Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Canon - XA70 | Sony - FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K120 |
| Sensor size | 1" | Full Frame |
| Optical zoom | 15 | 0 |
Between the XA70 and FX3, the XA70 comes out ahead in optical zoom, while the FX3 wins on max video / sensor size. Overall, the XA70 scores 68.1 and the FX3 scores 63.1 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The XA70 edges ahead on the Mars Score (68.1 vs 63.1), but the 5.0-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the XA70 if you care most about optical zoom. The biggest gaps in its favor are optical zoom. The single most decisive one: Optical zoom: 15 vs 0.
Pick the FX3 if you care most about max video / sensor size. Its strongest claims are max video, sensor size. The single most decisive one: Max video: 4K120 (vs 4K60).
Both ship with comparable xlr input, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Canon - XA70 or Sony - FX3?
Canon - XA70 leads the current Mars Score by 5.0 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare max video, optical zoom, sensor size against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Canon - XA70 if…
Canon - XA70 has the measurable edge on optical zoom.
Choose Sony - FX3 if…
Sony - FX3 has the measurable edge on max video, sensor size.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Canon - XA70 wins
- ▲Optical zoom: 15 vs 0.
Why Sony - FX3 wins
- ▲Max video: 4K120 (vs 4K60).
- ▲Sensor size: Full Frame (vs 1").
Spec comparison
Video
| Spec | Canon - XA70 | Sony - FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K120lead |
| Optical zoom | 15lead | 0 |
| Sensor sizeⓘ | 1" | Full Framelead |
Audio
| Spec | Canon - XA70 | Sony - FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| XLR input | true | true |
| Headphone jack | true | true |
Design
| Spec | Canon - XA70 | Sony - FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 975 g | 715 glead |
| Articulating screen | true | true |