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With a street price of US$159 or less, the FujiFilm Finepix F480 is an appealing entry-level, 8-megapixel model. This is a simple camera, that doesn’t offer all of the fancy features found on other, more expensive digicams. If you’re one who is just getting into the digital market, and want a compact point-n-shoot model, the F480 will please. It can capture nice photos, has a versatile “Wide” zoom range and includes a very nice LCD. The only downfalls of this model are, the shooting performance isn’t quite up to par, and you can only record QVGA (320x240) video. Be sure to check out our reviews of other “F” series models for 2007, like the FinePix F40fd and F50fd. 

Fuji has an amazing sensor and - to be brutally honest - an average camera. As with the F30 this is a camera that wins a Highly Recommended only if you regularly shoot in low light - if you only ever take pictures in blazing sunshine there are competitors with far more impressive feature lists or lower prices. But you just can’t take away from Fuji the fact that - at this moment in time - this unassuming little 6MP camera still sets the benchmark for image quality in the entire compact sector.

Proving that you should never judge a book by its cover, the party-oriented Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd is a very accomplished little camera, capable of producing excellent results both indoors and out in a wide range of lighting conditions, as long as you keep your grubby fingers clear of the lens. It is stylish, well made, performs and handles well, and is very easy to use. The only real issue is the limited battery life, but if as long as you keep it charged up this shouldn’t be a problem.

Entry-level just took on a whole new meaning, as FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today announced the launch of the eight-MegaPixel FinePix A820 and nine-MegaPixel FinePix A900. Designed specifically for the first-time digital camera buyer and consumers seeking an affordable, easy-to-operate upgrade to their current digital camera, Fujifilm’s FinePix A820 and A900 are loaded with features usually reserved for more advanced models. Both incorporate Fujifilm’s signature Super CCD sensor technology, a 4x Optical Zoom lens and feature ISO levels of up to ISO 800. 

Advanced amateur photographers interested in an affordable, step-up digital camera will welcome the introduction of the seven-MegaPixel, long zoom, SLR-styled FinePix S700, announced today by FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. FinePix S700

Bottom line - Like the A500, I have mixed feelings about Fujifilm’s FinePix A700. While it does produce nice photos, the sluggish shooting performance, poor LCD display, and disappointing movie mode makes it difficult for us to recommend this model. At US$199, I feel you could find a much better model for the same price or less, with greater performance and versatility. I suggest taking a look at various other entry level models, like Sony’s 7-megapixel Cyber-Shot DSC-W35.