[keithwee] A 48hours hands-on review of the Fujifilm X-A2 , XC16-50/3.5-5.6II OIS


keithwee

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Many thanks to Fujifilm Asia pacific (Singapore) for providing me a set of the Fujifilm X-A2 with the XC16-50II OIS lens for review.

The write-up here will focus on being a user-review, sharing as many real world photos as possible rather than arguing over tech details like how many screws the camera has or whether can it survive a 10m drop.

You will not find the typical MTF charts and itty-gritty comparisons that sites like LensTip.com excel in, they will do it and they are the professionals at it. I am a casual user end of the day and prefer to share my personal experiences.

Let’s start.

The X-A2 from Fujifilm is a camera tailored for the casual user who isn’t satisfied with what the basic point and shoot can offer and would like to once in a while indulge in the PASM modes.

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The X-A2 supports the Fujifilm X-mount family of lenses with a 16.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor and EXR Processor II.

The back 3.0" 920k-dot LCD screen, which tilts forward 175° for your front-facing self-portrait needs.

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Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi and compatibility with the optional instax SHARE Printer allow you to seamlessly upload, share, and print your photos on-the-go.

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The much loved Q menu is also part of the X-A2’s control scheme that allows quick settings without entering the menu. This is definitely a menu once gotten used to, is hard to dismiss.

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The Film Simulation modes that Fujfilm is reowned for is also included with the newest addition ‘Classic Chrome’.

Furthermore, a built-in flash utilizes Super i-Flash technology for consistent and natural light output depending on the subject being photographed.

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Focusing is also nifty supplemented by intelligent focusing settings, such as Eye AF, Auto Macro AF, and Multi-Target AF, further supplemented by a total of 49 AF points.

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Included as part of the package is the updated Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II lens; a standard zoom providing a 24-76mm equivalent focal length range to suit working in a wide variety of situations.

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It comes in a 12-elements in 10 groups construction incorporating three aspherical elements and one extra-low dispersion element to minimize chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range for performance. Additionally, this lens integrates a 3.5-stop-effective optical image stabilization system to compensate for the effects of camera shake to render sharper imagery in difficult lighting conditions.

Version II is in short a much improved version over the original XC 16-50 I lens.

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the XC16-50II OIS fully extended.
 

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Controls for the camera are also well thought through, with the addition of a knob on the left back panel for aperture adjustment, a main mode dial and a secondary mode dial for exposure adjustment. The d-pad also allows setting of functions as shown plus a quick change of AF focal point. The camera includes a customizable Fn button on the top right panel.

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Well made knurled dials add a touch of quality to the overall camera make.

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Well designed with a 'hump' on the camera body allowing for a more substantial grip.

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Now into the 48 hours shooting experience with the X-A2 and XC16-50II OIS lens.

Do note:
1. Most, if not all photos are SOOC and only cropped in some instances.
2. I'm a casual user, I shoot JPEG, not RAW so that implies if you shoot RAW, it can only get better.
3. To be fair, I've shot only and only using the bundled XC16-50II OIS lens.

The X-A2 has a secret weapon up its sleeve, the Advanced SR AUTO mode. Why so?

This mode is not available on the higher end X-bodies but yet works in the most intelligent of ways. Rarely have I found the need to swap to manual or aperture priority mode to ensure the image turns out correct. Most photos shared here were shot only in SR Auto mode , Aperture Priority mode and the respective SCN or Filter modes as shared later.
 

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To start off, some might be apprehensive: with the higher end X-E, X-Pro and X-T series, will the X-A series fare worse in performance or IQ?

Let the photos give the answer.

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SR+ Auto mode, it defaulted to MACRO mode immediately.

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Sharpness and details still present at the telephoto end of the lens. Aperture Priority mode.
 

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The small casual design of the X-A2 also allows it to be an everyday camera, never intrusive and having people comfortable with it.

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Will you?
SR+ Auto mode

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I'm fabulous.
SR+ Auto mode.

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Definition of Sexy.
SR+ Auto mode

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the SKY
Aperture Priority mode.
 

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the XC16-50II OIS is no slouch coupled with the X-A2's SR+ mode - defaulting to Macro, Portrait, Landscape with almost no lag.

Some close-up images.

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Junghans
SR+ Auto mode, MACRO

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Bird ? lol
SR+ Auto mode, MACRO.
 

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the X-A2 also comes ready for fun with a series of built in filters other than the Film Simulations.

They are named as Advanced Filters and include Toy Camera, Miniature, High Key, Low Key, Dynamic Tone, Soft Focus, Pop Color, and Partial Color (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple).

The famed Fujifilm Film Simulations are: Provia (Standard), Velvia, Pro-Neg, Astia, Classic Chrome, Black and White and so on.

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the only camera bag that's worth it.
BW Film Simulation.

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Advanced Filters

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Advanced Filters
 

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now on to my favorite of the X-A2, the Portrait mode.

Images from the Portrait Scn mode seems to be a marriage of 2 great Film simulations, Astia and Pro-Neg High and is in one word: Impressive with very natural skin renderings and of course, attractive skin tones.

All images shot using the Portrait SCN mode.

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and to leave the best for the last.

Selfie Mode !

One of the strongest selling points of the X-A2 is the Selfie mode which is supplemented by the flip-screen and Portrait mode. One of the improvements made to the XC16-50II was also to obtain a much shorter minimum focusing distance of 5.9 inches for this reason.

All handheld, Portrait SCN mode and selfies shot with flip screen engaged.

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Moments.

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heh heh

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kawaii desu

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to wrap up my 48 hours experience with the X-A2.

The X-A2 brings back the fun of simply shooting with the faith of letting the camera do most of the heavy lifting coming to settings. The SR+ auto mode is something not included in the higher end Fujifilm models and something I do like a lot.

I also own the X-Pro1 and X100T (all the product photos shared in this review were shot using the X100T) and I can say that the X-A2 is a welcome addition to most users, especially those who wish to upgrade from a Point and shoot into more serious equipment and of course, not forgetting the excellent Fujifilm colours that is an added bonus to any user.

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This is how small the X-A2 kit is.

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Final Disclaimer:
1. I was not paid or remunerated in any form by Fujifilm Asia Pacific for writing this review. The only bonus I had was the usage of the X-A2 for the period of the review.
2. The X-A2 and XC16-50II lens used for this review was running version 1.00 firmware.
3. The camera and lens will be returned to Fujifilm at the end of the review.

Hope you have enjoyed this review and found it useful.
 

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thanks Bro :) hope the review's useful
 

thanks Bro :) hope the review's useful

I previously recommended A5100 as an all rounder camera for a newbie. I think the X A2 may be a better choice if video is not a priority.
 

I previously recommended A5100 as an all rounder camera for a newbie. I think the X A2 may be a better choice if video is not a priority.

I think the A5100 or even A6000 are also good entry point cameras, in all its always the newer they get, they better they are ;) One thing the X-A2 has as an advantage is its very good SOOC colors.
 

Received a query on how capable the X-A2 is coming to tracking moving objects.

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no running man, but I do have a running kid.
 

It will always only just get better and better ;)