Manual Controls
There are only a few manual control options available when shooting with the Fujifilm FinePix F440. These manual controls are perhaps enough to please point-and-shoot users looking for a simplified imager with basic control and functionality. Although, any engaged user or well-versed photographer will likely find the lack of controls and features restrictive. The features which can be manually controlled by the user are: Exposure Compensation, Flash, White Balance, and ISO.

Focus
Auto Focus (7.5)
Auto focus is the only setting available for the user of the Fujifilm FinePix F440; it lacks the option for manual focus adjustment. There is a Macro mode for close subjects, focusing as close as 3.6 inches from the front of the lens. Partially depressing the shutter prior to a shot will set and lock the focus and exposure. In the normal shooting mode, users can focus as close as 2 feet and as far as the camera can see. If the user is unsure of whether focus is being engaged, Fuji has included sound bubbles in their manual. Descriptive and motivational statements such as “Bebeep” for focus complete and “Click” for photo taken should help orient any perplexed consumer.

Manual Focus (0.0)
There is no manual control available for focus, which is not surprising considering the small camera is obviously marketed towards the miniature-crazed point-and-shooter drawn to a large LCD screen and CCD chip.

Metering (6.0)
The metering for this camera utilizes a Multi Segment metering system, which essentially breaks the frame into a grid, and measures the dispersal of overall lighting in the scene. The Fujifilm FinePix F440, however, does not allow the user control over light metering.

Exposure (6.5)
The exposure settings for the Fujifilm FinePix F440 are located within the shooting menu, and allow the user to control the exposure compensation for the camera. Most point-and-shoot cameras that allow for exposure compensation settings have a range from -2 to +2. Oddly, Fujifilm has chosen to equip this camera with an exposure scale of -2.1 to +1.5, with incremental steps of 0.3 EV, allowing for 13 steps of exposure.

White Balance (6.5)
The white balance for this model is controlled in the shooting menu through a series of presets. Unfortunately, the F440 does not include a customizable white balance setting. Users can select between Auto, Fine, Shade, Daylight Fluorescent, Warm White Fluorescent, Cool White Fluorescent, and Incandescent. With the expansive selection of presets, it’s a shame that the F440 doesn’t allow the user to control white balance manually.

ISO (7.0)
The ISO settings for the camera are placed away from the White Balance and Exposure options, distinguishing between shooting menus within the general digitized menu configuration. ISO settings are accessed through the F button, which is placed above the menu control on the back of the camera body. The user can select among ISO ratings of 80, 100, 200, and 400, the equivalent of what the camera sets up in Auto mode. Many compact digital cameras offer an abbreviated range in the automatic mode, so the F440 exceeds expectations in its available automatic ISO range.

Shutter Speed (0.0)
While no manual control of shutter speed is available, a shutter range of 1/2000th of a second to 2 seconds is available, allowing the user to shoot in a variety of lighting situations. With 2 second speed, the user may wish to use a tripod in order to reduce the camera movement that longer shutter speeds inherently produce.

Aperture (0.0)
The F440, unfortunately, has no manual aperture settings. This isn't too surprising when considering the intended point-and-shoot market, but it is nevertheless disappointing when any feature is completely outside user control. The camera determines the appropriate aperture within an f/2.8 to f/7.4 range.