X-E3vs Z5
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Street & Travel — X-E3 (2017): The X-E3 is the lightest Fujifilm interchangeable-lens camera with the 24.3MP X-Trans III sensor. Its slim, compact body appeals to street photographers who find the X-T line too bulky. The touchscreen joystick and Bluetooth connection are welcome additions. 4K is technically available but limited to 15fps — this is a stills-first camera. An excellent compact travel camera at used-market prices.
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Who should buy what
X-E3 (2017)
- Street photographers who want Fujifilm colours
- Travel photographers prioritising size
- Minimalist camera users
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Quick take: The x-e3 is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E3 (2017) | Z5 (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £300 | £999 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/15p, 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF, face detection | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection |
| Stabilisation | None | IBIS — up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 8fps (electronic shutter up to 14fps) | 4.5fps |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 337g (body only) | 590g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 73.9 × 42.7mm | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.62× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" touchscreen (fixed), 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E3 | Z5 |
|---|---|---|
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with X-E3
Camera family history