Fuji Finepix A205 Review

Easy to Use Digital Camera
The Fuji Finepix A205 is a straightforward, easy to use digital camera. It is aimed fairly and squarely at anyone looking for a camera that they can just turn on and start taking pictures without any fuss or bother.

The Fuji Finepix A205 is a 2 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens. It is styled in a similar way to a traditional 35mm compact camera. The controls and buttons are well laid out and you can soon get to grips with them.

Taking Pictures
When you first turn the camera on it runs in Automatic Mode. That means that the camera makes all the decisions relating to focusing and exposure for you. Therefore all you need to do is concentrate on taking the picture. There is a clear LCD screen on the back of the Fuji Finepix A205. You can use it to compose the picture. If you prefer there is also a viewfinder just as you would find on a film camera.

Using the Zoom
Zooming in and out on a subject is achieved by pushing down or up on a button on the back of the camera. As well as an optical zoom lens the Fuji Finepix A205 also has a digital zoom. Once the optical zoom is fully extended you can press the zoom button again and the digital zoom kicks in.

Macro Mode
You can also place the camera into macro mode quickly for close up shots. This is done by a single click of a button on the back of the camera.

Using Flash
The camera has a built in flash light with six different modes. These are controlled using the flash button on the back of the camera. The current mode is displayed in the top left hand corner of the LCD screen. The different modes are auto (the camera decides the best setting for the flash), red eye reduction, forced flash, slow synchro, red eye reduction and slow synchro combined and suppressed flash.

Taking a Look at Your Pictures
Reviewing pictures once you have taken them is also easy. All you need to do is move the dial on the top of the camera to playback mode and your last shot pops up on the LCD screen. You can view your pictures one at a time or you can see nine thumbnails. If you don't like the picture you have taken it can be deleted with three clicks of a button.

You can also review your pictures on a television screen. All you need to do is plug the camera into your television using the supplied cable and turn the camera on.

Uploading to a Picture
Uploading images to a computer is another straightforward task. The camera comes with a CD. Install this on your computer and then connect the camera to the computer with the supplied USB cable and you will see the camera as an extra drive on your computer.

Batteries and Memory Cards
Before you start you need to insert the memory card and batteries. These are inserted through a sliding door on the bottom of the camera. The Fuji Finepix A205 uses an XD Picture Card and runs on two standard AA batteries. Despite many advances in technology it is still well worth buying some rechargeable batteries.

The Menu System
A number of the camera's features are controlled through a colour coded menu system. Click the Menu button and the menu will appear on the LCD screen. It doesn't take long to work out how to use the menus and which one you need to use for whatever you want to do. Examples of functions controlled through the menus are the Self Timer, Picture Resolution, Date and Time and Language.

Movie Mode
The Fuji Finepix A205 also takes short movies. Once again setting the camera into movie mode requires one movement on the control dial and then you are ready to shoot. Movies can be played back on the LCD screen. As with all digital cameras, don't expect the movies taken with the Fuji Finepix A205 to replace your camcorder.

Manual Settings
Although the Fuji Finepix A205 will appeal most to people who just want a camera that they can use for snapshots there are some manual settings available to you. These override the automatic settings and can help you to take photographs in difficult lighting conditions. The manual controls cover exposure compensation and white balance. These controls are accessed through the menu.

All in all its easy to recommend this camera. The picture quality, which is after all the most important feature on a camera, is very good indeed. Handling is good too. It's not one of the ultra small digital cameras, but it will still fit comfortably into a jacket pocket and so you can take it anywhere. You can find the Fuji Finepix A205 for just under £100. At that price it is certainly well worth considering.