Fuji x-a1 first impressions

[pixmedic]

Saw this at such a good price I couldn't resist picking it up. Arrived today and I got to compare it to my fuji x-e2.

At 117mmx67mmx39mm the x-a1 is a little smaller than the x-e2 (129mmx75mmx37mm)
Mostly due to the x-a1 lacking a viewfinder. The weight difference is pretty small though, with the x-a1 at 330 grams and the x-e2 at 350 grams.
There is a noticeable difference in the button layout with the x-a1 having basically 2 command dials, but missing the left hand buttons from the x-e2.

The x-a1 has a tilt out screen, which might be a useful consideration for someone that shoots from the hip.

The x-a1 is set up similar to the x-e2 on top except that instead of an exposure compensation dial it has a command dial.

Being a smaller camera means the lenses are bigger by comparison.
Here's the x-a1 with the 18-55 f2.8-4 lens.

The x-a1 does not use fuji's x-trans sensor. Instead, it uses a Bayer sensor with AA filter. Still aps-c sized, 16mp.
From what I have read, the x-trans sensors fare just a smidge better in ISO performance, but nothing noticeable without pixel peeping.

I think paired with a 35mm or 23mm f1.4 lens, the x-a1 will a great walk around pocket camera.

 

[tirediron]

Nice score!

 

[jcdeboever]

Sweet.

Sent from my XT1254 using ThePhotoForum.com mobile app

 

[robbins.photo]

It's so cute! Sort of looks like a real camera...

 

[pixmedic]

It's so cute! Sort of looks like a real camera...

im only sort of a real photographer so it works out well.
for $125 i couldnt resist grabbing it. its in fantastic condition, easily 9/10.

 

[Derrel]

What lens do you have to make it a pocketable camera? That 18-55 looks a bit un-pocketable.

I bet the Bayer array sensor will get a bit more fine, high- frequency detail out of some scenes with Lightroom decoding your raw files. Looks like a pretty fun camera to me.

 

[pixmedic]

What lens do you have to make it a pocketable camera? That 18-55 looks a bit un-pocketable.

I bet the Bayer array sensor will get a bit more fine, high- frequency detail out of some scenes with Lightroom decoding your raw files. Looks like a pretty fun camera to me.

dont actually have a lens for it right now.
im looking at getting either a 23 or 35mm f/1.4 for it.

 

[robbins.photo]

It's so cute! Sort of looks like a real camera...

im only sort of a real photographer so it works out well.
for $125 i couldnt resist grabbing it. its in fantastic condition, easily 9/10.

For that kind of coin you would have been crazy not too. I've been seriously considering getting something along these lines myself, be nice to have something I could toss in the car and have with me without having to break out the whole bag.

Probably wouldn't see a ton of use for me at least - but ya, for $125 you just can't pass that up.

 

[pixmedic]

Quick shot taken by the wife just for the ferret update thread.
What's interesting to note is that this shot was taken at ISO 6400 with no noise reduction done in LR. Only WB and color.
Theres certainly issues, but it's not too shabby for a crop sensor at 6400 ISO.

 

[jcdeboever]

What lens do you have to make it a pocketable camera? That 18-55 looks a bit un-pocketable.

I bet the Bayer array sensor will get a bit more fine, high- frequency detail out of some scenes with Lightroom decoding your raw files. Looks like a pretty fun camera to me.

dont actually have a lens for it right now.
im looking at getting either a 23 or 35mm f/1.4 for it.

From what I read, the 35mm f/2 has way faster focus than the 1.4, for what's it worth.

 

[jcdeboever]

@pixmedic

found the link to a good video. Guy has cool voice too.

 

[pixmedic]

@pixmedic

found the link to a good video. Guy has cool voice too.

Wow. I'm sold.
The AF noise and speed were so much better on the f2.
Gonna save me some money and go what route. Not sure what focal length yet , but I think I'll skip.the f1.4 version.

 

[jcdeboever]

@pixmedic

found the link to a good video. Guy has cool voice too.

Wow. I'm sold.
The AF noise and speed were so much better on the f2.
Gonna save me some money and go what route. Not sure what focal length yet , but I think I'll skip.the f1.4 version.

Check with @Gary A on the wider lens, he is shooting it today on his winery tours....

Sent from my XT1254 using ThePhotoForum.com mobile app

 

[Gary A.]

I was about to chime in ... the 23 F/2 is really tiny compared to the F1.4. I think it would work out well size-wise on your new camera.