Fujifilm FinePix A900 Review

The Fujifilm FinePix A900 digital camera is a sure winner when it comes to performance. This is a camera with 9.3 million pixels in image resolution. It also has the Fujinon lens technology as well as the Super CCD Sensor Technology for which Fujifilm has become known. All these three combined – the image resolution, the clarity due to the Fujinon lens, and the accurate shadow and highlight capture due to the high-resolution sensor technology – have made the FinePix A900 one of the pioneering digital camera models in its difficulty level and price range. It also has 4x optical zoom Fujinon lens.

For all that potential, the FinePix A900 camera weighs only 5.5 ounces when the batteries and the media card are not used and is still as compact as it can get since it measures only 3.8(width) x 2.4(height) x 1.3(thickness) inches. It has a 2.5-inch LCD display with anti-glare coating. This 115-thousand-pixel LCD screen has 100 percent coverage and TFT color for maximum picture-viewing pleasure. However, if you prefer to view your pictures through a larger TV screen, connect the A/V cable (provided with purchase) to the video-out slot found at the left side (when you’re holding it the normal way or as if you’re going to take a picture), second socket from the bottom.

For transferring images to the computer and for direct printing, use the USB cable (also provided with purchase) or the infrared transmitter. The USB socket is found directly above the video-out socket whereas the infrared port (which has to be directly facing the infrared port of the other device when transferring images) is directly above that.

The A900 can be used to record movies. Use the Mode Dial that is found at the upper right of the camera’s rear panel to select the movie mode to start recording. The Mode Dial can also be used to do several other things such as change the scene position (SP) or pre-programmed photography modes including that for taking pictures of flower and text, for taking a picture of a moving target (sport) or a subject underwater, and others. The Mode Dial is also used to reset the mode to Auto if you prefer that the camera automatically adjust exposure, focus, flash and all other important settings for you. The manual mode can also be chosen through the Mode Dial. Digital zoom, picture stabilization and red-eye reduction can be activated here as well.

Refer to the LCD screen to see the settings of your camera when you’re ready to take pictures (photography view). At the upper corner, leftmost, you should see the icon representing the type of photography mode (SP) that you’re camera is currently set in. To the right is the flash mode indicator (whether it’s suppressed, auto, forced, synchro, red-eye reduction, or red-eye reduction with synchro), the Macro indicator (indicates that the close-up mode has been activated), the self-timer indicator (present when self timer has been activated), the white balance indicator, the quality mode, and the number of frames that you can take.

On the LCD screen to, going down at the right part, you’ll see the sensitivity (to light) indicator and the various applicable warnings (auto-focus failure warning and picture shake warning). The date and time should also be stamped at the bottom part of the LCD screen. By pressing the Playback button (the right button beneath the Mode Dial), you can shift to the Playback view instead of the Photography view.

At the bottom of the camera, to your right (again when camera is held the way you normal way), you will find the battery area. Slide the cover off to reveal the two empty slots for AA-size batteries and the memory card slot. The battery slots can take both AA-size alkaline and Ni-MH batteries whereas the memory card slot supports both xD and SD cards. You can also shift to AC power if you purchase the AC power adapter which is connected at the lowermost socket at the right side of the camera.

At the right of the LCD screen, you should see the Menu area which you use to vary the camera settings and navigate through possible options – especially for those that cannot be changed through the mode dial.

Through the menu buttons, you will be able to change the set-up, browse over and trim files as well as erase files. You will see a description of each menu icon in the LCD screen when you use the menu.

A summary of the A900 features:

9.3 megapixels
Optical zoom 4 X
Digital zoom 7.6 X
Super CCD Sensor 1/1.6 inches
Image format is JPEG
Movie format is AVI
Maximum shutter speed 1/1200 seconds
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds
Maximum aperture f2.9
Minimum aperture f7.1
2.5" LCD screen size
Movie recording speed is 30 frames per second
Internal memory is 10 MB
Memory card compatible with xD and SD
Infrared connectivity
A/V and USB connectivity

Pros: This is a very easy-to-use camera with menus and settings that are very easy to use and get accustomed to. The resolution, clarity and sharpness of images are definitely great. The infrared transmission makes it even easier to transfer pictures.

Cons: This is a bit expensive for the beginner. It costs $120 more than the most basic, easy-to-use camera from Fuji. Furthermore, it may take a while to transfer images through infrared if images are taken at the highest level of quality.

Overall: This camera is the perfect balance between functionality and simplicity. It has a lot of features but these are easily shifted or changed around. This can also be a good camera for someone who likes high-resolution pictures with great image quality yet don’t have much patience to study the rudiments of professional digital photography.

Attached Images

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