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Fujifilm FinePix A303 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom | List Price: $299.99
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Brand: Fuji
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 1 Year Parts/Labor
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
Cheap, but ... cheap [Posted on 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.
Slowest. Camera. Ever [Posted on 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."
inflo [Posted on 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.
Very good, cheap digital camera [Posted on 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
Good for its age [Posted on 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.
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