Fujifilm FinePix A201

Opinion: I wanted a lightweight, compact camera to compliment my Casio QV-8000SX (which is very groovy, but too bulky to be a ‘take-anywhere’ pocket camera) and so I had a good look around at what I could afford, as I am very poor :-(

I bought my father a sexy aluminium Fuji MX-1500 a while ago and was very impressed by it, so when I saw a picture of the (then unreleased) A201 and read that it was only 145g ex. it’s twin AA batteries, I was keen to learn more.

Cutting a long story short, I looked about; decided the Fuji had all the features I was looking for in a non-optical zoom camera (my Casio has a 8x optical zoom, so I have that feature covered well enough I think!) so I bought one. (RRP about £250in the UK)

Even though it's only a 1600x1200 res. camera (1.9ish MP) I've found it's output in good light or with a flash sharp and clear. I don't often print pictures, so the relatively low output is not a big issue for me. I use the pictures on my personal web site (http://paulmadbobsmith.tripod.com) and just wanted a very simple point-and-shoot camera...which is exactly what Fuji promised in the spec. of the A201, and delivered! It looks the part, has a high-contrast 1.6" screen, which is ok in all but the brightest of sunlight and even ships with a 'worthwhile' 16Mb SM card. The 20 second movie feature is of minor novelty value, as is the ability to use it as a webcam (no sound though).

I’d certainly recommend the A201 to anyone who wants a basic-but-good first camera, or needs something very light to take anywhere.

Enjoy!

Opinion: I FOUND THAT THIS IS A GREAT CAMERA FOR THE PRICE. IT HAS GREAT IMAGE QUALITY AND VERY SIMPLE TO USE. JOHN ELDER I RECOMEND THIS CAMERA TO ANYONE WANTING GREAT PICS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.

Opinion: It is a really good camera, plenty of pro's.
It is small (sometimes even too small, as it is difficult to hold it with one hand only, without taking a risk of covering lens), lightweight, fits any pocket, ok picture quality and very nice appearance making it a jewelry in any ladies purse.
Runs well at 2 AA batteries.
Ability to make short low resolution movies at first I recognized as a whistle, but soon after I discovered it as a great tool to explain to my wife how did it happen, my child is covered in mud, as she seen it at still image. And of course it can be send overseas to grandpa in 1Mb package.
Con's:
While in recording mode and using LCD, can not switch off horizontal dark strap with a data on (like it happens in play mode), thus making image composition difficult.
LCD is an outer back plane of the camera thus appears to be easy to scratch.
Major supplier did not have adequate soft case for that camera, so I had to improvise.
And that's it.
Wishes:
Ability to control sharpness at camera stage as many pictures look better after applying some sharpness correction, what has to be done later with other then supplied image software. However, I'm not sure if 3V portable camera can compete with powerful PC, so maybe better not.
By the way. Did anyone compare A201 with Olympus Brio D230? I did compare A101 with Brio D100 and Olympus pictures looked a bit sharper to me. But Brio D100 looks ugly, so I stayed with Fuji. (Ok, I know, lens at first, but would you marry a girl just because she is the brightens in the block but still looks like Brio D100?)

Opinion: Overall a very good camera. I spent 2 months looking for a digicam that would suit my needs and this one fit the bill.

what i love about this camera is how easy it is to use. it only has three control buttons, a mode dial, a macro swich and a shutter button. I've taken over 60 photos in the two days i've owned it and in varying light conditions and they all turned out perfectly including the slightly blurred low light pic from a moving car.

Overal a great camera.