The Fuji FinePix A204 Zoom Digital Camera is a high-specification, two Megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom, 16 MB memory card plus free batteries and charger; all at a very appealing price. Digital cameras are dropping in price all the time. This latest FinePix A204 Zoom from Fujifilm costs roughly half what an equivalent camera would have set you back a year ago. The chunky A204 has a two Megapixel CCD array for good resolution and a 16 MB memory card to hold the pictures.
This is an xD-Picture Card, a new format from Fujifilm which is about the size of a Multimedia card and set to replace the SmartMedia format Fujifilm has mainly used until now.
Controls on the camera are arranged in three groups. On top are a sliding power switch and a shutter release, with a rotary switch arranged around the shutter button to select record, playback or video modes. At top-right on the back panel is a row of three buttons used for selecting menu options and for zooming in and out. Just to the right of the good quality, colour LCD display youll find the final three buttons, labelled Display, OK and Back. The menu system is easy to navigate and well differentiated with bright colours.
The FinePix A204 Zoom has a sliding cover which protects its lens, but oddly this isnt linked to the power switch. This means you can have the camera on with the cover still over the lens and the camera off with the lens uncovered--neither combination is good. Images from the A204 Zoom are finely detailed and well-balanced, with natural colours, though a bit over-vivid in bright light.
You transfer your pictures through the supplied USB cable, using Fujifilms own software, supplied for both PC and Mac. It includes transfer, viewing and photo manipulation applications. Both the software and the camera itself are good value and easy to use. The inclusion of a set of batteries and a charger for gratis makes this great purchase even greater.--Simon Williams