FUJIFILM X-A7
Fujifilm’s new entry-level camera has some neat features for beginners and the image quality that enthusiasts demand. Angela Nicholson explains the new model
The new entry-level camera with beginner features but enthusiast image quality
The Fujifilm X-A7 is the replacement for the X-A5, and is the manufacturer’s latest entry-level interchangeable lens camera. Although it has the same lens mount as cameras like the Fujifilm X-T30, X-T3 and X-Pro3 and is compatible with all of the company’s XF and XC lenses, it doesn’t have their X-Trans CMOS sensor. Instead, it has a 24.2MP sensor with a Bayer pattern coloured filter array. That’s a more common type of filter, and it helps keep the cost of the X-A7 down. However, according to Fujifilm, the X-A7’s APS-C format sensor uses copper wire, and its readout speed is faster than the X-A5’s, which helps improve its high-ISO noise control by about 1EV.
The new camera also has a 425-point hybrid autofocus system, with 8.5 times as many phase detection pixels as the X-A5, which improves its subject detection and tracking as well as the Face/Eye Detection performance. In addition, the X-A7 has a maximum continuous shooting rate of 6fps with continuous autofocusing.
Like the X-A5, the X-A7 doesn’t have a built-in viewfinder, and it can’t accept an external viewfinder. However, you can connect a smartphone running Fujifilm’s free Camera Remote app and use the phone’s screen to compose images if you want.
What the X-A7 does have is the first variangle screen that we’ve seen on a Fujifilm X-Series camera. It’s a 3.5-inch unit with 2.76 million dots, which is good for a camera of this level. It’s also not troubled excessively by reflections, although a viewfinder would be helpful in very bright light or when following a moving subject. However, there’s a good level of detail visible on the screen, and the preview matches the captured images closely for both colour and exposure.
We also love the fact that the screen can be tilted to the perfect angle when you’re shooting at ground level or from above head height, either in landscape or portrait format.
The screen is touch-sensitive and is very responsive, which is good news because the X-A7 doesn’t have a huge array of buttons to
access key features directly. As well as being able to set the AF point (and trip the shutter if you want) with a tap, the menu options are touch-selectable. This and the Smart Menu make the camera very intuitive to use. There are also some neat features available, such as the ability to compare the impact of different Film Simulation modes by dragging a dividing line between two different modes across the screen to reveal more or less of each.
Unusually for an entry-level camera, the X-A7 has dual adjustment dials, which means there’s a dial to set both the aperture and shutter speed in Manual Exposure mode, and you don’t have to press a button to dial-in exposure compensation in Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority.
It’s also good to see a mini joystick on the back of the camera. This is quicker to operate than a navigation pad, and more importantly for the X-A7, it takes up less space so there’s more room for your thumb. It comes in handy for nudging the AF point along a little when you’re composing an image.
The X-A7’s autofocus system really impressed us during our testing. It’s very fast and can cope with low light as long as there’s a bit of contrast in the scene. If it can’t focus when light levels fall, it’s usually possible to find a point of contrast in the scene that it will latch onto.
Noise is controlled well up to around ISO 6400, when the JPEGs start to look a little smoothed in the default settings. We prefer RAW files, but they have some speckling of luminance noise.
The X-A7’s autofocus system really impressed us during our testing