X-E3vs A7S II
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
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.
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
Who should buy what
X-E3 (2017)
- Street photographers who want Fujifilm colours
- Travel photographers prioritising size
- Minimalist camera users
A7S II (2015)
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
Quick take: The x-e3 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the x-e3 is the most affordable; only the a7s ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E3 (2017) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £300 | £799 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/15p, 1080p/60p | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF, face detection | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 8fps (electronic shutter up to 14fps) | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 337g (body only) | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 73.9 × 42.7mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.62× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" touchscreen (fixed), 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E3 | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| 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