A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Fujifilm X-A1 Comparison Review

The Fujifilm X-A1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was revealed to the public in September 2013 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 16 megapixel.

camera

Is the Fujifilm X-A1 a good camera? The X-A1 has a Camera Elo of 1795. This rating puts the X-A1 below average of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the X-A1 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Fujifilm X-A1 is more than 10 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2013.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm X-A1
Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm X mount lenses
16 MP, APS-C Sensor
1080/30p Video
ISO 200 - 6 400 (100 - 25 600)
no viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
5.6 shutter flaps per second
350 shots per battery charge
117 x 67 x 39 mm, 330 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

ad

Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Fujifilm X-A1 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Fujifilm X-A1 vs credit card front
X-A1 versus credit card top view
X-A1 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Fujifilm X-A1 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A1 117 mm 67 mm 39 mm 330 g 350 n Sep 2013 399ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 117 mm 68 mm 40 mm 361 g 450 n Jan 2018 399ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 339 g 410 n Aug 2016 399ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 331 g 410 n Dec 2016 399ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Jan 2016 699ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 350 g 410 n Jan 2015 399ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 381 g 350 n May 2015 799ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Oct 2013 999ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-M1 117 mm 67 mm 39 mm 330 g 350 n Jun 2013 699ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-E1 129 mm 75 mm 38 mm 350 g 350 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 140 mm 82 mm 43 mm 450 g 300 n Jan 2012 1,699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Fujifilm X-A1 was launched in the US market at a price of $399. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

logo
Check X-A1 offers at
ebay.com

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Fujifilm X-A1 features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Fujifilm X-A1 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Fujifilm X-A1 sensor measures

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.6139076
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.3180082
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.813.1166481
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.913.2169181
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.713.0160880
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.612.8151579
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.9154679
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.412.6140077
9.
 
Fujifilm X-M1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.6137176
10.
 
Fujifilm X-E1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.212.4129875
11.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.112.3123874
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The X-A1 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the X-A1 can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Fujifilm X-A1 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A2none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E22360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
9.
 
Fujifilm X-M1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
10.
 
Fujifilm X-E12360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro11440 n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

The LCD screen on the Fujifilm X-A1 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the X-A1

One convenient feature of the X-A1 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

ad

Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X-A1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2SYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E2Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Fujifilm X-M1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
10.
 
Fujifilm X-E1Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
padding

It is notable that the X-A1 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Further information on the features and operation of the X-A1 can be found in the free online Fujifilm X-A1 Manual or on the Fujifilm support site.

ad

Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X-A1. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

scroll hint
Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A1........4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 399ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5..+4.1/5..4/53.5/5 Jan 2018 399ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3......74/1004.5/54/5 Aug 2016 399ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10........4/54/5 Dec 2016 399ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S4.5/5....77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 699ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A24/5......4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 399ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T104.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 May 2015 799ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E24/5....80/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 999ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-M13/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 699ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-E14/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro15/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 1,699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

logo
Check X-A1 offers at
ebay.com

Fujifilm X-A1 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the X-A1.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Fujifilm X-A1 based on?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Fujifilm X-A1 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Fujifilm equipped the X-A1 with the EXR Processor II image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Fujifilm X-A1?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600.

Does the Fujifilm X-A1 have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the X-A1 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Fujifilm X-A1?

Fujifilm does not publish a shutter rating for the X-A1. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Fujifilm X-A1?

The X-A1 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Fujifilm X-A1 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Fujifilm X-A1 for flash photography?

The X-A1's flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.

Does the Fujifilm X-A1 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Fujifilm X-A1 use?

The camera gets its power from the NP-W126 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

~
    loader
    ad
    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Fujifilm X-A1
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Fujifilm X mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2013
    Launch Price USD 399
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.7 mm
    Sensor Area 369 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 896 x 3 264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.80 μm
    Pixel Density 4.33 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 6 400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor EXR Processor II
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type No viewfinder
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 5.6 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type NP-W126 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 117 x 67 x 39 mm
    (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 330 g (11.6 oz)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Fujifilm X-A1 Review