossless Compressed.”

Capture everything

The X-T4 offers a speedy, 15fps continuous shooting in post view and an 8fps continuous shooting in live view using the mechanical shutter. The electronic shutter enables blackout-free burst shooting of 30fps. The eyecup now has a locking mechanism to prevent tearing or dislodgement, and the 1.62 mil dots vari-angle monitor allows for more creative and versatile shooting styles. The LCD/EVF can be boosted in three different ways, Low Light Priority – allowing users to see the subject clearly in low light, Resolution Priority – displaying even the fine details of your subject and Frame Rate Priority which minimises blur in the viewfinder when shooting a moving subject. The Boost / Normal modes are now joined by the Economy mode, which saves the power to increase battery life.

High Performance

A new algorithm and phase-detection AF’s processing capability has led to autofocus performance as fast as 0.02 seconds. This ensures that users can capture and track a subject moving at high speed, especially when combined with the continuous shooting performance of 15fps in post view and 8fps in live view. Tracking AF performance has also undergone serious enhancement. The tracking success rate has been doubled compared to the Fujifilm X-T3. The Face / Eye AF performance has also been significantly improved. This enhanced tracking ability has made focusing and taking portraits even easier than we’ve seen with previous models.

Professional video functions

The X-T4 is capable of recording Full HD high-speed video at 240P, producing up to 10x slow-motion effect. IBIS is effective when combined with the electronic image stabilisation function [DIS] for use in video mode, and brings even more image stabilisation, which is essential for users who shoot video handheld and whilst on the move. The ‘IS [Image Stabilisation] Boost’ mode alleviates gentle camera shakes, giving stabilised fixed-point video recording without the need for a tripod.

The stills and video modes now have separate menus and the video-only Quick Menu [Q Menu] button has enhanced the camera’s simplicity while recording video. A ‘Movie optimised control’ function has been introduced; users can adjust the exposure with the command dial as well as the touchscreen panel. With this function, the user can switch the STILL / MOVIE mode dial on the top panel to swiftly shift into video recording with stored video settings.

Video in the same format can be recorded on to two SD cards at the same time as a backup. And the F-Log View Assist function has been added to correct low-saturation / low-contrast video while recording F-Log. Video is converted equivalent to BT.709 for a display to make it easier to attain correct exposure in video recording. The ‘Fix movie crop magnification’ function fixes the video crop rate to prevent changes in the angle of view when switching to a different video mode. A ‘MIC jack setting’ on the camera can be switched input level between MIC level and LINE level. The camera supports external microphones as well as LINE level input from external audio equipment.

Final thoughts from a Fujifilm X-user

As a Fujifilm shooter, I can see that the Fujifilm X-T4 has finally hit the nail on the head. It embodies what Fujifilm users have been looking for for a long time. There may be some controversy surrounding the new vari-angle screen and I might sway into that category on a personal level, but we’ll wait until we get hands-on for a full review before I give the final PhotoBite verdict. You can expect to see this on our Youtube channel [don’t forget to subscribe] in the very near future.

The built-in IBIS is something that could well be a godsend as before, users have had to rely on the lenses they bought to get out of those tricky, low light situations. An improved battery will always be a point scored in my book, too.

So yes, look out for the ultimate overview and our thoughts on using the new Fujifilm X-T4 in our forthcoming video, but in the meantime, watch Fujifilm’s official intro video below.

Pricing and availability

The X-T4 will be available in Black and Silver, in the following options:
Fujifilm X-T4 Body Only – Black – £ 1,549.00
Fujifilm X-T4 Body Only – Silver – £ 1,549.00
Fujifilm X-T4 Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black) – £ 1,899.00
Fujifilm X-T4 Kit with 18-55mm lens (Silver) – £ 1,899.00
Fujifilm X-T4 Kit with XF 16-80mm lens (Black) – £ 1,949.00
Fujifilm X-T4 Kit with XF 16-80mm lens (Silver) – £ 1,949.00

The X-T4 will be available late Spring 2020. See more at Fujifilm’s site.