Fuji FinePix F20 Digital Camera Review

Fuji FinePix F20

Digital Camera Review

The Fujifilm FinePix F20 joins the F-series as the bottom of the high performance line, but still has the same 6.3-megapixel 1/1.7-inch sensor included on the pricier models. The F20 has many of the same features as the Fujifilm F30, but lowers the top ISO offering to 2000 and uses a different battery that gets much less mileage. This FinePix digital camera retails for $299 and was released in August. We caught up with the camera on the show floor at Photokina 2006.
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Fuji Finepix F20 Review
 
Model Design / Appearance
The F20’s appearance remains consistent with the other FinePix F-series digital cameras. Its housing is plain and unassuming, especially when considering the sophisticated imaging technology inside. The F20 is available in either silver or gunmetal grey: the model we looked at was silver.
 
Size / Portability
At just 6 oz, the F20 is a lightweight camera. It measures 3.7 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches and is small enough to fit into a coat pocket or bag. It’s a little large for shirt pockets and tight pants. The camera’s depth is increased somewhat when the camera is in use and the lens is extended to about two inches.  
 
Handling Ability
The F20 handles well, with the camera body fitting comfortably into the hand and the shutter button falling under the index finger. The zoom control also falls under the thumb. When users aren’t zooming, there is a set of tiny rubber bumps below the control. These bumps add some substance to an otherwise slick body, so they keep the camera from slipping out of fingers. The front of the camera has a metal bump meant to keep fingers in place there. It is wide enough for about one finger.
 
 
Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
The control buttons are well-placed for use; it’s just possible to reach them with the thumb when using the camera. Besides the positioning, the size of the buttons is also decent. My only complaint is the abundance of icons in a relatively small space. Some of the icons are easy to decipher – such as the delete and flash functions. Beginners may wonder about the picture stabilization and “F” icons and buttons though.
 
Menu
The Menu system on the F20 is simply designed and well executed: it doesn’t take long to find the features you need. In particular, the FinePix menu (accessed by pressing the F button) has many of the more commonly tweaked settings quickly available.
 
 
FinePix Menu
 
ISO
Sets the ISO setting (Auto 1600, Auto 400, 1600, 800, 400, 200, 100)
Quality
Sets the image size (6M Fine, 6M Normal, 3M, 2M, 0.3M)
FinePix Color
Sets the FinePix color mode (Standard, Chrome, Black & White)
Shooting Menu
 
Shooting Mode
Sets the shooting mode (Auto, Picture Stabilization, Scene, Macro, Movie, Burst/Continuous
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation 2 stops up or down, in 1/3 of a stop steps
Photometry
Metering mode (Multi, Spot, Average)
White Balance
(Auto, Custom, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent, Custom)
High Speed Shooting
(On, Off)
AF Mode
Auto focus mode (Center, Multi, Continuous)
Setup
Sets various camera parameters (time & date, etc)
Playback Menu
 
Erase                 
Frame, All Frames
Image Rotate
Left, Right, Cancel
Protect
Frame, Set All, Reset All         
Copy
Internal Memory to Card, Card to Internal Memory
Voice Memo
30 seconds of audio
Trimming
Splits video clips into two files
Setup
Sets various camera parameters (time & date, etc)
 
 
Ease of Use
The F20 is an easy to use camera; the FinePix menu (accessed by hitting the “F” button) puts most of the options that users are going to need into one convenient spot. Most users of this point-and-shoot won’t need to delve into the more complex options, but they are still reasonably easy to access. 
 
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