Why the Fujifilm X-E4 is Great for Travel
After using a combination of the Canon 5D Mark II and Fujifilm X-E2 along with two or three lenses for travel, I decided I needed to cut down on gear as it was becoming a challenge. Carrying around a bunch of gear is tiresome, and having the choice of what camera or lens to use made me sometimes think too long before taking the shot.
This wasn't much of an issue when time and planning were in my favour, such as in Death Valley and Iceland, but when travel time is limited and the moment is now, I can't dwell on one location too long. Having too much gear was a hindrance.
For our trip to Portugal in September, I brought my Fujifilm X-E4 with the 35mm f/2. On the 35mm, I also used a K&F Concept 43mm polarizing filter as mm. I'll highlight what I like best about this camera and why I think this is a great travel photography combination.
Fujifilm X-E4 with 35mm f/2 and K&F Concept 43mm Polarizing Filter
What’s Best?
Size/Look/Feel
The camera size is perfect, especially with the 35mm attached. It’s not too big to shout “professional” or “expensive” using the X-E4; it’s easy to blend in without being obvious. The X-E4 has no physical features that make it stand out from other cameras, which is good. This camera looks like any other small camera.
In addition, the camera feels great to hold and is comfortable to use with one hand or both, although the optional thumb rest helps with one-handed operation. The body is solid and weighty, and overall, it is satisfying to operate with buttons and dials that feel premium.
These are all advantages. As my approach to travel photography is evolving into a blend of travel/street photography, I can’t imagine using the Canon 5D Mark II for this purpose.
Image Quality
The image quality is excellent. Feel free to find a thorough review on the X-E4 if you want to dig into why the images are great, but I’ll say they are excellent! That’s the extent of my technical analysis.
Tilt Screen
This is the first camera I have owned with a tilting screen. I used the screen a lot in June in New York to get lower and higher-angle photos as I shot many of my photos in landscape orientation, and the tilting screen helps. I did not use it as much in Portugal, as most photos were portrait-oriented. Still, it’s just so much easier to compose with that flexibility and taking photos while looking away from your subject makes the entire experience more comfortable.
Also, the quality of the screen is excellent, and to compose and capture, I used it exclusively throughout the trip, not once using the viewfinder. This was a huge advantage when taking photos as casually and as quickly as possible.
Auto Focusing Speed
The AF of the camera is great, and in Portugal, it was rare that I missed focus. Also, having the ability to set a minimum shutter speed is a lifesaver. I never realized the advantages of this feature until I first had it in the X-E2. As this camera can handle low light quite well, setting that minimum shutter speed is a no-brainer to keep my images sharp regardless of scene conditions.
Other Comments
Although the X-E4 is relatively compact, it is not the easiest to hold confidentially as the camera doesn’t have much grip. As a result, the optional thumb rest is almost a necessity. (Fujifilm TR-XE4) The thumb rest slots into the hot shoe to provide more stability, but it is expensive at $95 CA. There are probably cheaper options, but $95 for the official Fuji one for a tiny piece of metal that should have come with the camera is rather insulting. Along with the thumb rest, I also use a wrist strap, which I recommend always using.
Other features I would like to have in the X-E4 include weather sealing like the X-T4. It would probably be okay to use in light rain and quick shooting, but I was not confident using it in Porto, where it rained a lot. That assurance would have been nice, but I still would have been cautious, even with weather sealing.
Also, whereas the X-E4 has a tilt screen, the X-T4 includes an articulating screen. As I often lean towards portrait orientation in my travel and street photography, I would love to have a screen that complements that approach.
And finally, the X-T4 includes dual SD slots, whereas the X-E4 has only one. The ability to have an instant backup of images is always comforting. Even though I back up my photos at the end of every day, I’d still love to have the reassurance of two cards.
I understand that the XT series will always have features the XE line does not, but the price difference and compactness of the X-E4 allow it to be a good compromise.
Summary
The Fujifilm X-E4 combined with the 35mm f/2 is a fantastic travel/street photography combination. It’s light and well-built, and as a small package, you can use it confidently without drawing too much attention to yourself. Although the camera itself does not include a few select features and the thumb rest is expensive for what it is, the quality of images is outstanding. I’m so glad I transitioned my travel to this combination; it’s my current go-to combo.
