CAMERA TEST
Likewise,themeasurements
makeit nearlypocket-friendly
- perfectfortheavidtraveller.
Si nce it’s not quite in the
same league as Fujifilm’s
premium offerings, it’s no
surprise to learn it doesn’t
boast a full magnesium alloy
chassis or weather-sealing.
However, the polycarbonate
plastic build should hold up
to most average bumps and
scrapes in everyday use.
Finally, the key talking
point has to be the large 3.5in
LCD, which dominates the
rear. It’s fully articulated
- meaning you can flip it out
to face forward, sidewaysor
most other ways – makingit
perfect for selfies, vloggingor
creative compositions.
Performance
The X-A series has always
housed competent cameras
fo r beginners and enthusiasts,
mixing solid image quality
with enticing prices. While
the X-A7 is a touch more
expensive than the X-A5 atits
la unch, it does seem to take
the range in a new direction.
The 24MPsensorfeatures
a tr aditionalnon-X-Trans
Bayerdesignandcreates
peppy images with plenty
of detail and sharpness.
Of course, the company has
had plenty of practise at the
colour science game – as any
Fujifilm fan will tell you – and
the files benefit greatly. The
usual Film Simulations can be
found. Of the 11 available, you
can scroll through favourites
such as Provia, Astia and
Classic Chrome. There are
multiple black & white
optionsavailable,thoughyou
won’t find Acros orthelatest
retro colour-inspiredClassic
Neg. That said, the colours
that these settings apply to
your JPEGs are attractive
in their own right, and give
great results if you’re not
comfortable with shooting
in RAW and colour grading
your shots in post-processing.
The X-A7 completely omits
a viewfinder, so framing up
relies on the rear screen.
Whether that bothers you
or not will come down to
personal taste, though with
a firm target of smartphone
users in mind, it’s a very easy
transition. Furthermore,
while you have a pair of
control wheels by the top-
plate to adjust your settings,
AboveThanksto theDepth
Controltouchoption,you can
control your depth-of-field with
a simple swipe of your finger.
FUJIFILM HAS HAD PLENTY
OF PRACTISE AT THE COLOUR
SCIENCE GAME, AND FILES
BENEFIT GREATLY
TheX-A7is soldin a kit alongsidetheXC 15-45mm
f/ 3.5-5.6OISPZ lens– an entry-leveloptic.To breakdown
th e jargon,it offersan electricpowerzoom,as wellas
a 3-stop optical stabilisation, which is great for creating
smooth video footage or taking handheld photos in
low-light conditions. It’s also ultra-compact, weighing in
at 135g and measuring 44mm long. Finally, it manages
a 5cm close focusing distance, which is a nice inclusion.
While it’s a solid first lens, it’s not quite as sharp as the
company’s more advanced – and more expensive – optics.
That said, the image quality is more than sharp enoughin thecentre,andtheweightandsize
make it a dream for packing down in your pocket or backpackwhentravelling.
PRACTICALPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 127
Lens low-down XC 15-45mm
Fujifilm brings
the colour
a firm heritage
ional film and it
gs that knowledge
its digital colours
with its Film
Simulations, of
which 11 are
available in the
X-A7. When you’re
shooting in JPEG
ou can apply one of
colour styles, and
give unique looks
t the need for any
ost-processing.
Thanksto the rear screen, it’s
possible to preview each effect
in real-time as you’re framing up
the shot – a real bonus.
IMAGE
QUALITY
