X-E4vs Hero 12 Black
GoPro
Hero 12 Black (2023)
Starting from £300 new
Best for Adventure, sports & travel video
View Hero 12 Black
GearScore™ Verdict — 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.
Adventure, Sports & Travel Video — Hero 12 Black (2023): GoPro's best all-round action camera — better battery, 10-bit colour, and HyperSmooth 6.0 make it a genuine step forward.
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
Hero 12 Black (2023)
- Action and sports photographers who want the best stabilisation available
- Travellers who need a rugged waterproof camera for any conditions
- Cyclists, surfers, and skiers wanting helmet or handlebar footage
- Hero 11 owners considering an upgrade — notably better battery life
Quick take: The hero 12 black has the highest resolution at 27mp; the hero 12 black is the most affordable; only the hero 12 black is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | Hero 12 Black (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £300 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 1/1.9-inch CMOS |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 27.0MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 5.3K/60p, 4K/120p, 2.7K/240p slow-mo |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | Fixed focus (wide) |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | HyperSmooth 6.0 (in-camera EIS) |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 27MP RAW burst |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | ~70 min at 5.3K/30p (Enduro battery) |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 154g |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 71.8 × 50.8 × 33.6mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | 2.27" rear touchscreen + 1.4" front display |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 2.27" rear touchscreen; 1.4" front colour display |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | GoPro mounting ecosystem (fingers, adhesive, magnetic) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | microSD up to 1TB (V30 minimum) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E4 | Hero 12 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Adventure & Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Underwater | — | |
| Cycling & Hiking | — | |
| Everyday | — |
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