GFX 50S IIvs X-E4vs Sony A9 III
Which should you buy?
Studio & Portrait Specialists — GFX 50S II (2021): Medium format quality at the most accessible price ever — 51MP detail and tonal richness no APS-C or full-frame body can replicate.
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.
Sports & Action Professionals — Sony A9 III (2023): A paradigm-shifting camera — the global shutter eliminates every rolling shutter limitation that has constrained action photography for years.
Who should buy what
GFX 50S II (2021)
- You want to experience medium format without a five-figure investment
- You shoot landscape, architecture, or portraits where resolution and tonal depth matter
- You're in the Fujifilm ecosystem and want to step up to a larger sensor
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
Sony A9 III (2023)
- You shoot professional sport, motorsport, or action and need zero rolling shutter distortion
- You need reliable high-speed flash sync for studio or on-location action work
- You want the absolute pinnacle of Sony's action and sports camera technology
Quick take: The gfx 50s ii has the highest resolution at 51mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the gfx 50s ii, sony a9 iii are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GFX 50S II (2021) | X-E4 (2021) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,999 | £699 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | 51.4MP Medium Format GFX 44×33mm BSI CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | 51.4MP | 26.1MP | 24.6MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (cropped) | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops | None (no IBIS) | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 3fps | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | ~460 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 900g body only | 364g (body only) | 703g body only |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 104.2 × 87.2mm | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.77× magnification | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm G-mount (medium format) | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
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