X-E4vs A9
Sony
A9 (2017)
Starting from £1999 new
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & action photography
View A9
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.
Professional Sports, Wildlife & Action Photography — A9 (2017): The camera that changed professional photography — the A9's 20fps blackout-free burst and silent shutter proved mirrorless had definitively surpassed the DSLR.
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
A9 (2017)
- Sports photographers who want the original 20fps mirrorless at a lower used price than the A9 II
- Wildlife photographers who need blackout-free burst with fast, reliable tracking
- Sony FE system users who want a professional sports body
- Photographers interested in the camera that changed the industry
Quick take: The x-e4 has the highest resolution at 26mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the a9 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | A9 (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 673g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E4 | A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
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