The Fujifilm X-E3 vs X-E4: A More Practical Look
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- This X-E3 vs X-E4 comparison isn't about specs or price or anything like that. If you're considering upgrading from an X-E3 to an X-E4 or adding an X-E4 to your Fujifilm kit, there are some serious UI considerations for your decision-making, and that's what we'll discuss here.
📫 FUJI TIPS VIA EMAIL: jmpeltier.ck.page/fujisubscribe
📷 X-E4 Tutorial course: photocourses.link/xe4 (use "TUBE20" for 20% off)
📖 Blog post: www.jmpeltier.com/fujifilm-xe... - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Thank God, an honest and practical review of the X-E4. I've just sent mine back and will keep my X-E3. All I wanted was an X-E3 with the new sensor and processor, that I've got with my X-T4 and X-T30. Why, Fuji, was this so difficult? On this occasion less is genuinely less. I'm also worried about the direction they're taking with the X-S10 and the PASM dial. I've subscribed!
This camera contains a lot of what I hated about the Sony mirrorless cameras and a large part of why I switched over to Fujifilm in the first place years ago. I hope this isn't a trend for all future cameras!
Wow. Thank you very much. The ability to easily switch between series is really really important for me since I plan to grab the PRO series as well.
I agree with you. The XE-4 is just a handicap camera that is difficult to use.
3:07 That was the “deal killer” for me. I regularly use this switch and having it there and using it on the fly (on all of my Fuji cameras) is priceless. Had that switch remained, I would likely be rockin’ this camera.
mine was the back dial and that focus mode dial. I wanna be in control of my aperture, iso and shutter speed, all on different dials. the removal of it make the camera feel so weird to me. also the extra grip on xe3 make it so much better to hold
Thanks for making this video! Remember how frustrating it was to use an X-T1 along with an X-T2, because of the drastically different menu system..
Yes I sure do, and that was a welcome change :)
Thank you for the video, I was thinking of buying the x-e4 but I think I will stick with my x-t30 as backup body
Great critical review. It seems they've dumbed the x-e4's design, especially the removal of the buttons part, down, perhaps because the x-e3 was a little bit too good, meaning fewer would bother buying their more expensive cameras. The way I see it is they should give the user the option of using either the buttons or touch screen. I reckon they could even add a few more buttons to it. I get they're going for simplicity, but now it's a little bit too bare bones now.
You nailed it. I set up my X Pro3 to work like my X-E3 to move effortlessly between the two. The removal of the back dial and the focus M/C/S lever are deal breakers for me. The only thing the X-E3 lacks is a tilt screen, I love shooting waist level shots.
All they needed to do, was give the X-E3 weather sealing, and a flip screen, and the new sensor. Done. The built in grip was perfect to keep the form factor small instead of adding a big grip after market. Maybe they will have an X-E4 “WR” later and solve the shortcomings. Then I’d pick one up.
Fujifilm need to appeal to new users as growth of the system is determined by them, not existing users who hang on to their existing model and lenses for years.
The X-E4 has to appeal to those seeing their favourite influencer using a sleek and retro styled camera, with some cool looking controls, but not too many to be scare them off. It is not aimed at you wanting WR and a grip, the X-Pro3 is and they want you to buy that!
The X Pro 3 only suits some photographers. Many of us use the rear LCD when shooting, so it's a non starter.
@@blood_n_guts_murphy We are talking about X-E3 not the upmarket x-Pro* family
Very interesting comparison. I shall consider...
That was an excellent discussion.
I was interested in the X-E4, when I sold my X-Pro1 and X-M1 bodies, but the X-E3 tempted due to end of line deals.
For exactly the reasons you make in this video, I went for the X-E3 and haven't regretted it.
I like the small form factor, the rangefinder styling with the viewfinder on the left of the body, (so my big hooter doesn't smear snot on the screen on cold winter days). The two command dials and Focus mode switch are essential as I find any foray into the menu during shooting is an irritating distraction from the creative flow.
Also, I like a good thumb-hold which becomes even more necessary when wearing gloves.
I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of my X-E3, no matter how much the tech in other cameras advances. I love it for those reasons you stated.
I had an X-E1 and now X-E3. This X-E4 is terrible step backward in this series. The X-E1 was actually a very nice sized camera. But on X-E4, it is missing rear dial, focus switch, the back joystick is too low, Q button in very bad place. I just cant get myself to buy an X-E4 yet. I guess I have to get X-T30 ii, X-T4. Maybe even an X100v which is much better made even though it's fixed 35mm.
Very interesting... thanks.
Thanks so much for this video. Straight to point and no nonsense. The absence of a rear command dial was a concern for me as I use these dials the most when I'm out and about shooting. Would you recommend the x-s10 as a better backup camera paired with an x-t4? I'm looking for something more compact but with interchangeable lenses.
Yeah so I had considered that too after my falling-out with the X-E4. But I rely heavily on my custom settings to avoid as much post-processing as possible, but the X-S10 custom settings - in addition to only having four - don't operate the same as in the X-T4. If that's not a concern to you (or you might prefer the X-S10 custom setting structure better) then that might be a good option. I'm just gonna stick with my X-E3 for now :)
Interesting to know. I have the Fujifilm X-T2, and I just bought the X-E3. I think that is enough Fuji for me as the upgrades are not that big of a jump, in my opinion.
Thanks for the honest video
Great review, excellent points. I much prefer the xe3 body and set up. Why fugi makes some of these changes is a puzzle.
I think this is a camera for those who want a camera that looks like a Leica. It is the spitting image of one Leica. Killed the line for me.
The thing that the X-E4 did for me was to make me embrace my X-E3 with more gusto. I was happy that the line was being retained with the E4, but upon reading about the elimination of the many things in pursuit of minimalism, I kept my X-E3, and even invested in the costly Fujifilm grip and an expensive shoe-mounted thumb grip.
I'll be keeping it a while longer, so I might as well be comfortable.
The X-E3 still has plenty of years left in it - it's still doing great work for me :)
Interesting comparison, thanks. I grabbed my XE2 and X Pro 2 whilst watching and realized I rely on the thumb rests and front grip all the time. I like the option to shoot one handed. I tried holding my XE2 with the front grip and hotshoe thumb rest but it isn't good enough. I would have to rely on 3rd party stick on grips, or a big grip that screws to the bottom. I disliked the XE3, partly due to the rear thumb grip (and also the tiny EVF which this has), so a stick on grip would be a downgrade from the proper molded ones on my cameras.
The complicated controls sound like an extra negative. I might be able to live with that in time. Same with loss of controls. I just can't get past the grippage. I might end up with the very large rubber grip that covers much of the camera someone 3D prints on Etsy, which would make it feel and look like a toy.
The X Pro 2 is a bit heavy for my liking but it's awesome. Switching for this would be crazy. Thanks for keeping me from making that mistake. 👍 Hopefully Fuji go back to making the line a mini X Pro next time, or actually release a mini X Pro. The XE4 is like a different line compared to the XE1 and XE2.
Great video! I shoot with a X100V and I love it, I am possibly interested in the XE4 for the lens options. I shoot my X100V in manual mode and adjust exposure with the ISO mapped to the front dial using the light meter and histogram for reference. I am curious to know if this would be possible with the XE4, I also use back button focus, I assume this is available with the XE4. I do frequently change from S to M on the focus selector mainly to see what is in focus with the peaking, with the back button focus auto focus is still available in M mode. If I purchase the XE4 I would probably need the optional grip. I also know the EFT is lower quality then the X100V, not sure if this would bother me or not. Thanks for your help.
Yeah all of that is possible in the X-E4 for sure. I love the XE series because they are like interchangeable lens X100s, minus the rangefinder.
Totally agree. I tried the XE4 out today in the hope of getting a Fuji that will compete with/replace my Ricoh GR2, and those very same issues were really apparent. Even though the XE4 is a beautiful looking camera it's a step back in many ways when compared to the XE3.
Good video on the differences between the X-E3 & X-E4. Coming from an X-E2s there is a bit of a learning curve, but with enough time behind the wheel muscle memory will kick in. After a week with the X-E4 I'm still learning it, but I find it a really enjoyable camera. Thanks for the video John.
Hello, thanks for the video. I was wondering, there is a functionnality I use much on my XE3, and I wonder if it's still on the XE4 : changing the ISO just rolling the front command dial, very easy. Can you tell me something about that please ?
Yes that works the same.
@@PeltierPhoto thanks
Why in the world would they remove the rear command dial ?? Not to mention the grip area.
I own and currently use several cameras from four different systems, including Fuji and its X-Pro1. The biggest difficulty I would have with the X-E4 is not the UI, but more to the point that I can't look at it without thinking of a bar of soap and my 100% chance of eventually dropping it. It seems that Fuji is deliberately restricting some of its cameras to suitability with only a selection of its lenses, in this case the slower aperture ones. So in this instance my 16mm f/1.4 and 23mm f/1.4 lenses obviously won't balance on the X-E4. For a relatively small player in the global market, I think that Fuji is overplaying its hand with niche products and thus losing both potential new and renewing customers. I'd much rather they made fewer models, but ensured that they each had more widespread appeal and fewer reasons to discount them. But thank you for your honest review and valuable personal perspective.
Bar of soap 😂😂
@@PeltierPhoto I could be wrong about that! Have just watched another video in which someone took out the X-E4 with an 18mm f/1.4 and he had only added the thumb rest. It actually looked fairly secure, so now I'm doubting myself.
Yeah there’s always grips and thumb rests, but the design is still too minimalist for a large chunk of photographers. There are of course photographers who still love it, but a lot of people are alienated from the X-E series with this.
Yeah, I definitely feel alienated with my newest Fuji being nearly 6 years old.
Sony is becoming more attractive now there are lenses with aperture rings (full frame, but maybe there will be APSC too). If they also add an exposure comp dial like they did with the A7c I might get their A6400 replacement.
It will be 3 long years until the next XE.
AMEN to all you said. Why Fuji insists on REMOVING features we love in the name of whatever the hell "minimalization" is supposed to mean escapes me. I wish they'd bring back the dpad customization dial on all their new models as well.
My first Fuji camera is the Xe4 and I find this impractical as a review. I know this may serve legacy camera owners, but find it rather one sided. I am so happy with my new normal that you now make me feel it is not worth it to buy an outdated model as my backup. Or are we agile enough to grab a different object and still make it useful? Coming from a Lumix m4/3 this was a welcome change of pace.
I literally said at 2:15 that this _isn't_ a review. There are plenty of those out there. This is supposed to be one-sided because my intention here was to help people who had used the X-E3 for years see that the X-E4 is less of an "upgrade" and more of a "totally new camera". They're both great cameras. The newer one just has some differences that will catch legacy owners off-guard, and that's important for them to know.
This is a very practical comparison. For people akready using older XE cameras. The XE4 would be great coming from M43, their competitors are similar without grips (GM5 and Pen F). I switched to an XE2 and hardly ever used my GM5 or G7 again after getting the Fuji. The XE4 would be a backwards step to a less ergonomic camera.
It's like people who start with powerzoom zooms- it's all they know so they accept it and like it. I am used to normal zooms so a PZ is just frustrating.
Agree 100%
I have an X-E2, which only does AE bracketing up to +-1 ev, and I need to do 3 shots +-2 ev. Does the X-E3 do that? Fuji's manuals don't seem to tell about this.
Yes the X-E3 has that capability.
@@PeltierPhoto Thanks so much! It was either that or an X-T3, but this way I can save $400-$500.
Dale, the X-E3 can do +/- up to 9 frames in 1/3 steps EG 1/3, 2/3, 1, 1 1/3, 1 2/3 all the way to 3 steps. In other words any combination more than is even practical.
@@jackblah5842 Thanks! Actually I went ahead and bought an X-T3 instead, and I love it. Really good upgrade over the X-E2, makes my life easier as a real estate photographer.
Hello John is XE3 a great deal for streetphotography ? Need your guidance 🙏
Yes, the X-E3 is one of the top Fujifilm cameras for street photography, especially with a 23, 27, or 35mm lens attached to it.
I would say the XE2 is even better than the XE3. But I would be in the minority. More solid build and bigger EVF. But at the expense of focus speed on the older lenses like 27 and 18
@@blood_n_guts_murphy True, build quality has definitely gone down with each revision. X-E1 was very solid and a nice size.
Although my XE2 is now dying. Looking out for the newer XE2S.
Does xe3 have Eterna cinema profile?
No, that camera came out just a few months before Eterna was released.
Thanks for this video! You've convinced me that I don't need to spend a lot extra on an X-E4 when I can get an X-E3 really cheaply as a smaller alternative to my X-T2 for ultra-casual use.
Yep…newer isn’t always necessarily better :) At least not for everyone!
It si unfortunate that photographers are dependent control system that the manufacturer supplies. X-E3 is a a sweet spot. I guess Fujifilm marketing decided to resegment their branding.
They’re having a bit of an identity crisis now, torn between two types of photographers
I just dropped off my X-E4 at Fedex, trading it for a "Like New" X-E3. I also got tired of the ergonomics. It seems that some of the same logic that got us the X-T4 dribbled down onto the X-E4. My guess is that someone decided that the X-E3 had too many controls and that was confusing people. So the solution was a castrato version with those buttons and functions now hidden in menus. Taking away the focus mode switch and one of the command dials actually resulted in removing three controls for some users.
I've been using Fujifilm X-cameras since the original X100 and now using two X-T5s as my primaries. The X-E4 was my first experience with the X-E# family, and from the start I was a little put off by the controls, but really appreciated it technical characteristics. But it just didn't mesh with any other Fuji camera I am using. Even my little old X-30 has the focus selector right where we expect it, and I never heard of any photographer's head exploding because of it.
Who knows if Fuji will ever make an X-E5. But if they do, I hope they restore the little grip hump and all the controls they cut off when they made the X-E4. If they take the same route as they just did with the X-S20 -- Gen 4 26mp sensor and the Gen 5 processor -- we'd have a very impressive compact camera indeed.
That I’d love to see! I’d get the X-E5 with that.
Interesting observations. Continues to show that camera companies really need to hire (better) UX designers. Why would they assume that a JPEG style should be tied to other shooting settings like focus mode? And vice versa? At least it could theoretically be improved in firmware.
I'm sure they'll get there. They're really good at making drastic firmware updates to improve their cameras after they're released. I'll be waiting :)
"Why would they assume that a JPEG style should be tied to other shooting settings like focus mode?"
Well for me it is a genius move as I use specific custom slots for manual focus lenses. No more remembering to switch focus mode when I mount the lens and switch to that custom setting. Brilliant!
@@fredbloggs545 hi Fred! Being able to tie focus mode into a custom mode sounds great (considering lack of physical switch), but I'm talking about film sim/recipe. If you always use a given film sim when shooting manual lenses then you're golden, otherwise it sounds a bit annoying. I don't really use film sims (or indeed Fuji at all these days) so it wouldn't bother me personally, just seems like a strange assumption for Fuji to make.
I'm a Sony shooter but I love and respect fujifilm a lot and I believe that fujifilm should listen to your remarks that I believe to be significant..
They listen to people…just not me 😂
@@PeltierPhoto if so then time will make them regret 😂... well, honestly speaking I believe they should listen to those remarks and I think they will... Their desings philosophy especially in terms of ergonomics as well as that of the lenses they make reflect how clever they are and how seriously committed to their projects.
I did not like the X-E4..... to many things go into the wrong direction...... I will maybe buy the X-E5....
Most content creators shun from real negative opinions when making gear videos at least based on the videos I watched. Yours is so refreshing. Don' t ever change.
I’ve got no reason to hide my feelings :)
Thank you for the feedback!
As you say, moving from the X-E3 to X-E4 is easy, it was for me. Although I don't see the menu differences you see when compared to the X100T or X-E3?
The Q button. I kept hitting it on the X-E3 and missing a shot. I am glad they moved it from under my thumb.
Rear command dial: The X-E1 and X-E2 don't have a front command dial, nobody complains about that but removing the rear one from the X-E4 has stopped the World turning! I think I only used it for reviewing pictures and I do that on the touchscreen, just like a smartphone. Of course you can also use the joystick.
The custom settings on the X-E4 are better than my X-E3. They are WAY better for straight out of camera jpeg shooters and the X-E4 is a no-brainer for that. Compare the X-E4 image settings to previous generations and you'll see them missing Color Chrome Blue, Color Chrome Effect, Clarity, Monochromatic Color, Grain Size, etc etc. Of course you are missing films sims too. The previous generation do not allow you to save individual White Balance shifts to custom slots, which is incredibly frustrating!
Changing from S to M is one button press and a flick of the joystick, same to go from M to S. Of course you can use the touchscreen or Q menu too. It really isn't much different from fumbling around for the MCS switch on the front. The great thing about removing the MCS switch is that you can now assign Focus Mode to a custom setting slot. I have a custom setting slot for a manual focus lens with the custom recipe I use with it. Simply switch to that slot and the camera is put into manual focus too. It was a lightbulb moment when I realised what Fujifilm had done, I switch to C1 and I am in manual focus with a Kodachrome recipe, brilliant.
There is a lot to the X-E4 that is not being said, there is far too much loud shouting about a missing MCS switch. A pity it doesn't work for you but we have choice and that is a good thing!
Thankfully everyone has different shooting styles and uses the cameras differently, so these things won't matter to a lot of photographers. I just wish I were one of them :) Maybe one day I'll get there; thanks for the motivation. With the way I have my other cameras set up, especially using the X-Es as secondary bodies when doing documentary work where speed is critical, it's just too much of a reach for me. I almost sprung for the purchase simply based on the new IQ settings and film simulations alone - I love those!
I LOVE and HATE the new custom setting structure at the same time. I love that you can program all the focus & shooting settings into them. I also hate that you *must* program all the focus and shooting settings into them. I wish you could choose which settings you wanted to save to each custom setting. Because for me, and many other jpeg shooters, the custom settings are only about the visual style. Switching from one custom setting to another to get a different visual style also resets whatever focus & shooting settings you needed for that specific scenario to the settings programmed for that style, if that makes sense. I was actually going to do a video this week about how that can bite people who were accustomed to working that way.
But, as we both recognize, everyone uses cameras differently and I'm glad this is working so well for a lot of people :)
@@PeltierPhoto
" I also hate that you must program all the focus and shooting settings into them."
Yeah I get that. What I do is use the copy function to make a copy of the custom settings to another slot, then rename the copy, then change the few settings that I need to.
@@fredbloggs545 yeah it's not so much the _programming_ part that's frustrating me, it's the _using it_ part.
For example, I have to program a focus mode. So let's say I just program AF-S as a default mode for all my custom settings. Then I'm photographing a scene where MF is working best. But I want to go from my Classic Chrome style to my Acros style. Now my focus mode gets reset to AF-S, and I have change it back to MF.
Every time I go from one custom setting to another - just to change the visual style - now I have to remember, _okay, how did my shooting and focus settings also change from how I've set them for this specific scene?_ , and then change them back.
@@PeltierPhoto
Ah got you. I have Focus Mode in my Q menu next to that fixed Custom Slot tile. It is a quick visual check what Focus Mode the Custom Setting is in when I change to it, I can change it as necessary as I change Custom Slot.
I also have the other main things affecting Custom Settings in the Q menu so they visually change as I change Custom Slot, like White Balance, Film Simulation etc.
In fact now thinking about it I use the Q menu primarily for that purpose, a quick check of Custom Settings.
I get the sense that a lot of shooters have never shot a camera that TRULY gets out of their way so they can focus on creating. Most of what I've seen said about the XE4 is like getting ANY new camera --> the "new camera blues". I also think that "you get used to it", and then it's your new normal. Then shortly after that you wonder how you ever survived your entire life w/out having an XE4. :) I take my GRii out a lot for the simple reason that it's less "in my way" than my A7iii and A6500. My prediction is... history will rate the XE4 much higher than it's being rated today. (someone screenshot that so they can call me out later). LOL
I think another issue is people "thinking" the that XE4 is the "new XE3" and that's totally gonna lead to disappointment. But I think Fuji's is the blame for this because of the naming convention used. :) IG: freshouttafocus
The X-E4 was on backorder or unavailable almost from launch. 2 years on it's already been discontinued, and not a word about a successor. Some people with inside access to Fuji HQ claim they were disappointed with the E4 sales, but how can that be an issue when they were almost never available to be purchased? Personally, I think this is the end of the road for the X-E series. They've threatened it before, and this camera's poor layout and missing features suggests they're just not behind this line. Then there's the X-100V which is off the charts popular... and they also discontinued that. At least a successor to the 100V is certain. Meanwhile, dealers have piles of X-T5's, X-H2's, and X-Pro-3's that no one wants. Exactly what the hell is going on at Fuji?
Update; now the X-Pro3 is also discontinued and has disappeared as well as new, used, or even refurbished on the Fuji website. Also with no rumors or clear successor on the horizon. It seems that people still very much want the rangefinder style cameras, and (other than the 100series) Fuji doesn't seem very interested in making them anymore. I hope I'm wrong because they are great fun to use.
Hopefully there’s some good news during the Sep 12 announcement other than a new GFX camera - but the patent sleuths would have found it by now!
in your opinion, will they not announce the x-e5?
@@lunabeige Fujifilm executives were asked about this recently and their response was something along the lines of "we're always considering what's next." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Trying to be Leica when they should have just stayed Fuji 🤷
Most of the UI changes Fuji made in the past were improvements they learned from the community. Now the controlling is taking over it seems. Just look at the butchered lay-out of the X-H2.
The community said “we love the analog controls for Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO to change our exposure modes!”
Fujifilm’s response: “Cool, you’re getting a PASM dial instead and no exposure compensation dial.”