There are numerous reviews already on the interwebs about the recently-introduced X-T4, but I thought it might be beneficial to at least one person (probably only me) to summarize my first impressions based on my own user experience and my own preferences in a somewhat (hopefully) cogent blog post.

My very first impression when I pulled the camera out of the box was “wow, this thing is a brick!”  While small in comparison to full-sized SLRs, the X-T4 on my scale weighs in at 21.8oz/618g vs. 16oz/455g for the X-T1.  Both cameras with battery and card but no lens.  That’s no small difference – about 36% by my calculation.  But it’s not really heavy, as cameras go.  The word I use to describe the X-T4 is that it feels “solid.”

When I downsized from the full-size Canon 5D Mark III to the X-T1 and the X-E2, I initially had a hard time adjusting to the smaller bodies, to the point where I purchased the accessory grips for both of them, and I would occasionally keep the L-brackets on them when walking around.  I gradually got to the point where I was comfortable with the bodies without the grips, although it took me a while before I started leaving the grips at home.  The X-T4 recaptures a bit of that “mass” with nicely designed grips on the right side, front and back.  I’ll probably still add a Lensmate thumb rest, as that has sort of become “standard equipment” for me.  I like the extra stability that the thumb rest provides.

I was initially excited about what I thought would be the ability to save multiple custom settings.  But unless I’m missing something – which is certainly possible – it doesn’t save everything for a particular situation.  As an example, I would like to set up a “Tripod” setting that locks in a low ISO, sets a 2-second delay and turns off image stabilization, among other things.  I would also like to set an “outdoor” setting with a lower Auto ISO range, and an “indoor” setting with a higher Auto ISO range.  But I can’t seem to get everything in each setting to “stick.”  I need to mess with it some more but it just may not be possible.  Not a big deal, but a small disappointment after I initially thought I could do that.  Although I didn’t buy the camera for that function, it would be nice to have.

Physically, the X-T4 has some very small but very important improvements.  Locks on the diopter knob, as well as the shutter speed and ISO dials.  Almost all of the buttons are customizable, with almost all functions able to be assigned to a button.  I have assigned a button to control image stabilization, one to turn the 2-second self-timer on and one as a depth of preview button.  In addition to manual controls and the ‘A’ setting for aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation, there is a ‘C’ setting that allows you to control those same functions with one of the control wheels, so I can adjust (for example) aperture and exposure compensation using the wheels, keeping my eye on the viewfinder.  That’s a new-for-me feature and one I think I will find useful.  Dual card slots are not a big deal for me, but it will be nice to start out with two cards in the camera instead of just one.  This camera takes big files – in excess of 50MB each – so cards will fill a lot faster!  I’ll need to keep using the camera in specific situations to figure out things like the HDR burst mode, nuances in the metering & focusing options and other things.  All in good time!

One of the downsides I have heard others mention is the new, fully articulating screen.  I know there will be situations where I’ll miss the tilting screen on the X-T1, but I think there will a lot more times when I’ll appreciate the flexibility of the articulating screen.  Also, I generally use only the viewfinder for shooting, so having the ability to turn the screen around completely will be nice.

I haven’t spent a lot of time pixel-peeping, but initially I have to say that image quality appears to be very good.  I haven’t had any extreme exposure situations and I’m still messing with Lightroom settings, but except for the addition of a bunch of new film simulations (which I love), it seems like most of my other workflow remains intact.  So far I have mostly been shooting with the also-new 16-80 f4 lens, although for last evening’s sunset photos I used the 55-200, also with good results.  I’m going to love shooting with my non-stabilized prime lenses using the new IBIS.

I think that’s it for now.  Once I have a few thousand photos under my belt I may have some more useful thoughts, but for now I just need to keep using the camera and solve any problems or challenges that come along.  If anyone has any questions I’d be happy to answer them to the extent I am able.