X-E4vs Ricoh GR IIIxvs Sony A9 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.
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
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
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 x-e4 has the highest resolution at 26mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the sony a9 iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | Ricoh GR IIIx (2021) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £999 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 24.2MP | 24.6MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 1080p/60p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 4fps | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | 200 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 262g | 703g body only |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 111.2 × 61.4 × 33.2mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | None | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" fixed touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Fixed 40mm-equiv f/2.8 lens | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-I | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
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