Fujifilm FinePix AV130

Fujifilm FinePix AV130 Review

The Fujifilm FinePix AV130 compact camera is an entry-level digital camera with an effective 12.2 megapixel resolution, a 1/2.3-inch image sensor linked to a 3X Fujinon optical zoom lens. It has a 4,000 x 3,000p maximum image resolution in its default 4:3 aspect ratio. Aspect ratio modes in 16:9 and 3:2 are available as well.

The FinePix's lens has real focal lengths with ranges of 5.7 up to 17.1mm. The FinePix AV130 has a dual-step lens opening which offers both F2.9 and F8.8 for wide angle shots, as well as F5.2 or F16 for telephoto shots using ND filter. Shortest focus distance is normally a couple of feet, but reduces to merely 3.9 inches when in macro setting at wide angle, and 1.2 feet in telephoto mode.

A real optical viewfinder doesn’t ship with the FinePix AV130. Image control and framing all happens on its 3-inch LCD display @ 230,000 dot resolution. This display is wide enough to cover 96% of the frame.

The Fujifilm FinePix AV130 has Auto and Program shooting modes as well as a more-than-adequate 18 scene modes which puts the user in charge over the image quality. The Fujifilm FinePix doesn't have a built-in optical or mechanical stabilizer. It instead uses installed software to eliminate blur caused by camera vibration. The camera has shutter speeds which range from eight seconds to 1/1,400 and is capable of quick burst at speeds up to a maximum of 1.6 fps.

The FinePix AV130 comes with a contrast detection system with autofocus capability and has a single centered focus point right in the frame. There are 7 built-in white balance selections (1 automatic and 6 pre-sets). User-defined white balance, however, is not available in this model.

The Fujifilm FinePix’s integrated 7-mode flash can illuminate from 2 to 11 1/2 feet at wide angle and up to a maximum of 6.6 feet in telephoto. Flash can be brought down to a distance ranging from 1 to 2.6 feet when in macro mode.

Apart from JPEG still image formats, the Fujifilm FinePix can shoot video in monaural audio in MPEG AVI format. Movie resolutions come in high-def 720p @24 fps with options for both VGA and QVGA @ 30 fps. The Fuji AV130 has zoom lens capabilities while recording a video. Audio is, however, muted during zoom operation.

The FinePix AV130 can keep its images and video on SD cards, new released SDHC types, as well as on its skimpy integrated memory of only 9 MB. Device connectivity is possible through NTSC or PAL video output and USB 2.0 High Speed data.

Power is supplied by a couple of AA batteries. Alkaline disposable batteries are bundled with the product package. Battery duration is good up to 180 shots using the bundled alkaline batteries, and 400 shots when Ni-MH 2.700mAh rechargeable batteries are used.