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Fujifilm X-A1 vs X-M1

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.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Fujifilm X-A1
versus
Fujifilm X-M1
Fujifilm X-A1   Fujifilm X-M1
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm X mount lenses Fujifilm X mount lenses
16 MP – APS-C sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600) ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
5.6 shutter flaps per second 5.6 shutter flaps per second
350 shots per battery charge350 shots per battery charge
117 x 67 x 39 mm, 330 g 117 x 67 x 39 mm, 330 g
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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.

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Body comparison

The 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).

Size Fujifilm X-A1 vs Fujifilm X-M1
Compare X-A1 versus X-M1 top
Comparison X-A1 or X-M1 rear

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.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A1 117 mm 67 mm 39 mm 330 g 350 n Sep 2013 US$ 399ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-M1 117 mm 67 mm 39 mm 330 g 350 n Jun 2013 US$ 699ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 350 g 410 n Jan 2015 US$ 399ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 339 g 410 n Aug 2016 US$ 399ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 117 mm 68 mm 40 mm 361 g 450 n Jan 2018 US$ 399ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A10 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 331 g 410 n Dec 2016 US$ 399ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-E1 129 mm 75 mm 38 mm 350 g 350 n Sep 2012 US$ 999ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Oct 2013 US$ 999ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Jan 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 140 mm 82 mm 43 mm 450 g 300 n Jan 2012 US$ 1 699ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 381 g 350 n May 2015 US$ 799ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

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 comparison

The 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 dynamic range, and have richer color-depth 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 depth-of-field 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.

Fujifilm X-A1 and Fujifilm X-M1 sensor measures

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 pixel pitch 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.

X-A1 versus X-M1 MP

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.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty 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 32641080/30p23.412.6139076
2.
 
Fujifilm X-M1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.6137176
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.612.8151579
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.813.1166481
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.3180082
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.913.2169181
7.
 
Fujifilm X-E1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.212.4129875
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.412.6140077
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.713.0160880
10.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.112.3123874
11.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.9154679
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).

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Feature comparison

Apart 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.

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Core Features
  empty 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-A2none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A3none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
7.
 
Fujifilm X-E12360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E22360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
10.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro11440 n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s n n
11.
 
Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
Note: *) 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.

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Connectivity comparison

For 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.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty 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-A2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A3Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A10-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm X-E1Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E2Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E2SYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
10.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--

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.

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Review summary

So 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:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (43 percent cheaper at launch).


Advantages of the Fujifilm X-M1:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.

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 reviews

This 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Fujifilm X-A1........4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 US$ 399ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-M13/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 US$ 699ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A24/5......4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 US$ 399ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A3......74/1004.5/54/5 Aug 2016 US$ 399ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5..+4.1/5..4/53.5/5 Jan 2018 US$ 399ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A10........4/54/5 Dec 2016 US$ 399ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-E14/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 US$ 999ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-E24/5....80/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 US$ 999ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S4.5/5....77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
10.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro15/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 US$ 1 699ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X-T104.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 May 2015 US$ 799ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

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.

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Other camera comparisons

Did 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.

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    Specifications: Fujifilm X-A1 vs Fujifilm X-M1

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Fujifilm X-A1 Fujifilm X-M1
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Fujifilm X mount lenses Fujifilm X mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2013 June 2013
    Launch Price USD 399 USD 699
    Sensor Specs Fujifilm X-A1 Fujifilm X-M1
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.7 mm 23.6 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 368.95 mm2 368.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 4896 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.80 μm 4.80 μm
    Pixel Density 4.33 MP/cm2 4.34 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 6,400 ISO 200 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXR Processor II EXR Processor II
    Screen Specs Fujifilm X-A1 Fujifilm X-M1
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Fujifilm X-A1 Fujifilm X-M1
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 5.6 shutter flaps/s 5.6 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Fujifilm X-A1 Fujifilm X-M1
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Fujifilm X-A1 Fujifilm X-M1
    Battery Type Fujifilm NP-W126 Fujifilm NP-W126
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge350 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 117 x 67 x 39 mm
    (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.5 in)
    117 x 67 x 39 mm
    (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 330 g (11.6 oz) 330 g (11.6 oz)
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