X-A7vs Nikon Z8vs Ricoh GR IIIx
Which should you buy?
Beginner Fujifilm — X-A7 (2019): The most affordable X-mount entry — Fujifilm colour and film simulations with a large flip screen for beginners.
Sports, Wildlife & Hybrid Professionals — Nikon Z8 (2023): Z9 performance in a compact body — 45MP, 8K/60p RAW, and 20fps burst without the bulk or price of the flagship.
Street Portraits & Reportage — Ricoh GR IIIx (2021): APS-C in a shirt pocket with a 40mm perspective — the GR IIIx is the ideal street portrait compact for photographers who want a slightly tighter frame.
Who should buy what
X-A7 (2019)
- You want an affordable first mirrorless with decent video capabilities
- You shoot a lot of selfie-style content or vlog on a budget
- Note: no viewfinder and limited lens support — the X-T30 II is a better long-term investment
Nikon Z8 (2023)
- You need Z9-level performance in a more travel-friendly and portable body
- You shoot wildlife, weddings, or sport and need exceptional resolution with speed
- You want the best Nikon mirrorless body available without carrying the full Z9
Ricoh GR IIIx (2021)
- You want the GR experience with a slightly tighter, more versatile field of view
- You shoot portraits, food, or street scenes where 40mm suits better than 28mm wide
- You want a premium compact that fits in a shirt pocket with better tonal rendering than a phone
Quick take: The nikon z8 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the x-a7 is the most affordable; only the nikon z8 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-A7 (2019) | Nikon Z8 (2023) | Ricoh GR IIIx (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £399 | £3,999 | £999 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Bayer, not X-Trans) | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 45.7MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 8K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect + contrast, 425 points | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 6-stop IBIS | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | 330 shots (CIPA) | 200 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 320g body only | 910g body only | 262g |
| Dimensions | 118.0 × 80.6 × 55.2mm | 144.0 × 118.5 × 83.0mm | 111.2 × 61.4 × 33.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | None | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps | None |
| Screen | 3.5" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Nikon Z-mount | Fixed 40mm-equiv f/2.8 lens |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
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