Fujifilm X-A5 Review
Photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash
The Fujifilm X-A5 is one of the cheapest models from the X Series and you can find a new one for only around $500. In spite of that, this mirrorless camera provides impressive image quality and all other features necessary for a good photography experience.
If you are on a tight budget, the X-A5 is a good option worth considering!
In this Fujifilm X-A5 review, we will point out all the strengths and weaknesses of this camera, and we’ll start with its primary specs and capabilities.
Fujifilm X-A5 Specs
Although it is an entry-level camera, the Fujifilm X-A5 offers very satisfying image quality. The reason for this is its 24.20 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor which allows a native sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 12800 (extendable to ISO 100 – 51,200).
The images produced by this camera are of great quality even if you shoot at high ISO settings. Although there is no in-body stabilization, there is a stabilization mechanism in the camera’s lens (XF35mm). Because of this, you can use the X-A5 at any time of the day and it will produce sharp and clear photos.
When it comes to downsides, the autofocus system is a bit slow, but you can’t expect high-end features for this amount of money. There are 91-point hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF points and you can use the touchscreen LCD for autofocus control which is still pretty good for this type of camera.
Some of the other notable features of the X-A5 are burst shooting rate of 5 frames per second and 4K UHD recording at 15p. Additionally, the X-A5 comes with integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies for connecting the camera to smart devices.
Learn more about this camera in the video above by Georges CamerasTV.
Fujifilm X-A5 Body and Design
The Fujifilm X-A5 is styled to look like a rangefinder camera. It was mostly built out of aluminum, while there are also leather accents on the exterior. Overall, the camera looks very stylish and retro while you can even personalize it by choosing among different colors. At the moment, it is sold in black, brown and pink.
Although it looks like a rangefinder camera, a fun fact is that the X-A5 doesn’t feature a viewfinder. It only has a 3.0-inch 1,040k dot touchscreen monitor which can be tilted to adjust the viewing angle.
The X-A5 is remarkably compact and it measures only 4.61 x 2.68 x 1.57 inches. Also, it weighs only around 0.80 lb (including batteries) so you can easily carry it wherever you go. The battery doesn’t disappoint and you can make about 450 shots before it drains out.
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Fujifilm X-A5 Build and Handling
The X-A5 was built out of aluminum which explains why it so lightweight. However, this material is not as strong as magnesium-alloy so take precautions and try not to drop it or hit it against hard surfaces.
If you live in a cold area this camera is not the best choice since it is not well suited for freezing temperatures. Its operating temperature is between 32 and 104°F which means it is not particularly efficient in hot environments either. Also, try not to use the camera in all other extreme weather conditions since it doesn’t have an environmental sealing.
In spite of the fact that it is very compact, the handling of this camera should not be an issue. The grip is not very small and control buttons are big enough to use them with ease. Overall, the ergonomics is very intuitive and very easy to comprehend even if you don’t have any experience in photography.
Fujifilm X-A5 Video Performance
The Fujifilm X-A5 has 4K capabilities, but in reality, it isn’t really what you would expect. It offers 4K UHD recording at only 15p and this is, to be fair, more of a slideshow style video.
However, this is not a company trick and it is not a useless feature. The 4K recording actually functions like a burst shooting since it captures 8-megapixel JPEGs at 15 frames per second. This allows much more possibilities than the native continuous shooting speed of 5 frames per second.
The X-A5 is also capable of recording Full HD (1920 x 1080) video at 60p. Unfortunately, video clips can be only 15 minutes long, but you can extend the time limit up to 30 minutes if you record videos in HD (1280 x 720). Additionally, the camera has an HDMI output and Mic port.
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Fujifilm X-A5 Lenses
The Fujifilm X-A5 uses a Fujifilm X lens mount. The Fujifilm X-mount lenses are designed for 23.6mm x 15.6mm APS-C sensors and there are about 50 different types on the market.
The best lens to start with is the XF35mmF1.4 R and it is usually sold in the pack with the camera. Since the X-A5 lacks in-body stabilization, it would be wise to choose lenses that have an optical image stabilization such as the Fujifilm 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS or the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS.
Fujifilm X-A5 Price
If you are looking for an entry-level camera with almost professional image quality, the Fujifilm X-A5 is among the best options. For only around $500, you can get a 24.2 MP camera with a nice bundle of features.
Although it is already budget-friendly, you can find this camera at significant savings if you buy used. This will leave you with additional resources to buy lenses and other photography equipment. Make sure you check out MPB since there you can find all sorts of photography equipment at affordable prices.
