X-E4vs A7Cvs 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.
Compact Travel & Content Creation — A7C (2020): The A7C proves full-frame doesn't have to be bulky. Excellent battery life, reliable Eye AF and a vari-angle screen in a pocketable body is a compelling combination for travel and content creators. The A7C II improved on it, but the original remains a strong value buy.
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
A7C (2020)
- Travel photographers who want full-frame in the smallest possible body
- Content creators who need a flip screen and reliable Eye AF
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want to keep a compact kit
- Vloggers who need 4K and great battery life on the road
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 x-e4 has the highest resolution at 26mp; the zv-1 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | A7C (2020) | ZV-1 II (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £1,299 | £649 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 24.2MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion, S-Log2/S-Log3 | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF | Phase-detect + contrast, 315 points, Real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops | Optical SteadyShot (OIS) |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 10fps with AF/AE tracking | 15fps |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | ~740 shots (CIPA) — outstanding for a Sony mirrorless | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 509g (body, battery, card) | 292g |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7mm | 105.5 × 60.0 × 43.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | None built-in — use rear screen or accessory EVF | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony E-mount | Fixed zoom — 18–50mm f/1.8–4.0 equiv |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input |
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