Fujifilm FinePix A920

The 9-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix A920 follows the very similar A900 with the same resolution and 4x optical zoom lens. A slightly larger 2.7-inch LCD screen graces the back of the new model, and a redesigned graphic user interface helps to make it easy to use. With a $199 price, the Fujifilm A920 competes in the budget ranks of the digital camera market.

Front (6.75)
The Fujifilm FinePix A920 is not the sexiest of digital cameras. It has a shiny silver-toned front that looks more tacky than glamorous. A chrome strip runs along the left side with an engraved FinePix logo in it. Just to its right is a textured chrome semi-circle, perhaps meant to add a bit more substance for fingers to hold onto while gripping the camera? In the upper left corner is a printed Fujifilm logo that will probably get scratched off after a few months of use. To the right of the logo are three holes that make up the microphone.

Toward the center of the camera is the Fujinon zoom lens, which protrudes slightly on a chrome platform. Its specs follow the curve along the bottom of the barrel: "4x 8.8-35.2mm 1:2.9-6.3.'

In the upper right corner is a relatively large flash component with a red label below it flaunting the 9 megapixels. In the lower right corner is a black printed label boasting the 4x optical zoom lens. There is also an autofocus assist and self-timer lamp located in this corner.

Back (7.0)
The nicely-sized 2.7-inch LCD screen is raised slightly on a platform on the left side of the A920’s back. The LCD has a black frame with a white Fujifilm logo at the top. Above the upper left corner of the LCD is an indicator light that looks out of place, as it seems to wrinkle up the contour there. To the right of the LCD is an inch of space occupied by controls. In the upper right corner of the back is the dime-sized mode dial with eight positions on it. There is a horizontal row of plastic bumps below the dial, and two oval-shaped buttons below that. The display/back button is on the left and the playback button is on the right. A multi-selector sits in the lower right corner of the A920’s back. It has a central menu/OK button and four directional buttons in the shape of a flower. Each directional button has a separate function. The top deletes photos in the Playback mode, the right changes the Flash mode, the bottom turns on the self-timer, and the left activates Macro mode.

Left Side (3.75)
The front of the left side is decorated with a chrome band and a few icons labeling the ports behind them. The back of the left side features the silver-colored plastic shell with open ports stacked vertically on it.

Near the top is a dark window that shows the infrared communication function. Below it is an open USB port, a round AV-out port, and a smaller DC-in port. Open ports are never a good idea; they collect dust faster and are more susceptible to water damage.

Right Side (6.0)
The design from the left side carries to this side. The front half is covered in chrome, and the back half is a silver-colored plastic shell. The only feature here is the wrist strap eyelet in the middle.

Top (7.0)
The Fujifilm FinePix A920’s top is thicker on the right side, acting as a pithy form of a hand grip. There is a chrome shutter release button on the right side, surrounded by a zoom ring. To its left is the power button, located in a divot in the chrome. "Real Photo Technology" is engraved in the left side of the chrome. A printed FinePix A920 label is located in the lower left of the camera’s top.

Bottom (4.0)
In the center of the camera is a plastic tripod socket. To its right is a set of holes that make up the speaker. To its left is a flimsy battery/memory card compartment door that will likely be the first thing to break on the camera.