FinePix A500 - probably the best camera I've ever had (Fujifilm Finepix A500)

Member Name: TechnoGadgetGeek

Product:	Fujifilm Finepix A500
Date:	02/12/08 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Simple to use, good optical zoom, good quality shots

Disadvantages: Small built-in memory (12MB I think), no mains adapter provided, only short video recording

This is the first digital camera that I bought; I got it in New Zealand 2 years ago in a bundle deal (camera + 256MB xD card + camera case) for about 100 quid - the same shop were selling the camera only for a few quid more.

Anyway, I find this camera is nice and easy to use, considering I quite like photography, but I'm more a tourist snapper than a really into it snapper.

The screen is big and clear enough for my needs, there's a wealth of options on the menus (I use fine picture quality), and I've managed to take some really good shots with it, including a zoomed in one of a butterfly resting on flowers with only the optical zoom.

I find getting my pictures from the camera is easy using the xD card itself or the supplied cable, then either Windows XP's AutoPlay feature to bring up either Windows Explorer or Fuji's own FinePixViewer tool (supplied on a CD with the camera) as my laptop has a media card reader built in.

I find the red-eye reduction feature useful when taking pictures, and the shutter speed's fast enough to capture wildlife, such as birds visiting a feeder (I have a photo where a bird was in mid-flight when the shutter was triggered).

I've yet to use the video facility, but it can't take long sequences, and I think it'll be silent movies as there's no microphone, built-in or input socket.

However, if you connect the camera to your computer, you'll be using the battery power - you'll need an adapter if you want to do lots of work with the camera connected, Fuji do one that will work, and you may be able to get ones from a camera shop.

Summary: This is a good camera that I'd recommend for a beginner.

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