Fujifilm FinePix A350 Digital Camera Review

Color (4.69)
To test the color rendering capabilities of the Fujifilm A350, we recorded a series of exposures of our GretagMacbeth color chart and imported the images into Imatest Imaging Software. The software reads the images and determines the accuracy of each reproduced color, contrasted with the corresponding ideal. The modified color chart below displays the results. For each color tile, the outer square depicts the A350's produced tones, while the small vertical rectangle in the center is the ideal. The inner square displays the tones produced by the camera, color-corrected by the software.

The information from above is again displayed in the chart below, in a more direct manor. The squares illustrate the colors produced by the Fujifilm A350, while the circles represent the tonal ideal. The line linking the two shapes signifies the degree of error - the greater the distance between the shapes, the less accurate the camera's reproduction of the color.

The A350 did not fare well at all on our color test, earning just a 4.69 overall score. This is one of the lowest color scores of any camera we have tested thus far. Other than a few of the blue channels, all of the tones rendered by the A350 strayed significantly from their ideal. The overall color cast seemed a bit over-saturated, but not enough to add vibrancy to the images. The poor reproduction of colors by the FinePix A350 will not tarnish the images entirely, but almost any other point-and-shoot camera should surpass it.

Still Life Scene
Below is a shot of our moving still life scene photographed with the Fujifilm FinePix A350.

Click on the above image to view a full resolution version (CAUTION: the linked file is very large!)

Resolution / Sharpness (3.23)
Fujifilm markets the FinePix A350 with 5.2 effective and 5.36 total megapixels on 1/2.5-inch CCD. This was upgraded from the previous A340, which contained 4.0 effective megapixels and 4.1 total megapixels on its 1/2.7-inch CCD. To evaluate the effectiveness of the A350's sensor, we recorded a series of exposures of our International Standards Organization resolution chart and uploaded them into Imatest Imaging Software. The software is used to determine the exact number of pixels used to form the images. We report our results as both a literal pixel count and as a percentage of the manufacturer's advertised megapixel count to provide a standardized means of comparison. When this is done, cameras that achieve a score beyond 70 percent of their marketed megapixel count are considered 'good,' while cameras that score beyond 80 percent are deemed 'very good' and anything exceeding 90 percent is 'excellent.'  

Click on the chart above to view full Res. version

Our tests concluded that the Fujifilm A350 utilizes 3.23 of its 5.36 advertised megapixels to form images. This is just 64 percent of its advertised resolution and is a substandard score. Unfortunately, the A350's performance scores are in line with earlier FinePix A-series models and does not live up to the expectations of Fujifilm's superior F-series. Nonetheless, the A350's 3.23 active pixels will provide users with enough resolution to form sharp 8 x 10' prints and crop images for 4 x 6 printing.

Noise - Auto ISO (4.27)
Without manual ISO settings, users of the FinePix A350 will have to rely on the camera to determine the appropriate sensitivity rating for the shot. Although the camera's ISO 64-400 range seems typical, most compact digital cameras that offer comparable sensitivity options have a truncated range in automatic mode. When tested, the A350 earned a 4.27 Auto ISO score, exposing images with a substantial amount of noise, even in bright light conditions. However, the 4.27 auto score does surpass some more expensive compact models, although those cameras typically offer manual adjustments to optimize performance.

Noise - Manual ISO (0.0)
The FinePix A350 is destined for point-and-shoot users looking for a strictly automatic camera. Therefore, Fujifilm did not include manually selectable ISO settings to complicate the process.

Low Light Performance (2.5)
Without the opportunity to manually alter ISO settings, the FinePix A350 will need a substantial stroke of good fortune or an engineering miracle to handle low light conditions. We typically test cameras at four decreasing light levels to determine the limitations of the sensor and display the point in which the flash becomes an absolute necessity. The A350 was tested at 60, 30, 15, and 5 Lux to simulate the camera's performance is common low light conditions; 60 Lux appears as a small room might after dark when illuminated by 2 small table lamps, while 30 Lux appears similar to a single 40 watt light bulb, and 15 and 5 Lux display the camera's ability to record images in near darkness.

Click on any of the above charts for additional analysis

As expected, the FinePix A350 performed dismally in low light conditions. At 60 Lux, there is a substantial degree of perceivable noise, but the reproduced colors remained adequate with visible definition between hues. At 30 Lux, the color balance waned severely, with all colors taking on a strong reddish overtone. When levels dropped down to 15 and 5 Lux, the camera lost its ability to attain focus and was completely unusable. If this camera is going to be used at night or in minimally lit indoor settings, have the flash ready!

Speed / Timing
Start-up to First Shot (6.02)
Joining the ranks of other compact digital cameras, the Fujifilm A350 takes 3.98 seconds to start up and take its first shot. Just be sure to have this on long before the desired shot develops.

Shot to Shot Time (7.16)
The FinePix A350 takes a picture every 0.89 seconds in its Continuous shooting mode, which is decent for this compact model. Sure, most point-and-shoot cameras are taking 2 or 3 frames a second now, but this burst mode has some endurance. In the highest resolution, the camera shoots five frames consistently under a second, then takes a long breather of 20 seconds before taking its next burst.

Shutter to Shot Time (7.92)
When the A350 is already focused, the camera only takes .05 seconds to capture the shot. However, the camera takes about 0.54 seconds when it isn't pre-focused.