X-A · 2016 · discontinued
Fujifilm X-A3 review
Launch price $599 · 24.2 MP Bayer sensor · 1080p 60p video
First X-A with a 24MP Bayer sensor and touchscreen; contrast-detect AF, no viewfinder.
Verdict
Fujifilm X-A3 is a discontinued entry-level mirrorless with a 24.2 MP Bayer sensor (unusual for Fuji), a flip-up selfie screen and 1080p/60 video. Contrast-detect AF, no viewfinder, no IBIS, 49 AF points. Launched at $599.
Beginners who want a flip-screen X-A with touchscreen and 24 MP resolution.
In detail
Photographers tend to pick it up for a Bayer sensor (unusual for Fuji) and the price point it launched at. Released in 2016 at $599, the body is no longer in production. It sits in the X-A line, which is Fuji's entry-level line aimed at first-time Fuji buyers.
Image quality out of the Bayer sensor is solid for the price, with the usual Fuji color science baked in. At 24.2 MP, native ISO is ISO 200 to 6400, modest by modern standards, the files give you enough room to crop without falling apart. Subject detection is the older contrast-based system, which still works for portraits and slow subjects but lags behind the current AI-driven Fuji bodies for action. Burst at 6 fps is conservative, and this is a camera aimed at slower, more deliberate work.
Video specs are more than capable for short-form and travel work. 1080p is the cap, so this is a stills-first body. You can grab clips, but do not expect it to replace a dedicated video camera.
In the hand it feels like a Fuji, with the usual tight dials and a deep enough grip. There is no in-body stabilization, so for low light or long lenses you will lean on stabilized XF glass. At 339 g it is light enough to live in a small sling bag without becoming a chore.
Battery life is 410 shots per charge by CIPA, which translates to a full day of mixed shooting if you are not chimping the LCD constantly. There is a single card slot (SD UHS-I), which is fine for most people but worth knowing if you shoot events that demand redundancy. Bottom line: the used market is where this camera makes the most sense now that it is discontinued, and you can find them in good shape for a fraction of the launch price.
Pros and cons
What we like
- 24.2 MP Bayer sensor in 339 g
- Touchscreen with flip-up selfie screen
- 1080p/60 video
- 410-shot CIPA battery life
The headline win is a 24 MP Bayer sensor in a 339 g body, which is rare in the Fuji lineup and gives you more resolution than the older X-A models. Film simulation count is 5, which is the older but still solid lineup. The flip-up screen is a real win for vloggers and selfie shooters, and 410 shots per charge is honest battery life for the class.
Trade-offs
- Contrast-detect AF only
- No viewfinder, no IBIS, 1080p video
The honest trade-off is contrast-detect AF only, so action and moving kids will frustrate you. No in-body stabilization means relying on stabilized XF glass for low light, and the 16-55mm f/2.8 and 50-140mm f/2.8 cover most cases, but you give up some flexibility. Burst rate is conservative, fine for portraits, street, and landscape, but rules out serious sports work. Single card slot is the kind of spec that does not matter until the day it does.
Who is this for
Beginners who want a flip-screen X-A with touchscreen and 24 MP resolution. Light enough that it makes a great second body or a daily-carry option. It is a particularly strong pick on a budget, especially for first-time Fuji buyers.
Full specifications
| Release year | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Launch price | $599 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
| Sensor generation | Bayer |
| Processor | EXR Processor II |
| ISO range | 200–6400 |
| AF points | 49 |
| Subject detection | none |
| Burst (fps) | 6 |
| Max video | 1080p 60p |
| Codec | H.264 |
| Log profile | No |
| Stabilization | None |
| Viewfinder | None |
| LCD | 3" flip touch |
| Weather sealed | No |
| Weight | 339 g |
| Card slots | 1 |
| Card types | SD UHS-I |
| Battery | NP-W126S |
| Battery life (CIPA) | 410 shots |
| Film sims | 5 |
Highlighted rows are class-leading within the current Fujifilm APS-C lineup.
Film simulations (5)
- PROVIA
- Velvia
- ASTIA
- Classic Chrome
- Monochrome
Compared with
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See it in the wild
Owner impressions and real-world photos from the Fuji community.
