Fujifilm FinePix A303 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Details
- Availability:
- No longer available through SilverGelatin.net
- List Price:
- $299.99
- Average Customer Rating:
- 4.0 out of 5
- Manufacturer:
- FUJIFILM
Features
- 3.0-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create prints up to 11 x 14
- 3x optical plus 2x digital zoom lens (for 6x total) with autofocus
- Stores photos on 16 MB XD card--12 images at fine and 26 images at normal
- Connects to PCs via USB port
- Powered by 2 AA alkaline batteries (included)--rechargeables recommended
Description
Fujifilm FinePix A303 is the perfect mid-range camera that combines sleek styling with 3.0 megapixel resolution. A 3X optical zoom delivers crisp, clear, lifelike results. Featuring programmed auto exposure mode, the FinePix A303 is also capable of recording movie clips of up to 60 seconds duration (at QVGA resolution) and can be used as a webcam.The camera is easy to use, and perfect photos are assured at the press of a button whilst the supplied FinePix Viewer software makes image download and management equally simple. It also features long battery life thanks to low power consumption.
For the novice digital photographer, the Fuji FinePix A303 offers 3-megapixel resolution with flexible functions in a trim, slim design--just over 5 ounces with batteries. It also is one of the first digital cameras to utilize the tiny XD memory card.
Optics and Resolution
Featuring a CCD sensor with 3.24 million effective pixels, the FinePix A303 delivers a wide range of detail and color (with images up to 2,048 x 1,536 pixels) and prints up to 11 by 14 inches. The FinePix A303 features a fast f/2.8 Fujinon lens with a 3x optical zoom and a 3.2x digital zoom for a 9.6x total zoom. Its lens focal length is equivalent to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera.
Storage and Transfer
The FinePix A303 is one of the first digital cameras to be compatible with the new XD memory card. Comparable in size to a penny and weighing less than one-tenth of an ounce, the new XD memory card is not only the smallest storage medium, it also uses less power for better battery performance and has faster data transfer rates than other memory cards. The included 16 MB XD card will store approximately 12 images at fine mode and 26 images at normal mode.
To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera--your computer should automatically recognize the camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive.
Movie Mode
In movie mode, the FinePix A303 produces digital videos (with no sound) in QVGA (320 x 240) format for movies approximately 60 seconds in length at 10 frames per second. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
More Features
- 1.5-inch LCD monitor
- White balance: auto, plus six selectable positions in manual mode
- Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, forced flash, suppressed flash, and slow synchro
- Sensitivity: ISO 100 equivalent
- Shutter speed: 1/2 to 1/2,000 second
Power
The FinePix A303 is powered by two AA batteries (alkalines are included). We recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a charger. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD, so they aren't recommended except in a pinch.
Size
At 3.8 by 2.5 by 1.4 inches and 5.1 ounces (without battery), the FinePix A303 is an easily pocketable point-and-shoot camera.
Contents
This package includes the FinePix A303 digital camera, a 16 MB XD memory card, two AA alkaline batteries, a USB cable, a hand strap, and a CD-ROM with software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.
Spotlight customer reviews
Good for its age
[ Posted: 2007-07-01 ]
I bought this camera several years ago and can say that I am pleased with its performance over that time. I thought I would add my thoughts on it to the chorus.
Pros:
Reliable - It has not malfunctioned for me in the time I've had it
Uses 2AA batteries so it is easy to replace them in a pinch
The xD media has become comperable to other media in price
Easy connection to computers via USB cable
Capable of switching resolution from 3.2 MP down to .3 MP
Good for taking close-ups
Multiple flash settings
Cons:
Extremely slow in start-up and between shots
Slow shudder speed
Automatic focus makes it virtually impossible to shoot through glass
Very small LCD screen in the back
Pictures become blurrged when the batteries start run down
Flash can fail or be mistimed when the batteries are low
No sound on video
All-in-all, it is a decent camera considering its age and price. It is good for stationary subjects such as landscape, plants, and overweight cats. If you expect to need to take action shots or several shots in a row, it is not the camera for you. The shudder speed is too slow for moving targets and it can take 5-7 seconds between pictures when using the flash.
My personal opinion rates is at 4-stars, though I could not rationally give it more than 3 due to its age and the afore-mentioned drawbacks.
Very good, cheap digital camera
[ Posted: 2007-04-20 ]
For its low price, this camera is worth it. It takes nice quality pictures and is durable. I've dropped it a few times and it hasn't broken yet. It is also extremely easy to use. Even my mom figured out how to use it!!!
Overall: A very good camera
inflo
[ Posted: 2007-03-09 ]
The product was not as advertized, The zoom would not work. Apparently the camera was dropped hitting on the zume lense, breaking it. I am returning product to sender. The item is worthless as it is.
Slowest. Camera. Ever
[ Posted: 2007-02-02 ]
I've had this camera for a couple years and I'm just dying to buy a new one.
We went to Vegas a couple months ago and tried to take pictures of the Lions at Caesars. Here's how it works:
1) Turn on camera, wait a minute for it to be ready
2) Take a picture (with flash)
3) Wait about 50 seconds until it's ready to take the next one.
I can't believe this camera has such high ratings. Besides being horribly slow, the picture quality is hit or miss. When it's on, it's really great, but about half of the time it's "off."
Cheap, but ... cheap
[ Posted: 2007-01-25 ]
I got this camera as a gift in December 2002. As one of the least expensive 3 megapixel cameras at the time (the output is 2048x1536 pixels), it sold fairly quickly. It seemed nice at first, with the large image size for the price, but I became disappointed with image quality after a while. The sensor is only capable of ISO 100 speeds, so it would insist on using the flash in most situations that didn't have the benefit of broad daylight. Even in broad daylight, the images would still be quite grainy at larger sizes, and there was a good chance of bright background colors bleeding around the edges of darker foreground objects. So, in addition to not handling dark scenes very well, it also had trouble with bright ones. Unfortunately, it's a struggle to see the preview/playback screen when outdoors. I got frustrated with it fairly quickly, though some of the deficiencies can be fixed in post-processing, and many images look just fine if you display them at 1/4 resolution (1024x768).
I liked the fairly small size, as it fits nicely into a shirt pocket. It's also easy to retrieve photos from the camera, since it simply shows up as a USB hard drive if you have it in the correct mode. Unfortunately, the battery life seemed fairly short for a camera of this size. I used it with a 128 MB xD card, and was able to put right around 100 full-size photos on it. Unfortunately, it seemed to suck batteries dry pretty quickly, so 100 photos on a single charge is about as far as I'd want to go.