Value (6.25)
The Fujifilm FinePix A920 was announced in July 2007 and made its debut on store shelves one month later for $199. This is the same original retail price of the A900. The price puts it in the budget segment of the market, but the competition here is heated. The A920 has the edge on resolution – few cameras at this price offer 9 megapixels. Other cameras offer tempting features, though. The Panasonic LZ6 packs a 6x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilization, along with a Movie mode that shoots widescreen and standard movies at twice the resolution of the A920 – and for a lower $149 price. Consumers who want great images will be pleased with the A920, but other cameras offer more features and better components.
Comparisons
Fujifilm FinePix A900 – This 9-megapixel digital camera was announced in Feburary 2007 and released in the spring, only to be nearly forgotten when the A920 rolled around in the fall. The older model has the same resolution, exposure modes and controls, flash component, and Fujinon 4x optical zoom lens. Its LCD screen is slightly smaller at 2.5 inches, and they share the same lackluster 115,000-pixel screen resolution. The A900 has an ancient graphic user interface and does not accept SDHC media, although it takes standard SD and xD-Picture cards. The A900 originally retailed for $199.
Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd – For the same $199 price, consumers can get a digital camera that looks good. It comes in a thinner 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.7-inch body that is available in five colors. It has the same exposure modes and many of the same controls, but its Movie mode is better with 640 x 480-pixel resolution at 30 fps. Its ISO 64 to 1600 range is more expansive, too. The Z10fd has 7.2 megapixels and a shorter 3x optical zoom lens, but adds face detection and 54 MB of internal memory. It also has a Blog mode that automatically copies images in smaller sizes for faster uploading, which can be done with the included IrSimple wireless transfer technology. This FinePix has a slightly smaller 2.5-inch LCD screen, but a better 150,000-pixel resolution. It also runs on a lithium-ion battery, so users won’t have to purchase a fresh set of AA batteries every few days.
Canon PowerShot A630 – The A630 has a sturdier but thicker 4.3 x 2.6 x 1.9-inch body that offers more manual modes and controls. It has a fully Manual mode, with options to adjust shutter speed, aperture, white balance, ISO, and other parameters. There is a host of color filters and effects available, as well as a 1.8 fps Burst mode, a feature left off the Fuji. The Canon A630 has a 4x optical zoom lens, but slightly less resolution at 8 megapixels. It has a 2.5-inch LCD screen that folds out and rotates, but the same crummy 115,000 pixels. There is also an optical viewfinder. Pictures can be snapped in widescreen format, and videos can be shot at twice the resolution: 640 x 480 pixels. The A630 sells for less than $250.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ6 – The similarly-sized FZ6 skimps on design but fits into the budget at $149. It has 7.2 megapixels and a tiny 2-inch LCD screen with 86,000 pixels. However, it has a longer 6x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilization. It also has 18 Scene modes and a Movie mode that records 640 x 480 and widescreen 848 x 480-pixel videos at 30 fps. It is powered by two AA batteries like the Fuji, but has more internal memory with 27 MB.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 – This digital camera is less than an inch thick and looks classy while offering ease of use on a budget. The W55 has 7.2 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom lens. It also has a 2.5-inch LCD screen with 115,000 pixels. It has a similar level of exposure control with its seven Scene modes, but doesn’t have fully manual modes. It offers options like exposure compensation, ISO, and white balance, though. Its ISO extends up to 1000. The W55 runs on a 380-shot lithium-ion battery and comes with 56 MB of internal memory. It retails for the same $199 price.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – This digital camera is designed for this group of users. It is easy to use and easy to transport.
Budget Consumers – At $199, the Fujifilm FinePix A920 is a prime candidate for these consumers – although there is sexier competition out there at this price.
Gadget Freaks – It does have IrSimple wireless communication technology, but that is the extent of its gadgetry. It probably won’t be enough to draw in this crowd.
Manual Control Freaks – The so-called Manual mode is buried in the Scene mode menu: that should say something. These consumers will freak out in a bad way with the A920.
Pros/Serious Hobbyists – There is no chance professionals or even hobbyists will consider the A920 their camera of choice.
