Fujifilm X-A10 vs Nikon Z5

The Fujifilm X-A10 and the Nikon Z5 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in December 2016 and July 2020. Both the X-A10 and the Z5 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on an APS-C (X-A10) and a full frame (Z5) sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 16 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 24.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm X-A10		Nikon Z5
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm X mount lenses		Nikon Z mount lenses
16 MP, APS-C Sensor		24.2 MP, Full Frame Sensor
1080/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)		ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 102,400)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.2 LCD, 1040k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)		Tilting touchscreen
6 shutter flaps per second		4.5 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
410 shots per battery charge		470 shots per battery charge
117 x 67 x 40 mm, 331 g		134 x 101 x 67 mm, 675 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-A10 and the Nikon Z5? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-A10 and the Nikon Z5 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Z5 is considerably larger (73 percent) than the Fujifilm X-A10. Moreover, the Z5 is substantially heavier (104 percent) than the X-A10. It is noteworthy in this context that the Z5 is splash and dust-proof, while the X-A10 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the X-A10 gets 410 shots out of its NP-W126S battery, while the Z5 can take 470 images on a single charge of its EN-EL15c power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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-A10	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	331 g	410	n	Dec 2016	399
2.		Nikon Z5	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	470	Y	Jul 2020	1,399
3.		Fujifilm X-T4	135 mm	93 mm	64 mm	607 g	500	Y	Feb 2020	1,699
4.		Fujifilm X-A5	117 mm	68 mm	40 mm	361 g	450	n	Jan 2018	399
5.		Fujifilm X-E3	121 mm	74 mm	43 mm	337 g	350	n	Sep 2017	899
6.		Fujifilm X-T20	118 mm	83 mm	41 mm	383 g	350	n	Jan 2017	899
7.		Fujifilm X70	113 mm	64 mm	44 mm	340 g	330	n	Jan 2016	799
8.		Fujifilm X-A3	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	339 g	410	n	Aug 2016	399
9.		Fujifilm X-E2S	129 mm	75 mm	37 mm	350 g	350	n	Jan 2016	699
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	350 g	410	n	Jan 2015	399
11.		Fujifilm X-T10	118 mm	83 mm	41 mm	381 g	350	n	May 2015	799
12.		Fujifilm X-A1	117 mm	67 mm	39 mm	330 g	350	n	Sep 2013	399
13.		Fujifilm X-E2	129 mm	75 mm	37 mm	350 g	350	n	Oct 2013	999
14.		Nikon Z7 II	134 mm	101 mm	70 mm	705 g	420	Y	Oct 2020	2,999
15.		Nikon Z6 II	134 mm	101 mm	70 mm	705 g	410	Y	Oct 2020	1,999
16.		Nikon Z6	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	310	Y	Aug 2018	1,999
17.		Nikon D7500	136 mm	104 mm	73 mm	720 g	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The X-A10 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 71 percent) than the Z5, which puts it into a different market segment. 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.

Sensor comparison

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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X-A10 features an APS-C sensor and the Nikon Z5 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the Z5 is 133 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

With 24.2MP, the Z5 offers a higher resolution than the X-A10 (16MP), but the Z5 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.95μm versus 4.80μm for the X-A10) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Z5 is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 7 months) than the X-A10, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon Z5 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Z5 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.1 x 20.1 inches or 76.4 x 51 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.1 x 16.1 inches or 61.1 x 40.8 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.1 x 13.4 inches or 50.9 x 34 cm. The corresponding values for the Fujifilm X-A10 are 24.5 x 16.3 inches or 62.2 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.6 x 13.1 inches or 49.7 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.3 x 10.9 inches or 41.5 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Z5 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Fujifilm X-A10 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Z5 are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-102400.

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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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-A10	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
2.		Nikon Z5	Full Frame	24.2	6016	4016	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Fujifilm X-T4	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
4.		Fujifilm X-A5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
5.		Fujifilm X-E3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Fujifilm X-T20	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
7.		Fujifilm X70	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
8.		Fujifilm X-A3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
9.		Fujifilm X-E2S	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
11.		Fujifilm X-T10	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
12.		Fujifilm X-A1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
13.		Fujifilm X-E2	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
14.		Nikon Z7 II	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
15.		Nikon Z6 II	Full Frame	24.3	6048	4024	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
16.		Nikon Z6	Full Frame	24.3	6048	4024	4K/30p	25.3	14.3	3299	95
17.		Nikon D7500	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.3	14.0	1483	86

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Z5 provides a better video resolution than the X-A10. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Fujifilm is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Z5 has an electronic viewfinder (3690k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the X-A10 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm X-A10, the Nikon Z5, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm X-A10	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
2.		Nikon Z5	3690	n	3.2	1040	tilting	Y	1/8000s	4.5	n	Y
3.		Fujifilm X-T4	3690	n	3.0	1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	15.0	n	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-A5	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
5.		Fujifilm X-E3	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	n
6.		Fujifilm X-T20	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
7.		Fujifilm X70	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
8.		Fujifilm X-A3	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
9.		Fujifilm X-E2S	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	none	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6	Y	n
11.		Fujifilm X-T10	2360	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
12.		Fujifilm X-A1	none	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6	Y	n
13.		Fujifilm X-E2	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	n
14.		Nikon Z7 II	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
15.		Nikon Z6 II	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	14.0	n	Y
16.		Nikon Z6	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
17.		Nikon D7500	optical	Y	3.2	922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The X-A10 has one, while the Z5 does not. While the built-in flash of the X-A10 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm X-A10 and the Nikon Z5 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X-A10 and the Z5 write their files to SDXC cards. The Z5 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the X-A10 only has one slot. The Z5 supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the X-A10 can use UHS-I cards.

Connectivity 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-A10 and Nikon Z5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm X-A10	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
2.		Nikon Z5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
3.		Fujifilm X-T4	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-A5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Fujifilm X-E3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm X-T20	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm X70	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Fujifilm X-A3	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Fujifilm X-E2S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Fujifilm X-T10	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Fujifilm X-A1	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Fujifilm X-E2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Nikon Z7 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
15.		Nikon Z6 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
16.		Nikon Z6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
17.		Nikon D7500	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y

It is notable that the Z5 has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The X-A10 lacks such a headphone port.

The Z5 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the X-A10 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the X-A10 was succeeded by the Fujifilm X-A5. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X-A10 and the Nikon Z5? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X-A10:

• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6 vs 4.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (117x67mm vs 134x101mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 344g or 51 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (71 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in December 2016).

Arguments in favor of the Nikon Z5:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24.2 vs 16MP), which boosts linear resolution by 23%.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (470 versus 410) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 7 months of technical progress since the X-A10 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the Z5 is the clear winner of the contest (22 : 7 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X-A10 and the Nikon Z5 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X-A10 or the Z5 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X-A10	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Dec 2016	399
2.		Nikon Z5	4/5	..	89/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jul 2020	1,399
3.		Fujifilm X-T4	5/5	+ +	..	5/5	5/5	Feb 2020	1,699
4.		Fujifilm X-A5	..	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	399
5.		Fujifilm X-E3	4.5/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899
6.		Fujifilm X-T20	5/5	+ +	82/100	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	899
7.		Fujifilm X70	4.5/5	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	799
8.		Fujifilm X-A3	..	..	74/100	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2016	399
9.		Fujifilm X-E2S	4.5/5	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	699
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	4/5	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	399
11.		Fujifilm X-T10	4.5/5	+ +	80/100	5/5	5/5	May 2015	799
12.		Fujifilm X-A1	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	399
13.		Fujifilm X-E2	4/5	..	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	999
14.		Nikon Z7 II	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2020	2,999
15.		Nikon Z6 II	4.5/5	..	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2020	1,999
16.		Nikon Z6	5/5	..	..	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	1,999
17.		Nikon D7500	4.5/5	+ +	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

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.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Fujifilm X-A10 vs Nikon Z5

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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