X-E4vs Ricoh GR IIIxvs A7S III
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.
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.
Professional Video & Low-Light Filmmaking — A7S III (2020): If video is your primary discipline, the A7S III is the camera. 4K/120p at 10-bit in a weather-sealed body with a 9.44M dot EVF is an extraordinary package. The 12MP sensor isn't limiting for video — and it's usable at ISO 409,600 in a pinch.
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
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
A7S III (2020)
- Filmmakers and videographers who need 4K/120p at 10-bit
- Event videographers who shoot in dark venues regularly
- Documentary filmmakers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Hybrid shooters where video is primary and stills are secondary
Quick take: The x-e4 has the highest resolution at 26mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the a7s iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | Ricoh GR IIIx (2021) | A7S III (2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £999 | £2,999 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 24.2MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 1080p/60p | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) | 5.5-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 4fps | 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | 200 shots (CIPA) | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 262g | 699g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 111.2 × 61.4 × 33.2mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | None | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" fixed touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Fixed 40mm-equiv f/2.8 lens | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-I | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
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