Decision tools · Compare
X-E3 vs A1
Quick take: The A1 has the highest resolution at 50MP; the X-E3 is the most affordable; only the A1 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A1 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
X-E3 — Street & Travel: 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.
A1 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
Who should buy what
X-E3 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Street photographers who want Fujifilm colours
- Travel photographers prioritising size
- Minimalist camera users
A1 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | X-E3Fujifilm · 2017 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £150 usedBest | £4,199 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF, face detection | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 8fps (electronic shutter up to 14fps) | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA) | ~430 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 337g (body only)Best | 737g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 73.9 × 42.7mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.62× magnification | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.0" touchscreen (fixed), 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
X-E3
A1
Portrait
6.1/10
8.2/10
Street
7.4/10
6.1/10
Travel
6.4/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
4.5/10
7.9/10
Filmmaking
4.5/10
7.8/10
Documentary
4.9/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
6.3/10
8.8/10
Landscape
4.6/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
6.5/10
8.7/10
Casual
4.9/10
4.8/10
Food
4.9/10
7.4/10
Macro
5.2/10
7.3/10
Architecture
4.7/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
4.6/10
6.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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