Fuji's budget Finepix A202 digital camera confirms the fact that 2megapixels is now very much an entry-level specification.

Picking up the camera you're reminded of its budget origins; it's very light and the case is made entirely of plastic, but it does feel sturdy.

The lens is a simple fixed-focus affair, with a mechanical switch on the front to put it into macro mode.

Manual controls are limited to exposure compensation and white balance, while the menu system from the 1.5in TFT display is simple and easy to navigate.

The A202 is one of the first cameras we've seen with the XD-Picture Card storage format. A 16MB card is supplied, which is good for 25 shots at maximum quality.

Fuji says the A202 has been designed for long battery life, and we agree; a couple of AAs lasted for dozens of shots and several uploads without a hint of a battery-low indicator.

Image quality is fair with no glaring deficiencies, but the price tag is betrayed by a lack of fine detail and sharpness, plus noticeable barrel distortion from the very basic lens.

If Fuji had managed to bring the A202 in at the £100 mark we'd have no hesitation at all in recommending it as a great camera for snaps.

You'll be able to pick it up for less than the RRP on the street, but even so you'd probably be better off spending a little bit more on something like Nikon's Coolpix 2000, which offers a zoom, autofocus and better quality for about £190.

SPECS

£160 (£136 ex VAT)
Contact: Fujifilm 020 7586 1477
www.fujifilm.co.uk