The small, stylish, and capable Fuji FinePix A201 offers plenty of pixel resolution and a point-and-shoot simplicity. This lightweight and compact digital camera is aimed at those who don't want to get bogged down in the complexities of photography, but who just want to take pictures without fuss. It can take pictures up to 1,600 by 1,200 pixels, which is more than adequate for anything but the most demanding tasks. A picture at this resolution is suitable for making prints up to 8 by 10 inches.
There are two lesser modes and three levels of compression, although all three of these are only available on the highest resolution. The included 16 MB memory card provides adequate capacity unless you insist on the highest settings, but we recommend purchasing a higher capacity SmartMedia card to maximize the pixel quality of your photos.
You can even capture tiny videos on the FinePix A201, although the resolution renders the capability a bit of a gimmick. The digital zoom on the camera only works in the lower resolution modes and is fairly limited--2.5x at maximum. The fixed-focus lens does a commendable job, although it can distort a little at close range. For really close work there is a macro mode that's especially good. The built-in flash is good to about 10 feet.
Everything can be set to automatic, for simple point-and-shoot operation. For the more adventurous there are manual modes for white balance and exposure compensation. Altering these is a tad fiddly and you need to experiment a little. The LCD screen doesn't quite have the range of contrast needed for indoor shooting. It can be tricky to see what you're aiming at and the viewfinder isn't quite as accurate, so closer images are offset a little.
The two AA batteries (included) do their best, but battery consumption can be horrific. The batteries can be flat before you've half filled the memory card. This isn't helped by the fact that it is very tempting to view images on the LCD screen as soon as you've taken them. A charger and a few sets of rechargeable batteries are highly recommended.
The quality of the pictures is superb; color accuracy and saturation are excellent. Indoor with a flash the pictures are slightly warm, but this can be compensated for using the manual white balance modes. The A210 is easy to use and a quick read of the excellent manual is all you'll need. The results are good and the A201 makes an ideal no-fuss compact digital camera. --Miles Berkeley
Pros:
- No muss, no fuss point-and-shoot 2-megapixel digital camera
- Resolution good for prints up to 8 by 10 inches
- Compact and lightweight
- Bonus feature: movie mode
Cons:
- Battery life is limited--extra rechargeables a must-have addition
- LCD screen contrast can be problematic indoors
Looking for an affordable basic point-and-shoot camera that's fun to use and captures enough detail for crisp, vibrant pictures at sizes up to 8-by-10 inches? The Fuji FinePix A201 is a great choice.
Designed for people who like to push one button and let the camera figure out everything else, the A201 is fully automatic. Just flip a switch to open the lens cover and turn the camera on, then aim and press the button. It's that simple. For photographers who want more control over their photos, there are several options: the flash has five modes, the white balance can be adjusted to optimize colors under various lighting conditions, and exposure compensation can be set to lighten or darken your shots.
Like many other entry-level digital models, the Fuji keeps the price low by using a focus-free lens with no optical zoom. A 2.5x digital zoom does bring your shooting subject closer like an optical zoom, but at the expense of image detail. The lens also has a macro setting (for shooting extreme close-ups).
In addition to taking still photos, the A201 can also record silent movie clips of up to 20 seconds. Though image quality is not on a par with a movie made in a camcorder, the feature is very convenient and is perfect for sending videos by e-mail. What's more, the camera can be connected directly to your computer's USB port for use as a Webcam.
The camera is powered by two AA batteries (alkalines are provided)--but it is strongly recommend that the customer buy a set of rechargeable batteries, as they last longer on a single charge and quickly pay for themselves. Images are stored on SmartMedia cards, and a 16 MB card is included.
One of the A201's most surprising features is its speediness. It's one of the quickest cameras in its class, and, in fact, is faster than many more expensive cameras. From virtually the moment you turn it on, the camera is ready to start shooting, and shot-to-shot performance won't keep you waiting.
With the camera's slim dimensions, sleek design, and integrated lens cover, it's easy to slip into your pocket to take along anywhere. Its sharp 2-megapixel sensor provides great detail, and its speedy processing and simple controls make it fun to use. Among basic digital point-and-shoots, the A201 is hard to beat.
1 That Camera is ......
I bought this camera in march and by day 2 while turning it broke.... I had a whole problem with it.I dont recommend it when you have children because its really flimsy..... DONT BUY IT.
2 A great Camera
The A201 is very Good camera and I bought it with my own money( I am eight years old). It has satisfied me very well with its price. I am impressed with the quality and I would recomend it to anyone shopping for an entry-level good-quality bash-around camera. I have sent many e-mails using the easy-to-use FinePix Software that comes in the box with the USB (universal serial bus) connector. The software comes with automatic procedures such as saving in the "My Pictures" Folder that comes with every computer. The software comes with the Update and delteable folder called "100_fugi". The only dis is that the camera for some reason makes the target father than the Human eyebut other than that the camera is very good and toped my expectations. At first I thought of buying the Canon Powershot but the store manager at [a local store] gave me a better deal, the A201.
3 Very satisfied
This is my first digital camra. I use it specifically to photograph 2- dimensional and 3- dimensional art work. I have been very pleased with the quality of the photos. I also use it to photograph landscapes, although that is not the primary purpose of the camera for me. I have also been satisfied with it in that way. Sometimes I have had "spots" when photographing outside, but I think this is related to the light source. I am very pleased.
4 Incredibly reliable--i love this thing!
i've had this camera for little over half a year now, and i love it! i've been an on-and-off amateur photographer for about 5 years now, and this is my third camera, first digital. To those who complain about the "flimsy" chassis, i suggest you walk around with a solid, magnesium-cased samsung in your backpack for an afternoon. i guarantee that you and your lower back will appreciate the light plastic shell. and to those who complain about the battery life, BUY A PAIR OF RECHARGABLE BATTERIES! or better yet, buy two pairs; you'll still save money! overall, when paired with photoshop, this camera makes for one heck of a camera. i should know--it's picture quality and convience is the envy of all my friends who're stuck with 35mms!
::By the way, i forgot to mention the price, which is bargain-basement for such picture quality!::
5 OK, but no zoom, flimsy and a battery-guzzler!
OK for the price, but its Made-in-China origin shows quite well in the less-than-solid body and finish.
The biggest issue is the lack of zoom for picture-taking -- a major disadvantage, particularly compared to other products in its category!
6 A Great Little Camera
The Fuji A201 is a great little camera provided you understand it's limitations. No other camera comes close to its picture quality at this price. It takes fantastic outdoor pictures! Taking good indoor pictures can be challenging but is possible. Here are some hints I've found helpful:
- Keep your subject within flash range, about 8 ft or so.
- Avoid dusty environments. The glowing orbs you see is caused by the flash hitting dust particles.
- Switch the camera to Manual mode and experiment with the White Balance before you need to take that important shot. That way you can familiarize yourself with the different light settings and how they affect your picture.
- Buy a bigger Smartmedia card (mine is 128 MB) and take lots of experimental shots. You don't need to pay for film development so just keep shooting and erasing.
- Check and compare your pictures on a high quality computer monitor rather than the camera's LCD so you can actually see any subtle differences in color, lighting, etc.
- Buy rechargeable NiMH batteries and a charger. Buy the highest capacity batteries you can afford (at least 1600 mah).
- Remember, these are digital pictures. You can always use some sort of graphic imaging software to touch-up your photos if they are too dark or you don't like the color.
And remember, the primary function of this camera is to take digital pictures. It's not webcam nor a video recorder.
Have fun!
- Tony -
7 Small, fast and nicely priced
Pro's:
Small: Fits easily in my pocket.
Fast : This camera is very fast. I've seen camera's that whet turned on take excruciatingly long before they are ready. And that is very anoying when that special moment you want to capture sometimes just lasts a few seconds.
Sturdy: It has few movable parts (no optical zoomlens!). Has a good protection for the TFT screen.
Lasts!: With a pair of rechargable 1800 mAh AA batteries you can shoot pictures all weekend long. And you don't need to worry about using the TFT.
Con's:
Flash takes long to load: Very irritating. It's just a few seconds (5-10) bus enough to loose that 'special moment.'
No Sound: Only mute movies (but hey! what did you expect for that price?)
Get more memory!: 16 mb is nice to experiment, but not enoug for a weekend-trip. (One of the drawbacks of digital camera's is that you start taking 10x as much pictures.)
Cheap lens: the lens distorts quite a bit at the edges.
Overall: Buy it! It's a nice camera that will do the job. If you are an experienced photographer, then go get a more expensive camera.
8 Cool little camera!!!
This little thing is pretty cool!
9 Little Camera Great Pic's
We have tried a wide range of Camera's this one takes great shots and the battery's last for more than a couple of batches of picture's.The price is good.
10 Great entry-level digital camera
I saw this camera on Tech TV's spot on digital cameras under $200, and was excited to see it got a very good review. While I was not really in the market for a digicam, I just went for it being I do not own a camera and I needed one for an upcoming event.
I am happy I did. The camera works very well. Pictures look great, both indoors and out. The interface is simple to use and taking pictures is a breeze, even for beginners.
Lucky for me I have several SmartMedia cards laying around from my old MP3 player. With an 128M card I can take 997 pictures at lowest resolution/lowest quality or 166 pictures at highest resolution/highest quality. I figure 166 pictures is like five rolls of film so I just jack up the settings to high and get great pics, perfect for printing, then resize them if I want to post them on the web or send them in email.
The only compliant I have is night shots. I live outside of Manhattan and wanted to take some shots of the skyline. Unfortunately even with in nighttime mode, the shots of the skyline we blurry. You need a very steady hand or a tripod to work with the slow shutter speed of nighttime mode. Also this camera lacks optical zoom, still you would be hard pressed to find a digital camera for under $200 that offers it. The camera does offer digital zoom, but to be honest, digital zoom is a gimmick.
Bottom line, if you are looking for a inexpensive digital camera, this is it. If you want a professional level camera, you are going to have to spend more but you will get more features like optical zoom.
11 Good, no-fuss beginner camera but indoor pics are blurry
On the plus side, the Fuji FinePix A201 2.1MP Digital Camera is light weight, easy to use, fits right in your pocket and downloads quickly. The short (30-second) soundless movies are also a neat bonus, but will quickly fill the 16MB smart media card.
To make it practical, I recommend visiting your local electronics store to pick up 4 NiMH rechargeables with a recharger, a fairly inexpensive upgrade, but very worthwhile. If you plan to use the camera away from your PC for any period of time (like on vacation), I would then recommend one or more 128 MB SmartMedia Cards and a Viking RFLREAD/U USB IntelliFlash Reader to download your pics when you get back.
The downside of this camera is its tendency to take blurry indoor pics. Its flash is often inadequate and the darker it is, the blurrier it gets. I haven't found a very satisfactory solution to this yet, but in bright light, the photos are great. I would recommend investigating the higher price alternatives before making this choice.
12 blurry indoor pictures
The price is great, the camera small, but if you want indoor pictures, you'll have to expect that half of them will be blurry.
I'm pretty disappointed with the flash --and I've tried all of the settings. I wrote to Fuji and they said 'use a tripod.'
Outdoor pictures, downloads, processor speed--all great. But I'll get a bigger diameter lens on my next camera.
13 fantastic camera for an awesome price!
i have had this camera for about a week now. so far, ive been completely satisfied with it. however, when i first got it and hooked it up to my PC, the darn software wasnt able to read my pics. i could see them on the lcd screen, but for some reason the software wasnt reading it.. specifically it said the file was 'broken or an invalid format.' that kind of perplexed me. but i just took out the media card and put it right back in and WHAM.. software was all gravy from there. also, this camera does not come with rechargeable batteries, which is a real bummer! i solved that by picking up 48 AA generic kirkland signature brand batters from my neighborhood costco! the price is also a bit steep compared to other web merchants. i searched around a lot on the web for this camera and found it for a bit cheaper.. but with shipping and if you had bought a 32mb memory card as opposed to amazon throwing in free shipping AND a free 32 MB card, amazon turned out to only be a few dollars more, and who wouldnt pay a few bucks extra for great service from the trusty jeff bezos! =) the positives with this camera.. lightweight, quick to reload after taking pic, 20 second movie (mpeg) capability, easy to use, lots of options to mess around with, small size, simple layout, plenty of settings to fool around with, all around a good versatile camera. my favorite is being able to pan and zoom on the pic while viewing it in the LCD screen. this feature blew my friends mind! its nearly perfect, and its definitely a great value for fine fuji quality! for the price, this camera is a winner!
14 Good starter camera
I got this camera as an extra with my Dell lap top about six months back. I have been very happy with the quality of shots and have found the digital zoom useful.
I would definitely recommend getting rechargeable batteries for this camera. You may also want to consider a separate smart media card reader for downloading your pictures to your PC. I have had several instances where my batteries ran out while I was downloading the camera.
15 Happy With Purchase
I bought this camera one day before vacation on a whim. I had wanted a digital camera but had not done any investigation. I was able to use the camera after reading the quick start instructions and got some great shots I could email to friends when I returned. It was lightweight and fit into my pocket as well as my budget.I am sure I will learn more as I go along. I would recommend you get a larger Smart Card right away especially if you are going on vacation. I really like the fact that you can use regular AA batteries you can pick up anywhere. I sometimes had trouble reading the screen but think it was just the glare of outside. The 20 second video part was an added plus I had not planned on getting.
16 Great entry level digital camera
I have been using this camera for about a month now. I am very impressed with all the pictures. The close up zoom works great on flowers but takes a steady hand. I recommend buying rechargeable nickle cadmium batteries because normal batteries drain too fast.
Highs: Ease of use. Close up zoom. 20sec movie capability. No lag in taking picture once button is pressed. Software is average. Set up was a breeze on my win98SE PC
Lows: LCD screen hard to see when too dark or really bright. (But, because it's digital, you can take tons of pictures and just keep the good ones) Eats up normal batteries.
Bottom Line: A great buy for entry level digital camera users.
17 Excellent Camera!
I absolutely love this cam! Its small, sleek, extremely light weight & the photos turn out fabulous! Just point & shoot! Its very easy to operate. It can also be used as a web cam & can make 20 second videos! The only reason that I didnt give it 5 stars is because it doesn't come with an AC adapter & there's no fun photo software thats included...for instance photo greeting cards or calendars. :o( Also, please note that digital zoom only refers to zooming in closer on the LCD screen to view the shots you've already taken
18 Very good camera!
I got this camera for use on vacation. It took such amazing pictures of the German countryside that we now use it as our main household camera. Connecting to your computer is incredibly simple, especially if you have Windows XP. You will probably want to purchase a larger memory card to go along with the 16 MB card that comes with it. It is very easy to use. My twelve year old niece began to take pictures without any training, and they turned out great. The movie function is great and I love the freedom of picture quality, flash, battery usage, etc. Overall this is a great camera for whoever wants to take great pictures.
19 Great Camera!
I loved the camera, and the pictures are great. Its small, compact, and very attractive! Uploading the pictures is so easy, its a joy to do. Make sure you get good recharable batteries. It loves batteries, and its simply a pain in the neck. GET GOOOOD BATTERIES! Well, I love the pictures and I know that with this camera its easy to post pics on eBay, keeping in touch with faraway friends and family, and of coarse, memories. Buy it!
20 great little camera
I was looking for a digital camera and wanted to use one that allowed me to get to the taking of pictures. Later I will move on to a more complicated one. Anyway I disagree with all of you who did not like the software. I use software all the time and this is the first photo software that did what I want. I agree with all the good things said before in other reviews. If anything is wrong it is the drain on regular batteries so I bought the rechargeable ones. The fact I could use the camera as a pc cam was an unexpected plus. I think the main use of the camera is for doing e-mail, short videos and taking photos of people or things you want to display on the net. I would never expect to shoot a long shot to a stage as one person did. When you consider the size and all the features Fuji has packed into it, what a buy! Most of all I like that it slips into my pocket.
21 Headache Free
This camera is simply great. It is extremely user friendly, takes quality pictures, and has an elegant overall feel and finish. It offers exceptional performance at a reasonable cost. Only, plan to spend a few extra bucks on recharable Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, as can be expected with any digital camera.
22 AMAZING...BRILLIANT !
WOW, I bought this camera on holiday in New York, in Febuary, I was slightly worried about it not working in the Uk but when I found out it was USB connection I knew it would work at home, I was very excited to buy it!
I got 75photo's on the 16mb card and that is high resolution!
The only slight dissapointment is the video mode, how it cannot last longer that 20secs, HOWEVER u can video more than 1 clip, so you could have 5 video's all of 10secs long, depending on the memory you have. The AA batteries ..., get the rechearchable ones. the software is ok, very easy to install.
BEST CAMERA I HAVE EVER USED ZOON IS EXCELENT, PANNING IS AMAZING
BUY IT YOU WON'T MISS OUT !
23 Bad Drivers
This is a good camera, with a lot of good features for a reasonable price. However the Windows drivers are the worst I've ever seen. I could not get it to work with my Windows 2000 computer at all. I have it kind of working with my XP computer using their XP update but it reboots the computer often (yes reboots when I plug the camera in and turn it on my computer reboots). I have been dealing with these issues for two months now and no new drivers have come out.
24 Great camera for the price
I bought this camera new ...through a camera store in New York ...
It really is quick to recover between shots. And the pictures are beautiful.
However, the software is AWFUL, bad to install, doesn't give you any choices on anything, but works, more or less, if you can get it installed. The controls on this lightweight little camera are not overly intuitive, either. And if you're using regular batteries and want preview mode on, carry a lot of spares. I've heard the rechargeables are much better, but I haven't tried them yet.
The flash is about what I would expect from a camera in this price range. It's good for pictures within about a 10 foot range.
All the negatives asides, the picture clarity and color is outstanding and I would buy the same camera again in a heartbeat. The zoom features (once you figure them out) are really remarkable for a camera in this price range. I would recommend this camera at this price to a family member or any amateur photographer who wants to take quality pictures.
25 i love this camera
I recieved this camera as an x-mas present and i love it. the picture quality and so are the movies.I had a little trouble instlling the drivres but called tech support and they fixed the problem.The camera can also doubbles as a web cam.to get a clear picture when you are using it as a web cam you need lots of light.I purchased a set of Leap rechargable battries and they last forever even with the LCD on.I wish this camera had a burst mode.overall I am very pleased with the camera
The softwear sucks.
26 Don't believe all those 5 star reviews
I believed all these excellent reviews, bought this camera and went on long trip. What a disappointment !! The flash was not bright enough beyond 10 feet. I tried to shot a brightly-lit concert without the flash, nothing but blur. Sorry Amazon, I am returning this piece of junk. Thanks to all those 5 star reviewers. You did a good job misleading me.
27 Unbeatable
You will hardly all those advantages in a cam :
-2.0 Megapixel(u can print on an A5 format)
-pocket size
-web cam
-white balancing and aperture compensation.
-movie mode(20s)
-the price!!!
So if you would like a cam that does it all, go for it!
28 Fine Camera
This is a very fine camera. I wish it were a little cheaper, but it has lived up to the price in the image quality and softwear usability. It was the first USB camera that would work on my computer (a slighty older USB socket model). The photos are clear and sharp. You can zoom and, what is not mentioned, pan around the image on the camera via the very clear LCD monitor. It will take all the SmartCard media sizes (which was a problem with a previous digital camera I had. It only took one size). So image capacity is great. The compact size (and it is a small one) makes it real easy to tote and use (watch those fingers). Even for someone starting out in digital photography, you can't go wrong with this one. I do wish the "movie" feature could increase in time with the larger storage mediums, however. Thanks FujiFilm.
29 Wonderful Basic Camera
After researching digital cameras fairly extensively, I found this camera to be the best deal. Great image quality, resolution, media format, features, and price. Similar 2.1 megapixel cameras are either too big, take lousy pictures, or are just too darn expensive.
The "digital zoom" is a bit of a joke, but no more so than the optical zoom on other cameras in it's class (such as the Canon ELPH).
30 Incredible value
This little camera is a masterpiece of modern technology, combining efficiency with simplicity. Although not "top of the line", it's a breeze to set up and use, with enough features to satisfy all but advanced digital photographers.
Key advantages over other cameras include: (1) Astonishing colour, (2) Super fast recovery (when using NiMH batteries), (3) WebCam capabilities, (4) Drag'n'Drop functionality, using the camera itself as a drive.
The only real disadvantage would be the lack of optical zoom, but I guess that you get what you pay for...
31 Good Value for Money
This is my first digital camera, and I was not disappointed. The software was easy to set-up, and I'm also impressed by the quality of the photos. I expected the A201 to be average, but it has certainly exceeded my expectations. Great bang for your buck -- good first camera!
32 Very Easy and Great Pictures
I haven't put the camera down since I got it! It is very easy to use and takes great photos. One of the best things is that it only takes 2 AA batteries. The movie feature is also fun and the software lets you make small movies that you can add music to. All this without hardly reading the instruction manual! The camera is also very small and sturdy and you can buy bigger cards so it can hold more photos & movies - but it easily downloads so you probably won't need one.
33 Fujifilm Fun
This camera is the best and has a good price. To me I do not like to make movies, I just take pictures. If you want to make movies, buy a movie camera that is just for movies. Those come out better than cameras. I feel that the camera is preety good. Cheap and cool. That is all I need to say.
34 Best Digi Camera ever
I just recently bought this camera in Japan and it was newly arrived. I was so amaze and easily to use, so small and pixel was outstanding and perform very well. All you have to do just plug the small usb wire thru and then go..I give this product AAA+ very very and good price too..
