The Fuji Finepix A800 is a relatively inexpensive digital camera. When it comes to straightforward digital cameras you will struggle to find a camera that is simpler to use than the Finepix A800. It has eight megapixels and a three times optical zoom lens.
I have always found this part of the Fuji range easy to use, but they have somehow managed to make a few further improvements in terms of ease of use. I must admit that the camera is not overburdened with features and this helps to keep everything simple. If its features you are after then it is best to look elsewhere.
Another area that impressed me is the build quality of the camera. Over the past year or so there has been a noticeable improvement in the build of cheaper digital cameras. Fuji have certainly made the Finepix A800 feel solid in the hand.
When it comes to size (97.5 x 61.9 x 31mm) you will find it is on the chunky side to fit into a pocket. It weighs 151g, so there are plenty of lighter cameras to choose from.
Power is supplied to the camera by two AA batteries. This gives you the convenience of being able to find spare batteries more or less anywhere. The downside is that replacement batteries can push up running costs. Therefore it is always worth considering picking up a set of rechargeable batteries and a charger. If you do go down this route it is best to ensure that any batteries you buy have a mAh rating of at least 2000 and preferably higher. The higher the rating the longer the batteries will last in between charges. You should find this rating clearly stamped on the side of each battery.
Fuji have also made a change when it comes to memory cards. The Finepix A800 is compatible with both xD and SD types of memory card. Previously this range of Fuji cameras had only been compatible with xD cards. You will also find 10mb of internal storage. As the camera has this storage capacity built in a memory card is not normally supplied with the camera. You will need to pick one up pretty quickly though as in my tests the camera was only capable of taking four shots before the internal memory became full. You may find you can get a decent deal on a memory card if you bargain for a card at the same time as buying the camera.
On the back of the camera sits a 2.5 inch LCD screen. This is fast becoming the standard size for an LCD screen. There is no viewfinder.
Other useful features include a special 3:2 aspect ratio. By using this setting photos do not need to be trimmed to fit when making 6 x 4 inch prints. You can place the Finepix A800 in this mode by changing the camera's resolution.
You will also find in the box all the cables and software you need to connect the camera to a television set, compatible printer and a computer.
