Canon EOS R3vs X-E4vs Nikon Z9
Canon
Canon EOS R3 (2021)
From £5999
Best for Sports & photojournalism professionals
View Canon EOS R3
Which should you buy?
Sports & Photojournalism Professionals — Canon EOS R3 (2021): The pinnacle of Canon's mirrorless lineup for speed — Eye Control AF and 30fps burst in the most rugged body Canon has ever produced.
Compact Street & Travel Photography — X-E4 (2021): The X-E4 is for photographers who want the minimum camera that still delivers maximum image quality. If you love shooting from the rear screen and want the smallest possible X-mount body, this is your camera. If you need a viewfinder or IBIS, look at the X-S20 or X-T30 II.
Professional Sports & Wildlife — Nikon Z9 (2021): The Z9 redefined what professional mirrorless could be — no mechanical shutter, 45MP stacked BSI, and 8K RAW in the most rugged Z body.
Who should buy what
Canon EOS R3 (2021)
- You shoot sport, motorsport, wildlife, or news at a professional level
- You need Canon's most reliable and fastest autofocus available
- You need extreme weather sealing for demanding shooting conditions
X-E4 (2021)
- Street photographers who prioritise portability and discretion
- Travel photographers packing minimally
- Fujifilm fans who shoot primarily from the rear screen
- Anyone who wants the X-Trans sensor in the smallest possible body
Nikon Z9 (2021)
- You shoot professionally and need a camera body that handles everything without compromise
- You're a sports, wildlife, or commercial photographer who demands the absolute best
- You want a camera body that will remain state-of-the-art for the next decade
Quick take: The nikon z9 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the canon eos r3, nikon z9 are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Canon EOS R3 (2021) | X-E4 (2021) | Nikon Z9 (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,999 | £699 | £5,499 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 26.1MP | 45.7MP |
| Video | 6K RAW, 4K/120p, 1080p/180p | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 8K/30p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with Eye Control AF | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 8-stop IBIS | None (no IBIS) | 6-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 12fps mechanical | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG |
| Battery Life | 620 shots (CIPA) | ~460 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1015g body only | 364g (body only) | 1340g body only |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 142.6 × 87.2mm | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 149.0 × 149.5 × 90.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 120fps | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF | Fujifilm X-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type B | Single SD UHS-I | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN |
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