Fujifilm X-A1 review
Elegant controls, but it doesn't share its pricier siblings' outstanding image quality
Specifications
23.6×15.6mm 16.0-megapixel sensor, 3.1x zoom (24-76mm equivalent), 530g
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PERFORMANCE
The new sensor hasn’t affected continuous performance, matching the X-M1 with a 5.5fps top speed. With a fast SDHC card it kept that pace for 44 shots before slowing slightly to 4.4fps – a tremendous result. Switching to raw mode saw performance fall to 1.4fps after 11 shots. Autofocus wasn’t as responsive as on the X-M1, though. We measured times of 0.5 to 0.9 seconds between fully pressing the shutter button and capturing a photo. The X-M1 managed 0.3 to 0.4 seconds in the same test. This contributed to a slightly disappointing 1.2 seconds between shots in normal use – hardly a poor result, but the Panasonic GX7 proves that SLR-like performance is possible from a CSC with its 0.4-second shot-to-shot time. We also found that autofocus was a little unreliable when shooting moving subjects in low light.
The video mode is light on features, with a fixed 30fps frame rate, a 14-minute maximum clip length and no control over exposure settings. Details in videos were a little sharper than we saw from the X-M1, but we spotted moiré interference on repeating patterns such as bricks and fabric. Video autofocus wasn’t really up to the job, with regular focus hunting when recording nearby subjects.
CONCLUSION
The prospect of a more affordable X-M1 is appealing. £700 is a worryingly large amount to spend on a compact camera, while £500 seems a little more sane. It’s great to find the same controls at this price, but that’s only half of the X-M1’s success story. Without its outstanding sensor, the X-A1 isn’t nearly as enticing, even at this price.
The range is beautifully-formed, but small in terms of lens support
With less reasons to love it, the reasons to be wary become more prominent. It’s relatively heavy and bulky for a CSC, its video mode is disappointing and X Mount lenses are expensive and few in number. It’s still an impressive camera, but by today’s lofty standards, that’s not enough to stand out.
Basic Specifications | |
---|---|
Rating | *** |
CCD effective megapixels | 16.0 megapixels |
CCD size | 23.6×15.6mm |
Viewfinder | none |
Viewfinder magnification, coverage | N/A |
LCD screen size | 3.0in |
LCD screen resolution | 920,000 pixels |
Articulated screen | Yes |
Live view | Yes |
Optical zoom | 3.1x |
Zoom 35mm equivalent | 24-76mm |
Image stabilisation | optical, in kit lens |
Maximum image resolution | 4,896×3,264 |
File formats | JPEG, RAW; QuickTime (AVC) |
Physical | |
Memory slot | SDXC |
Mermory supplied | none |
Battery type | Li-ion |
Battery Life (tested) | 350 shots |
Connectivity | USB, mini HDMI, Wi-Fi |
Body material | plastic |
Lens mount | Fujifilm X Mount |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5x |
Kit lens model name | Fujinon XC16-50mm |
Accessories | USB cable |
Weight | 530g |
Size | 66x117x113mm |
Buying Information | |
Warranty | one year RTB |
Price | £499 |
Supplier | http://www.wexphotographic.com |
Details | www.fujifilm.eu/uk |
Camera Controls | |
Exposure modes | program, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual |
Shutter speed | 30 to 1/4,000 seconds |
Aperture range | f/3.5-22 (wide), f/5.6-22 (tele) |
ISO range (at full resolution) | 100 to 25600 (200 to 6400 for raw) |
Exposure compensation | +/-2 EV |
White balance | auto, 6 presets with fine tuning, manual |
Additional image controls | auto, 6 presets with fine tuning, manual |
Manual focus | Yes |
Closest macro focus | 30cm |
Auto-focus modes | multi, flexible spot, face detect, tracking |
Metering modes | multi, centre-weighted, centre, face detect |
Flash | auto, forced, suppressed, slow synchro, rear curtain, red-eye reduction |
Drive modes | single, continuous, self-timer, AE bracket, ISO bracket, film simulation bracket, dynamic range bracket |