X Series · 2018

Fujifilm X-A5

Name: FUJIFILM X-A5
Brand: Fujifilm
Availability: Discontinued

The first X-A with phase-detect autofocus.

Short answer

The X-A5 added phase-detect autofocus to Fujifilm’s entry line for the first time, alongside a 24.2MP Bayer sensor and a 180° tilting touchscreen. It has 11 film simulations and its 4K video runs at 15 frames per second.

Every X-A before this one used contrast-detect autofocus only, which is why they felt slow. The X-A5 added phase-detect pixels to the sensor and the difference is immediately obvious in daily use.

Key specs

Sensor: 24.2 MP CMOS with Bayer filter
In-body stabilisation: No
Viewfinder: None — rear screen only
Video: 4K/15p, 1080/60p
Weight: 361 g
Launch price: $599

Specifications

Released: February 2018
Sensor: APS-C · 23.5 × 15.7 mm
ISO range: ISO 200–12800 (100–51200 extended)
Burst: 6 fps
Screen: 3.0-inch 180° tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots
Lens mount: Fujifilm X
Card slots: 1× SD UHS-I
Dimensions: 116.9 × 67.7 × 40.4 mm

Dimensions

116.9 mm wide
67.7 mm tall
40.4 mm deep

Body drawn to scale from the dimensions Fujifilm publishes. Depth is listed, not drawn.

The autofocus fix

Phase detection means the camera knows which way to move the lens rather than hunting to find out. On the X-A5 that turns focusing from a two-second event into something close to instant in good light.

It also launched with the XC 15-45mm power zoom, a collapsible kit lens that keeps the whole package genuinely compact.

The limits

4K at 15 frames per second, which is not usable. No viewfinder. A Bayer sensor, so no ACROS. Battery life is modest, though the camera charges over USB, which was unusual at the time.

What is good

Phase-detect autofocus, a first for the X-A line
180° tilting screen
USB charging
Very light and cheap

What is not

4K limited to 15fps
No viewfinder or ACROS
Modest battery life

Verdict

The X-A5 is a competent cheap camera with a real autofocus system. If you find one with the 15-45mm lens at a low price it is a reasonable first camera.