Canon 60D versus Fujifilm X-E3

The Canon EOS 60D and the Fujifilm X-E3 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2010 and September 2017. The 60D is a DSLR, while the X-E3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixel, whereas the Fujifilm provides 24 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon 60D vs Fujifilm X-E3

The physical size and weight of the Canon 60D and the Fujifilm X-E3 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If you prefer, you can also use the toggle button to switch to a comparison in percentage terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the 60D – represents 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm X-E3 is considerably smaller (42 percent) than the Canon 60D. Moreover, the X-E3 is substantially lighter (55 percent) than the 60D. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 60D is splash and dust resistant, while the X-E3 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Both cameras have similarly sized sensors, but DSLRs have a larger flange-to-focal plane distance than mirrorless cameras, which imposes contraints on the optical engineering process and generally leads to bigger and heavier lenses. You can find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (60D) and the Fujinon X Lens Catalog (X-E3). Mirrorless cameras, such as the X-E3, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the 60D gets 1100 shots out of its LP-E6 battery, while the X-E3 can take 350 images on a single charge of its NP-W126S power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 60D»	145 mm	106 mm	79 mm	755 g	1100	Y	Aug 2010	1,399	-		Canon 60D
	Fujifilm X-E3«	121 mm	74 mm	43 mm	337 g	350	n	Sep 2017	899			Fujifilm X-E3
	Canon 80D« »	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199			Canon 80D
	Canon 7D II« »	149 mm	112 mm	78 mm	910 g	670	Y	Sep 2014	1,799			Canon 7D II
	Canon 70D« »	139 mm	104 mm	79 mm	755 g	920	Y	Jul 2013	1,199	-		Canon 70D
	Canon 7D« »	148 mm	111 mm	74 mm	860 g	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699	-		Canon 7D
	Canon 5D Mark II« »	152 mm	114 mm	75 mm	850 g	850	Y	Sep 2008	3,499	-		Canon 5D Mark II
	Canon 50D« »	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	800	Y	Aug 2008	1,299	-		Canon 50D
	Canon 40D« »	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299	-		Canon 40D
	Canon 30D« »	144 mm	106 mm	74 mm	785 g	750	n	Feb 2006	1,399	-		Canon 30D
	Canon 20D« »	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499	-		Canon 20D
	Fujifilm X-A5« »	117 mm	68 mm	40 mm	361 g	450	n	Jan 2018	399			Fujifilm X-A5
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	118 mm	83 mm	41 mm	383 g	350	n	Jan 2017	899			Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X70« »	113 mm	64 mm	44 mm	340 g	330	n	Jan 2016	799	-		Fujifilm X70
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	339 g	410	n	Aug 2016	399			Fujifilm X-A3
	Fujifilm X-E2S« »	129 mm	75 mm	37 mm	350 g	350	n	Jan 2016	699	-		Fujifilm X-E2S
	Nikon D7000« »	132 mm	105 mm	77 mm	780 g	1050	Y	Sep 2010	1,499	-		Nikon D7000
Convert to Imperial

The camera’s price is obviously a critical decision-making factor. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The X-E3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 36 percent) than the 60D, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison: Canon 60D vs Fujifilm X-E3

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the X-E3 is 11 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (60D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

With 24MP, the X-E3 offers a higher resolution than the 60D (17.9MP), but the X-E3 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 4.31μm for the 60D). Yet, the X-E3 is a much more recent model (by 7 years) than the 60D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X-E3 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the X-E3 provides a better video resolution than the 60D. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison: Canon 60D vs Fujifilm X-E3

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the X-E3 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the 60D has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 60D and Fujifilm X-E3 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

The X-E3 is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the 60D has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 60D was succeeded by the Canon 70D.

Review summary: Canon 60D vs Fujifilm X-E3

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon 60D better than the Fujifilm X-E3 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 60D:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Easier setting verification: Has an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More flexible LCD: Has swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1100 versus 350) on a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2010).

Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm X-E3:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 17.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 16%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 5.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (121x74mm vs 145x106mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 418g or 55 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (36 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 7 years of technical progress since the 60D launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the X-E3 emerges as the winner of the match-up (11 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 60D or the X-E3. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The full reviews are available by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 60D»	Rec	79/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	1,399	-		Canon 60D
	Fujifilm X-E3«	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899			Fujifilm X-E3
	Canon 80D« »	HiRec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199			Canon 80D
	Canon 7D II« »	Rec	84/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	1,799			Canon 7D II
	Canon 70D« »	HiRec	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	1,199	-		Canon 70D
	Canon 7D« »	HiRec	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699	-		Canon 7D
	Canon 5D Mark II« »	91/100	79/100	4/5	5/5	-	Sep 2008	3,499	-		Canon 5D Mark II
	Canon 50D« »	HiRec	HiRec	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299	-		Canon 50D
	Canon 40D« »	HiRec	HiRec	4.5/5	rev	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299	-		Canon 40D
	Canon 30D« »	HiRec	HiRec	rev	rev	-	Feb 2006	1,399	-		Canon 30D
	Canon 20D« »	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Aug 2004	1,499	-		Canon 20D
	Fujifilm X-A5« »	Rec	-	4/5	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	399			Fujifilm X-A5
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	HiRec	82/100	5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	899			Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X70« »	-	76/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	799	-		Fujifilm X70
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	-	74/100	4.5/5	-	4/5	Aug 2016	399			Fujifilm X-A3
	Fujifilm X-E2S« »	-	77/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2016	699	-		Fujifilm X-E2S
	Nikon D7000« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	1,499	-		Nikon D7000

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting. If the camera you are interested in is not available, please contact me, and I will try to locate and add the respective data to the application.

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