Canon 77D versus Fujifilm X-E2S

The Canon EOS 77D and the Fujifilm X-E2S are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2017 and January 2016. The 77D is a DSLR, while the X-E2S is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 24 megapixel, whereas the Fujifilm provides 16 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 77D vs Fujifilm X-E2S

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 77D and the Fujifilm X-E2S. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also use the toggle button to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the 77D – represents the basis or 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-E2S is notably smaller (26 percent) than the Canon 77D. Moreover, the X-E2S is substantially lighter (35 percent) than the 77D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 77D nor the X-E2S are weather-sealed.

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 (77D) and the Fujinon X Lens Catalog (X-E2S). Mirrorless cameras, such as the X-E2S, 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 77D gets 600 shots out of its LP-E17 battery, while the X-E2S can take 350 images on a single charge of its NP-W126 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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.

Convert to MetricCamera 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)
	Canon 77D»	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	19.0 oz	600	n	Feb 2017	899
	Fujifilm X-E2S«	5.1 in	3.0 in	1.5 in	12.3 oz	350	n	Jan 2016	699	-
	Canon T7« »	5.1 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	16.8 oz	500	n	Feb 2018	449
	Canon M6« »	4.4 in	2.7 in	1.8 in	13.8 oz	295	n	Feb 2017	779
	Canon SL2« »	4.8 in	3.7 in	2.8 in	16.0 oz	650	n	Jun 2017	549
	Canon T7i« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	18.8 oz	600	n	Feb 2017	749
	Canon M5« »	4.6 in	3.5 in	2.4 in	15.1 oz	295	n	Sep 2016	979
	Canon T6« »	5.1 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	17.1 oz	500	n	Mar 2016	449	-
	Canon T6i« »	5.2 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	19.6 oz	440	n	Feb 2015	749	-
	Canon T6s« »	5.2 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	19.9 oz	440	n	Feb 2015	849	-
	Canon T4i« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.3 oz	440	n	Jun 2012	849	-
	Canon T1i« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.3 oz	400	n	Mar 2009	799	-
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	4.8 in	2.9 in	1.7 in	11.9 oz	350	n	Sep 2017	899
	Fujifilm X70« »	4.4 in	2.5 in	1.7 in	12.0 oz	330	n	Jan 2016	799	-
	Fujifilm X-T10« »	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.6 in	13.4 oz	350	n	May 2015	799	-
	Fujifilm X-E2« »	5.1 in	3.0 in	1.5 in	12.3 oz	350	n	Oct 2013	999	-
	Fujifilm X-M1« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	11.6 oz	350	n	Jun 2013	699

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The X-E2S was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 22 percent) than the 77D, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon 77D vs Fujifilm X-E2S

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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the X-E2S is 11 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (77D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon 77D offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixel, compared with 16 MP of the Fujifilm X-E2S. This megapixel advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 4.80μm for the X-E2S). However, it should be noted that the 77D is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 1 month) than the X-E2S, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X-E2S has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).

Feature comparison: Canon 77D vs Fujifilm X-E2S

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the X-E2S has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the 77D 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 following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 77D, the Fujifilm X-E2S, and comparable cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

The 77D is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the X-E2S has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the X-E2S was succeeded by the Fujifilm X-E3.

Review summary: Canon 77D vs Fujifilm X-E2S

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 77D and the Fujifilm X-E2S? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 77D:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 16MP) with a 23% higher linear resolution.
• 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.
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (600 versus 350) on a single battery charge.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 1 month after the X-E2S).

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X-E2S:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (129x75mm vs 131x100mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 190g or 35 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (22 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2016).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (8 points each). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 77D or the X-E2S. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. 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 detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review scores
	Camera						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)
	Canon 77D»	-	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	899
	Fujifilm X-E2S«	-	77/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2016	699	-
	Canon T7« »	rev	-	3.5/5	-	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449
	Canon M6« »	-	80/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779
	Canon SL2« »	HiRec	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549
	Canon T7i« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	Feb 2017	749
	Canon M5« »	Rec	82/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2016	979
	Canon T6« »	rev	73/100	4/5	3.5/5	4/5	Mar 2016	449	-
	Canon T6i« »	-	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749	-
	Canon T6s« »	Rec	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	849	-
	Canon T4i« »	HiRec	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849	-
	Canon T1i« »	HiRec	74/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799	-
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899
	Fujifilm X70« »	-	76/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	799	-
	Fujifilm X-T10« »	HiRec	80/100	5/5	4/5	5/5	May 2015	799	-
	Fujifilm X-E2« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	-	5/5	Oct 2013	999	-
	Fujifilm X-M1« »	Rec	77/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jun 2013	699

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, 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 make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting. If you cannot find the camera you are interested in, kindly get in touch, and I will try to add information on that model to the database.

You are here:  Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Canon 77D vs Fujifilm X-E2S