Sequel to the Fujifilm X-A5, the X-A7 comes with a lot of promising features. The hallmark of the X-A series is affordability first and foremost, with models in the series providing low price tags and yet still reasonably generous feature-sets. As an entry-level mirrorless camera, the X-A7 is great. It features a much better autofocus system and improved 4K video mode. If you are looking for a good and user-friendly camera for travel photos and capturing daily moments, it’s definitely one of the best in your bucket list.
Design 4.5
At first glance, the new model looks very much like its predecessor, the X-A5. The top deck feels familiar too, even though several significant changes have snuck in. Flipping around to the back of the camera, you will realize this is a totally brand new design, with improvements both to the articulated display and rear control layout. There is no built-in viewfinder; you’ll rely on the fully articulating LCD screen to frame your shots. Fret not, the LCD screen is not only large, at 3.5 inches diagonal, it also boasts a resolution of 2.7 million pixels. With the maximum luminous intensity of approximately 1,000 candelas, the LCD allows you to clearly see the live view even under strong and bright daylight. This is also the first time in X-Series cameras to sport the vari-angle structure to enable the monitor to rotate in various angles freely. Another drastic visual update to this model is the change in available colours; the X-A7 has an almost entirely new range consisting of silver, mint green, dark silver, and camel.
Features 4.5
The Portrait Enhancer mode, in combination with the Face/Eye AF, boosts the quality and operability of taking self-portraits, achieving beautiful and natural skin tones with ease. A new Bright Mode feature has been added to the Advanced SR Auto function, allowing the camera to configure ideal settings to produce HDR and other options that create brighter and more vivid images in a single, one-touch operation. Furthermore, the Light Trail mode, added to the Scene Position selection, can be used to capture light trails of car headlights. In addition, the newly designed “Smart Menu” facilitates intuitive touch screen operation, so much so that even beginners can produce high-quality images easily. The touch screen also allows you to set the autofocus point, or control the shutter. Another handling gripe is the ISO control. To find this in the main menu system, or using the Smart touch screen interface, takes you a route that feels far too long and torturous for a control that is so essential in every- day shooting. There are two control dials located on the top part of the camera; you have direct access to both shutter speed and aperture. You also get an autofocus selector joystick, so if you turn the touch screen completely off, you still have one-button control over the focus point.
As before, the latest model still sports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, plus both USB 2.0 High-Speed data and Micro (Type- D) HDMI high-definition video outputs. The Bluetooth radio has been upgraded from version 4.1 to 4.2 though, whilst the USB port now uses a reversible USB-C connector. The use of FUJIFILM Camera Remote and improvements has been incorporated into the X-A7 in order to enhance the connectivity and stability in wireless communications. The camera also supports wired communications with smartphones and tablet devices, useful when transferring large data, e.g. video, to such devices. The Fuji X-A7 will capture 270 frames under CIPA conditions. If you enable the optional economy mode, you can boost this to 440 frames, close enough to the X-A5 figure that we initially wondered if it simply
defaulted to economy mode. In-camera charging via USB is supported.
Performance 4.5
The X-A5 technically supported ultra high-definition video capture, but with a slideshow-esque frame rate of just 15 fps — far too slow to adequately convey smooth motion — this was clearly provided more to beef up the spec sheet than to be used by customers. With more performance on offer, the X-A7 instead can record meaningful 4K UHD video at 23.98, 24, 25 or 29.97 frames per second with no crop, for up to 15 minutes per clip. The same resolution options are available for Full HD or HD video, as well as 50 and 59.94 fps rates, with a maximum clip duration of 30 minutes. Further new features include square- cropped 1:1 aspect video capture for both Full HD and HD frame heights, plus a new Countdown Video mode which records clips with pre-selected 15, 30 or 60-second duration suitable for social media sharing.
Conclusion
The X-A7 is designed to be easy to use, but with high image quality, with a 24-megapixel sensor, 4K video recording and a large 3.5-inch screen. There is a significant improvement to the camera’s autofocus performance over its predecessor and the images have great control of colour and dynamic range. There are also many other features that have been upgraded, making this compact, lightweight snapper an ideal travelling companion. It offers good all-around performance – and no one can argue with its sharp looks.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Camera format: Compact system camera
Effective megapixels: 24.2
Sensor Format: APS-C
Sensor size: 23.5mm x 15.7mm
Focal length multiplier: 1.5x On-sensor phase detect: Yes Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0
Lens Mount: Fujifilm X
Lens: FUJINON XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Focal length (25mm equivalent): 22.5 – 67.5mm Tripod Mount: Yes
Weight: 455g (includes batteries, kit lens) Size: 119 x 68 x 41mm
Price: RM3,098
(with 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, available in Dark Silver, Silver, Camel Brown)
CONTACT:
Fujifilm (M) Sdn. Bhd.
22, Jalan Jurunilai U1/20, Hicom-Glenmarie Industrial Park, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor
Phone: 03-5569 8388
Website: www.fujifilm.com.my