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Verdict
The Fujifilm X-A5 isn't really designed for experienced photographers, but rather for Instagramers, lifestyle photographers and ‘life-loggers’ who want a step up in quality and features from a smartphone – and the X-A5 certainly delivers on that front.
Compared to a smartphone the screen is a little small, and the camera is a little bigger and sometimes more awkward to handle, but it opens up a whole new world of photography that’s simply out of the reach of a smartphone.
The large sensor and interchangeable lenses offer a much wider range of viewing angles and depth of field effects, and the image quality is as good as you could expect without taking another major step up and investing in a full-frame camera.
It’s a shame there’s no viewfinder, and that the autofocus isn’t just a little snappier, but for the type of user it’s aimed at, and at the price it’s being sold for, the X-A5 is just great.
Competition
Canon EOS M100
Canon has tried to make its entry-level mirrorless camera simpler by taking away a lot of the external controls, which actually has just made it more awkward to use. The M100 is cheaper, but nowhere near as good as the X-A5.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS M100 review
Olympus PEN E-PL9
We’re still waiting for the chance to fully test Olympus’s new mirrorless camera for fashionistas, but our first impressions at the camera’s launch were very good indeed. Watch this space.
Read our hands-on Olympus PEN E-PL9 review
Sony Alpha A6000
The Sony Alpha A6000 has been out for a while now, and is available at stupidly low prices compared to what it cost when it was launched. It’s great value and delivers great results, but be warned that this isn't a camera for beginners, despite the price point.
Read our in-depth Sony Alpha A6000 review
Rod is an independent photographer and photography journalist with more than 30 years' experience. He's previously worked as Head of Testing for Future’s photography magazines, including Digital Camera, N-Photo, PhotoPlus, Professional Photography, Photography Week and Practical Photoshop, and as Reviews Editor on Digital Camera World.