Fujifilm's X-E4 is the perfect way to get creative in 2021

Fujifilm
(Image credit: Fujifilm)

Our eyes are turned by the latest cutting-edge tech as much as the next camera fan, and the Fujifilm X-E4 has that in spades. But it's the design of this new mirrorless wonder we want to highlight first.

The Fujifilm X-E4 is made to be a camera you'll want to use every day. It weighs just 364g including the battery and memory card, and is one of the trimmest mirrorless APS-C sensor cameras you can buy.

Its newly-designed screen also sits flush with the back, saving precious millimetres so the camera can fit happily into the average coat pocket. As the ever-popular adage goes, the best camera is the one you’ll actually want to take out and use most often and the X-E4 has that aspect nailed.

Fujifilm

(Image credit: Fujifilm)

It also retains the now-iconic retro charm of Fujifilm's other X Series cameras. A leather effect casing and tough magnesium alloy top plate, available in two tone silver or all-black, make the Fujifilm X-E4 arguably the best-looking camera in its class.

Buy it with Fujifilm's new pancake XF27mm f2.8 prime lens and you have a dream combination for street, travel and holiday photography. The screen even flips around a full 180 degrees, for selfies the most expensive phones can still only dream of.... no tripod required.

This display is a 3-inch LCD with a touch layer, offering a good canvas to compose your photos on, and a quick and intuitive way to choose your subject. It looks retro, but feels modern in use.

Don't mistake the Fujifilm X-E4 for a camera made solely with 'lifestyle' concerns in mind, though.

Fujifilm

(Image credit: Fujifilm)

High-end abilities

The Fujifilm X-E4 has the same X-Trans 4 sensor as the pro-grade Fujifilm X-T4. And that means you get the same incredible dynamic range and low-light performance, complete with the Fujifilm colour science that makes this company’s cameras such a hit with professionals. 

It also benefits from Fujifilm’s latest autofocus tech. The Fujifilm X-E4 focuses as quickly as 0.02 seconds, and has the advanced face and eye tracking you want when shooting a fast-moving subject. 

But you don’t just need fast AF tracking when shooting F1 cars, because it’s just as important when snapping cute (but incredibly excitable) dogs down at the local park, or roving toddlers. 

Want to take video as well as stills? The Fujifilm X-E4 has you covered. It can shoot 4K resolution footage at a high 100Mbps bit-rate and 240p slo-mo at Full HD resolution. This slows down the action to up to a tenth its normal speed, letting you add some special effect gloss to your videos without any advanced editing. 

Fujifilm

(Image credit: Fujifilm)

Fujifilm’s unique film simulation modes also give your stills and video a distinct sense of style, again without any post-shoot editing effort. Pick the long-standing Velvia for a saturated appearance, or try on the new Eterna Bleach Bypass. 

This emulates a traditional film processing technique, where colour saturation is reduced but contrast is boosted, for a highly distinctive visual style. The Fujifilm X-E4 has 18 of these film simulation filters.

Fujifilm’s X-E4 offers the performance and flexibility of a larger camera, at a much less intimidating price. 

It costs £799 body-only, in black or silver. But it's highly recommended considering the package with the new XF 27mm f2.8 lens, at £949. 

This combo makes the most of the Fujifilm X-E4’s small size, and also offers excellent sharpness and great background blur potential thanks to its F/2.8 maximum aperture. 

Plus it includes everything you need to get started, bar a memory card. This really is an incredible combo for all-purpose stills photography and video capture.