Fuji X-T4 Coming February 26th

...According to FujiRumors. It will be fun (well, for me, anyway) to see how much the X-T3 and X-H1 "DNA" get blended in the new camera. Will IBIS "trickle down" into the X-T[x] series?

The rest of this post is a digression!
Although, to be honest, I'd say I'm interested rather than excited. In 2012, the peak year of the camera market, I had to admit to myself that I was feeling a little crazy. I coveted the latest beautiful cameras a little more intensely than was mentally healthy! For at least the first 15 years or so of the current century, cameras were like American cars were in the postwar years. Progress was rapid; news was fun to follow; updates were regular, and "gamed" by the makers to keep interest at the boil; new products were admired, coveted, and envied; to have the latest and greatest was a feather in one's cap and a source of satisfaction. Curiosity about the "new" and the "next" was always high. New models were kept secret and unveiled to great fanfare. I have to admit I bought several cameras because the urge to possess them was so intense and I just gave in.

As is widely noted, though, that era seems to be on the way to fizzling out. Over the past five years, we seem to have transitioned to a general feeling of "digital cameras are good enough." People are turning away from ultimates and "settling" for more mainstream options that are very good, or good enough. We seem to be keeping our cameras longer and updating less often. More people are choosing to buy models on closeout or simply buying used.

The same thing happened in cars, of course. The halcyon years of a happy shared excitement over annual model updates are long gone. I remember hearing in 2008 that the hypothetical "average American" could no longer afford the hypothetical "average new car," and most people don't buy new cars every two or three years like my father's age cohort strove to do. Car models are updated about every four to six years, sometime with a "refresh" in the middle of the model run, and the average person keeps a car about eight years. (Mine is six now.)

Average cars are much better now, their biggest problem being complexity (sound familiar?). One fun statistic I like to quote is that the 1970 Porsche 911 S, a prestigious, expensive-for-the-era* sports car, which received a bigger engine that year, was able to do 0–60 in 7.8 seconds. Fifty years later, a Toyota Corolla Hatchback with a manual—bog-standard transportation for the masses—does 0–60 in 7.5 seconds.

Of course, the X-T4 is no Corolla. More like a Lexus IS, maybe (0–60 MPH in 5.6 seconds for the IS350 Sport).

1970 Porsche 911. Today, a Corolla is faster.

Will you be looking forward to the X-T4 rollout? A lot of the 2000–2015 culture remains in place. But I wonder how much of it is habit now. These days there's something hollow about assuming that large numbers of people are going to get all excited about whatever's next up. Do you know off the top of your head, for example, the announcement date for the replacement of whatever camera you're using? How eager are you to find out exactly what features it will offer?

It ain't 2012 any more.

Mike

*$8,750 (about $57k today) in an era when wealth inequality wasn't so extreme and hence expensive cars weren't so expensive.

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Paulo Bizarro: "I upgraded my XT2 to XT3 a few weeks ago, benefiting from a EUR 200 discount on the latter. This is why I like new cameras introductions."

Allan Graham: "Do I know off the top of my head the announcement date for the replacement of my camera? No, I had to ask Wikipedia. It was on 25 August 2007 that the D300 was announced. I suppose I'm just a grumpy old git who likes the comfort of familiarity and is irritated by unnecessary novelty."

Mike replies: Your camera was replaced in April 2016 and you're skipping at least one update, which is a smart idea and often given as advice. On the good side, when you finally do replace your D300, you're going to be amazed by the improvements, and that's always fun too.

MikeR: "Back in the heyday of American cars, they really were not all that good. It was quite an accomplishment, with normal maintenance, (including 2,000 mile oil changes), to get to 100K miles. You had to trade every few years to avoid being plagued by repairs. In contrast, when I traded my 1999 bright red Solara in for a frankly nondescript RAV4 in 2015, it was still running fine at about 225K miles, but I had aged out of it...worn knees and stuff made getting in and out difficult. Yeah, the 'magic' of those big old barges is gone, but I don't miss them. Fun to see at vintage car shows, but let someone else have the pain of keeping them running."

Mike replies: As I'm sure you realize, I wasn't suggesting those days were better, just that the market was more dynamic. You're right about old cars. When I was a kid (I'm a few days shy of 63), we'd drive from Milwaukee to Indianapolis to see relatives, and, being conservative about such things, my dad would take the Oldsmobile (that was a real car name, kids, I'm not being cute) to the gas station, which was also the mechanic's shop, for a "checkup" before we left. When my brother and I made lists of the biggest changes in our lifetimes, "the reliability of cars" was one of the items on my list.

If you want to see some tempting samples of those old cars, though, check out Vanguard Motor Sales.

Comments

[Robert Roaldi]

I used to sort of pay attention to new model releases because that would trigger my search for used deals on the previous generation models. I guess I'm not the manufacturers' prime target but people like me did make it easier for early adopters to do their thing. Nowadays I could not care less. I keep an eye on for lens releases (on m4/3) but I'll probably only buy a new body when the old one dies. I have no compelling reason to "upgrade". I now worry about not being inspired enough to go out and take pictures; that is the bigger problem.
Not surprisingly, I feel the same about cars. As a former car nut and motor sports aficionado, I now mostly ignore new cars, except I try to keep track enough so that I know what to test drive should my car die unexpectedly.

[John]

I'll be looking forward to it. I has something happen to my XH-1, the first time in my life for a camera. I think it was stolen. Over the shock and dismay now, in saving and selling mode. Will likely splurge on the XT-4 since it looks like it will more or less be an improved version of it, but I also fantasize about just getting the X100V. Will wait for at least "first impressions" to decide.

[Stan B.]

Very much looking forward to the X-T4, so I can buy an X-T2 in EX Cond for $500... maybe, my X-T1 still serves me just fine.

[Stan B.]

Speaking of cars and cameras... the same thing happens to both in terms of size- introduced at the ideal/compact size, and then gradually enlarging and bloating with each successive "upgrade."

[jseliger]

"We seem to be keeping our cameras longer and updating less often. More people are choosing to buy models on closeout or simply buying used."

I mean, why would you not? Many new cameras are twice as costly as their predecessors but not twice as good, or twice as useful.

This https://strobist.blogspot.com/2020/02/hot-shoe-go-to-godox-tt600.html also just appeared on my radar. For most people, a flash that is two to eight times less expensive than the first-party equivalent is an obvious choice.

[Richard Tugwell]

I've got all the cameras I need so my answer is no - have had since about 2014. But even my 2005-2009 kit would be sufficien for digital needs. And my 1980's kit would be fine for film needs (OM, Leica, Rolleiflex). My photography needs are quite traditional though and don't stress the gear much anyway.

I like the new Fuji x100V though... maybe more for minor aesthetics

[Soeren Engelbrecht]

Looking at that gorgeous Porsche, I’m reminded once again why I would take my 1955 Leica M3 any day over one of those Toyota DSLRs...

[Adam Lanigan]

Very much looking forward to the X-T4, though I hope that the infusion of X-H1 DNA is minimal to keep that same magic combination of size and ability.

I was pretty sold on moving to the X-T3 to replace my well-loved X-T1, so if the 4 is too much of a divergence, I will be one of those looking for a cheap 3.

[Bahi]

My hope is that the GX10 is an upgraded GX8 (good viewfinder, weather sealing, full suite of programmable buttons) rather than an upgraded GX9. But it’s a distant hope and either way, it’s going to be a refinement rather than a reinvention. And probably more complicated, too.

[Khürt Louis Williams]

I typically know about the new model release of cameras and cars only after they are announced and written about on various blogs. My current camera, a Fujifilm X-T2, was purchased used. It meets my needs.

I’m looking forward to the Fujifilm X-T4 so it can further depress the prices of the Fujifilm X-T2 so I can get a second camera. Or maybe I’ll just keep my money and use my Fujifilm X-T2 until it dies.

I guess I’m the same with cars. I’ve toyed with the idea of replacing my 2006 Honda Accord EX but I can’t see a compelling reason to do so.

[Bob G.]

I think there’s a whole new set of criteria to consider these days when upgrading anything..., cars cameras, computers, etc. the specter of environmental responsibility and the reduction of need, as well as dwindling individual resources might easily define consumer acquisitions in he future.

[Don Craig]

Hmmn.

2020 Corolla SE: 169 hp @6600, 151 lb-ft @4400, 0 - 60 in 7.8s, 3055 lbs, .055 hp/lb, top speed 112 mph
1970 911S 2.2: 180 hp @6500, 127 lb-ft @5200, 0 - 60 in 7.8s, 2390 lbs, .075 hp/lb, top speed 144 mph

I found 7.8s to be a more credible number for the SE than 7.5s at https://www.automobilemag.com/news/2020-toyota-corolla-sedan-first-drive-review/

Anyway, even tied at 7.8s, something's not right. I suppose it could be the gearboxes - Toyota with 6 speeds to 112mph and Porsche with 5 speeds to 144mph, coupled with the Porsche's lower torque - but I suspect Porsche is sandbagging, Toyota is exaggerating, or both.

Time for a road test!

Don Craig

[Andy F]

Do you know off the top of your head, for example, the announcement date for the replacement of whatever camera you're using?

I’ll let you know if and when they announce it, hopefully some time 5 years from now.

(I have an XT2)

[Pierre]

My heart is in the X-Pro series, and this year I intend to get my printer up and running again so I can do your digital 1C1L1Y challenge. I hope to do the challenge for several consecutive years with a different lens each year. By then I should have enough money saved for X-Pro3 and enough experience to know if I would be happier using the money for something more productive. I'm curious to know what you think of the X-Pro3, Mike. Will you be reviewing it?

[Trevor Johnson]

I had a new Toyota Corolla Hatchback, 2.0l petrol hybrid, for three weeks last August as a courtesy car, when my own AWD hit a deer.

It was pretty quick, pretty fast and incredibly fuel efficient, about 70 to 90 mpg. Neutral handling and I was expecting it to understeer.

It was also incredibly dull.........

[John]

I’m awaiting the Olympus E-M1 III instead. And in line with the times, I’m ready to be underwhelmed.

[MikeR]

Back in the heyday of American cars, they really were not all that good. It was quite an accomplishment to, with normal maintenance, (including 2,000 mile oil changes), to get to 100K miles. You HAD to trade every few years to avoid being plagued by repairs.

In contrast, when I traded my 1999 bright red Solara in for a frankly nondescript RAV4 in 2015, it was still running fine at about 225K miles, but I had aged out of it ... worn knees and stuff made getting in and out difficult.

Yeah, the "magic" of those big old barges is gone, but I don't miss them. Fun to see at vintage car shows, but let someone else have the pain of keeping them running.

Cameras are similar, but different in some respects. Post-WW II we had GI's stationed all over the world, and returning with the new "small" cameras (now termed "full frame") from Japan and Germany, and all sorts of innovations came into the market. By 1980, the pace had slowed. Digital camera then brought a new disruption, around 1999-2000, with upgrades and capabilities coming along at a feverish pace.

So, here we are in 2020, and just about any camera is plenty good, so where's the incentive to buy a new one, if what you have does everything that you need, and will do so for quite a while?

To illustrate: I spent several hours this morning with a new-to-me Nikon D700, just going through settings, trying to absorb all of the weird ways of doing things. But, this is my "play" camera, my '57 Chevy, my Chrysler 300, while I normally shoot with a Lumix G85, or a Lumix LX100, (the latter's top looking very much like that of the FujiFilm X100V of your previous post.) The difference with cars is the Nikon is still usable enough that if it were my only camera, I would not feel "deprived" in any way ... except that it's so darn heavy.

[Not THAT Ross Cameron]

As a hobbyist, I don’t need latest & greatest when it comes out, so happy to look for end of line sales and used. Bought a used Nikon D750 last year from a certain auction site (before that, D600, before that, D7000). Looked at what is in the D780 with general interest, but not excitement. I think I’ll be holding onto and running my D750 into the ground. Still on LR6, so a newer body means updating a whole pile of other stuff too, especially if I (eventually) go for a Z-mount body and lenses.
I also take into account Thom Hogan’s point - one get’s more bang for one’s buck by upgrading every 2-3 generations/iterations.
As with cars, why pay the ‘new’ price premium? Not all cars or cameras hold their price when used.

[Pierre Charbonneau]

At 8700$, I would gladly fall for that 1970 orange 911.
Just love these fog lights, so purposeful.

[Al C.]

In perspective, the push for 0-60 and top speed is even more ludicrous than the push for mega-pixels and machine gun frame rates. Sub 4-sec 0-60. 200 mph top speed. What's the point, other than bragging rights?

What I miss is that unique German obsession with mechanical perfection, last seen in late 80s German cars: the way the door shuts with a felt but barely heard thud; the delicate but exact snick as the lock engages; the tightly controlled mechanical damping, taut but never harsh, the well-oiled, slack-free gear change. Note: I am not only talking about Porsches, Mercs and Bimmers. Even Mk I and II VW Golfs (then named Rabbits, which was such a clever, endearing reference to the Beetle, in addition to properly connoting a car endowed with a sprightly character) possessed this same obsessive mechanical perfection. Now, all that is gone. German cars do not drive or feel all that different from other makes anymore. Not even 911s, unless you go to the GT3.

Whatever you think of Jeremy Clarkson (bully, bigot...), he got one thing right when he said car makers ruined the car when they all started testing at the Nurburgring.

Ditto re the modern electronic picture-taking device versus the old mechanical camera. Modern cameras are alternately off-putting and intimidating to use, festooned with mushy, plasticky buttons, dialpads, joysticks (joysticks?). Now, they even put buttons on lenses. Don't know about you, but I can never remember what function I assigned to which button, especially switching from one camera to another. I miss the elegant, shared simplicity of mechanical cameras. Even more, I miss the sound and tactile feedback of the film advance crank, the delicate click of the aperture ring, the well-oiled focus helicoid.

Soon, no one will have any clue of what I am talking about.

[Zack Schindler]

In late 2018 I sold my Pro2 as I found that it did not work well for me as I wear glasses. I had gotten to the point where I used my old X-E1 more than the Pro2. Bought a X-T2 as it was on sale to replace the Pro2. BTW the X-T2 viewfinder was a huge improvement. In September 2019 I sold these Fujifilm items; X-E1, 23 f1.4, 56 f.12 and a X100 and bought a X100F with those funds. What a joy the X100F is to shoot with. My wife and I went on a 2 week vacation last Septmeber and I took only the X100F and a small tripod. It was very liberating to just shoot with one camera and one lens and not having to think about changing lenses.

While it would be nice to upgrade the T2 and X100F to the latest iterations what I have now really does everything I need and I tend to use my equipment for a long time. Frequent upgradeitis is very expensive for those who follow that path and I am way too cheap to go that way. Also I use LR 6.14 and that works with both cameras. If I were to upgrade I would have to go with LR CC and pay a monthly fee or go to some alternate SW and I really do not want to do that.

Have been selling off any photo stuff (and other things too) that have not been used in sometime.

Speaking of cars, currently my wife has a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country and I have a 2007 Saturn Aura. Even though I used to work for GM I could care less about replacing these as both run great.

[Kenneth Tanaka]

As digital camera products have quickly reached an asymptotic status with ideal practical perfection we're seeing the market for them evaporate. Digital photography attracted an enormous amount of techie gadgeteers, far more than analog/chemical photography ever did. Their primary engagement was not artistry or even strong imagery. They liked the toys. But perfect toys are boring. The kids are now grown and non-photogenic. The vacation landscapes are the same ol' same ol'. Why spend thousands on another camera? Boring.

The last golden age of consumer camera development is almost certainly in its waning moments.

[Mark Kinsman]

I’ll keep an eye on the announcement, but not sure if I’ll upgrade. I skipped the X-T3, opting to get the X-H1 when it was on close out sale. The current version XPro3, X100V and XT3 are nice, but the XPro2, XT2, 100F, and XH1 are quite capable of meeting my Fuji photographic needs.
But the XT4 may set the stage for newer versions of all the bodies, incorporating a new battery and more, yet unknown features. THAT, will be quite interesting - to see how Fujifilm further refines the various model lines, including the H series.

[Michael Eckstein]

I'm from the days of Kodachrome ASA 10 and remember the excitement when ASA 25 Kodachrome was released. Today we worry that our less than full frame digitals are not as good at ISO 6400 and above as their full frame models!

[P@L]

Actually the new X-T4 camera announcement on 26-th Feb 2020 has been quietly advertised by Fujifilm themselves

https://fujifilm-x.com/global/lp/x-t4-teaser/

[Edwin]

It feels like yesterday when the X-T3 was released. Fujifilm could be the brand with the most diverse camera model line-up these days -- X-Tn, X-Tnn, X-Tnnn, X-En, X-Pron, X100n, X-Hn, GFX-nnR/S, GFX-100...... Every other camera company is trying to consolidate its line-up, Fujifilm seems to be the only exception......
I have the X-T1, X-E1, X-Pro2, X100F, X-H1. I'll stay put for now.
The X-T1 is like a prefect camera on paper, but I found that I rarely pick it up, then I realise it's the grip, or the lack of...
The X-E1 is the second body to the X-T1 and I got it for cheap.
The X-Pro2 is fun - the excuse for getting it is its uniqueness.
The X100F is and upgrade from X100S. When I first tried it out, my first response is the lens is not keeping up with the higher pixel count!
The X-H1 is ergonomically very good, it's day-and-night difference compared to the X-Tn, with IBIS, it should be the only DSLR style line-up for Fujifilm.
I'm not upgrading, nothing entices me.

[Stephen J Scharf]

I'm with you on this one, Mike. I think we have reached the needs of many, if not most, for a while now. I think we've got a large range of camera market offerings that meet >99% of user needs >99% of the time.

So, no, I'm not looking forward to an X-T4 or an X100V, for that matter. My X-H1 and X100F continue to fully meet my needs.

What I am looking forward to, and also hoping for, is an X-H2, mostly because I want to know that the line will continue. Fujifilm really needs a true professional body line of cameras. The grapevine is 50/50 on that, and I would predict that is also the situation internally within Fujifilm Corporate. There is very likely a camp who want to kill the line off & a camp committed to keeping it. Interestingly, when I attended the Fujifilm Festival in 2018, I got the distinct impression that the Fuji execs were quite proud of the X-H1.

IMHO, it would unfortunate to kill off what was, in my personal opinion, one of the very best cameras they've ever made due to the fact it was ineffectively and poorly marketed.

So, we'll see....fingers crossed.

[wts]

My Nikon D200 is so solid and feels so right that it dares me to replace it. But then again, I held on to my NEC Spinriter way too long. This printer had steel innards surrounded by a cycolac cover that I swear could survive an atomic blast. It was a beautiful piece of technology and design that had the misfortune of becoming hopelessly obsolete in the age of laser printing (also many times heavier than laser printers).

[Dalvorius]

I liked my NEX 5R so much, I decided I never needed a 'better' camera, so I bought a second brand new body when they discontinued the model.

So far, I've been proven right. My original remains in daily use, and the spare is still in the box. The only caveat is that the latest lenses auto-focus so slowly I have time to go and make coffee. If I stick to manual focus, or earlier Sony/Zeiss lenses, everything is fine.

[Eolake Stobblehouse]

Thanks, it’s nice to get an explanation for why people were and still are so damn excited about mid-century American cars.

[Robert]

Some products are so good that they never need updating or replacing. Case in point is the 911 2.2S you sited. I have one, in Albert Blue, and with a Classic Retrofit air conditioning system, it is preferred over any modern car. It is, in short, perennially, platonically good car. The same cannot be said of my Leica M8, which had a crop sensor, or the M9, the 6 shot buffer of which blocked many money shots. The M240 was ungainly thick, and discomforted my hands. The M10 is almost there, the controls of which like the six pack of a newly slimmed man in mid life crisis. But am I excited by an M11, and the possibility of a hybrid viewfinder for hitting focus with a 90 Summicron, or in body stabilization, or even a a dust shaker? Yes, I am. Now that cameras are freed from the constraints of celluloid, they can improve in ways we have yet to imagine. If you have used an iPhone 11 you have seen the benefits of computational photography. But imagine the low light ability and dynamic range if the same tech was applied to a sensor multiples larger. Yes, the easy gains have been realized, and most cameras are good enough. But they were good enough with my original Canon 5D. Good enough doesn’t have any sex appeal, which is why it’s seldom used in advertising, or for that matter as a motivational quote at the Apple or McLaren design centers. The difference between a 911S and a digital camera is that the Porsche still rolls its wheels on the same asphalt as it did in the 1970s. It is fundamentally analog. But few people print photos anymore, and a 10 megapixel image looks bad on a 32 inch Apple Pro Screen which is basically 19 megapixels. In effect, the asphalt upon which our photos ride keeps changing. And so too must our cameras. I look forward to the 2030s, when I’ll be driving mountain roads in my 71S, Leica M15 in a small Bellingham behind my seat.

[Tam]

When I bought my first DSLR in 2013, a Rebel XTi, it was already a couple upgrade cycles out of date. I’ve been using “outdated” DSLRs for both play and work since then.

Up until a good deal on the Canon 5DS came along. This is my first experience with a currently-cataloged camera. I had not, however, thought through all the second-order effects of a 50MP sensor. Suddenly my on-the-road MacBook Air is a bit dodgy when it comes to photo editing....

[Barry Reid]

Meh. A new MacBook Pro 16” has killed any interest in camera news for quite some time!

[Samuel Dilworth]

There’s irony in declaring today’s cameras perfect (or even “good enough”) when fewer people buy them every year. Maybe that shows they were closer to perfection in 2012. Certainly they better matched our desires.

Why doesn’t the recent Fujifilm have built-in GPS for geotagging? That is one of the big strengths of mobile phones, enabling all sorts of new uses plus great convenience for anyone who takes pictures while travelling.

I believe manufacturers would sell more cameras if there was more meaningful diversity to them. But the ways of business are mysterious to me, and no doubt there are reasons all the camera companies come from one country and look alike and operate more similarly than ever in camera history.

I’m back to using film. I should have done that years ago. It’s a lot more fun and I think the results are often better too. It’s remarkable how many of today’s significant artists use film. Kodak’s film sales haven’t doubled in the last five years by accident. Film appears to meet the needs of our moment better than the latest misguided tech powerhouse.

[Dennis Ng]

I think the e-car would be Much more reliable as they have sensors and less moving parts. If they wish at least.

Still waiting for the Hasselblad camera back.