Fujifilm unveils entry-level X-A5 camera and kit lens

 The new Fujifilm X-A5 camera and XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens. (Source: Fujifilm.)

The new X-A5 features a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sized sensor with on-chip phase detection pixels and conventional  Bayer filtration. It also boasts a new image processor that is 1.5 times faster than previous chips. According to the company, the combination of the phase detection pixels and Hybrid AF system enables the X-A5 to focus up to twice as fast as the previous X-A3 model. Native sensitivity has also improved with a range extending from ISO 200 to ISO 12,800 plus extensions to ISO 100 and ISO 51,200. The 3-inch, 1,040,000-dot LCD touchscreen can be flipped up through 180 degrees for shooting selfies. It has a new user interface and includes Portrait Enhancement Level adjustment (with three levels of skin tone adjustment), Touch AF in Movie Mode and Advanced Filter Select modes. Two new creative filters Fog Remove and HDR Art, increase the total number of filters to 17.

Video capabilities have also been improved, with the ability to record at 4K resolution with a frame rate of 15 frames/second. The 4K functionality includes a Multi Focus Mode which stacks 4K quality images and automatically changes the depth of field setting.  The X-A5 also supports Full HD 1080p at 50 fps and 24 fps, HD 720p at 50p and 24p and includes a High Speed Movie mode that records HD footage with between 1.6x and 4x increases in playback speeds. A microphone jack is also provided. Normal burst shooting speeds remain the same as the X-A3’s at six frames/second.

Other features include in-camera raw file processing and an extended battery capacity to approximately 450 frames/charge. USB battery charging is supported. The X-A5 comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth version 4.1 low energy technology. The X-A5 body weighs only 361 grams with battery installed. It measures 117 x 68 x 40  mm.

Announced simultaneously with the X-A5 is the Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ, a new lightweight, powered zoom lens, the first of its type for X Mount cameras. This optically-stabilised lens has a minimum aperture of f/22 and a minimum focusing distance of 13 cm at the 15mm position or 35 cm at 45mm. Its optical design consists of 10 elements in nine groups and includes three aspherical and two ED elements. Seven diaphragm blades close to a circular aperture for smooth bokeh. In its ‘collapsed’ position the new lens measures 44.2 mm in length and has a diameter of 62.6 mm. It weighs 135 grams and accepts 52 mm filters.

The X-A5 camera and 15-45mm kit lens will be offered in brown, pink and silver. They are scheduled to go on sale in North America late next week at an MSRP of US$599.95. The lens will also be available on its own in some markets (although not Australia) for US$299.95. The X-A5   and new 15-45mm lens will be sold as a kit in Australia for an RRP of AU$899. It will be available locally in March. Full details of the camera can be found at  http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_a5/.