After weeks of leaks and rumours, the Fujifilm X-T4 has finally been officially announced, and the versatile mirrorless is really the rival to the Sony A6600 and Panasonic GH5 we've been waiting for. However, the news that the X-T4 won't be replacing its predecessor, the Fujifilm X-T3, is perhaps just as interesting for anyone considering a new mirrorless camera. This camera will still be on sale as a more affordable alternative to its new sibling, so look out for other price cuts on the older model. But back to X-T4. The main reason it bills itself as one of the best all-round cameras you can buy is because it brings two major upgrades in the form of image stabilization. on the body (IBIS) and a fully articulating touch screen. Together, these features add significantly to its appeal, especially to video recorders. This five-axis IBIS mechanism can apparently provide 6.5 stops of stabilization when used with 18 of Fujifilm's total collection of 29 XF/XC lenses. In the real world, it means being able to shoot run-and-gun video without the need for a gimbal, and also the freedom to take handheld photos with high shutter speeds. The icing on the X-T4's video cake is that it can also shoot Full HD video at 240 frames per second for a super slow motion effect.
![Fujifilm X-T4]()
(Image credit: Fujifilm) Beyond these additions, the X-T4 brings two other big physical improvements over the X-T3. Its new NP-W235 battery will last for 500 shots per charge (or 600 shots in 'eco mode'), which is a significant boost compared to its predecessor's 390-shot rating. The only downside is that anyone with existing NP-W126S batteries won't be able to use them in the X-T4. The big improvement to the final design is a new shutter mechanism. There are some benefits to this, one being that, like the Fujifilm X-H1, its shutter is much quieter (about 30% less audible than the X-T3), which is a plus for street or wedding photographers. But perhaps more importantly, it allows the X-T4 to shoot at an impressive 15 frames per second in continuous shooting when using sound. Mechanical shutter. It's very fast and you could put it up there with the best mirrorless cameras for sports and action shooting, assuming its autofocus can keep up. Speaking of which, Fujifilm says that a new phase-detection AF algorithm will boost the X-T4's autofocus speed, as well as its tracking performance and face/eye AF. We'll have to wait for our full review to see if this bears out.
![Fujifilm X-T4]()
(Image credit: Fujifilm)
Have a grip
Are there any downsides to the X-T4? It's a shame that it uses the same 4MP X-Trans CMOS 26.1 sensor and X-Processor 4 combination as its predecessor, though it's about ; a proven combination that gives excellent results. The viewfinder also has the same 3,69 million-dot resolution as before, which is good, if not leading, and the X-T4's body had to develop a bit to accommodate it, too. IBIS system and its new screen. It's 5mm deeper, 2mm wider and 68g heavier than its predecessor. On the plus side, this creates room for a slightly larger integrated handle. Naturally, the X-T4's body gets even bigger when you attach its optional VG-XT4 battery grip (below). It contains two extra batteries, which means you can get around 1450 shots from one charge, the batteries automatically change when one runs out.
![Fujifilm X-T4]()
(Image credit: Fujifilm) With or without this handle, the X-T4 certainly provides generous assistance with new features, but one last factor that might sway you is price. It will only be available body-only for €1,699 / €1,549 (approx AUS 3050) in black or silver from April 2020. There will also be some lens sets available. Buying an X-T4 with the excellent XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS will set you back $2,099 / £1,899 (around AU$3,740). Or if you'd rather get the camera with the new XF16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR lens, it'll set you back $2,199 / £1,949 (around AU$3,840). Once you hit this kind of price point, many will start to wonder if it's worth going for a full-frame camera like the Nikon Z6 or Sony A7 III. It depends a bit on what existing lenses you have (if any) and the type of photography you like to take, but we'll explain very soon how the Fujifilm X-T4 stacks up against its closest rivals. In the meantime, you can check out our hands-on review of the Fujifilm X-T4 for our initial impressions of this exciting new all-rounder.