Comparison Fujifilm X-T100 kit vs Fujifilm X-A5 kit

The sensitivity range of a digital camera matrix. In digital photography, light sensitivity is expressed in the same ISO units as in film photography; however, unlike film, the light sensitivity of the sensor in a digital camera can be changed, which gives you more options for adjusting shooting parameters. High maximum light sensitivity is important if you have to use a lens with a low aperture (see Aperture), as well as when shooting dimly lit scenes and fast-moving objects; in the latter case, high ISO allows you to use low shutter speeds, which minimizes image blur. However, note that with an increase in the value of the applied ISO, the level of noise in the resulting images also increases.

Camera support for HDR.

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. The main application of this technology is shooting scenes with significant differences in illumination, when there are both very bright and very dark areas in the frame. The features of modern digital photography are such that in the normal shooting mode, only a rather narrow range of brightness can be correctly processed; as a result, with a large difference in illumination, the image contains either too dark or overexposed fragments. HDR avoids this phenomenon: in this mode, the camera takes several shots with different exposure settings, and then glues them together in such a way as to reduce the brightness in bright places and increase in dark places. This allows you to shoot, for example, landscapes against the backdrop of a bright sunset sky, the interiors of dimly lit buildings with bright windows, etc. In addition, HDR can also be used as an artistic technique — to give the picture an unusual colour scheme.

Note that this effect can also be achieved using post-processing in a graphics editor; however, using the camera is much more convenient.

The presence of two control dials in the design of the camera.

This design feature makes it easier to control the camera and change settings on the fly: additional operating parameters are transferred to the second disk, and turning it to the desired position is easier and faster than “digging” in the on-screen menu items. This feature is found mainly in semi-professional and professional cameras, which involve frequent use of manual shooting mode.

File formats in which the camera can record video. Given that the footage is designed to be viewed on an external screen, you should make sure that the playback device (DVD player, media centre, etc.) is able to work with the appropriate formats. At the same time, many camera models themselves can play the role of a player by connecting to a TV via an audio / video output or HDMI (see the corresponding paragraphs of the glossary). And if the video materials are to be viewed on a computer, you should not pay special attention to this parameter at all: problems with format incompatibility in such cases rarely occur, but are usually solved by installing the appropriate codec.

The ability to manually focus the camera during video shooting.

This feature is typically found on cameras that support manual focus in photo mode (see "Manual Focus"); however, not all such models are capable of focus manually when shooting video, so this feature is highlighted separately. As in the case of photography, manual focus allows the user to independently choose the object to be focused on, without relying on automation (which quite often does not work the way we would like). This can be useful not only to ensure the overall quality of the material, but also to use original creative techniques.

— USB C. A universal USB interface that uses a Type C connector. USB ports themselves (all types) are used mainly for connecting the camera to a computer for copying footage, managing settings, updating firmware, etc. Specifically The Type C connector is comparable in size to earlier miniUSB and microUSB, but has a reversible design that allows the plug to be inserted in either direction. In addition, USB C often operates according to the USB 3.1 standard, which allows for connection speeds of up to 10 Gbps - a useful feature when copying large amounts of content.

- HDMI. A comprehensive digital interface that allows you to transmit video (including high resolution) and audio (up to multi-channel) over a single cable. The presence of such a port makes it possible to use the camera as a player: it can be directly connected to a TV, monitor, projector, etc. and view your footage on the big screen. In this case, broadcast capabilities can include not only video playback, but also demonstration of captured photos in slide show mode. HDMI inputs are present in most modern video equipment, and connection is usually not a problem.
Nowadays, there are several versions of the HDMI interface on the market:

• v 1.4. The oldest version currently relevant, released in 2009. However, it supports 3D video, is capable of working with resolutions up to 4096x2160 at a speed of 24 fps, and in Full HD resolution the frame rate can reach 120...fps. In addition to the original v.1.4, there are also improved modifications - v.1.4a and v.1.4b; they are similar in basic capabilities, in both cases the improvements affected mainly work with 3D content.
• v2.0. Significant HDMI update introduced in 2013. In this version, the maximum frame rate in 4K has increased to 60 fps, and support for ultra-wide 21:9 format can also be mentioned. In update v.2.0a, HDR support was added to the interface capabilities; in v.2.0b this function was improved and expanded.
• v 2.1. Despite the similarity in name to v.2.0, this version, released in 2017, was a very large-scale update. In particular, it added support for 8K and even 10 K at speeds up to 120 fps, and also further expanded the capabilities for working with HDR. This version was released with its own cable - HDMI Ultra High Speed; all features of v.2.1 are available only when using cables of this standard, although basic functions can be used with simpler cords.

— Headphone output. Audio output allows you to connect headphones to the camera. As a rule, it is represented by a classic 3.5 mm mini-jack. The presence of such a connector provides the ability to monitor sound during video recording in real time. This is especially important when filming interviews, vlogs and other similar projects.

— Microphone input. Specialized input for connecting an external microphone to the camera. External microphones are significantly superior to built-in microphones in sound quality. Firstly, they are not so sensitive to the camera’s “own” sounds - from buttons, control wheels, focus motors, etc. (and if the microphone uses a long wire and is not attached to the body, these sounds will not be heard at all). Secondly, external microphones themselves have more advanced characteristics. On the other hand, their use is justified mainly for professional video recording; therefore, the presence of a microphone input, as a rule, corresponds to advanced video recording capabilities

Autofocus operating modes provided in the camera design.

— One picture. The main mode of autofocus operation is found in all modern cameras and is used most often. Designed for shooting motionless objects.

— Follower. This mode is used for shooting moving objects, the distance to which is constantly changing: the camera constantly monitors the position of the object, constantly adjusting the optics so that it is in focus. Usually found in middle and upper class cells.

— AI focus. A peculiar combination of the previous two modes is used when a stationary object can start moving at any moment. If the scene is static, autofocus works in the single frame mode, but if the object on which focus is made starts to move, the device switches to tracking autofocus mode. AI mode allows you to almost instantly set the optimal autofocus settings, which is especially useful for sequential shooting. Initially, it was found in expensive models, however, thanks to the development of technology, today it can even be used in inexpensive compacts (see “Camera type”).

— By the face. Autofocus mode that uses a face recognition system and focuses on them. This feature is especially useful for taking pictures of people at a great distance from the camera, when the face is much smaller than the frame size, such as in group shots.

— With a smile. A further development of the face autofocus mode described above, when, in accordance with the nam...e, the system reacts not just to a face, but to a smile. This mode can be combined with the function of automatic shooting at the moment of a smile.

— Animal in the frame. A mode designed primarily for shooting animals, which can be difficult (and often impossible) to make them sit still in the frame. It is usually a variation of the tracking autofocus described above, but specific features of operation may vary depending on the camera model.

This list is not exhaustive, and other specific autofocus modes may be provided in the design of modern cameras.

The type of viewfinder provided in the design of the camera.

A viewfinder is an eyepiece in which the photographer is able to see the image being shot, and in some cases additional information (the location of autofocus sensors, individual shooting parameters, etc.). Regardless of the type, viewfinders are useful in that they allow you to clearly see the image you are shooting, even in bright ambient light (which can cause displays to “blind”). Their disadvantages are the need to bring the camera close to the face, as well as the inconvenience when working with glasses (although the latter is partly offset by diopter correction in the viewfinder itself). The types of viewfinders can be as follows:

— Electronic. Such a viewfinder is a system of lenses with a small screen behind them. It is widely used in advanced cameras with non-replaceable lenses (see "Camera Type"), can be used in MILC cameras, and relatively recently full-fledged " SLRs " have appeared (in particular, made according to the so-called "translucent mirror technology") equipped with electronic viewfinders. The advantage of such a viewfinder is that, in addition to the image itself, it can display a large amount of service information (for example, about shooting parameters); the main disadvantage is the need to supply power from the battery (although the power consumption of such a system is still much lower than that of an...external display).

— Optical. In this case, an optical viewfinder means an independent system with its own eyepiece and lens, built into the camera body and directed parallel to the optical axis of the lens (mirror and prism systems are separated into separate categories). Such a system can be located both directly above the lens and in the corner of the body. The advantages of optical viewfinders are simplicity, low cost and compactness, due to the absence of a complex system of mirrors or prisms in the design. Such a viewfinder can be used in any non-reflex cameras (classic digital or MILC). The main disadvantage of this option is the mismatch between the position of its lens and the main lens of the camera (the so-called parallax effect); in most cases, this does not create inconvenience, but when shooting at close distances, you have to take an amendment (although there are camera models with viewfinders that automatically correct).

— Optical and electronic. A specific type of viewfinder that combines elements of both systems described above. Usually, such structures are based on an optical viewfinder, which provides for the possibility of projecting various service information onto a visible image. And in some models, the system can also be switched to a fully electronic mode, blocking the access of light through the optics and observing only the picture on the screen through the viewfinder.

— Optical (mirror). As the name implies, the design of such a viewfinder is based on a system of mirrors. Through this system, the real image perceived by the camera lens is fed into the viewfinder eyepiece (in other words, the photographer is actually looking directly through the lens). SLR viewfinders are used exclusively in cameras of the corresponding type (see above). Their advantages are the absence of the parallax effect and the ability to immediately evaluate a number of shooting parameters, such as depth of field, the effect of installed light filters, etc. The main disadvantage of reflex viewfinders is the need to raise the mirror at the time of shooting. This complicates and increases the cost of the design, makes it less reliable, and the operation of the mirror lifting mechanism can cause vibrations and the “stirring” effect.

— Optical (pentaprism). In fact, it is a kind of mirror viewfinder (see above), in which the role of a part of the mirrors is assigned to a pentaprism — a glass structure of a special shape. The action of the pentaprism is based on the effect of the so-called total internal reflection; it is believed that in this way it is possible to achieve a brighter and clearer image than when using classic mirrors. Other advantages and disadvantages are identical to conventional reflex viewfinders (see above). The pentaprism is widely used in mirror devices.

— Is absent. The complete absence of a viewfinder in the design of the camera; For sighting in such models, a display is used. This feature is typical mainly for digital compacts (see "Type of camera"). Firstly, the dimensions of the body of such models often do not allow for a viewfinder to be included in the design; secondly, the specifics of the use of such cameras is usually such that the display is quite enough for them, and sometimes it is even more preferable — for example, when shooting from a non-standard position (above your head, with your arm outstretched in front of you, etc.).

This setting can be simplistically described as the amount of magnification provided by the viewfinder relative to how the image appears to the naked eye. The features of modern viewfinders are such that most of them have crop values less than 1 — that is, it somewhat reduces the visible “picture”.

In general, the larger this parameter, the larger the objects look in the viewfinder and the easier it is to focus through it.