Fujifilm X-A1 – Review

The X system from Fujifilm receives further growth. After a top model X-Pro1, X-E1 and the M1-X, the X-A1 now completes the system from the bottom. Having been the clever hybrid viewfinder and high-quality metal housing were saved in the X-M1, also called the X-Trans sensor failed the A1 now with the special filter assembly to suffer cuts.

In the X-M1, this sensor been impressed with good image quality. What is left with a camera system, which almost all features have been taken this test show.

Ergonomics and processing a family resemblance, the Fujifilm X-A1 well attested. Not so much for the massive X-Pro1 or the still large X-E1, but very to the here already tested X-M1. The two could be twins. If not, the only imitation leather would have been replaced by a coating of rubber studs.

The smart and elegant rectangular case is straightforward on the front straight, only beaded to handle and bayonet unlocking are pushed out. Visually, the X-A1 quite so pleased. That changes when the camera is held in the hand. Although the surface the feel is due to the non-slip coating, to some extent, but not entirely convinced. Cheap plastic that you do not tackle too tight, wherever you look. Also, the thumb rest exudes the charm of a cheap entry-level camera.

After all, the body creaks in grip strength only slightly and looks solid processed. Another advantage of this choice is the material in comparison to the big sisters of the light weight of 540 grams receptive camera lens kit included, as well as the XC 16-50 mm F3.5-5, 6 OIS is (except for the lens) completely plastic. System cameras from other manufacturers lift quite much less on the scale.

Although the lens offers a focal length telephoto slightly lower than comparable kit zooms, but this starts already in a good wide-angle range from 24 mm (compared to be small picture). Zoom and focus ring are next to each other, which at least requires some getting used to. Well, you can distinguish them anyway, because the focus ring is much smoother than the focal length adjustment. The image stabilizer in the lens and sits neatly done its work.

The covers of the terminals and the battery memory card compartment respectively correspond to the usual standard, and the bayonet is at least on the camera side of metal. Also, the tripod mounts, but sitting next to the optical axis and very close to the battery, so that neither battery or memory card can be replaced with tripod mount plate.

Very different from the case makes the monitor that is fixed to a solid metal in the hinge housing. Independent of the angle with the high resolution of 920,000 pixels and its legal representation and brilliant he is fully convincing. Similarly, the folding mechanism which conveniently photos by holding down the front of the abdomen or head camera allows.

On request, the histogram and other shooting information can be displayed different grille and the video frame, as well. Very practical: when required on a long press of the Q key the screen to maximum brightness.

The switch left a mixed impression. After all, there are two adjuster, a mode dial and seven other buttons, which allow the main recording parameters can be set directly. All are easily accessible by the thumb or index finger, only the rear dial is vertical, which is at least getting used to the aperture or shutter speed dial Fujifilm X-A1.

Better, this function would get the front wheel, but with the exposure compensation to be adjusted somewhat too easily and inadvertently. You can swap the functions not, what would in our view be desirable? The mode dial has twelve positions available, including a freely assignable. It can be a good turn, engages precisely and is not limited by a stop.

The main programs that can be quickly selected, then the Quick Menu provides clear access to additional parameters. The main menu is not exactly blessed with handy explanations but quite clearly.

It contains five pages of settings that affect the absorption and three pages of camera-specific parameters. Definitely worth a look in the manual, because the Fujifilm newcomer the symbols, for example, for AF modes do not develop immediately. On the other hand, is all a matter of getting used to. Once you have set the camera basically, the rest is done very quickly with the Quick menu.

Fujifilm X-A1 – Features

As with the X-M1 are the most important programs of the X-A1 in direct access mode choice of a wheel. In addition to the program, aperture and shutter priority automatic scene programs, the most common sports, landscape and portrait can be selected directly. More scene programs, for example, different night programs, fireworks, Fujifilm X-A1 XC 16-50 mm.

Sunset or copy text, you will find in the SP mode. Particularly suitable for beginners is the SR-automatic, in the little can be adjusted by the photographer. Slightly, more influences are the ” automatic mode “.

The X-A1 is thus a fully automatic machine that can be configured but more and more individually on request up to full manual control. If that’s not enough, you experimented on the effects of pinhole camera, miniature, black and white or color partial, in which in a black-and-white image, a color remains. The usual Fujifilm simulations of analog films are of course also on board. It’s great that in all the ways, the most frequently used settings can be saved to the C position and called again.

Despite the automation of the flash if necessary must be manually expanded. He jumps out so far that the lens without a hood does not cast distracting shadows. The illumination is tidy, and the performance is sufficient for smaller spaces or for toning. If you want more, put a system flash light or the donor of any other manufacturer in the accessory shoe.

The Fujifilm X-A1 uses all common controls such as automatic flash, lightning, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain and triggering on the pre-flash for red-eye reduction. In addition, the small flash can trigger a large, but without controlling it as a TTL flash.

To record video, an appropriate mode for the X-A1 must not only be set because of a video-timer sits just below the thumb rest. On one hand, the switch is well protected against inadvertent tripping, on the other hand, the thumb needs to be implemented, leading to jerking the camera. Some film sequences are likely to get a wiggle at the beginning or end with a scene.

The autofocus provides its service exemplary. Although silent, finds its target but sometimes not fast enough or pumped. Even in almost motionless scenes, the X-A1 sometimes jumps from the edge of already discovered.

The sound is recorded from the built-in stereo microphones. The sound is but substantially affected by ambient and handling noise. Unfortunately, an external microphone cannot be connected. Otherwise, the video quality is convincing and the technical benchmarks (1,920 x 1,080 pixels at 30 frames per second) quite meet the standard.

Fujifilm X-A1 – Image Quality

Since the image quality features of the X-A1 fully correspond to the X-M1, we expected the greatest differences between the two cameras in image quality. The X-A1, in contrast to X-M1 not equipped with the X-Trans-sensor due to a particular color filter array have a better image quality.

In a laboratory tests the X-M1 was also a very Fujifilm X-A1 XC 16-50 mm certifies good image quality above the usual level of a beginner’s camera. The X-A1 with normal sensor we have also undergone a thorough testing in our laboratory. The detailed results can be downloaded for a small fee via the link at the bottom on the page as always.

To get straight to the point: The Fujifilm X-A1 does not reach her sister. In the image, quality makes with the kit lens at first a surprisingly good figure. The vignetting is negligible, and the low barrel distortion at a wide angle will notice only in very critical architectural photos. The resolution achieved already at the open aperture 40 line pairs per millimeter (lp / mm), at the long end even close to 50 lp / mm.

Curiously, this high value falls at least in the telephoto range even when stopping at a level significantly. A look at the signal processing explains this behavior: the value of sharpening artifacts, so the image distortion caused by an excessive increase of the edge contrast by software corresponds with the resolution values. The high resolution at f/5.6 is offsetted by a high rate of artifacts.

Also shows the texture sharpness around with values ​​of 1.4, that was clearly turned the screw software here, for values ​​between 0.9 and 1.1 are considered normal. In panel 8, the X-A1 sharpens considerably less and therefore, falls well as the resolution lower.

Fujifilm buys the high values ​​in the telephoto range ie with an aggressive image processing, which makes the pixel level with artificially Fujifilm X-A1wirkenden details noticeable. From the camera, aperture 8 behaves as expected: The loss of resolution from the image center at the edge decreases slightly, but remains well.

Overall, the resolution drops 8 Aperture gently until, at the minimum aperture 22 of about 30 lp / mm is achieved. In practical use, there is the image sharpness nothing to complain about, at least for deduction’s letterhead size it was good enough. Also fringing (chromatic aberrations) are hardly worth mentioning, only from aperture 11 whose value increases at a wide angle to the edge to just two pixels, but in prints up to A4 also a little disturbing.

The input dynamic range of the X-A1 is not just outstanding, but is in the range of ISO 200 to ISO 12,800 at least nine stops. The lowest ISO level 100 is achieved by damping the native sensor sensitivity, which is a step input dynamic costs and also reflected in a softer tone reproduction. Otherwise, the pictures of the X-A1 are rich in contrast and suitable for use directly from the camera.

Colors give the Fujifilm in the red to yellow and slightly over saturated, the cyan to be blue to purple and blue tones again. The wide range of greens but made quite accurate, and the white balance is exemplary. Also on the accuracy of exposure, there is nothing to complain about. All photos that have arisen during the test period were properly exposed, with the X-A1 goes to work more carefully, so that blown-out lights are largely avoided.

Fujifilm X-A1 – Conclusion

The Fujifilm X-A1 is the model for saving the X-system. Not only, that the vile metal housing plastic is gone, and the hybrid viewfinder has been deleted without replacement, and the sensor is now a completely normal standard. The X-A1 nevertheless, reflected fairly decent, both in features and ergonomics as well as the image quality. On this point, it does not come close to her sister X-M1.

Who is willing to pay the extra charge, obtained with the X-M1 is the more rounded package? On the other hand, should the differences in everyday photography hardly noticeable, and if you want as cheaply as possible to go into the X system from Fujifilm is right on with X-A1.

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