The FinePix A340 uses a 1/2.7
inch, 4.23 megapixel square pixel CCD. The CCD yields a maximum
image size of 2272 x 1704 pixels and has a sensitivity equivalent
to 100 ISO when the flash is off (the sensitivity is automatically
controlled and will increase to help the flash).
The FinePix A340's Fujinon 3X zoom lens is a lens that has been
used on a number of Fujifilm cameras. It has a focal length of 5.7 to 17.1mm,
equivalent to a 38 to 114 mm zoom in the 35mm film format and takes
about 2 seconds to transit from wide to telephoto. Apertures start at f2.8 at
the wide angle position and f4.8 at
the maximum telephoto and range to f5.6 and f9.5 respectively.
The shutter speed range of the
A340 covers 1/2 to 1/2000 second, in all modes except for
the Night mode, which can extend the exposure
to 2 seconds. However, this is a fully automatic camera and
neither aperture nor shutter speed can be directly selected.
A digital zoom is available with the A340, but it is only useable if
the resolution is less than the maximum. The digital zoom does not
interpolate the image as many cameras do, but instead crops the central
area from the full-size frame. The result is that the digitally zoomed
image, albeit always smaller than the maximum image size of which the
A340 is capable, is always as sharp as the normal image.
Likewise, the metering pattern of the A340 is exclusively Fujifilm's 64-segment
system, an averaging metering that evaluates 64 separate areas in
the frame to select the aperture and shutter speed. Auto exposure lock
is available, as is Autofocus lock, when the shutter release is held
half-pressed.
The image size and quality of the FinePix A340 is set in the menu, and
as with all recent Fujifilm cameras, the image quality selection is quite
limited in comparison to competitive models from other manufacturers. Only
4 combinations of image sizes and resolution are offered:
4M Fine: 2272 x 1704 with the least compression
(approx. 7:1).
4M Normal: 2272 x 1704 with more than twice
the compression used in Fine (approx. 15:1).
2M: 1600 x 1200 with an average compression
ratio of 10:1.
1M: 1280 x 960 with an average compression ratio
of 8:1.
The A340 offers a few different shooting modes which are,
like the image quality and size, selected in the camera's
menu:
Manual: offers control
over white balance and exposure compensation to the user (see
below).
Auto: limits user options
to self-timer, shooting mode, and access to the Setup menu
and LCD brightness.
Portrait: offers the same
degree of control as the Auto mode, but optimizes the image
for skin tones.
Scene (Scenery): is a
landscape program that forces the flash off and offers the
same controls as the Auto mode.
Sport: gives priority
to the shutter speed, and provides a menu similar to Auto.
Night: extends the slowest
shutter speed of the A340 to 2 seconds.
Movie: can record silent video
clips at 10 frames per second, and at any one of two frame
sizes, 320 x 240 pixels (60 seconds) or 160 x 120 pixels
(240 seconds). The zoom is fixed at the first frame, but
the digital zoom can be used. The exposure is adjusted as
the recording progresses and the light changes.
One of these shooting modes, the Manual mode has the most extensive menu (shown
below):
Quality: as outlined above, offers a choice of
2 compressions at the highest resolution and 3 image sizes
none of which can be dissociated.
Self-timer: On or Off. Provides a 10 second delay
before the shutter releases.
Shooting mode: as indicated above.
Option has two items:
LCD: which serves to adjust the brightness of the
monitor.
SET-UP: which opens the Setup menu (see the Interface
and Software section of the review).
Exposure Compensation: can be adjusted over a
range of -2.1EV to +1.5EV in 0.3EV increments.
In Playback, the A340 has a menu that adds options for printing
and editing images:
Erase: provides for erasing all frames;
or erasing a single frame. A Back option
allows returning without selecting any of the choices.
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format): allows on-camera
selection of the images to be printed. Date and time can
be imprinted on each image if desired, and the number of
prints to make of each photo.
Protect: is used to avoid accidentally erasing
a photo. Protection can be applied to 1 or all images.
Another option allows un-protecting the images.
Option: is once again the access to the adjustment
for the LCD monitor's brightness; and the Setup menu. (See
the Interface & Software section.)
Playback: offers 4 automated slide show modes.
Two of these have a dissolve between frames, and one with
a longer on screen time for each frame than the other;
the other two options also provide different on-screen
timings, but without a dissolve between the images.
Trimming: allows cropping an image and saving
it as a new photo at a lower resolution.
The 2 AA-size batteries that power the FinePix A340 are
housed in the same compartment as the xD memory card,
under the camera and covered by a solid, hinged plastic door
that slides and locks into place by the pressure of the batteries
on the door. As always with this type of system, when the
door is opened the batteries can easily slide out.
A16 MB xD Picture card is included
with the FinePix A340 allowing it to store:
4
M (2272 x 1704):
Fine =
8
Normal =
16
2
M (1600 x 1200):
Normal =
25
1
M (1280 x 960):
Normal =
33
At the top is the Video out jack. Further down is the USB (1.1) port.
The USB protocol can be set as
Mass Storage to access the memory card as a hard
disk when the camera is connected;
PictBridge which allows printing directly to
a PictBridge compatible printer;
Web Cam which allows the A340 to be used as a
web cam in conjunction with software such as Microsoft
Netmeeting.
Finally, nearest the bottom
is a DC-IN jack which makes it possible to power the A340 with
household current when the optional adapter is used.
As mentioned above, the FinePix A340 is powered by 2 AA-size batteries,
and 2 alkaline batteries are supplied with the camera. Ni-MH batteries
are recommended. In addition, by using the cradle adapter supplied with
the camera, the A340 becomes compatible with Fujifilm's USB cradle (CP-FXA10).
Characteristics
