The FujiFilm FinePix A900

Seldom is a digital camera described as “strange” or “bizarre”. Yet those terms pop up frequently in professional reviews of the FujiFilm FinePix A900. Though this digital camera has good image quality, the unusual controls and specifications make it less than user-friendly.

To start with, the FujiFilm FinePix A900 is a 9 megapixel camera. That’s the good news. Most companies don’t even offer 9 megapixel models. But getting a high quality printable photo can be a little tricky with the FujiFilm FinePix A900. It seems that the while balance adjustment is hidden away in a maze of non-intuitive menu options. If users plan on printing their digital photos, they should adjust the white balance before they start shooting. Making adjustments in the middle of a shoot can be frustrating with the camera’s odd menu layout. While common scene modes like “landscape” are hidden, unusual ones like “baby” can be found right on the camera’s dial – just another strange quirk in the A900’s layout.

One very nice feature of the FujiFilm FinePix A900 is a long lens which gives this camera a 4x optical zoom. Similarly priced cameras only offer 3x zoom capability. The camera also has an infrared sensor which allows it to transfer photos to other infrared-enabled cameras and mobile phones.

The FujiFilm FinePix A900 does not have the sleek, stylish body so common to modern digital cameras. In fact, it has been described as “clunky”, weighing in at a hefty 200 grams plus. This camera is larger than most of its competitors, and critics complain that it barely fits into a shirt pocket. Other sticking points are the shutter lag and relatively long wait time until a picture takes. The FujiFilm FinePix A900 was outpaced by nearly all of its peers in regard to speed.

Some users prefer the thick body and greater weight of this model. Men with large hands find it easier to deal with than some of the super-slim alternatives. Surprisingly, given the camera’s odd menu layout, many users find it to be a very straightforward device. It is lauded for the ease with which a user can pick it up and start taking photos. Beginners and younger children might have a lot of fun with this sturdy model.

And even the most ardent detractor has to give credit where it’s due: if you can figure out all the controls, the FujiFilm FinePix A900 takes beautiful pictures. Colors are life-like, faces are crisp, and even the high magnifications seldom show grain. For all its quirks, this is a quality camera.

The FujiFilm FinePix A900 comes with 10MB of internal memory and is compatible with SD or xD cards. It runs on two AA batteries. The A900 retails for about $150-$170 US.

The FujiFilm FinePix A610

The FujiFilm FinePix A610 was announced in early 2007. Much ado was made about this camera, because it combined for the first time Fuji’s proprietary Super CCD HR sensor and Real Photo Processor. This dual technology means cleaner pictures with more detail – something digital camera enthusiasts are always looking for. And the camera’s affordable price tag is another major selling point. It exceeds most people’s performance expectations for a $130 digital camera.

The FujiFilm FinePix A610 is a 6.1 megapixel camera with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 400. It has a 3x optical zoom. Most impressively, the Fujifilm FinePix A610 features a dual memory card slot which accepts both Fujifilm’s xD-Picture Card and Secure Digital (SD) card format. The FujiFilm FinePix A610 is powered by two AA batteries. It comes with 10MB of internal memory, allowing photographers to take and store pictures without a memory card. Customers appreciate this camera’s ease of use. It has a highly touted intuitive button layout, as well as easy-to-navigate access menus.

In fact, this digital camera seems to have been designed with beginners in mind. Fourteen scene positions and multiple picture settings make this camera a great choice for new photographers. Its generous 2.5 inch LCD is coated with an anti-glare protector that lets users preview their pictures even in bright light. Fuji has added a “new baby” setting that captures the true color of newborns’ flesh tones. New parents, traditionally a camera-happy lot, can really appreciate this feature. Soccer moms and dads will love the sports setting which reduces the blur in action shots.

Customer reviews of the FujiFilm FinePix A610 are mixed, but mostly positive. The user-friendly design of the buttons and menus is widely praised. The picture quality, however, has been brought into question. Some users complain that pictures come out looking a bit oversaturated. Others have observed that indoor pictures come out a little too dark. The camera seems to perform best when used for outdoor photography.

Also, the camera’s video quality doesn’t seem to be on par with other cameras in the same price range. The FujiFilm FinePix A610 captures movies in QVGA at a rate of thirty frames per second, without sound. This doesn’t keep the camera from receiving high marks in other areas, but many of its peers produce higher resolution video with sound included.

The bottom line is that the FujiFilm PinePix A610 is a nice camera for beginners. It has easy-to-use buttons, menus, and settings. But for the best quality pictures and videos, you might do well to look elsewhere.

This digital camera retails for about $130 US, and can be found online or at any major electronics store.