Fujifilm X-A3 vs Fujifilm X-M1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Fujifilm · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Fujifilm X-A3
59
WINNER
|
Fujifilm · Mirrorless · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Fujifilm X-M1
51
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Fujifilm X-A3 and Fujifilm X-M1 are both 2016 mirrorless cameras for the Fujifilm X mount, so any X-mount lens fits either body. Neither has a viewfinder, so you frame every shot on the rear screen. As a carry, the X-M1 is the lighter and slimmer of the two: 330 g and 39 mm deep against the X-A3's 339 g and 40 mm. The X-M1 was announced in June 2016 and the X-A3 in August of the same year. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 25, 2016 | June 25, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 117 x 67 x 40 mm | 117 x 67 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 339 g | 330 g |
| Optics | 63/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe X-A3 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping. Its 24 megapixel APS-C sensor captures 8 more megapixels than the X-M1's 16, leaving more detail when a distant face or bird fills only part of the frame. It also focuses with more placement freedom, offering 77 autofocus points against 49, and its 6 fps burst rate edges the X-M1's 5.6 fps for a child running toward the lens. Both share a 200 to 6400 native ISO range, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 4896 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.5 | 23.5 x 15.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 5.6 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
EXR Processor II | EXR Processor II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
770300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe X-A3 is the safer pick for moving footage because its maximum video frame rate reaches 60 fps, double the X-M1's 30 fps. That headroom lets you slow motion to half speed on a 30 fps timeline, useful for pets, waves or a football match. Both cameras cap video at Full HD resolution, so neither offers 4K for large screens or heavy cropping. The X-A3 records in MPEG-4 as well as MOV, while the X-M1 records in MOV only. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MOV |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe X-A3 gives you faster control at arm's length: its 3-inch LCD supports touch, so you can tap to place focus, and its 1,040,000-dot panel resolves more detail than the X-M1's 920,000-dot screen. The X-M1 offers Bluetooth for a low-power link to your phone, while both support Wi-Fi for image transfer. Both tilt their screens for waist-level framing and selfies, carry a built-in flash, and lack GPS and weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe X-A3 holds the higher battery rating at 410 shots against the X-M1's 350. Each takes its own pack, the NP-W126S in the X-A3 and the NP-W126 in the X-M1. Both write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card with no second slot for backup or overflow. The X-M1's slot is UHS-I compatible for faster card speeds, and neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-W126S | NP-W126 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 350 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The X-A3 is the better buy for most photographers. Its 24 megapixel sensor leaves more detail when you crop a distant subject, its 77 autofocus points give more placement choices than the X-M1's 49, and the touch screen lets you tap to place focus. The 60 fps video ceiling also allows half-speed slow motion.
Choose the X-M1 instead if a low-power Bluetooth link to your phone or UHS-I card support matters more than those gains. For travel, family and general shooting, the X-A3's strengths cover more situations.