Fujifilm X–A7

Compact, light and almost perfect — it’s the ideal travel companion

$699 From Fujifilm, fujifilm.com Features 24.24MP APS–C sensor, 4K/30fps video, 3.5–inch LCD display, 320g

There’s something appealing about the X–A7: it somehow manages to exude old–school charm while offering pretty much everything a photographer needs. It neatly picks up where the X–A5 left off, getting some physical tweaks to the body along with performance upgrades.

From the front, the X–A7 looks identical to its predecessor, using the same X–mount on which you can attach either the bundled Fujinon XC 15–45mm f/3.5–5.6 OIS PZ kit lens (the same one that came with the X–A5) or use any of the better X–mount optics.

The rear display is now a 3.5–inch touchscreen with a 2,760k–dot resolution that’s fully articulating. It’s also wider, with an aspect ratio of 16:9, meaning you get a bigger and sharper view of the world when compared to the X–A5’s 3–inch display that had a resolution of just 1,040K dots and an aspect ratio of 3:2.

However, it’s the brand–new sensor under the hood of the X–A7 that makes the new camera worth the upgrade. It might share the same 24.5MP pixel count from earlier but the new Bayer–filter sensor, Fujifilm promises, has copper wiring that significantly reduces noise levels and offers faster readouts too.

The X–A7’s sensor also has a lot more phase–detection autofocus pixels than before, with an extended ISO range of 100–51000, both of which are excellent for an entry–level camera.

Of course, 4K recording is the norm now, but thankfully it’s available at 30fps on the X–A7 as opposed to the rather disappointing 15fps on the X–A5. A microphone socket is available but, like the X–A5, it’s the non– standard 2.5mm type that needs an adaptor — but you do get an adaptor in the box.

All the usual creative modes from the X–A5 have made their way to the successor model, along with the addition of a new Bright Mode (to capture HDR images with a single shot) and a Light Trails option.

With top–notch image quality that will please the most expert of photographers, it’s an excellent little snapper. Autofocus performance is impressive for both stills and video, which even some enthusiast–level cameras have trouble with. Even the lack of a viewfinder didn’t bother us.

Our only complaints are about the ergonomics — there’s barely a grip to speak of and the joystick isn’t within easy reach of the thumb. You have to support the weight of the camera by holding the lens every time you need to reach for the joystick.

THE BOTTOM LINE. There are cheaper options, but none match the autofocus performance, ease–of–use and image quality of the X–A7.