EOS R8vs X-E4vs A7 IV
Which should you buy?
Full-Frame Entry — EOS R8 (2023): Canon's most affordable full-frame mirrorless — 4K/60p 10-bit and class-leading Dual Pixel AF at an accessible entry price.
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.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Who should buy what
EOS R8 (2023)
- You want full-frame image quality on a tight budget
- You shoot mainly in good light and can live without built-in stabilisation
- You primarily shoot stills with occasional video
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
A7 IV (2021)
- You want a high-resolution full-frame all-rounder for portraits, weddings, or travel
- You're stepping up from APS-C or a DSLR and want the best all-round full-frame body under £3,000
- You shoot a mix of stills and video and need a single body that handles both seriously
- You want access to the widest lens ecosystem in the mirrorless market
Quick take: The a7 iv has the highest resolution at 33mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the a7 iv is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R8 (2023) | X-E4 (2021) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £699 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 26.1MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled 10-bit, FHD/180p | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones, eye/face/subject tracking | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None (no IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 6fps mechanical, 40fps electronic | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~460 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 461g body only | 364g (body only) | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0mm | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD UHS-I | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
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