The Fujifilm X-A3 is an inexpensive 24 Megapixel mirrorless camera with a classic rangefinder design. The X-A3 is targeted more toward beginners and social shooters, with its flip-up, selfie-friendly LCD serving as exhibit A.
Compared to the next model up, the X-E2S, the X-A3 has a lower quality build and fewer direct controls, and also lacks the electronic viewfinder of that model. The X-A3 also uses a traditional (Bayer) color filter rather than the X-Trans filters found on the company's more expensive models, such as the X-E2S.
With an MSRP of $599 including a lens, the X-A3 is competitively priced, with peers such as the Canon EOS M10, Nikon D3400, Olympus E-PL8, Panasonic GX850 and the yes-it's-still-in-production Sony a6000. Yep, pretty crowded.
It's worth mentioning the X-A10, which is Fujifilm's entry-level model. Among other things, it has an older/lower resolution sensor, non-touch LCD and lacks 1080/60p support.
Key Features
24MP APS-C CMOS sensor
77-point contrast-detect AF system
3" touchscreen LCD w/180° upward tilt
Twin control dials
Film Simulation modes
1080/60p/24p video
Wi-Fi w/remote capture
Everything there is consistent with recent Fujifilm X-series cameras, except for the aforementioned lack of the X-Trans filter and a contrast-detect-only AF system.
Compared to. . .
The X-A3's closest peers, in our opinion, are the Canon EOS M10, Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic GX850. The chart below sheds some light on how they compare in terms of spec.
Canon M10
Fuji X-A3
Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GX850
Sensor size
APS-C
APS-C
Four Thirds
Four Thirds
Resolution
18MP
24MP
16MP
16MP
Lens mount
EF-M
X-mount
Micro Four Thirds
Micro Four Thirds
Image stabilization
Lens-based
Lens-based
In-body
Lens-based
AF system
Hybrid
Contrast-detect
LCD type
3", 180° tilt-up
Touchscreen
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes
Yes
Clip-on
Yes
Flash sync
1/200 sec
1/180 sec
1/250 sec
1/50 sec
Burst rate (w/AF)
2. 2 fps
3 fps
3. 7 fps
6 fps
# control dials
1
2
1
1
Video
1080/30p
1080/60p
1080/30p
4K/UHD
Wireless
Wi-Fi w/NFC
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Battery life
255 shots
410 shots
350 shots
210 shots
Dimensions
108x67x35mm
117x57x40mm
117x68x38mm
106x65x33mm
Weight
301 g
339 g
374 g
336 g
Aside from its 24 Megapixel sensor, twin control dials and excellent battery life, the X-A3 otherwise sits in the middle of the above group. If it had a hybrid (contrast + phase detection) AF system and 4K video, it would more readily rise to the top.
Potential X-A3 buyers may also be interested in where it fits in Fujifilm's line-up. It sits above the entry-level X-A10 but considerably below the X-E2S. Here's a quick comparison of what each of these cameras offer, and whether it's worth spending more (or less) for something other than the X-A3.
Fuji X-A10
Fuji X-A3
Fuji X-E2S
Body w/kit lens
$499
$599
$999*
Sensor
16MP Bayer
24MP Bayer
16MP X-Trans
AF system
Contrast-detect
Contrast-detect
Hybrid
AF points
49
77
77
Max ISO
25600
25600
51200
LCD
3", flip-up
3", flip-up
3", fixed
Touchscreen
No
Yes
No
EVF
None
None
Yes
Max burst
6 fps
6 fps
7 fps
# control dials
1
2
2
Video
1080/30p
1080/60p
1080/60p
Battery life (CIPA)
410 shots
410 shots
350 shots
* includes a faster, more expensive kit lens (F2. 8-4) than the X-A10 and X-A3 (F3. 5-5. 6)
Unless you're really strapped for cash, there's no reason to buy the X-A10 – which has generations-old Fuijfilm tech – when the X-A3 is available. Whether you want to pay significantly more than the price of the X-A3 is another story, and depends on your needs and budget. The X-E2S (read our review) comes with a better build and numerous dials, customizable controls, and improved AF performance.
. dpreview.com2017-7-13 18:01