The Fujifilm X-Pro3 and X-T4 both come with features that set them apart from their predecessors. But when Fujifilm released both cameras, it did so with some design changes that were greatly welcomed — and some that weren’t. Both cameras are flagship models in Fujifilm’s popular X series, and both take equally good images, but they target slightly different customers. The X-Pro3 is all about street photography and is certainly the more niche — some might say controversial — model.
Here’s what you need to know about these two high-end mirrorless cameras before pulling the trigger.
At a glance:
Fujifilm X-T4
- 5-axis stabilization
- Fully-articulating touchscreen
- 600-shot battery
- 26MP sensor/X Processor 4
- 15-fps mechanical shutter
- 3.69-million-dot EVF
Fujifilm X-Pro3
- Hidden, tilting touchscreen
- ~370-shot battery life
- 26MP sensor/X Processor 4
- Hybrid OVF/3.69 million-dot EVF
Design
The most polarizing difference between the cameras is the design. While the X-T4 has stayed true to the design of previous X-T cameras, Fujifilm was more radical with the design update on the X-Pro3.
In a forced throwback to the film era, the X-Pro3’s LCD screen is hidden by default. It’s still there, you just can’t see it until you flip it down. Fujifilm made it purposefully awkward to use while shooting, in an attempt to encourage people to use the viewfinder and stay focused on the scene ahead instead of reviewing every photo. It was a bold, if somewhat confusing, move that not every photographer appreciated. This one choice is what makes the X-Pro3 extremely niche and suggests Fujifilm built the camera very specifically for street photographers.
The X-T4 wasn’t without its own design upgrade. It’s the first model in the line with a fully articulating screen, a broadly welcomed change. This further cements the camera’s position as a still video hybrid, making it more useful for YouTubers and vloggers in addition to traditional photographers.
Another glaring difference in design is the placement of the viewfinder. The X-T4 follows a traditional SLR design, placing the viewfinder in the center of the camera body, whereas the X-Pro3 is more akin to a rangefinder with a viewfinder mounted in the left corner. From the perspective of the electronic viewfinder, this is largely an aesthetics difference — both EVFs offer the same 3.69-million-dot resolution.
However, the X-Pro3 uses a hybrid viewfinder that also features a fully optical mode — basically a window. This is a parallax viewfinder, meaning you’re not seeing directly through the lens, but frame lines overlaid in the viewfinder will give you your approximate framing. This isn’t something every photographer needs — or even wants — but it’s an experience unique to the X-Pro line. Using the optical viewfinder will also save some battery life.
If weight is an important factor for you, the X-T4 weighs just shy of 19 ounces, thanks in part to a new, larger battery. That’s a little more than the X-Pro3 at 17 ounces. Neither is heavy by any absolute sense, and both are far less tasking on the arms than most DSLRs.
For the outdoor shooter, both cameras will give you peace of mind when shooting in harsher conditions as both are weather resistant. Keep in mind, that doesn’t mean waterproof — they can’t survive being submerged.
Image quality and performance
Both cameras come with the same 26-megapixel APS-C X-Trans sensor and X-Processor 4 image processor, so image quality should be identical, all else held equal.
However, the X-T4 sets itself apart with in-body image stabilization (IBIS). Stabilization allows for slower shutter speeds without risking blur from handholding the camera, which could mean shooting lower ISOs in some situations, leading to better image quality compared to the X-Pro3. It also helps steady the preview image while shooting, which is especially helpful when using long lenses, making the X-T4 the choice for birders and sports photographers.
The X-4 is also the faster camera, able to shoot continuously up to 15 frames per second. The X-Pro3 isn’t bad, though, at 11 fps.
While this won’t affect RAW image quality, the X-T4 does also have a new film simulation called Eterna Bleach Bypass that isn’t present on the X-Pro3 (at least, not yet). This creates a muted, low-saturation look that works well for some scenes. We’d hardly call it a deal-making feature, but it’s something to be aware of.
Another area where both systems aline is autofocus. The X-T4 and X-Pro 3 have the same 425-point autofocus system with contrast- and phase-detection. Focus tracking works well in both models, even if it’s not quite class-leading, and face- and eye-detection provide better accuracy for portraits.
A key difference, however, is that the X-T4 allows focus bracketing, making it easier to nail perfect focus or allow for focus stacking after the fact. The X-Pro3 doesn’t have this feature, which for a camera aimed at street and travel photographers, is rather disappointing.
Video
Both cameras shoot 4K video, but if you’re a multi-disciplined content creator and video is a serious part of what you do, then we would have to say the X-T4 is your best choice. In fact, it’s one of the best video cameras, period.
Beyond the fully-articulating screen, it has excellent internal and external video quality. It offers 10-bit 4:2:0 internal recording or 10-bit 4:2:2 external recording over HDMI, where the X-Pro3 is limited to 8-bit either way. It can also shoot 4K at up to 60 fps, compared to 30 on the X-Pro3, and it records at a higher bitrate of 400 megabits per second — twice the of the X-Pro3. Now, none of these things are major concerns to the casual videographer, but they make a big difference to more serious customers.
For slow-motion fans, the X-T4 is able to shoot up to 240 fps in cropped 1080p resolution, for up to 10x slow-motion playback.
Both cameras have two memory card slots that support UHS-II SD cards for high-speed performance.
Battery life
Compared to other cameras in both the X-T and X-Pro line, Fujifilm has significantly improved the battery life in the X-T4 thanks to a higher-capacity battery. The new battery can handle up to 600 shots when you’re shooting in economy mode. We also tested the camera in boost mode, which has a better autofocus response and could still get close to 600 shots.
The X-Pro 3 has the same lower-capacity battery as the X-T3. If you only use the optical viewfinder, you can get over 370 photos before you need to recharge the battery. Still, the X-T4 has the edge here.
It’s an easy choice
The clear winner here is the versatile yet easy-to-use XT4, which is ideal for a wider variety of applications. The XT4’s superior shooting speed can record video, making it well worth the investment.
But if you prefer an optical viewfinder over LCDs, the X-Pro 3 is still a phenomenal camera. Since the X-Pro 3 is more of a niche camera, it has more limited online community resources, meaning you might have to dig a little deeper to find support, though. That said, it’s a perfectly decent camera.
Overall, the Fujifilm X-T4 is the closest thing we’ve seen to the perfect camera, so you’ll be able to get a lot out of it.
