Tech head-to-head
Fujifilm X-T3vsSony a7 III
Fujifilm X-T3 and Sony a7 III average 8.2 and 8.1, and Durability comes out level. What is left is Design, 8.8 to 7.2.
Fujifilm X-T3
Fujifilm
8.2
Dials on top, 10-bit 4K inside, and the X-T4's sensor for a lot less. It gives up stabilization.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Sony a7 III
Sony
8.1
The full-frame body most people start with used: great sensor, huge lens pool, cramped grip and menus.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Where they diverge
The widest gap is Design, Fujifilm X-T3 ahead 8.8 to 7.2. They come closest on Ease of use, 7.8 to 7.6. Left of center is Fujifilm X-T3, right is Sony a7 III.
Which one to pick
Take the Fujifilm X-T3
Leads on Ease of use and Design.
- You like setting shutter speed and ISO on physical dials before the camera is even on
- Video matters and you want 10-bit footage without paying for a newer body
- You want a smaller kit, and APS-C lenses are part of the appeal
Take the Sony a7 III
Leads on Performance and Value.
- You want full frame with stabilization for the least outlay
- You want the widest choice of used and third-party lenses (Sigma, Tamron, Samyang, Viltrox)
- Battery life matters, since the NP-FZ100 lasts well past a day of casual shooting
Durability scores identically, so that axis can't break the tie.
What each one gets wrong
Fujifilm X-T3
- You shoot handheld in low light with unstabilized primes
- Battery life is a sore point, since one NP-W126S rarely lasts a full day
Sony a7 III
- Your hands are large and a shallow grip will annoy you every day
- You need 4K at 60p or 10-bit video
Specs, side by side
| Spec | Fujifilm X-T3 | Sony a7 III |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 | 24.2MP full-frame BSI CMOS |
| Stabilization | None in body | 5-axis in-body |
| Burst | 11 fps mechanical, 30 fps electronic (1.25x crop) | Up to 10 fps |
| Video | 4K up to 60p, 10-bit | 4K up to 30p |
| Card slots | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD (one UHS-II) |
| Battery | NP-W126S | NP-FZ100, about 610 shots (CIPA, viewfinder) |
| Mount | Fujifilm X | Sony E |
Rankings they both appear in
Questions
- Only 0.1 separates them. What breaks the tie?
- Design does, at 8.8 against 7.2. That axis covers build quality and how it sits in a room. Fujifilm X-T3 takes Ease of use and Design; Sony a7 III takes Performance and Value. Neither leads on more axes than the other, so it comes down to which of those you care about.
- Why are the totals this close?
- The total is the plain average of the 5 Tech axes, so opposite results cancel. Fujifilm X-T3 averages 8.2 and Sony a7 III averages 8.1, a gap of 0.1, while the individual axes run as far apart as 1.6.
- Which one ranks higher in "Used mirrorless bodies that still earn their keep"?
- Fujifilm X-T3 sits at #2 in "Used mirrorless bodies that still earn their keep", Sony a7 III at #3.