X-E4vs Nikon Z8vs ZV-1 II
Which should you buy?
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, 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.
Pocket Vlogging — ZV-1 II (2023): The best pocket vlogging camera — 1-inch sensor, ultrawide zoom, flip screen, and real-time Eye AF in a shirt pocket.
Who should buy what
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 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
ZV-1 II (2023)
- You create vlog content solo and want reliable face tracking in a genuinely portable camera
- You want a wide zoom range for shooting variety without ever changing lenses
- You want clearly better image quality and stabilisation than a smartphone, simply packaged
Quick take: The nikon z8 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the zv-1 ii is the most affordable; only the nikon z8 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | Nikon Z8 (2023) | ZV-1 II (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £3,999 | £649 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 45.7MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 8K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect | Phase-detect + contrast, 315 points, Real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 6-stop IBIS | Optical SteadyShot (OIS) |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG | 15fps |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | 330 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 910g body only | 292g |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 144.0 × 118.5 × 83.0mm | 105.5 × 60.0 × 43.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Nikon Z-mount | Fixed zoom — 18–50mm f/1.8–4.0 equiv |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input |
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