X-E3vs A7S
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.
Astrophotography & Low-Light — A7S (2014): The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.
Who should buy what
X-E3 (2017)
- Street photographers who want Fujifilm colours
- Travel photographers prioritising size
- Minimalist camera users
A7S (2014)
- Astrophotographers
- Low-light event videographers
- Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Quick take: The x-e3 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the x-e3 is the most affordable; only the a7s is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E3 (2017) | A7S (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £300 | £600 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III | 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 12.2MP |
| Video | 4K/15p, 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder) |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF, face detection | Phase-detect / contrast-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | None | None |
| Burst Rate | 8fps (electronic shutter up to 14fps) | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 337g (body only) | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 73.9 × 42.7mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.62× magnification | Electronic, 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 (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E3 | A7S |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Astrophotography | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history