X-E4vs A7R II
Sony
A7R II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Portrait, landscape & studio photography
View A7R II
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.
Portrait, Landscape & Studio Photography — A7R II (2015): The A7R II transformed the A7R series — adding IBIS, 4K video, BSI sensor tech, and phase-detect AF in one generation. A landmark Sony camera.
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
A7R II (2015)
- Landscape and architecture photographers who want 42MP with IBIS for handheld shooting
- Portrait and studio photographers who need high resolution with improved AF reliability
- Sony FE system users who want a capable high-resolution body at a used price
- A7R I owners who need the stabilisation, 4K, and improved AF the original lacked
Quick take: The a7r ii has the highest resolution at 42mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the a7r ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | A7R II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £799 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 42.4MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 42.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | 399 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points, face detection |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | ~290 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 625g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E4 | A7R II |
|---|---|---|
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Architecture | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with X-E4
Camera family history