Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd

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By Rich Trenholm, CNET.co.uk
May 29, 2008

The 10-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd is the latest in a range of colorful, stylish compact snappers from the Japanese manufacturers. It is available now for around S$299, with the price and styling clearly aimed at the less demanding end of the market. Demanding as we are, we're curious to see how the Z20 measures up.

Editors' note:

This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.co.uk. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some other products in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia.

Design

The Z20fd is first and foremost a style camera. It comes in a rainbow of colors: Light green, blue, pink, red, and black--all furnished with silver accents. Although it may be a stylish camera in the eye of the beholder, we aren't keen on the pronounced tapering shape or sliding faceplates, either aesthetically or practically.

The FinePix Z20fd comes in several bright and vibrant hues.

The tapering effect to the right-hand side is unusual: Generally, the right side is the chunkiest as that's where the camera is gripped. The Z20fd is less comfortable to hold one-handed with any stability, and it's impossible to press the buttons with your thumb without supporting the camera with your left hand. Watch those fingers, however, as it's all too easy for them to wander in front of the non-protruding lens. At 2.5-inch, the LCD screen isn't huge, either.

The round buttons themselves, surrounded by neat silver click rings, look cute until you realize the upper round bit isn't a button at all--which is a waste--and the tapering body makes the left side of the ring difficult to click. It seems likely that this camera was designed for someone with significantly smaller fingers than us, but does the YouTube generation really have midget hands? The dedicated movie button is a nice touch.

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