Hands-on with the Fujifilm X-A7

Introduction

Feast your eyes on the Fujifilm X-A7, in all its mint green glory. Though this is an entry-level camera, it's significant because it's the first major redesign of Fujifilm's X-A series...well, since Fujifilm started making the X-A series. Just like previous models though, it's got a Bayer color filter array, foregoing Fujifilm's usual X-Trans array used in most of its other APS-C mirrorless cameras.

We've been lucky enough to get our hands on a pre-production model to give you a tour of all of the design updates on Fujifilm's new budget ILC.

A new sensor

Although the Fujifilm X-A7's sensor is still an APS-C unit and still offers 24MP, it's an all-new design. According to Fujifilm, this sensor and 'industry-leading copper wiring' help contribute to the camera's speed, and we suspect, to its adoption of 'real' 4K video at 30 frames per second. (The previous X-A5 could shoot 4K 'video' at 15 frames per second.)

The sensor also comes with 8.5X more phase detection pixels than its predecessor, giving you a total of 425 autofocus points. Burst shooting is a bit less impressive, coming in at 6fps with a very small buffer. We'll be testing out this new autofocus system as soon as we get our hands on a final review unit.

The huge rear screen

Just take a look at that rear screen. It's a healthy 3.5" unit, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a very impressive 2.76 million dots: higher than most other cameras this side of a Nikon D850. It also reaches an impressive brightness, so it should be fairly usable outdoors - an important consideration, as the X-A7 has no viewfinder.

Clearly visible here is also the new 8-way joystick, which you'll use to navigate the menus and move your AF point around. However, you can also use the huge rear screen for the very same functions, should you desire. One more thing to note about the screen, before we move on...

The huge, fully-articulating rear screen

...yes, this is the first Fujifilm camera with a 'conventional' fully articulating screen mechanism, meaning the screen swings out to the side and rotates around. Video shooters often prefer this sort of implementation, though I honestly have no idea if selfie enthusiasts prefer one type of tilty screen to another. Anyway, as with other cameras that use this type of mechanism, you can flip and stow the LCD side of the screen against the rear of the camera for protection while traveling.

One thing worth noting is that if you're shooting traditional stills, the 16:9 aspect ratio of the screen means you're going to have black bars on each side of your composition, since the camera takes photographs with a 3:2 aspect ratio. But for video shooters looking to take advantage of the camera's 4K/30p capture, it should be lovely.

And speaking of video capture, there's also...

A microphone socket

Yes, the X-A7 comes with a microphone input so you can easily capture better audio than the internal microphones could. Of course, it's directly in the way of the screen mechanism if it's swung out, but hey, a mic jack is a mic jack.

You may have noticed it's of the 2.5mm variety, meaning you'll likely need to use the included adapter to step up to the 3.5mm jack that most consumer microphones use. Just above the microphone port, you'll see the release for the pop-up flash, which can be pulled back with your finger and 'bounced' to the ceiling for a softer effect indoors.

But we're not done with ports just yet.

USB-C and HDMI ports

On the other side of the camera, behind a mint-green door, are traditional micro-HDMI and USB-C connectors. The USB-C port can be used not only for charging the camera up on the go, but also for file transfer to either PC's or smart devices with adapters. Disappointingly (though not unlike other recent camera models we've seen), the X-A7 will transfer images at slower USB 2.0 speeds through the USB-C port.

Top-plate controls

Now let's take a look at the top of the camera, which has also been redesigned. Gone is the old power switch, which used to surround the shutter button - in its place is a front control dial, and there's a recessed On/Off button to get you off and snapping away. There's also a rear control dial, and within it, a customizable function button to which you can assign many things. We'll let you know which things once we've gotten cracking on our full review, with a final review unit.

The mode dial is familiar, with SR+ denoting the camera's fully automatic setting, the standard PASM modes, a range of scene modes, filters, and a dedicated panorama mode. We're also pleased to see a fully-fledged hotshoe for mounting an external flash, trigger, or a shotgun microphone if you're going to be shooting video on-the-go and using the microphone port on the left side of the camera.

Battery and card slot

Last but not least, the battery. The X-A7 uses the same NP-W126S battery that is now in basically all of Fujifilm's APS-C interchangeable lens cameras, meaning it should be easy to pick up a spare or two should you need - though a battery life of 440 shots is pretty respectable, even if that number is for the camera's 'economy' mode. The X-A7 uses standard SD cards, and the slot is below the battery in this image (not visible).

The wrap

And there you have it - Fujifilm's new budget interchangeable lens camera, the X-A7. Our initial impressions are positive, especially compared to previous X-A models in terms of responsiveness and autofocus. And let's be honest: I never thought I would ever want a mint green camera (several other colors are available, don't worry) but here I am, thinking about how I kind of like it and how I'd probably need to buy all new shirts to make sure I'm not clashing with the it while I'm out taking pictures.

In any case, what do you think of the new X-A7? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and ask us any questions you have - we'll do our best to answer them.

from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) https://ift.tt/2NSObwh