Monday, February 17, 2020

Fujifilm X-T4: everything we know so far

Update 17/2/20: Following some new Fujifilm X-T4 leaked images from Fuji Rumors and Fuji Addict, we've updated this feature with our impressions of its apparent design – read on for the full rumors and our thoughts on what you can expect from the X-T3's successor.

The Fujifilm X-T4 is now officially coming on February 26, with the official site counting down to the announcement of the new IBIS-equipped mirrorless camera.

If you're not familiar with Fujifilm's X-T line, they're among our favorite all-rounder mirrorless cameras, combining classic styling, great image quality and some of the finest APS-C prime lenses around.

The current Fujifilm X-T3 is only around 18 months old, which means the X-T4 is arriving a little sooner than expected. The X-T4 is also likely to have the same sensor as its predecessor, but what other new features will it bring? 

We've rounded up all of the latest leaks and rumors to help you decide whether it's a camera that'll be worth upgrading to when it's announced soon...

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4: release date and price

  • The Fujifilm X-T4 will be announced on February 26
  • Shipping will apparently start from March 2020

Fujifilm has now confirmed that the Fujifilm X-T4 will be announced on February 26, with an official countdown clock ticking down to the date.

What we don't yet know is when the X-T4 will actually be available to buy. The usually reliable Fuji Rumors is pretty confident, though, that the Fujifilm X-T4 will be shipping from March, which would seem likely given previous Fujifilm release schedules.

Right now, there aren't any price leaks for the X-T4, but we can make some ballpark guesses based on its previous releases.

The X-T3's launch price was $1,499.95 / £1,349 / AU$1,999, but given the X-T4 is likely to include in-body image stablization (IBIS) and an improved EVF, among other features, we'd expect it to launch for a price that's closer to the X-H1. 

That launched for $1899.95 / £1,699 / AU$2,700 back in February 2018, so we expect the X-T4 could cost in the region of $1,999 / £1,799 / AU$2,900 (body only). But we'll bring you more official news as soon as we get it.

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4: will it have in-body image stabilization (IBIS)?

  • The strongest X-T4 rumor is that it will have IBIS (in-body image stabilization)
  • This could make it the spiritual successor to both the X-H2 and X-T3

So far, there haven't been any detailed leaks of the Fujifilm X-T4's specs, but Fuji Rumors is confident about one thing – the X-T4 will have in-body image stabilization (IBIS).

The inclusion of IBIS would be a big new inclusion for both stills and video, and the leaked images seem to suggest the X-T4 has been made a little thicker to incorporate it. It'd support improved handheld shooting in both low light and with lenses that don't have built-in stabilization themselves (on Fujifilm lenses, these are the ones without OIS in their name). 

It'd also be significant because, so far, only one Fujifilm camera has included IBIS – the Fujifilm X-H1. If the IBIS rumors are to be believed, the X-T4 could in some ways be a spiritual successor to the X-H1 as much as the X-T3, given that camera was announced in February 2018, almost exactly two years before the X-T4's rumored launch date.

Fujifilm X-Series cameras have traditionally lacked IBIS because their main sell has been the 'big sensor-small body' combo for stills photographers, and adding stabilization usually means a larger body. 

But with video becoming a much greater focus on the X-T line in recent models, and Fujifilm's engineers apparently working away to make their IBIS system smaller, it certainly seems like a plausible inclusion on the X-T4 that would help differentiate from the smaller, travel-friendly Fujifilm X-T30.

Fujifilm X-T4: design

  • Leaked images suggest the X-T4 will have a fully-articulating rear screen
  • The body will apparently be slightly thicker than the X-T3
  • It otherwise has a very similar design, bar some small control tweaks

Some apparently leaked images from Fuji Rumors and Fuji Addict seem to have given us our first glimpse of the Fujifilm X-T4's front and rear designs – and it looks like most of the early rumors were correct.

They show a fully articulating rear touchscreen like the one on the Panasonic S1H – this would be handy for both folding the screen inwards to protect it while traveling, and also shooting video to camera.

Otherwise the X-T4 looks very similar to its predecessor, bar a slightly thicker body to help accommodate that IBIS system. There appears to be a new HDR mode on the left-hand subdial, while the AF Assist lamp appears to have moved up a bit.

The broader retro looks are all still intact, though, and it seems to have retained the D-pad buttons that were cut from the Fujifilm X100V.


Fujifilm X-T4: other new features

  • Rumors suggest the X-T4 might be able to shoot 6K/60p video
  • It's also likely to have a brand new battery and improved EVF
  • There will also likely be an increase on the X-T3's body size and weight

While IBIS is the biggest rumored feature for the X-T4, there have also been a few whispers about other new inclusions – including the possibility of a brand new Fujifilm battery for the first time since the X-Pro1 arrived in 2012.

First, the rumors around video. Back in November 2019, FujiAddict in suggested the X-T4 would be able to shoot 6K/60p video and 10-bit internally.

A couple of other rumors to file in the 'speculation' category, posted by Fuji Rumors on 13 January, include a "best-in-class EVF" and improved battery life. The former could well be the 5.76-million dot EVF seen on the likes of the Panasonic S1, which would be quite a jump from the X-T3's 3.69-million dot 'finder.

But Fuji Rumors has since expanded on the battery rumor, claiming that it's confident the X-T4 will bring a brand new battery. This is a big deal because Fujifilm has used the NP-W126S (or variations on it) in every X-T and X-Pro camera so far.

It's struggled to significantly improve the battery life in those cameras, and with rivals like the Sony A6600 stretching their life to an impressive 720 shots thanks to the new Z-battery, Fujifilm may have decided it's time to act. 

It's a decision that always divides opinion though – the battery life benefits could be offset by the inconvenience to existing Fuji owners who have the existing batteries, unless the X-T4 is also compatible with the NP-W126S.

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4 rumors: early verdict

It's now official that the Fujifilm X-T4 is coming on February 26 – the only question that remains is exactly what form this camera will take.

The timing of the announcement, almost exactly two years since the arrival X-H1, lends credence to the rumors that the X-T4 is an IBIS-equipped follow-up that model, as much as an X-T3 successor. This means it's possible we won't see an X-H2 for a while, if at all.

Based on the rumors so far, the X-T4 is shaping up to be the flagship all-rounder you'd expect, with a strong focus on video that could make it a potential rival to the Panasonic GH5 and S1H. We just hope it also fixes a few of our gripes about the X-T3, like the grip size when using longer lenses and the lack of a lockable exposure compensation dial. It certainly seems increasingly likely that the X-T4 will bring a brand new battery, which would be a welcome addition.  

Given it's less than 18 months old, the X-T3 could even remain on sale as a smaller, more affordable alternative to the X-T4, but we'll have to wait until February 26 to find out. Until then, we'll be updating this page with more rumors as get them, and will bring you the official news as soon as it breaks.

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