The Fujifilm X-A1 and the Fujifilm X-M1 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in September 2013 and June 2013. Both the X-A1 and the X-M1 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 16 megapixels. Show Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.  Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-A1 and the Fujifilm X-M1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers. Body comparisonThe side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-A1 and the Fujifilm X-M1. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. The X-A1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, blue), while the X-M1 is available in three color-versions (black, silver, brown). In this particular case, the Fujifilm X-A1 and the Fujifilm X-M1 have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. Moreover, the two cameras also share the same weight. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X-A1 nor the X-M1 are weather-sealed. The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters. The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there. Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The X-A1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 43 percent) than the X-M1, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Sensor comparisonThe size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider , and have richer than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses. Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2. Even though the X-A1 has a slightly larger sensor, both cameras offer the same resolution of 16 megapixels. This implies that the X-A1 has a lower pixel density and larger individual pixels (with a of 4.80μm versus 4.80μm for the X-M1), which gives it a potential advantage in terms of light gathering capacity. The two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X-M1 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves. The Fujifilm X-A1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The Fujifilm X-M1 offers exactly the same ISO settings. Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Like most digital cameras, the X-A1 uses a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. In contrast, the X-M1 employs a more randomized X-Trans layout of photosites, which according to Fujifilm helps to minimize moiré. For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators. Sensor Characteristics # Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution (MP) Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Fujifilm X-A1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.61390762. Fujifilm X-M1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.61371763. Fujifilm X-A5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.31800824. Fujifilm X-A3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.813.11664815. Fujifilm X-A10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.913.21691816. Fujifilm X-E2S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.713.01608807. Fujifilm X-A2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.612.81515798. Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.91546799. Fujifilm X-E2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.412.614007710. Fujifilm X-E1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.212.412987511. Fujifilm X-Pro1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.112.3123874 Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/30p). Feature comparisonApart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The X-A1 and the X-M1 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Fujifilm X-A1 and Fujifilm X-M1 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. Core Features # Camera Model Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) Control Panel (yes/no) LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) LCD Attach- ment Touch Screen (yes/no) Max Shutter Speed * Max Shutter Flaps * Built-in Flash (yes/no) Built-in Image Stab 1. Fujifilm X-A1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n 2. Fujifilm X-M1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n 3. Fujifilm X-A5none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 4. Fujifilm X-A3none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 5. Fujifilm X-A10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 6. Fujifilm X-E2S2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n 7. Fujifilm X-A2none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n 8. Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n 9. Fujifilm X-E22360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n 10. Fujifilm X-E12360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 11. Fujifilm X-Pro11440 n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s n n Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
The X-A1 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the X-M1 does not have a selfie-screen. The X-A1 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the X-M1 uses SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s. Connectivity comparisonFor some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X-A1 and Fujifilm X-M1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer. Input-Output Connections # Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Fujifilm X-A1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y-- 2. Fujifilm X-M1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y-- 3. Fujifilm X-A5Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y 4. Fujifilm X-A3Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-- 5. Fujifilm X-A10-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-- 6. Fujifilm X-E2SYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-- 7. Fujifilm X-A2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y-- 8. Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-- 9. Fujifilm X-E2Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-- 10. Fujifilm X-E1Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0- 11. Fujifilm X-Pro1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0-
Both the X-A1 and the X-M1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The X-A1 was replaced by the Fujifilm X-A2, while the X-M1 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the X-A1 and X-M1 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm X-A1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm X-M1 Manual. Review summarySo what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Fujifilm X-A1 or the Fujifilm X-M1 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models. Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm X-A1:
Advantages of the Fujifilm X-M1:
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-A1 emerges as the winner of the contest (3 : 1 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one. X-A1 03:01 X-M1 How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X-A1 and the Fujifilm X-M1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop. In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the X-A1 and the X-M1 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. Expert reviewsThis is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice. Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style. Other camera comparisonsDid this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
Specifications: Fujifilm X-A1 vs Fujifilm X-M1Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features. |
