Great 'First' Digital Camera (Fujifilm Finepix A202)

Member Name: Claire_DC

Product:	Fujifilm Finepix A202
Date:	20/09/08 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy To Use, Uses AA Batteries * , Picture Quality Good For Price, Great Starter Camera

Disadvantages: Not Many Features On, Zoom Not Very Good, Better Quality Cameras Out Now

I'd been wanting a digital camera for about a year before I got one (A202) from my dad at the Christmas of 2003.

I was fed up of buying throw away cameras (I'd lost my proper camera and refused to buy a new normal one) and wasting half of the pictures without realising due to not being able to see them (and delete if necessary) straight after taking them, having to wait for developing and also not being able to take a lot of pictures on a night out unless I took more than one, and as most women will agree with me.. it's hard enough managing to fit all your essentials (yes they are essentials - for all the blokes out there who have doubts) in your bag for a day or night out.
Well, I was over the moon when i got this camera. it was small enough to get into my bag, easy to use and best of all.. it was MINE!!

After messing around with it for a while (as you do with all new gadgets and presents) I'd pretty much got how to use it sussed.. it is fool proof, which is fantastic for someone who had never had a digital camera before as I'd always assumed I'd have real problems trying to work out how to use them after seeing a few of my friends cameras.. even my mum can use this one and she's a real technophobe and can't even use her basic DVD and also her mini Hi-Fi even though she's been shown many times haha.

I also saw that you could make short, non audio video clips with it, which although is a bit basic in comparison to others that are around these days and of course to digital video/normal video cameras.. is still a bonus and a good feature to have.. although I recommend that it be used in high light as the flash isn't used whilst filming so the videos do tend to look a bit dark.

The pictures that this camera takes are good quality for the price of the camera and taking into account how long the camera has been available for, but I did find that after having it for a year I was really wanting to get another camera that had a higher mega pixel value and also a better zoom, as although this camera does have a zoom, it isn't the best and doesn't zoom very far (as I found out at V festival one weekend back then, I have some nice pictures of blue lights that was meant to be oasis on stage lol).. but I think the desire to upgrade is natural and wouldn't discourage anyone from buying this camera as it served me well over the 20 months I had it, and I've never had a problem with it.. despite the amount of knocks it's had from me dropping it (especially when drunk) and having it floating around in a bag with all my other things whilst out and about.

The battery life is OK too, it would last for a night out (of normal length) with no problems.. and using AA batteries makes it easier to replace if they do run out of power, although I would recommend using rechargeable batteries as normal AA batteries don't seem to have enough power in them for the camera to function properly even with newly bought ones (i.e. generally - although not always - it will take a picture, but then it will turn off before it saves it to the memory card which is a problem really, but straight after I have put in rechargeable ones and it's been fine again).

In short, it's a sturdy camera that is easy to use by everyone and probably the best digital camera to get someone who hasn't had one before and who isn't really fussed with loads of 'extras' on it. Also a great, inexpensive camera to give to a child like I have done with my old one now.. my nephew loves being able to take photos with it.

I have rated this as I did back when I had the camera and first wrote the review on Ciao.. not in line with today's camera qualities.

This Review is a slightly adapted version from my Ciao review account.

Summary: Was good back in the day, better cameras about now but still good for children to use at this price!

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Features:
Picture quality: