X-E4vs A7R III
Sony
A7R III (2017)
Starting from £1799 new
Best for Landscape, studio & commercial photography
View A7R III
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.
Landscape, Studio & Commercial Photography — A7R III (2017): The camera that converted professionals to mirrorless — 42MP, IBIS, and 10fps in a body that still competes today.
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 III (2017)
- Landscape and studio photographers who need 42MP resolution at a used-price discount vs A7R IV
- Canon/Nikon DSLR professionals considering a mirrorless switch at a lower investment
- Commercial and product photographers who want full-frame resolution with IBIS for handheld work
- Portrait photographers who want the sharpest possible full-frame files for large print work
Quick take: The a7r iii has the highest resolution at 42mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the a7r iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | A7R III (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 42.4MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 42.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | 399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 650g body only |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" touchscreen, tilting |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Dual SD slots (one UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E4 | A7R III |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Sports | — |
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