Fujifilm has announced the launch of the X-A1, the fourth premium interchangeable-lens camera from the acclaimed X-Series in the UAE. The new entry level camera is designed for enthusiastic photographers who are looking to buy their first interchangeable lens system camera at an affordable price and is available as a kit with the FUJINON XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS zoom lens.
The X-A1 features a large 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor which captures rich tonal expression, increased dynamic range and has sensitivity settings up to a maximum ISO of 25600. The X-A1 kit is ideal for a variety of scene types including indoor shooting, landscapes and snapshots.
“The X-A1 is very similar to the recently launched X-M1 but is more affordable and features the APS-C sized CMOS sensor and EXR Processor II offering high quality image capture,” said Keitaro So, General Manager, Fujifilm Electronics Imaging Division, MENA. “We are trying to make the premium X-Series more accessible to a wider audience, and plan to broaden the range of interchangeable cameras. Photography enthusiasts can expect two new cameras from the X-Series in the coming months.”
The X-A1 also offers the ability to produce a beautiful “bokeh” effect – the aesthetic out-of-focus effect created when shooting with a shallow depth of field. The sensor will deliver clear images with low noise even in low-light conditions at night and indoors where high sensitivity would usually be required. The sensor faithfully reproduces natural skin tones and the vivid colours of the sky, from deep blues to the red hues of the setting sun.
Users can set the sensor sensitivity from the regular ISO200 to as high as ISO6400 in 1/3 step increments, and can even take advantage of the extended range of ISO100, ISO12800 and ISO25600 to obtain incredibly clear and low-noise images even under the clear sky and in low-light or at night. The EXR Processor II offers quick responses with its start-up time of 0.5 seconds, shutter time lag of 0.05 seconds and a maximum burst speed of 5.6 frames per second (max. 30 frames).
The camera is equipped with two Command Dials, allowing users to adjust the aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation quickly with their thumb. Individual buttons are also provided to access frequently-used functions such as White Balance, Burst Mode and Macro, so that you don’t have to go to the menu screen for each change of setting, enabling an intuitive and quick operation.
At just 330 grams the X-A1 is lightweight compared to many interchangeable lens system cameras. Yet at the same time it incorporates a large APS-C CMOS sensor, a tiltable high-definition LCD monitor, a built-in flash, Wi-Fi image transfer and a hot shoe. The X-A1 features the unique retro design of the popular X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras and is available in three colours: Black, Blue and Red.
The 3-inch high-definition LCD screen tilts up and down facilitating “worm’s eye view” shots of flowers and pets, as well as allowing you to capture in-the-air shots over a crowd of people. The X-A1’s high-precision built-in flash uses FUJIFILM’s Super Intelligent Flash technology to regulate the amount of light it fires dependent on the scene. It also provides the perfect fill-in flash when photographing people in backlit conditions or under intense sunlight casting strong shadows on the face, ensuring your shots are perfectly lit.
The wireless image transfer function allows users to transfer photos immediately to a smartphone or tablet PC. It broadens the enjoyment of photography through the easy uploading of your favourite images to social networking sites or just enabling you to share them with your friends. The camera has a built-in wireless image transfer function that uses the dedicated “FUJIFILM Camera App”, available as a free download, to instantly transfer and save your favorite photos to a smartphone or a tablet PC using Wi-Fi.
With eight Advanced Filters, users can add special effects pre-image capture: namely Toy Camera, Miniature, Pop Colour, High Key, Low Key, Dynamic Tone, Soft Focus and Partial Colour (Red/Orange/Yellow/Green/Blue/Purple). The camera also offers a Multiple Exposure mode which allows you to superimpose a second exposure onto the first exposure for a truly creative touch.
It is compatible with all FUJIFILM X Mount lenses, the FUJIFILM X-A1 is particularly suited to the two FUJINON XC lenses that have been recently announced. Compact and lightweight, the XC lenses have been designed to be paired with our entry and mid-range mirrorless cameras and cover a wide range of focal lengths. The FUJINON XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS zoom lens (24mm-76mm equivalent) covers the focal lengths of 24mm to 76mm. It’s ideal for a variety of scene types including indoor shooting, landscapes and snapshots. Consisting of 12 high quality all-glass elements in 10 groups including 3 aspherical elements and 1 ED element, it features seven round-edged aperture blades, which offers 17 stops in 1/3 steps for precise aperture control.
Taking over where the FUJINON XC16-50F3.5-5.6 OIS lens finishes, the wide zoom range of the FUJINON XC50-230mmF4.5-6.7 OIS, starts at 76mm and goes to 350mm with consistently outstanding optical performance all the way through. The powerful 50-230mm lens will let you capture your subject at a distance with clarity. The all-glass 10 group / 13 element lens configuration includes 1 aspherical lens and 1 ED lens. Superb optical performance is ensured via optical image stabilisation effectively minimising blur when shooting at longer focal lengths or in low light.
