This Fujifilm X-A7 Vlogging camera entered the market at the end of 2019, so they only managed to “taste” it properly this year. Well, a nice “compact” with a 24-megapixel APS-C matrix and a kit lens Fujinon XC 15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ (oh, again this narrow focal length range …) is quite interesting, and besides then started shooting 4K video at 30 frames per second instead of the useless 15.
The camera is never reportage: the buffer for 5 RAW or 10 JPEG-frames at a rate of fire of 6 frames per second is frankly weak. But for working with single shots, the camera for youtube is convenient: 425 focusing points cover almost the entire field of the frame, tracking of the face and eyes is implemented, the controls are clear, the automatic exposure and white balance work well. Working ISOs, as expected for APS-C, end somewhere at 1600 – there is already a lot of noise above, the loss of dynamic range and detail is already noticeable. For a trained eye, of course, and when viewing in large format – the camera can perform standard amateur tasks such as photos for social networks at higher ISOs, in general. For the same “selfies” and video filming, the touch screen on the hinge is very convenient. Moreover, when shooting a video, the optical stabilizer of the lens works at the same time and digital image stabilization. And any beginner will be able to master the camera after a smartphone: here the control is essentially the same, the main control and the only sighting organ is a touch screen, even the motorized zoom of a whale lens is controlled by familiar gestures.
The built-in “micro flash” with a guide number of 4 is something from the category of “well, better than on a smartphone.” Fortunately, the hot shoe has not been forgotten, so it is worth stocking up on a compatible flash (although a powerful flash on such a compact camera will look strange, and it will weigh more than the ditigtal camera itself.
Main pluses:
- Very interesting in quality “picture”
- Easy to learn controls
- Flip-down display with a full-fledged hinge that allows you to rotate it at any angle
- Charging via type-C
- Hybrid autofocus
Minuses:
- Small burst buffer
- Poor RAW pull capabilities (although … are we still talking from a beginner’s point of view?).
