GetIntoGear
anda joystickto navigatethe
many focus points, you can
also use the new smart menu.
This turns the LCD into a
touch menu, with a range of
simplified virtual buttons to
guide you through taking
better shots. These settings
include film simulations,
aspect ratios – including 1:1
square crops for Instagram-
ready shots – and exposure
compensation. There is even
a natural blur depth control.
This makes creative aperture
control easy. With a slide of
a finger, it’s possible to set a
shallow aperture for blurred
backgrounds, or a narrow
aperture for more focus in a
shot. It’s done automatically
- it has an auto mode – and
even corrects the remaining
exposure settings for a
well-exposed shot. This part
is aimed firmly at beginners,
and likely won’t find much
appeal to more advanced
shooters, but it’s a great way
to learn when you’re just
starting out. While the large
screen is a potential draw, it’s
worth noting the 16:9 aspect
ratio. This means stills shots
at the traditional 3:2 aspect
ratio will incur a black border
on each side. It’s not a huge
issue, and shooting video
takes full advantage of the
entire area.
For more seasoned users,
they are able to set everything
to full manual control,
including the 117-point phase
detect AF system that features
Fujifilm’s advanced Eye AF
and does a very respectable
job. The ISO range of 200-
12,800 is pleasing, managing
to return clean images until
ISO 1600, with grainy noise
becoming more prevalent the
higher it goes. There is also
a handy pop-up flash to help
out in the dark, so you won’t
have to rely on ISO alone. In
fact, the flash is billed as super
intelligent. This means it can
work out the settings for you
to provide an even exposure.
128 PRACTICALPHOTOGRAPHY
5
CINEMA
SCREEN
Packing a gigantic
fully-articulated 3.5in
LCD, the X-A7 aims to
offer a smartphone-like
interface, complete
with simplified controls
and touch operation.
It’s great if you’re
looking for an easy
introduction to
photography.
6
OH JOY
Despite being
largely controlled by
touch, there are a few
physical dials. Fujifilm
has even managed
to fit in a joystick to
navigate the AF system
- a nice touch for those
who aren’t ready to
focus by touch.
Vlogging-ready travel-friendly cameras
ALSO
CONSIDER
THESE
5
6
Nikon Z 50 £899
The first in the Nikon APS-C mirrorless
li ne-up, the Z 50 has both vloggers andstill
sh ooters in its sights. It includes a 20.9MP
se nsor, flip-down 3.2in touchscreenand
20 9-point AF system. It records in 4Kat
30 fps, 1080p at 120fps and includesan
IS O range of 100-51,200. nikon.co.uk
Canon M50 £599
The EOS M50 was the first in Canon’s
consumer stills range to offer 4K video –
albeit with a 1.7x crop. It features a vari-
angle 3in 1040k-dot screen, 24.1MP APS-C
sensor and 100-25,600 ISO range. All this,
combined with its lightweight, compact build,
makes it a vlogger’s dream. canon.co.uk
