Fujifilm X-E3 vs Sony a500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-E3 and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-E3 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a500 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm X-E3 were released 2017 and Sony a500 was released 2009. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm X-E3 2017
Sony a500 2009

Type of camera

Fujifilm X-E3 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm X-E3 has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm X-E3 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm X-E3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm X-E3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Fujifilm X-E3 has a 97 % larger resolution than Sony a500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm X-E3 200-12800
Sony a500 200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm X-E3
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm X-E3 can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm X-E3 8
Sony a500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Fujifilm X-E3. Unfortunately Sony a500 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 87% heavier than Fujifilm X-E3 and its 337 gr (or 0.74 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm X-E3 337 gr
0.74 lb
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb

Fujifilm X-E3 vs Sony a500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-E3 and Sony a500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Name Fujifilm X-E3 Sony a500
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Release Year 2017 2009
Release Date 2017-09-07 2009-08-27
MSRP 899 USD 549 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 12 MP
Image Processor X-Processor Pro Bionz
Image
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
ISO Range 200 - 12800 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 7 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 325 9
Lens Mount Fujifilm X

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.93× (0.62× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Frames per second 8 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth LE)
No
Remote Control Supported (but no further information) Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm X-E3
Sony a500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-W126S lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 520 shots
Width 121 mm 137 mm
Height 74 mm 104 mm
Depth 43 mm 84 mm
Weight 337 gram 630 gram