PERFECT LITTLE STARTER CAMERA
Written: Jan 14 '05 (Updated Jan 14 '05)
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Pros: Simple easy to use. Good quality pictures
Cons: None aside from the waste of packaging 16 MD memory card.
The Bottom Line: The bottom line I just bought another Fuji Digital.
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| JAMES23's Full Review: FUJIFILM FinePix A303 Digital Camera |
Last year I finally moved into the 21st century and switched from film to digital cameras. I think it was our trip to Asia that did it, well actually the over $300.00 (Cdn) developing bill I got from the local photo shop when we returned for CDs and one set of prints from our trip photos, and that was after a fairly good volume discount that they offered me.
Now to be fair that was for some 36 rolls of film, most of which were 36 exposures. However getting that bill right after we came home and were still getting the bills for the plane tickets, hotels etc was enough to push even my Visa card close to it's limit. As far as I was concerned there had to be a better way.
We, the wife and I, had actually been talking about making the leap to digital for a while, but that's all it was talk. We'd both considered getting one for a possible joint Christmas present. We're at that stage where practical and household seem to out weigh romantic in the gift department, she got me a new DVD player for Christmas last year, I got her new dishes this year.
However we decided to hang tough and take advantage of the great post Christmas Boxing Day sales Toronto is famous for. This made sense as we were taking off for the big trip for 204, Asia in February and would give us time to learn how to use the camera. The problem was we spent Christmas at my parents in Nova Scotia and between the bad weather and a bout of post holiday flu meant that by the time we got home to Toronto the sales were all over.
This we decided was a good thing to paraphrase a certain felon. Just look at where we were going in a month's time, Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Japan. Why buy a camera here in Canada, when we could get a much better one there for less cost.
We, or I actually did end up buying a camera in Asia. I was forced to pick up a cheap 35mm point and shoot in Bangkok after I managed to get a film jammed in my main camera and we were down to one small back up prior to our trip to the Kwai river with no time for me to rig a darkroom in our hotel bathroom and perform a filmectomy. It’s nice to have two when sight seeing we've discovered.
For the record this is another great selling point for digital over film any day.
As for digitals, well we looked, but did not buy. Two concerns came up, one if something went wrong with it, and then it was a lot longer trip then to the local Sears to get it fixed. Then there was the matter of dealing with Canada Customs. Not that we'd deliberately mislead the staunch defenders of the border, but we were already at our combined duty free limit after a month of shopping, er travelling, around the fleshpots of South east Asia.
Prices were good, but not that good. Claiming it as our own property bought before the trip was out. Most of the stuff we saw on display there was more advanced than in North America and not even on the shelves back home. Kind of hard to explain how you bought something six months before it's available to the consumer eh.
After the trip and the developing bill were finally paid for I began seriously thinking about digitals again. The factors we wanted were good quality pictures, simple to use/operate/maintain camera and of course inexpensive would be nice too. During the course of this research, actually we as Elena became involved too and we began to teach ourselves all about pixels and mega pixels et cetera et cetera.
I did a fair bit of research in local shops on what was available in our price range, talked to a couple of friends with digitals, and even read some reviews here on Epinions (gasp yes I actually used Epinions to help in a consumer buying decision).
Finally I found something that seemed to fit the bill. I even had an excuse to buy it Elena's birthday was coming up and like I said we're into practical gifts for the household now. Just before her birthday I picked up the Fuji FinePix A210 Zoom Digital Camera. Soon after it was presented to her with all the ceremony that such gifts should be. Being the loving husband I am I even volunteered to read the manual and learn how to use it. Someday I'll have to loan her the instruction book so can read it too.
This camera was/is perfect for our needs. The first couple of days was spent shooting pictures of each other and the apartment, most of which fortunately been since erased from living memory. Once we mastered the basics we moved on to annoying friends, relatives and neighbours.
Along the way I discovered that 3.34 mega pixels is more than sufficient for most needs, and can produce good quality standard size (4x5) prints for an album and even some fairly good larger ones up to 8x10 although that's pushing it. The integral zoom lenses is not too bad and a step up from the simple point and shoot I've often used in the past.
The camera is simple to use and easy to learn with just enough bells and whistles to make it a good value but not too intimidating. The enclosed software was also simple to install and use and has some interesting little features to dress up the finished product if so desired.
Uploading pictures to the PC was easy with the enclosed USB cable and software CD and not too time consuming and therefore not a drain on the 2 AA batteries. This camera unlike some digitals is not really a battery hog, although a good set of rechargeable batteries and a charger are a must have accessory.
The only other included accessories aside from the batteries USB cable and software CD, are a video cable allowing you to display your pictures on a TV and a carrying strap. Oh yeah one other the tease 16 MB memory card.
It seems all cameras come with these now. This card is the digital equivalent of the12 exposure roll of film, and who uses those. For any serious work, or play, you'll have to pick up a larger card.
This camera uses the xD memory card system as doe most Fuji and Olympus makes. Of the two I'd suggest purchasing the Fuji cards, mind that's based on advice given to me as I have yet to use the Olympus product.
There have been some arguments that these are the most expensive type of cards on the market. I did a quick price check and can't say that is the case. I purchased two 64 MB memory cards each of which can easily hold 60-80 pictures. I've seen them recently advertised for $59.00 Cdn. Of course they dropped to that price after I bought mine for $89.00. Even at the higher price compared to film and developing costs they're a bargain. Another advantage is the relatively small size, which makes them easy to store in a small case.
My main need for a good camera is for travel. So after after a couple of months playing with it we were ready for a real test. In August we took a trip to Rochester and dragged the camera along. I took one of our 35mm film cameras as backup and for comparison. Afterwards I compared the quality of pictures taken from both and was convinced that the digitals were as good as the film.
In September we went to Puerto Vallarta Mexico and this was the real test. This time the 35mm stayed in the bottom of the suitcase. I don't even remember packing film for it. After a week we had 130-140 good quality photos, some I've added to my professional portfolio, and I doubt we filled both memory cards.
That's the other advantage I've noticed since converting to digital. On a similar week long trip with a film camera I'd go through 8-10 rolls of 24 exposure film depending on the destination and what peaked my/ our interest. With digital I find myself not forced to take two or three shots of the same thing to ensure I've got it. One shot, check the LCD, and either delete and try again, or move on is the norm now.
One final comment on this camera, this year I did make the post Christmas sales and decided we/I needed and could afford a new upgraded semi-pro digital camera. No hesitation I bought a Fuji. Elena's happy too she finally gets to play with "her" birthday present now.
Now for those of you techno types out there who are too lazy to try another version of point and click here's some cut and paste details direct form the manufacturers website:
Brand: Fuji
Built-in Microphone: Without Built-in Microphone
Camera Type: Standard Point and Shoot
Estimated Price: $100 to $200
Focus Type: Autofocus Image
Sensor Type: CCD
Interchangeable Lens: Without Interchangeable Lens
LCD Panel: With LCD Panel
LCD Protected Position: Without LCD Protected Position Manufacturer
Part Number: fuji fpa210 ** fuj43860870 ** fuj-fpa210 ** finepix-a210 ** e19649 ** ps1119 ** N074200A ** 866196 ** 43860870 ** a210
Memory Type: xD Picture Card
Optical Zoom: At Least 2x Zoom
Resolution: 3.0 - 3.9 Megapixels
Tripod Mount: With Tripod Mount
Continental Breakfast: Does not come with a Continental Breakfast
UPC: 0007410148068 ** 0074101480689 ** 10074101008705 ** 74101480689
Video Speed: 10 fps
Viewfinder: Optical (Through-the-lens)
Fluffy Bathroom Towels: Does not come with Fluffy Bathroom Towels
Dimensions: Depth 2.07 in. Height 2.56 in. Weight 0.39 lb. Width 3.88 in.
Exposure Control: Aperture Range f7/f10.8 (w/t) - f3/f8 (w/t)
ISO Speeds: 100 White Balance Auto, Manual
Flash: Flash Functions Flash Off, Auto Flash, Fill-in Flash, Red-eye Reduction Flash, Slow Sync
Image Quality: Resolution 3.34 Megapixel Resolutions 640 x 480, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960
Included Features: Self Timer 10 Sec.
Interfaces: Interface USB Video Interface Video Out
Key Features: LCD Size 1.5 in. Optical Zoom 3x Resolution 3.34 Megapixel
Lens: 35mm Zoom Lens 36 - 108 mm
Digital Zoom: 3.2x
Focal Length: 5.5 - 16.5 mm
Focus Range: 31.2 in. to Infinity (w)
Macro Focus Range: 3.6 - 39.6 in. (w) Optical Zoom 3x
Miscellaneous: Included Accessories 2 x AA Batteries, Software, USB Cable, Video Cable, Hand Strap, 16 MB Memory Card, Driver Product ID 20808408
Movie Features: Movie Capacity - High Resolution 98 sec.
Power Supply: Battery Life 300 Images Battery Type 2 x AA Batteries
Storage: Compression Type JPEG File Size (High Res.) .76 MB (168 images on 128MB card) File Size (Low Res.) .13 MB (about 984 images on 128MB card) Memory Type xD Picture Card
System Requirements: Operating System Apple Mac OS 8, Apple Mac OS 9, Apple Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98SE, Microsoft Windows ME, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Video: Max Movie Length 240 Seconds Video Format AVI Video Quality 320 x 240 (QVGA), 160 x 120
Viewfinder / Display: LCD Panel Size 1.5 in. LCD Screen Resolution 60,000 pixels
More Information: The FinePix A210 Zoom ensures high picture quality with programmed auto exposure and flash capabilities to capture clear images, from which you can produce larger prints. The 3x optical zoom lens further enhances the creative possibilities, yet this camera maintains point-and-shoot simplicity. In addition, the camera offers a 10 frames per second (fps) movie recording facility. In essence, the FinePix A210 Zoom is easy to use and accessible to all. The optional Picture Cradle enables the user to download images and charge batteries in one simple procedure - so there's no messing around with multiple cables.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 200.00+ Cdn
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
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Epinions.com ID:
JAMES23
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Member: James Smith
Location: Toronto Ontario CANADA
Reviews written: 450
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