Fuji Finepix A202 Review

Overall Rating

Compared with the Olympus c120 it uses less battery power and holds double the photos on its 16mb card. Instruction manual is clear.

Compared with the Olympus c120 (which is only £20 more expensive in Argos)its lcd screen is small and difficult to see. The menu system is fiddly and difficult to use. The software takes ages to install and is creatively uninspiring.

I am a teacher and very much a digital camera beginner. I am comparing the Olympus c120 and Fujifilm finepix a202 because they are both budget 2 megapixel cameras, easily available on the high street. I've used the Olympus with students and it's foolproof. It has a lot more features than the Fuji, but I'll leave that to the professionals and anoraks out there. The downside is that eats through batteries at locust rate and doesn't store many photos, which isn't ideal in a classroom setting. The Fuji is better in these respects, but it is difficult to use, the LCD screen is small and poor quality and the software is a nightmare. I much prefer the Camedia software offered with the Olympus, as it's quick to install, offers interesting effects and sample pix. The Fuji picture quality is good in daylight, but not so great in artificial light, and the macro setting produces blurred photos unless you are really close (the recommended distance is 8-13cm).

Members' Comments onHelen.'s Review

• waa. on 23rd Dec 2002

  If you have more time to make some experience with this you may find an exciting picture shot. In the low light condition please try to select manual mode and set white balance (low) and EV (+). Unfortunately you need a tripod to prevent a handshake. See you'll get the same picture quality as the expensive camera do.

• G.Joe. on 25th Mar 2003

  I would like to buy this camera, but I would also use it on parties...where it's quite dark. With the flash on. Are these photo's not going to be rather good?
  
  could it be posible to send me a photo taken with flash in the dark??
  
  Thanks anyway,
  G.Joe

• Dicky. on 29th Apr 2003

  Excellent review. I've been trying to weigh up the pro's and con's for the two cameras mentioned and then I stumbled across this review which helped me make my mind up. My personal opinion........i'm going to go for the Olympus.

• missisgiggles. on 23rd May 2003

  Hey Dicky, hope you see this message before tommorow morning and can give me some info. Im after olympus c120............is it worth it? please email if possible l am having a hard time findin something suitable just returned goodmans shutter broke polaroid pdc 2070 MAJOR HEADACHE!, and now see review for olympus and thinking it might be worth a try> please reply thanx

• AN. on 28th May 2003

  Bought it yesterday, took qiote a few pics of a newbord baby, none of the pictures are what i'd call brilliant.
  
  I have also borrowed and used a fuji FP 50i and the pics on that are superb.
  
  So I agree its not easy to use, and indoor photes are not very good.
  
  If I can, i'll be taking my camera back.

• missisgiggles. on 29th May 2003

  HEY! please remember this olympus has lots of flash and night and indoor settings! personally l cannot find fault!

• Dicky. on 29th May 2003

  I've had no problems with the camera since i bought it. I disagree that it is hard to use - spend 10 minutes with the instructions manual and you'll be fine.

• gunnm on 2nd Feb 2004

  the manual may be great if you can read it. i have just bought a202 and the manual and guarantee card is in german but other leaflets in english.neither manufacturer nor dealer is interested unless i buy an english manual.i am apalled and am thinking of taking it back and swapping for olympus.