Fujifilm X-A3 updates its cheap-ish mirrorless for folks looking to step up

Witha few exceptions, the Fujifilm X-A3 is close to indistinguishable from its predecessor, the X-A2, despite the fact that it's launching at a slightly higher price than the 2015 model did.

At $600 for a kit with the XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II lens, this entry-level mirrorless interchangeable camera is definitely at the cheap end of the spectrum, but that's mostly because the entry-level models have gotten a bit more sophisticated and only older models occupy the sub-$700 segment. (I don't have UK or Australian prices yet, but the kit price converts to about £453 and AU$788.) It's expected to ship in the US in October.

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For the X-A3, the most notable enhancements include an increase in sensor resolution for the from 16.3 megapixels to 24.2MP, the addition of touchscreen capability to the LCD, a boost to 1080/60p video from 1080/30p and the addition of panorama and time-lapse recording.

At the same time, Fujifilm announced a more affordable 23mm lens than its old $650 (£690, approximately AU$1,200) XF23mm F1.4 R, the $450 XF23mmF2 R WR. (I don't yet have non-US pricing, but that directly converts to roughly £340 and AU$590.) The 23mm lenses have the equivalent angle of view on Fujifilm's APS-C sensor-based X series mirrorless cameras of a 35mm lens on a full-frame camera.

It uses the same design as the XF35mmF2 R WR: it's weather resistant, with stepper-motor-driven internal focus (for fast and quiet operation), a metal exterior and an aperture ring. The 9-blade aperture is intended to deliver round out-of-focus highlights (bokeh).

Camera specifications

Fujifilm X-A3

Sensor effective resolution	24.2MP CMOS
Sensor size	23.6 x 15.7mm
Focal-length multiplier	1.5x
OLPF	No
Sensitivity range	ISO 100 (exp)/ISO 200 - ISO 6400/ISO 25600 (exp)
Burst shooting	3 fps50 JPEG/n/a raw(6fps for 10 frames)
Viewfinder (mag/ effective mag)	None
Hot shoe	Yes
Autofocus	49-areaContrast AF
AF sensitivity	n/a
Shutter speed	30 - 1/4000 sec. (1/32,000 sec electronic); bulb to 60 min; 1/180 x-sync
Shutter durability	n/a
Metering	256 zones
Metering sensitivity	n/a
Best video	H.264 MPEG-4Quicktime MOV1080/60p
Audio	Stereo
Manual aperture and shutter in video	n/a
Maximum best-quality recording time per clip	14 minutes
IS	Optical
LCD	3-inch/7.5 cm Tilting and flip up touchscreen1.04 million dots
Memory slots	1 x SDXC
Wireless connection	Wi-Fi
Flash	Yes
Wireless flash	Yes
Battery life (CIPA rating)	410 shots(tk)
Size (WHD)	4.6 x 2.6 x 1.6 in 117 x 67 x 40 mm
Body operating weight	12 oz (est.)290 g (est.)
Primary kit	$600(with 16-50mm II lens)
Release date	October 2016