We are going to take an in-depth look at Fujifilm X E4 vs X S10 below to determine the best budget-friendly APS-C mirrorless camera. Fujifilm X E4 and Fujifilm X S10 are similar in that they both offer powerful 26MP APS-C backside-illuminated image sensors at affordable prices. The newly released Fujifilm X E4 is standing at a slightly lower price point than its sibling, but Fujifilm X S10 has a few special perks that make it worth the money.
Continue reading and understand better about:
- How Fujifilm X E4 and Fujifilm X S10 offer different types of handling
- Which lenses work best with Fujifilm X E4 and Fujifilm X S10
- What features are available on Fujifilm X S10 but not on Fujifilm X E4
- Why Fujifilm X E4 and Fujifilm X S10 both have stellar performance and image quality
- Whether you should go for Fujifilm X E4 or Fujifilm X S10
Fujifilm X E4 vs X S10: Design and Handling
The very first difference that sets Fujifilm X E4 vs X S10 apart is the body design. They are shaped very differently from each other. When you look at Fujifilm X E4, you see a typical Fujifilm camera with a rangefinder-style design and dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure value. Meanwhile, Fujifilm X S10 is a radical Fujifilm camera; unlike most of its predecessors, it looks like a mini-DSLR, and it features the slightly more streamlined control of a PASM dial.
Of course, both are generally considered compact and lightweight, especially when you compare them to the likes of Panasonic Lumix S5 vs S1, but Fujifilm X E4 is definitely the more portable of the two. It weighs only 364 grams, and measures 121 mm x 73 mm x 33 mm. Thus, it is truly pocketable.
Fujifilm X E4 has a flat front that makes it particularly suitable for Fujifilm’s prime lenses. In fact, you can get it in a kit that includes the XF 27mm F2.8 prime lens. Read also: Fujifilm X S10 vs X T30.
On the other hand, Fujifilm X S10 measures 126 mm x 85 mm x 65 mm and 465 grams. There is a very apparent hand-grip on the side, which ensures a better, more solid handling – useful when using a large X-series lens. If you don’t have your own collection of Fujifilm lenses, you may appreciate the fact that Fujifilm X S10 is available in more kit options: with an XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 lens, an XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 lens, or an XF 16-80mm F4 lens.
Another notable difference is the display screen. The cheaper Fujifilm X E4 has a 3-inch display that can tilt 180-degrees forward to allow shooting from vertical angles and taking selfies. Interestingly, the display screen resolution is slightly higher here with 1.620k dots. However, the 3-inch, 1.040k-dot display on Fujifilm X S10 is fully articulating, which means you can rotate it to any horizontal or vertical angle. It can be very useful in some situations.
| Fujifilm X E4 | Fujifilm X S10 | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 1.29 x 2 x 4 inches | 4.96 x 3.35 x 2.56 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 11 ounces | 1.03 pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
Fujifilm X E4 vs X S10: Features
Each of our cameras here is armed with the same 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF). The EVF’s OLED panel offers a 0.62X magnification with a 100-fps refresh rate. It is fast and accurate, even when shooting in a low light condition. Furthermore, it has an eye sensor, so it turns on automatically when you put your eye on it.
Fujifilm X E4 does not have a built-in flash. You will need to rely on an external light gun whenever you need additional brightness. Furthermore, Fujifilm X E4 lacks in-body image stabilization. It totally relies on the lens to provide image stabilization. But, then again, this is still less effective compared to a dual combination of body IS and lens IS.
Fujifilm X S10 has a built-in pop-up flash, which can be handy for shooting in low light when you don’t carry an external light gun with you. But the more interesting feature would be the in-body image stabilization.
Fujifilm X S10 is just the third model from the company to sport a 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), the previous ones being the more expensive Fujifilm X H1 and Fujifilm X T4. It is highly effective when used alone without a stabilized lens, yet it can work wonders when paired with one.
Fujifilm X E4 vs X S10: Image Quality
You can expect Fujifilm X E4 and Fujifilm X S10 to have the same level of image quality. Which is a good thing, considering that they use the latest 26MP APS-C backside-illuminated X-Trans image sensor – the very same thing found in the top models Fujifilm X Pro 3 and Fujifilm X T4.
This is very nice of Fujifilm. You can choose between different body designs and feature sets to suit your preference, and still get the same amazing results. They all also use the same X-Processor 4 engine, which is really fast and powerful. Both Fujifilm X E4 and Fujifilm X S10 come with the latest “film simulations”, which are beautiful JPEG color profiles designed to emulate analog film stocks.
The ISO range on both Fujifilm X E4 and Fujifilm X S10 is 160 – 12,800. This can be expanded to ISO 80 at the lower edge and to ISO 51,200 at the upper edge. The noise performance is generally good. At lower ISO levels, the sharpening looks a bit superficial. But at higher ISO levels both cameras have very good balance between detail retention and noise reduction.
Both the E4 and the S10 also offer similar video capabilities. They can record uncropped DCI 4K videos at 30 fps, in the 4:2:0 8-bit format when recorded internally or in the 4:2:2 10-bit format when recorded to an external device via the Micro HDMI port. Both also have the Eterna film simulation, F-Log profile, 200-Mbps maximum bitrate, and 1080p/240fps slow-motion mode.
Fujifilm X E4 vs X S10: Performance
Both Fujifilm X E4 and Fujifilm X S10, surprisingly, offer more-or-less similar performance. Once again, the two cameras use the same hybrid autofocus system as their more expensive siblings Fujifilm X Pro 3 and Fujifilm X T4. This hybrid AF system works with contrast-detection and phase-detection points to ensure fast, accurate tracking in all conditions.
The Single-Point AF Mode can use 425 selectable points in a 25×17 grid. Meanwhile, in the Zone AF Mode, you can use 7×7, 5×5, or 3×3 grids. There is also the Wide/Tracking AF Mode for shooting moving subjects.
The maximum continuous shooting speed is 8 fps with the mechanical shutter. You can go faster to 20 fps when switching to the electronic shutter, and to 30 fps if you allow a 1.25X crop.
Both cameras use the same battery. The NP-W126S battery has a CIPA-rated battery life of 500 shots in normal mode, and up to 600 shots in economy mode. However, the actual battery life on Fujifilm X E4 is more around 380 shots, and slightly slower on Fujifilm X S10 at around 325 shots. Nevertheless, both cameras offer the possibility of powering and charging by a powerbank via the USB-C port.
Conclusion
Both are excellent cameras in their own ways. However, Fujifilm X S10 is generally the better camera because of a few reasons. First, it is more versatile in its lens selection. Second, it has a fully articulating display screen and a built-in pop-up flash. Third, perhaps the most important one, it has the 5-axis IBIS for the best stabilization performance.