Hi everyone! I'm looking for a camera for my son, I looked at some of the earlier models of cameras. He has a X-M5 on order but it looks like a vlogger's camera more than a photographer's camera. btw, ship date from BH has moved to Nov. 25. It was originally Nov. 12.
Anyway, I started searching and came upon the X-E4 that seems to have a similar footprint as the X-M5. I was surprised at the used prices.
Is this a camera that seems to have the same "cult" status as the X100 VI? Should I suggest an X-T30 II? The X-T50 is beyond his budget.
Knowing the budget, what his usage will be, what lens he plans on getting would all help. The XE4 has the 26mp XTrans sensor which is very good, but no IBIS which to me is a pretty big deal for photography or video. It is small, and has a marginal 2.3 million dot EVF. But the preceding 24mp sensor was no slouch either, and to many had a bit lower noise. Here the XH1 has the 24mp sensor and IBIS, a very good 3.7 million dot EVF, AND probably costs used half of what the XE4 does, though it is in a larger chassis. For entry Fuji on a budget, IMHO the XH1 is really hard to beat -- it produces outstanding images. IDK anything about video, so cannot comment on that capability.
It's just a good alternative to X100V - small, light, with interchangeable lenses. As the X100V is hard to get, people are looking to the next best thing.
The price has become crazy high because the camera is extremely hard to obtain.
Reasons people like it:
- is quite small, close to the X100vi, and equipped with the 27mm f/2.8 it is actually slightly smaller and lighter.
- it has the traditional rangefinder-style body and the old-school manual controls for settings that many of us like. It has a regular viewfinder plus the rear screen option.
- Traditionally, Fujifilm has given the XE models the same image quality capabilities as the more expensive cameras, e.g. the same sensor. (The XE4 is one generation behind the current 40MP sensors, but it is still quite good.)
- it accepts interchangeable lenses.
Over the years we've had several XE models in addition to other Fujifilm bodies. They are solid, competent little cameras.
Consider a used X-E3. I can’t tell the difference between its files and those from my X-T4. The X-E3 has more buttons and dials that I frequently use but no tilt screen. Eric.
I bought one used out of curiosity. Found it to be a great little camera. Nothing special, other than that combo of its small size and interchangeable lenses.
I had one previously but then left Fuji for awhile. Now, jumping back into Fuji, I bought a used one just a few days ago.
It is a wonderful little camera if one appreciates its strengths. Great 26MP processor, interchangeable lenses, flip up LCD, limited dials and buttons that still effectively serve my purposes, and it looks great in a leather half-case. It is a very small package with the XF 27mm pancake lens yet I have used it previously with the XF 70-300mm without a problem. Since it does not have IBIS, the image stabilization in a larger lens is important.
johnvanr wrote:
I bought one used out of curiosity. Found it to be a great little camera. Nothing special, other than that combo of its small size and interchangeable lenses.
Oddly, your description is pretty spot on, even if it probably makes he camera sound bland to some readers. It is just a solid, straightforward little camera that gets the job done without trying to be flashy or the latest thing. That’s a good thing!
Hold out hope for an XE5. IF it comes, it will probably have IBIS and the 40MP sensor. But the introduction of the camera doesn’t seem like a certain thing at this point. Time will tell.
gdanmitchell wrote:
Hold out hope for an XE5. IF it comes, it will probably have IBIS and the 40MP sensor. But the introduction of the camera doesn’t seem like a certain thing at this point. Time will tell.
I’m all in on one if/when it happens.
We know the technology exists within Fuji. We know the demand exists. It will be larger than the XE because of IBIS, but likely smaller than the X pro assuming they ditch the OVF. Regardless it seems a no-brainer product for Fuji to release right now. I personally don’t care if it looks retro or modern, I will take it either way. But given the success of retro, that seems another logical assumption.
Jack Flesher wrote:
I’m all in on one if/when it happens.
We know the technology exists within Fuji. We know the demand exists. It will be larger than the XE because of IBIS, but likely smaller than the X pro assuming they ditch the OVF. Regardless it seems a no-brainer product for Fuji to release right now. I personally don’t care if it looks retro or modern, I will take it either way. But given the success of retro, that seems another logical assumption.
What would interest me is a sort of “Super XE” model. It would have full manual controls like the XPro models (or the XT), it would lose the OVF and just have a high quality EVF, the viewfinder would be at the upper left corner rather than centered, it would have a rangefinder-style body, have IBIS, have the 40MP sensor, and the larger battery used on the XT5 and XH2 bodies.
It would be more expensive than the traditional XE bodies, but Fujifilm could argue that they meet the low end need with other options that were not available when the XE was first introduced.
At the same time, if they go with more or less a basic updated XE design, I hope they add IBIS and the 40MP sensor.
Jack Flesher wrote:
Knowing the budget, what his usage will be, what lens he plans on getting would all help. The XE4 has the 26mp XTrans sensor which is very good, but no IBIS which to me is a pretty big deal for photography or video. It is small, and has a marginal 2.3 million dot EVF. But the preceding 24mp sensor was no slouch either, and to many had a bit lower noise. Here the XH1 has the 24mp sensor and IBIS, a very good 3.7 million dot EVF, AND probably costs used half of what the XE4 does, though it is in a larger chassis. For entry Fuji on a budget, IMHO the XH1 is really hard to beat -- it produces outstanding images. IDK anything about video, so cannot comment on that capability. ...Show more →
I'll second this. We still use an XH-1 along with newer cameras at my workplace, and this was my first Fuji camera personally. Beautiful image quality, IBIS, and well priced used. It does come with a larger footprint, but it's not THAT big. :-)
voltaire wrote:
Hi Jack,
He will be using most of my lenses. I don’t have the Fujichrons but have most of the red badge lenses and the primes except for the 16 f/1.4.
Thanks!
👍. My main recommendation remains to get a body with IBIS. The XH1 as mentioned is a great option simply because of price used — it’s a great value.
The XH1 seems like a rare, used Fuji in that its not crazy priced due to demand. I've only handled an XH1 once and never an XE4. But I was impressed with the solid build of the XH1 and the XE4 seems much lighter in both good and bad ways. Some kids are hard on gear so the more robust build might be of value. Crazy that a camera that sold for more, is now available for around 1/2 the XE4 price.
You could look for a used X-T30 or X-T30ii. Much the same thing as an X-E4 but has more controls, and an excellent and useful pop-up flash. It is very slightly taller but not as wide as the X-E4. It is IMO a better camera than the X-E4, which is over-hyped because of the rangefinder styling.
The X-E4 and X-T30 II are actually very similar in terms of specs and image quality since they share the same sensor and processor. The difference is really about style and handling. If your son prefers a rangefinder-style design, the X-E4 is a great choice. If he likes more dials and a bit more grip, the X-T30 II might feel better.
