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It’sanothergreatfeaturefor
thosestartingout,though
will likelybe a redundant
fe ature for any users who are
more experienced with flash.
One new feature is the
light trails mode. It takes
a series of shots, capturing
one base image followed by
a series of highlights, which
it builds into light trails. It’s
not a new feature, with other
examples already found on
the market – notably with
Olympus – but is fun to play
with, and creates some great
results that usually require
a lot of patience and more
than just a modicum of
technical knowledge.
As you’d expect from a
camera that offers more than
a few nods to vloggers and
social media users, video
capability has been drastically
improved from the previous
X-A5. The 4K video now
shoots at up to 30fps – twice
that of the X-A5 – and also
offers Full HD at 60fps for2x
sl ow motion. There is 100fps
available, but only at 720p.
There isn’t any in-body image
st abilisationon offer,though
youcanusedigitalimage
st abilisation,whichcropsinto
your image to create smoother
footage. It’s never going to be
as good as the in-body variety,
though it’s fine if you’re in
a pinch and it does a pretty
solid job.
It’s possible to record in
full manual if you’re happy
with video settings, or rely on
automatic modes if you just
want to point and shoot.
The video output looks very
impressive for an entry-level
model. Both 4K and Full HD
are sharp – packed with the
company’s renowned colour
science. The AF does a good
job, especially for vlogging,
with the Eye AF coming
across as very sticky most
ofthetime.Theinternalmic
is n’tthebest,thoughthe
X-A7comeswitha 2.5mm
mic-in jack – a 3.5mmadapter
is included in-box– so you
can use any smaller-format
mics for top notchaudio.
Verdict
The X-A7 is a solidcamera
with bags of features,a
refreshed take onvideo
and a dominantrearscreen
that’s unlike anywe’veseen.
It makes photographyeven
more accessibleforthosewho
wish to advancetheirpassion,
while giving peoplethetools
to face a world ofsocialmedia
and YouTube. Ofcourse,it’s
not without fault.Thebody
fe els a tad plasticky,andthe
ki t lens wouldn’tbe ourfirst
choice. The batterylifealso
seems a bit on theshortside.
That said, you can’targue
with results, andthiscamera
can definitely deliverthose
with ease – especiallyif
you’re new to thegenre.
TECHSPEC
Camera: Fujifilm X-A7
Lens: XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6
Price: £699
Effective resolution: 24.2MP
Sensor: 23.5x15.7mm
LCD: 3.5in 2760k-dot 180°
vari-angle touchscreen
Shutter: Bulb, 1/4000sec-
30sec or 1/32,000 when
using electronic shutter
Autofocus: 117-point
phase detection
ISO: 200-12,800
(expands to 100-51,200)
Shooting speed: 6fps
for up to 10 RAWs
Video: 4K at 30fps, Full HD
at 60fps or HD at 100fps
Pop-up flash: Ye s
Other features: 11 film
simulation modes, interval
times, Light Trails mode,
Eye AF
Battery life: 270 shots
Card type: SD, SDHC, SDXC
Size (WxHxD): 119x68x41mm
Weight: 320g
Web: fujifilm.com
FEATURES
HANDLING
OVERALLSCORE
IMAGEQUALITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
PROS Autofocusperformsaboveexpectations
Imagequality Si mpleto use,evenfor beginners
Largefully-articulatedtouchscreen
CONS Noimagestabilisation Can feel too
simple NoEVF Lack of physical buttons
THE VERDICT
FUJIFILM X-A7
4K OR FULL HD ARE BOTH
SHARP – PACKED WITH THE
COMPANY’S RENOWNED
COLOUR SCIENCE
A wide range
of lenses
While the X-A7 comes with the
XC 15-45mm kit lens, we would
suggest looking to invest in a
new optic. While you can get
good shots with the XC, one
f Fjifil ’ key selling points
e amount of fast
s and sharp zoom
es available – both
which offer sharper
esults and wider
apertures. If you’re
aiming to keep
weight down,
ou can look to the
nge of f/2.8 primes,
uding a 27mm or
m wide-angle.
IMAGE
QUALITY
