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Fujifilm X-A3 vs X-A5

The Fujifilm X-A3 and the Fujifilm X-A5 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2016 and January 2018. Both the X-A3 and the X-A5 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm X-A3
versus
Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm X-A3   Fujifilm X-A5
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm X mount lenses Fujifilm X mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60p Video 4K/15p Video
ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600) ISO 200-12,800 (200 - 51,200)
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Tilting touchscreen Tilting touchscreen
6 shutter flaps per second 6 shutter flaps per second
410 shots per battery charge450 shots per battery charge
117 x 67 x 40 mm, 339 g 117 x 68 x 40 mm, 361 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-A3 and the Fujifilm X-A5? 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.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-A3 and the Fujifilm X-A5 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in three different colors (silver, brown, pink).

Size Fujifilm X-A3 vs Fujifilm X-A5
Compare X-A3 versus X-A5 top
Comparison X-A3 or X-A5 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm X-A5 is somewhat larger (1 percent) than the Fujifilm X-A3. Moreover, the X-A5 is markedly heavier (6 percent) than the X-A3. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X-A3 nor the X-A5 are weather-sealed.

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. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 339 g 410 n Aug 2016 399ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 117 mm 68 mm 40 mm 361 g 450 n Jan 2018 399ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T200 121 mm 84 mm 55 mm 370 g 270 n Jan 2020 699ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 118 mm 83 mm 47 mm 383 g 380 n Feb 2019 899ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A7 119 mm 68 mm 41 mm 320 g 440 n Sep 2019 499ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E3 121 mm 74 mm 43 mm 337 g 350 n Sep 2017 899ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T20 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 383 g 350 n Jan 2017 899ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A10 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 331 g 410 n Dec 2016 399ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 350 g 410 n Jan 2015 399ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 381 g 350 n May 2015 799ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A1 117 mm 67 mm 39 mm 330 g 350 n Sep 2013 399ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Fujifilm X-A3 and Fujifilm X-A5 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 24 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the X-A3 and the X-A5 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the X-A5 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 5 months) than the X-A3, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The X-A5 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Fujifilm X-A3 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 Fujifilm X-A5 are ISO 200 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 200-51200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

X-A3 versus X-A5 MP

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 following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.813.1166481
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.3180082
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6199184
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.113.5189583
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6195584
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p23.913.3176482
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T20 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p23.913.2170481
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.913.2169181
9.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.612.8151579
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.9154679
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.6139076
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the X-A5 provides a better video resolution than the X-A3. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/15p, while the X-A3 is limited to 1080/60p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The X-A3 and the X-A5 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm X-A3 and Fujifilm X-A5 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image 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-A3none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T2002360 n3.5 / 2780 swivel Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T302360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A7none n3.5 / 2760 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E32360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n n
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T202360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
9.
 
Fujifilm X-A2none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

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-A3 and the Fujifilm X-A5 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-A3 and the X-A5 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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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-A3 and Fujifilm X-A5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A3Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T200Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T30Ystereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A7Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E3Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T20Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A10-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Fujifilm X-A2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
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It is notable that the X-A5 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The X-A3 does not feature such a mic input.

Both the X-A3 and the X-A5 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The X-A3 was replaced by the Fujifilm X-A5, while the X-A5 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the X-A3 and X-A5 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm X-A3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm X-A5 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X-A3 and the Fujifilm X-A5? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.


Advantages of the Fujifilm X-A3:

  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2016).


Reasons to prefer the Fujifilm X-A5:

  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/15p vs 1080/60p).
  • 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.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 5 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the X-A5 is the clear winner of the contest (5 : 1 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 sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

X-A3 01:05 X-A5

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X-A3 and the Fujifilm X-A5 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X-A3 or the X-A5 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 table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A3......74/1004.5/54/5 Aug 2016 399ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A5..+4.1/5..4/53.5/5 Jan 2018 399ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T2003.5/5..4/582/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2020 699ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-T305/5+ +5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2019 899ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A73/5..3.5/581/1004/53.5/5 Sep 2019 499ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E34.5/5+4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2017 899ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-T205/5+ +5/582/1005/54.5/5 Jan 2017 899ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A10........4/54/5 Dec 2016 399ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-A24/5......4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 399ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-T104.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 May 2015 799ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-A1........4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 399ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. 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-A3 vs Fujifilm X-A5

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Fujifilm X-A3 Fujifilm X-A5
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Fujifilm X mount lenses Fujifilm X mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2016 January 2018
    Launch Price USD 399 USD 399
    Sensor Specs Fujifilm X-A3 Fujifilm X-A5
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.7 mm 23.5 x 15.7 mm
    Sensor Area 368.95 mm2 368.95 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.92 μm 3.92 μm
    Pixel Density 6.50 MP/cm2 6.50 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 4K/15p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 6,400 ISO 200 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 200 - 51,200 ISO
    Screen Specs Fujifilm X-A3 Fujifilm X-A5
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Fujifilm X-A3 Fujifilm X-A5
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 6 shutter flaps/s 6 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/32000sup to 1/32000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Fujifilm X-A3 Fujifilm X-A5
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Fujifilm X-A3 Fujifilm X-A5
    Battery Type Fujifilm NP-W126S Fujifilm NP-W126S
    Battery Life (CIPA)410 shots per charge450 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 117 x 67 x 40 mm
    (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.6 in)
    117 x 68 x 40 mm
    (4.6 x 2.7 x 1.6 in)
    Camera Weight 339 g (12.0 oz) 361 g (12.7 oz)
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