An entry level camera that captured my heart...

Hello all…

We read so much about the various X-Trans sensor cams now-a-days, in particular, countless postings on the wonders of the X-T1. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

To preface my remarks, I use quite a variety of cameras (so little time, so many toys…), and as a result, I have the luxury and opportunity to get to know quite a few cameras from various brands. On the Fuji side of the house I have the X-E1, X-A1, X-S1, X-10, X-20, and HS 50 EXR.

For me – regardless of camera – it’s always been about the end game - thequality of the IQ that sets the standard for me. I’ve owned many a camera in the past that may have received just so-so reviews due to ergonomics or certain aspects such as options, speed, etc. But I wound up accepting and loving those cameras anyway due to the exceptional IQ that they were capable of capturing.

And that brings me to a Fuji camera that really hasn’t stimulated too much long-term conversation and that’s the remarkable X-A1. Now, as an admission, I do have to admit that I used to pan the X-A1 as being the odd guy out – a Bayer sensor trying to co-exist in an X-trans world. After all, I had the X-E1, so why in the hell would I want to get an X-A1, I thought, and I’ve remarked as such in a few of my replies on this forum in the past.

Well, around 8 months ago I had the chance of picking up the X-A1 at a steal of a price (new). I had seen some images taken by this camera and the color tonality and quality of the IQ were such that they had me wondering what camera they were taken with. When I discovered that they were taken by the X-A1, well…that’s all she wrote and I had to have one.

But the remarkable thing is that I now find that this X-A1 is one of my favorite cameras – regardless of brand (or tier level), and I shoot with quite a few cameras (see my profile). As an aside, I’m also a long-time Olympus 4/3 and micro 4/3 user, having always reviled in the color tonality and JPG quality that the brand was known for. Perhaps that’s why I was so drawn to the X-A1 because of the dynamic colors that this camera is capable of attaining. I was so impressed with the camera that I even started a post on the Olympus DSLR forum, in which I advanced the notion that Olympus color lovers will love this X-A1 – and it got a few folks to thinking! That post is here:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54893272

Alright – so what is it (or what are the variables) that causes me to wax poetically about the X-A1?  Well, the IQ to begin with. I read some of the past comments about the X-A1 (and the 16-50 XC zoom lens), and I must say that I was pleasantly taken aback at the superb performance of both. I’ve already remarked about the dynamic (rich) colors that the X-A1 can achieve – yes, decidedly different than the X-trans sensors - but what I really became impressed with is the superior high ISO capabilities of this X-A1. OK, let me say it now…I’ve personally found that the X-A1 is superior to my X-E1 in the high ISO arena (and I love the X-E1). I consistently shoot at ISO’s 4000 – 6400 and have to double check my results to see if I didn’t accidentally shoot at much lower ISO settings. And even at ISO 12,800, the JPG’s produced by this camera can put some others to shame.

Do I wish the X-A1 had an EVF – hell yes! I’ll be the first to say that I loathe having to hold a (any) camera out in front of my mug while trying to view the LCD for composition. And although I’ve often panned the use of LCD only cameras, I’ve learned to respect a few for their superb IQ. And so it is with the X-A1 – in that I just bit the bullet due to its stellar IQ and went with it.

In addition, I can’t say enough about the kit 16-50 XC lens! Sure, it’s a kit lens with a plastic mount, but optically (and remember, I have the wonderful Fuji 18-55 on the X-E1), this 16-50 can hold its own with a variety of competitors that are priced much higher. Optically (at least my copy, that is), it captures images with a wonderful clarity, allowing the details to shine. So, for all practical purposes, that lens is staying on this camera!  My copy of this combo has netted me some very fast AF times (even in very low light) and that's reassuring given the fact that this is an entry level camera.

So what don’t I like about this camera? Well, it would have been nice (since it’s an LCD only model) to have some type of touch capability. The Samsung NX300 and the Olympus Pen series of cameras have spoiled me with their touch AF capabilities. And yes, since it’s an LCD only model, Fuji could have given it a higher res LCD – but it’s easy to criticize everything we buy. And yes, why in the heck Fuji doesn’t allow images shot above ISO 6400 in RAW mode is beyond me. I would have loved to take images shot at the higher ISO’s (above 6400) in RAW mode, but perhaps I’m asking too much here with an entry level model such as this.

Suffice to say, although I’m rather late to the game with regards to reviewing this camera, it is my sincere hope that folks out there will consider this camera and get it while you still can. It’s a shame that Fuji has signaled that they will stop producing this genre of camera (Bayer sensor as opposed to X-trans sensor)). The IQ that this baby can attain is second to none and I don’t say that lightly!

On the next posting I’m going to post some image samples taken with the X-A1 and 16-50 XC lens combo. They were all recently taken in the town of New Bern, North Carolina (USA) for their Colonial Christmas Celebration. All images were shot in RAW mode (except those shot at ISO 12,800, which were shot in JPG Fine mode). Images will be on the next posting.

Give me a few minutes to get them up before you reply....

The following photos were taken in the historic town of New Bern, North Carolina. The town was founded in 1710 by Swiss Baron Christoph von Graffenried.  It was named after Bern Switzerland, and thus the name "New Bern" came into play.  Every year, this delightful historical town holds a Colonial Christmas celebration.  Keep in mind that prior to the American Revolutionary war, New Bern was the colonial capital of North Carolina and the main building of government there was the Tryon Palace.  So all festivities are centered in the Tryon Palace area.

All images shown below were shot in RAW mode, AWB - in ISO's ranging from 200 to 12,800 (the ISO 12,800 were obviously shot at JPG fine mode).  Images were converted using ACR 8.7.1.  Files were converted from RAW to TIF mode (my preferred workflow).  Images were then converted for web usage using Irfanview (my preferred file converter) at a 95% quality level, resized to 1200 x 803 (so it's manageable).  Please note that the EXIF information has been stripped because when you convert from TIF to JPG using Irfanview, it does that (I've corresponded with the programmer about this).

The entrance to Tryon Palace - shot at ISO 400, AWB, RAW, Aperture Priority mode.

Looking at Tryon Palace further back by the main entrance gates.  Same shooting data as above.

The historical area of New Bern has a multitude of colonial era homes - and many are available to tour.  Everything is accessible on food, so you don't have to drive everywhere to see everything.  Same shooting data as above.

Taken at ISO 400 (other data the same as above).  Taken at Dusk - again, one of the many colonial era homes you can see in New Bern.

Same information as above.

New Bern has a variety of bistros and restaurants.  We enjoyed eating here at Morgan's Tavern and Grill.  Shot at ISO 800 -other shooting info same as previously (i.e. AWB, RAW, Aperture Priority Mode).

Another wonderful (awesome) higher end restaurant can be found down by the bay area - it's called Persimmon's restaurant and it's obviously predominantly a sea food place.  During the warmer months you can sit outside and eat and you can bring your boat right up to the restaurant and park it there.  Shot at ISO 200 - same info as above.

Everywhere you go in New Bern, you'll see these huge bears (the symbol of New Bern).  Each bear is uniquely different and quite colorful.  Shot at ISO 400 - other data same as above.

Another bear sample - there must be 50 or so of these bears - all painted differently - all across the town.  Shot at ISO 400.

A traditional church scene - complete with Spanish moss hanging down from the oak trees, along with some holiday decorations.  Shot at ISO 400.

Shot at ISO 4000 - taken inside one of the many novelty stores in downtown historic New Bern.

Did you know that Pepsi Cola was founded in New Bern by a pharmacist named Caleb Bradham (read sign on this image).  So the original Pharmacy is right here where this drink was introduced.  Shot at ISO 400.

The birthplace of Pepsi Cola - the old Bradham's Pharmacy.  Shot at ISO 400.

And lest you think there are no areas to shop - think again.  There are numerous small malls housing a variety of restaurants and shops.  Taken at ISO 800.

Taken at ISO 5000.  Walked into this one novelty store and saw this "store dog" relaxing.

Shot at ISO 12,800.  Once the colonial Christmas festivities began at Tryon Palace, music, food, and the atmosphere were superb.

Shot at ISO 12,800.  It was pitch dark outside (other than a few lights towards the front).  The line of folks waiting to tour the inside of the Palace.

Preparing for the evening's festivities - shot at ISO 640.  The tents housed food, entertainment, magic tricks, etc.

Shot at ISO 400.  People already lining up outside of the Tryon Palace area (no photos were allowed inside of the Palace).

Shot at ISO 200 - great boating and fishing can be had here.  New Bern is where the two rivers - the Neuse and the Cape Fear come together before they head out to the ocean.  And this was the site of numerous naval battles fought during the American Civil War.

New Bern City Hall.  Shot at ISO 400.

Shot at ISO 3200 - colonial entertainment inside one of the tents.  Remember, it was cold outside (40 degrees F).

And if you're ever in New Bern, make sure to have breakfast here at the Bakers Kitchen.  They have sausage and French Toast to die for!!!!  Shot at ISO 200.

Shot at ISO 1000.  So Merry Christmas to all of you.....

Yep, the camera is a winner.

Care to clarify what you meant by "...spent so much time processing these snapshots?"  Has a very condescending, sarcastic tone to that.

I recently purchased a camera for use with UWA manual lenses.  The X-M1 was on sale and I wanted to try the xTrans sensor.  Interestingly, the xTrans files, although quite good, have kept me from replacing my X-100 with one of the newer models.  Although they're smaller I just seem to appreciate the Bayer images a bit more than the XTrans images.  So the experiment was a success I guess.

Great review, Ben. Thanks for taking the time to inform us on this wonderful little camera. I recently acquired a new one myself (like you, I couldn't pass up on it; the price was too good). I have been very pleased with the images, and it has made me wish that Fuji would produce a higher end body without the X-Trans sensor.

Thanks for the review. I concur with your findings. I bought one a few months ago and have been more than pleased with it. Makes me completely forget the Nikon SLRs I had and all those fancy lenses which weighed a ton.

To me the "entry level" category, or whatever you want to call it, is a misnomer. It may be such for those new to photography, but for old fogies and pensioners like myself who have been in photography for the past 30 years, these new cameras from Fuji and others, are manna from Heaven. I am now rid of the bricks of Canikon and can get the same quality or better at half the price and half the weight. I suppose I could be tempted, if I had the money, to upgrade to a XT1 or XPro2 (when and if it arrives), but for now these little gems from Fuji, the XA1 and M1, are just fine thank you. I am very envious of young people who are just getting into photography. With such a wide choice of excellent products on the market these days, what I wouldn't give to be 30 years younger. That said, I did learn the trade through all those years, and am probably a better photographer for it.

One last point- why is Fuji cutting out it's so called entry level X series? I hear there will be one final camera put out in 2015 and they will concentrate on medium to high end cameras in the future. This will presumably mean higher prices as well. Presumably, this will mean they will also discontinue the XC lens series, which is a real shame, as I have been suitably impressed with the 16-50 and 50-230. I have the XC kit lenses on my XA1 and have been very happy with the IQ of these. No need for the XF lenses which are undoubtedly better but at twice the cost and weight. Tho I must admit, I did splurge on the 35/1.4 which is a marvellous lens, and definitely moves the XA1 out of the "entry level" class.

Ben Herrmann wrote:

Care to clarify what you meant by "...spent so much time processing these snapshots?" Has a very condescending, sarcastic tone to that.

Great review of a very very good little camera,  I agree with your findings - and best to just ignore the trolls.

I obviously looked at his posting with the mindset of a "glass half empty," as opposed to being "half full."  So my bad for questioning that.

The "snapshot" scenario is quite simple for several reasons:

1.  I never upload the complete full res image as it does no good being forced (when somebody clicks on the image) to view a full-sized image.  I typically upload images around 1200 x something or 1600 x something to at least folks an idea that the images can look quite appealing.

2.  I uploaded these images directly from my PC (full size would have been painstakingly slow).

3.  And finally, I absolutely loathe this newer method of displaying images that DPReview has incorporated over the past few years.  It used to be that if you wanted to link to an image, all you had to do is to cut and paste the image link and paste it directly into the body of your posting.  The image would show the way it was intended to - a very simple scenario which allowed image integrity.  But unfortunately, now, when you give a quick glance at the images in a posting, they look muted, lacking contrast, and certainly lacking the sharpness that was originally there.

Oh well...you can't have everything I suppose.

Ben, nice meeting you again! I went to Fuji a while back, and at my age, I may stay here. It startd with the X-E1, and I now have the X-T1. The only thing I miss is a short tele, like a 90mm. The one they showed at Photokina was a monster in my eyes, I prefer small these days.
All your images were, as usual, very good, and you have showed us how good this camera really is. I have never thrown a glance at it, because I would never been caught with a camera held away from my eyes.
Nice having you in this forum!

Ben Herrmann wrote:

Care to clarify what you meant by "...spent so much time processing these snapshots?" Has a very condescending, sarcastic tone to that.

Kfisher is right.

These are basically just snapshots.

And, there is nothing wrong with that.

The Xa-1 is targeted at a snapshot, vacation type photographer (loot at the controls) so that is the type of photographs they are likely to take.   I seriously considered the X-A1 as a replacement for my E-pl1 but rejected it primarily because it couldn't take a viewfinder (needed to stabilize long lenses) and ultimately I didn't want to give up IBIS to get the better high ISO performance since those types of photo's are so rare.

Really, why be so thinned skinned and see offense where none is intended?

It is a form of passive aggression.

I have seen it in many of your posts in other forums.

Tedolph

"Soon, you won't have Tedolph to kick around anymore"

Lumix5 wrote:

Ben Herrmann wrote:

Care to clarify what you meant by "...spent so much time processing these snapshots?" Has a very condescending, sarcastic tone to that.

Great review of a very very good little camera, I agree with your findings - and best to just ignore the trolls.

Now Kfisher is a troll?

Really?

Tedolph

"Soon, you won't have Tedolph to kick around anymore"

If you took the time to read one of my first replies above, you would have seen that I agreed with another reader who meant to clarify Kfishers statement.  And I most certain never referred to him (or thought) as being a Troll - at the time of my initial reading of his terse reply, the "snapshots" did initially rub me the wrong way.

As for your diatribe about "thin-skinned," "passive aggressive," and "seeing it in lots of my posts on other forums," well that's a new one.  Isn't that what you're doing with your posts in this thread?

I'm sure over the past 12 years and with countless postings, I've gotten irritated now and then - it's bound to happen.  And I'm sure if one were to research all of your ramblings, they'd find a good bit of "flying off the handle" on your end also.  In fact, one could say that you do lots of rambling under the guise of humor (which is a very subjective scenario).

And as I mentioned in the OP, yes, this is an entry level camera - but one whose (within the the parameters of what they give you) performance in the IQ department is a cut above many other competitors.