FujiFilm A303, A203 User Manual

BL00147-200(1

)

FinePix A203/FinePix A303

7
8

Getting Ready

Camera Connection

Using FinePixViewer

Basic Photography

Advanced Features
Photography

Advanced Features
Playback

Software Installation

Settings

Warning

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to
the presence of uninsulated “dangerous
voltage” within the product’s enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.

CAUTION : TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The graphical symbols are located on the bottom
of the case.

2

This symbol is intended to alert the user
to the presence of important operating
and maintenance (servicing)instructions
in the literature accompanying the
appliance.

For customers in the U.S.A.

FCC Statement

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1)This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2)this device must
accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.

CAUTION

This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:

—

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

—

Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver.

—

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a
circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.

—

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV

technician for help.
You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.

Notes on the Grant:

To comply with Part 15 of the FCC rules, this
product must be used with a Fujifilm-specified
ferrite-core USB cable and DC supply cord.

For customers in Canada

CAUTION

This Class B digital apparatus complies with
Canadian ICES-003.

➡

P.125

)

Please read the Safety Notes

(

and make sure you understand them

before using the camera.

3

Contents

..................................................................

Warning

...................................................................

Preface
Accessories
Nomenclature/Attaching the strap

............................................................

..........................

1 Getting Ready

LOADING THE BATTERIES AND xD-Picture Card..11

SWITCHING ON AND OFF ...................................... 14

SETTING THE DATE AND TIME

Changing the date and time
To change the date display format

SELECTING THE LANGUAGE

.............................

................................

.....................

................................

2 Basic Photography

BASIC OPERATION GUIDE (PHOTOGRAPHY)
BASIC OPERATION GUIDE (PLAYBACK)
BASIC OPERATION GUIDE (MENU)

QSTILL IMAGE

TAKING PICTURES (

■ Viewfinder Lamp Display

Number of Available Frames
USING AF/AE LOCK
FRAMING GUIDELINE FUNCTION
USING THE ZOOM

c FLASH

4

................................................................

Auto Flash Mode (Blank)

n Red-Eye Reduction

A AUTO MODE)

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................................................

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.....

2
6
7
8

c Forced Flash
b Suppressed Flash
v Slow Synchro

wPLAYBACK MODE

..............................................

......................................

.............................................

VIEWING YOUR IMAGES (PLAYBACK)
MULTI-FRAME PLAYBACK
PLAYBACK ZOOM
ERASING SINGLE FRAME

15
16
16
18

19
20
21

22
27
28
30
32
33
34
34
35

3 Advanced Features Photography

E MACRO (CLOSE-UP) PHOTOGRAPHY
= SELF-TIMER PHOTOGRAPHY

TMOVIE PHOTOGRAPHY

T MOVIE (VIDEO)

BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY MENU OPERATIONS
SELECTING
PHOTOGRAPHY MENU OPTIONS

PHOTOGRAPHY MENU

y SETTING THE QUALITY
d EV (EXPOSURE COMPENSATION)

a

WHITE BALANCE (SELECTING THE LIGHT SOURCE)

4 Advanced Features Playback

wPLAYBACK MODE

PLAYING BACK MOVIES (VIDEO)

■ Playing back movies

...................................................

......................................

..................................................

A AUTO OR S MANUAL

........................................

.....................................

.................

.............

...........................

......

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35
36
36

37
38
39
40

42
43

45
48
49
50

52
54

....

55

56
57

PLAYBACK MENU

p ERASING SINGLE

ALL FRAMES/FORMATTING

kPROTECTING IMAGES FRAME/ALL

i HOW TO SPECIFY PRINT OPTIONS (DPOF)
i DPOF SET FRAME

•

.............................................

.............................

................

5 Settings

g ADJUSTING THE MONITOR BRIGHTNESS
g USING SET–UP

SET–UP Menu Options (Date/time setting, etc.)

■

SET–UP

g POWER SAVE

..................................................

....................................................

6 Software Installation

6.1 The Software Components

6.2 Installation on a Windows PC

6.2.1 Load the CD-ROM into your PC

6.2.2 From FinePixViewer installation to restart..77

6.3 Installation on a Mac OS 8.6 to 9.2

6.3.1 Check the system software settings

6.3.2 From FinePixViewer installation to restart..81

6.4 Installation on a Mac OS X

6.4.1 From FinePixViewer installation to restart..84

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7 Camera Connection

7.1 Using the optional AC Power adapter

................

.....

7.2 Use at DSC mode

7.3 Use at PC-CAM mode

7.4 Disconnecting the Camera

58
62

..

66
67

71
72

....

73

74

75
76
76

81
81

84

87

8 Using FinePixViewer

8.1

Saving Images on Your Computer and viewing images

8.2 Making a FinePix CD Album

8.3 Using the FinePix Internet Service

8.3.1 Using FAQ

8.3.2 User Registration

8.4 Mastering FinePixViewer

8.5 Uninstalling the Software

System Expansion Options
Accessories Guide
Notes on Using Your Camera Correctly
Notes on the Power Supply

Applicable Batteries
Notes on the Batteries

AC Power Adapter
Notes on the xD-Picture Card
Warning Displays
Troubleshooting
Specifications
Explanation of Terms
Safety Notes
EC Declaration of Conformity

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..

105
106
108
109
109
109
111
112
114
117
120
124
125
129

102
103

88
91
94

96
97

1

98
98
98

2
3

4
5
6
7
8

5

Preface

■

Test Shots Prior to Photography

For particularly important photographs (such as weddings and
overseas trips), always take a test photograph and view the
image to make sure that the camera is functioning normally.
h Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. cannot accept liability for any

incidental losses (such as the cost of photography or the
loss of income from photography) incurred as a result of
faults with this product.

■

Notes on Copyright

Images recorded using your digital camera system cannot be
used in ways that infringe copyright laws without the consent
of the owner, unless intended only for personal use. Note that
some restrictions apply to the photographing of stage
performances, entertainments and exhibits, even when
intended purely for personal use. Users are also asked to note
that the transfer of memory cards containing images or data
protected under copyright laws is only permissible within the
restrictions imposed by those copyright laws.

■

Liquid Crystal

If the LCD monitor is damaged, take particular care with the
liquid crystal in the monitor. If any of the following situations
arise, take the urgent action indicated.
h If liquid crystal comes in contact with your skin

Wipe the area with a cloth and then wash thoroughly with
running water and soap.

h If liquid crystal gets into your eye

Flush the affected eye with clean water for at least
15 minutes and then seek medical assistance.

h If liquid crystal is swallowed

Flush your mouth thoroughly with water. Drink large quantities
of water and induce vomiting. Then seek medical assistance.

6

■

Notes on Electrical Interference

If the camera is to be used in hospitals or aircrafts, please
note that this camera may cause interference to other
equipment in the hospital or aircraft. For details, please
check with the applicable regulations.

■

Handling Your Digital Camera

This camera contains precision electronic components. To
ensure that images are recorded correctly, do not subject the
camera to impact or shock while an image is being recorded.

■

Trademark Information

h IBM PC/AT is a registered trademark of International

Business Machines Corp. of the U.S.

h iMac and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple

Computer, Inc.

h QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are trademarks used

under license. The QuickTime logo is registered in the
U.S. and other countries.

h Adobe Acrobat

Incorporated of the U.S.

h Microsoft, Windows, the Windows logo and DirectX are

either trademarks, or registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Windows is an abbreviated term referring to the Microsoft
Windows Operating System.

✽ The “Designed for Microsoft Windows XP” logo refers to

the camera and the driver only.

h xD-Picture Card and other company or product names are

trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective
companies.

■ Exif Print (Exif ver. 2.2)

Exif Print Format is a newly revised digital camera file format that
contains a variety of shooting information for optimal printing.

®

Reader™is a trademark of Adobe Systems

Accessories

h16 MB, xD-Picture Card (1)

Supplied with:

• Anti-static case (1)

hLR6 AA-size alkaline Batteries (2)

hHand strap (1)

hInterface Set (1)

• CD-ROM: Software for FinePix SX (1)

• Special USB cable with Noise Suppression core (1)

hOwner’s Manual (this manual) (1)

7

Nomenclature

✽ Refer to the pages in parentheses for information on using the camera features.

Shutter button

(P.34)

Flash

Lens/Lens cover

8

POWER switch

Flash control sensor

Self-timer lamp

Viewfinder window

(USB) socket

(Power input)

(P.14)

(P.44)

(P.88, 91)

DC IN 3V

socket(P.87)

MENU/OK button(P.21)

BACK button(P.21)

Viewfinder

Viewfinder lamp

DISP button

(P.19,20)

LCD monitor

Flash button

Tripod mount

Battery cover

xD-Picture Card slot

Battery compartment

Mode dial

Self-Timer mode(P.43)
Macro (close-up) mode(P.42)
Still photography mode(P.22)
Playback mode(P.37)
Movie mode(P.45)

b ( Zoom out) button

Attaching the strap

gbutton(P.20,21)

a ( Zoom in)

(P.19, 20, 21, 24, 33)

Strap mount

(P.9)

9

Nomenclature(Sample display

９９９９

１Ｍ

１００−９９９９

 １／ １／２００２

 １／ １／２００２

)

Example of LCD Monitor Text Display: Still image

EV
Macro

Flash

Photography mode

Zoom bar

Date

 １／ １／２００２

９９９９



１Ｍ

Number of remaining shots





Battery low warning

Camera shake warning

White balance

Quality mode

AF warning

AF frame

Example of LCD Monitor Text Display: Playback

Playback mode

Protection

DPOF

Date

 １／ １／２００２

10

１００−９９９９



Playback frame number



Battery low warning

1 Getting Ready

LOADING THE BATTERIES AND xD-Picture Card

Compatible batteries

Use two AA-size alkaline batteries or two AA­size nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries.

Notes on Handling Batteries

◆

h It is recommended that you

use the same brand of alka
batteries as those supplied
with the camera.

h Never use a battery when the

outer casing is split or peeling
as this could result in a short-circuit and cause major
problems due to battery fluid leakage or overheating.

h You cannot use lithium, manganese or nickel-

cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries.

h Do not use different types of batteries or old and new

batteries together.

h The operating lives of alkaline batteries vary between

brands and the life of batteries you purchase may be
shorter than the alkaline batteries provided with the
camera. Note also that due to the nature of alkaline
batteries, the time for which they can be used is
shorter in cold locations (at temperatures of +10°C
(+50°F) or below). Consequently, Ni-MH batteries are
recommended.

h Soil (fingerprints, etc) on the terminals of batteries can

greatly reduce the time for which the batteries provide
power.

h You will need the optional charger (➡P.106) to

recharge Ni-MH batteries.

h See P.109 for notes on using batteries.

Outer casing

◆

xD-Picture Card (sold separately

DPC-16 (16MB)
DPC-32 (32MB)

Front Back

!

Operation of this camera is only guaranteed when it

●

is used with FUJIFILM xD-Picture Card.

!

See P.112-113 for more information on xD-Picture

●

Card.

DPC-64 (64MB)
DPC-128 (128MB)

)

1

11

LOADING THE BATTERIES AND xD-Picture Card

OPEN

01

OPEN

02

1Slide the battery cover out to open it.
2Load the batteries correctly as shown.

!

Do not apply excessive force to the battery cover.

●

Do not open the battery cover while the camera
is still switched on. This could damage the xD­Picture Card or corrupt the image files on the
xD-Picture Card.

12

When you want to replace the battery

◆

Check that the camera is switched off, open
the battery cover and then remove the
batteries.

!

Take care not to drop the battery when opening

●

and closing the battery cover.

◆

Indicator

3Aline the arrows on the camera and the xD-

Picture Card, and firmly push the card fully
into the xD-Picture Card slot.

4Close the battery cover.

!

If you open the battery cover while the camera is

●

switched on, the camera automatically switches off
to protect the data on the xD-Picture Card .

!

The xD-Picture Card will not slide fully into the slot if

●

it is inserted facing the wrong way. Be careful not to
apply undue force to the xD-Picture Card .

!

To protect the xD-Picture Card , always store it in the

●

special anti-static case.

04

03

OPEN

Indicator

When you want to replace

◆

When you push the xD-Picture Card into the slot
and then slowly remove your finger, the lock is
released and the xD-Picture Card is pushed out.
You can then pull the xD-Picture Card the rest of
the way out.

!

Take care not to remove your finger too quickly after the lock

●

is released, as the card may spring completely out of the slot.

the xD-Picture Card

◆

1

13

SWITCHING ON AND OFF

ＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥ
 ＮＯＴ ＳＥＴ ＮＯＴ ＳＥＴ

1 2

Slide the “POWER” switch sideways to turn the
camera on and off. When you switch the camera
on, the viewfinder lamp lights (green).

In “Q” mode, the lens cover opens and the lens
extends. Take care not to press on these
precision components as this could result in a fault

ç” message being displayed on

or a “
the LCD monitor. Take care also not to leave
fingermarks on the lens as this will degrade the
picture quality.

14

When you first switch the camera on, the date is
cleared. Press the “MENU/OK” button to set the
date and time.

!

To set the date and time later, press the “BACK”

●

button.

!

If you do not set the date and time, this confirmation

●

screen will appear each time you switch the camera on.

SETTING THE DATE AND TIME

ＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥ

ＹＹＹＹ．ＭＭ．ＤＤ ＹＹＹＹ．ＭＭ．ＤＤ 

１２：００１２：００ ＡＭＡＭ

ＯＫＯＫＯＫ

ＢＡＣＫＢＡＣＫ

ＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥ

ＹＹＹＹ ＭＭ ＤＤＹＹＹＹ ＭＭ ＤＤ

ＡＭＡＭ

ＯＫＯＫＯＫ

ＢＡＣＫＢＡＣＫ

3 4

01 02

1

1 Use “d” or “c” to select Year, Month, Day,

Hour or Minute.

2 Press “a” or “b” to set the number.

!

If you hold down “a” or “b”, the numbers change

●

continuously.

!

When the time displayed passes “12:00”, the AM/PM

●

setting automatically switches.

Once you have set the date and time, press the
“MENU/OK” button. Pressing the “MENU/OK”
button switches the camera to Photography or
Playback mode.

!

To set the time more precisely, press the “MENU/OK” button

●

when the time on your reference clock reaches zero seconds.

!

At the time of purchase and after you leave the camera for a

●

long period with the batteries removed, settings such as the

date and time are cleared.
Unless the battery has been left in the camera for at least 20
minutes, the camera settings may not be retained when you
replace the xD-Picture Card or battery.

15

SETTING THE DATE AND TIME

ＢＡＣＫＢＡＣＫＢＡＣＫ

Ｏ

Ｋ



ＯＫＯＫ

ＰＯＷＥＲ ＳＡＶＥ

ＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥ

ＵＳＢ ＭＯＤＥ

ＯＮＯＮ
ＤＳＣＤＳＣ

ＰＯＳＴＶＩＥＷ

ＯＮＯＮ

ＳＥＴＳＥＴ

ＳＥＴーＵＰＳＥＴーＵＰ

 ６／１９／２００２ ６／１９／２００２

ＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥＤＡＴＥ／ＴＩＭＥ

ＭＭ／ＤＤ／ＹＹＹＹＭＭ／ＤＤ／ＹＹＹＹ

１１：５９１１：５９ ＡＭＡＭ

ＯＫＯＫＯＫＯＫ

ＢＡＣＫＢＡＣＫ

Changing the date and time

0103 0204

To change the date and time:

1 Press the “MENU/OK” button.
2 Use “d” or “c” to select “g” OPTION and

then use “a” or “b” to select “SET–UP”.
3 Press the “MENU/OK” button.
4 Select “DATE/TIME” and press “c”.

See P.14, 15 for information on setting the date
and time.

16

To change the date display format

You can select your preferred date format.

01 02

1Press “d” or “c” to select the date format.
2Press “a” or “b” to set the format. Refer to

the table below for details of the settings.

Setting

YYYY.MM.DD

MM/DD/YYYY

DD.MM.YYYY

Explanation

Displays the date in the “year.month.
day” format.

Displays the date in the “month/day/
year” format.

Displays the date in the “day.month.
year” format.

Checking the remaining battery charge

◆

Switch the camera on and check that no battery
level warning (
LCD monitor. If no icon is displayed, there is
ample charge left in the battery.

i

Z Lit red:

The battery is low on charge. Have a new
battery ready.

i

X Blinking red:

The battery is exhausted. The display will shortly
go blank and the camera will stop working.
Replace or recharge the battery.

!

The above estimates are for the Still photography

●

modes. In Playback mode, the transition from

Z” to “X” may take less time.

“

Power Save Function

◆

If the camera is not used for 2 minutes, this
function automatically switches the camera off.
When this function is active, it also switches off
the LCD monitor to reduce power consumption if
the camera is not used for 30 seconds (See
P.74 for details).

Z or X) is displayed on the

◆

◆

1

17

SELECTING THE LANGUAGE

ＡＵＴＯＡＵＴＯ

ＳＥＴ−ＵＰＳＥＴ−ＵＰ

ＬＣＤ ＢＲＩＧＨＴＮＥＳＳ

ＭＡＮＵＡＬＭＡＮＵＡＬ

ＯＰＴＩＯＮＯＰＴＩＯＮ

ＢＥＥＰ♪ＢＥＥＰ♪

ＲＥＳＥＴ ＡＬＬＲＥＳＥＴ ＡＬＬ

ＯＫＯＫ

ＨＩＧＨＨＩＧＨ

ＬＡＮＧＵＡＧＥ

ＥＮＧＬＩＳＨ

ＬＣＤＬＣＤ ＯＮＯＮ

ＳＥＴ−ＵＰＳＥＴ−ＵＰ

ＢＡＣＫＢＡＣＫ

ＯＫＯＫ

02

1Press the “MENU/OK” button to display the

menu screen.

2Use “fg” to select “SET–UP” from the

“g” OPTION menu.

3Press the “MENU/OK” button.

18

0301

21

1The “SET–UP” screen appears. Use “a” or

“b” to select “LANGUAGE”.

2Use “c” to select “ENGLISH”, “FRANCAIS” or

“DEUTSCH” . You can cycle through the
language settings by pressing “c”.

!

The screens in this manual are shown in English.

●

!

See P.72, 73 for more information on the “g ”

●

OPTION menu.

01 02

Basic



Select one of the following
modes:

LCD monitor ON

Normally, set the LCD
monitor to ON.

LCD monitor OFF

Switch the LCD monitor
OFF to reduce power
consumption.

Framing Guidelines

Display these as a guide to
composing your shots.

Slide this switch sideways to turn
the camera on and off.

0

Switching the LCD

monitor on and off

0

Power swich



a

( ) :Zooms in.

b

( ) :Zooms out.

0

Zoom

Select one of the following 5 flash
modes:

AUTO,

0

Flash button

Select one of the following 4
photography modes:

: Still photography
: Macro (close-up)
: Self-timer
: Movie

✽ Setting the mode dial to

“ ” switches the camera
to Playback mode.

0

Mode dial

Pressed halfway : Sets the focus.
Pressed fully : Releases the shutter.

0

Focus and shoot

✽ You can fur ther reduce

power consumption by
switching preview
image checking OFF.

, , ,

2

Photography

BASIC OPERATION GUIDE (PHOTOGRAPHY

)

2

19

BASIC OPERATION GUIDE (PLAYBACK

Select one of the following 3
modes:

Text displayed :

Normally, use this setting.

Text not displayed :

No text is displayed.

Multi-frame playback :

Displays 9 image frames.

Slide this switch
sideways to turn the
camera on and off.

0

DISP button

0

Power ON/OFF

a

( ):

Increases the display
scale (zooms in).

b ( ):

Decreases the
display scale (zooms
out).

0Playback zoom

c : Selects the next frame.
d : Selects the previous

frame.

0

Playback frame selector

Set the mode dial to

“ ”.



0Mode dial

This feature displays help on moving to
the next step at the bottom of the screen.
Press the corresponding button.

Displaying help

ＤＩＳＰＤＩＳＰＤＩＳＰ

ＺＯＯＭＺＯＯＭ

)

20

BASIC OPERATION GUIDE (MENU

Press the “BACK” button.

●Using the Menus

1Display the menu.

Press the “MENU/OK”
button.

2Select a menu option.

Press “d” or “c”.

3Select a setting.

Press “a” or “b”.

4Confirm the setting.

Press the “MENU/OK” button.

Up, down, left and right are indicated
by black triangles in the Owner’s
Manual. Up or down is shown as “ab”,
and left or right is shown as

“dc”.

0

To cancel a procedure mid-way




)

2

21

Beep

Q

STILL IMAGE

TAKING PICTURES

(

A

AUTO MODE

)

You have read the section called “Getting
Ready” and now your camera is ready to take
pictures.
The “ Basic Photography” section takes you
through the basic procedures of “Shooting”,
“Viewing” and “Erasing” pictures.
Master these basic operations by trying them
out as you read through the manual.

22

1

1Slide the “POWER” switch sideways to switch

the camera on.

2Set the Mode dial to “Q”.
hPhotography range: Approx. 60 cm (2 ft.) to

!

For subjects closer than 60 cm (2 ft.), use Macro

●

photography (➡P.42).

To increase your shooting time

◆

h Press the “DISP” button to

switch the LCD monitor off
and use the viewfinder to
take pictures (Note that you
cannot switch the LCD
monitor off in Macro mode).

h Set “POSTVIEW” in the

(➡P.73).

h Set “POWER SAVE” in the

(➡P.73, 74).

01 02

infinity

◆

“

SET-UP” menu to “OFF”

“

SET-UP” menu to “ON”

2

Brace your elbows against your sides and hold
the camera with both hands.
Hold the camera so that your right thumb is
conveniently positioned for operating the zoom.

!

If the “∂”, “ƒ”, “å”

●

or “

˙” message appears, see P.114

and P.115.

!

If you use the flash in very dusty environments or

●

when it is snowing, the flash may reflect off the dust

particles or snowflakes and appear as white dots in

your images.

3

Be careful to ensure that the lens, flash and
flash control sensor are not obscured by your
hands or the camera strap.
The camera may not be able to take successful
pictures if your fingers or the strap are in the
way.

!

Check that the lens is clean. If it is dirty, clean the

●

lens as described on P.108.

2

23

4

４９４９

１Ｍ１Ｍ

Zoom bar

１Ｍ１Ｍ

4

Q

STILL IMAGE

TAKING PICTURES

(

A AUTO MODE

5

)

AF frame

LCD monitor

AF frame

To zoom in on the subject, press “a” (} TELE).
To zoom out, press “b” ({ WIDE). A “zoom bar”
appears on the LCD monitor when you zoom in
or out.

h Optical zoom focal length (35mm camera

equivalent)

Approx. 38 mm-114 mm Maximum zoom scale: 3×

!

Zooming stops briefly when the camera switches

●

between optical zoom and digital zoom (➡P.33).

24

Viewfinder

Using the viewfinder or LCD monitor, frame your
shot so that the subject fills the entire AF (Auto
Focus) frame.

!

If your subject is not in the center of the picture, use

●

AF/AE lock to take the picture (➡P.30).

6

When you are using the viewfinder to take a
picture at a distance of 80 cm to 1.5 m (2.6 ft. to

4.9 ft.), only the shaded area in the figure is
photographed.

77

2

!

To frame your shot precisely, you should take the

●

picture using the LCD monitor.

!

In some conditions it may be difficult to see your

●

subject clearly on the LCD monitor (such as in sunny

weather outdoors or when you are shooting dimly lit

scenes). In such situations, use the viewfinder to

take the shot.

!

The image shown on the LCD monitor before you

●

take the shot may differ in its brightness, color, etc.

from the image actually recorded. If necessary, play

back the recorded image to check it (➡P.37).

Press the shutter button down halfway. Focusing
is complete when the AF frame on the LCD
monitor shrinks and the viewfinder lamp (green)
stops flashing and remains lit.

!

If “[” appears on the screen, the camera cannot

●

focus.

!

When you press the shutter button down halfway,

●

the image on the screen freezes temporarily.
However, this image is not the recorded image.

!

If “[” is displayed on the screen (e.g. the shot is

●

too dark for the camera to focus), try standing about
2 m (6.6 ft.) from your subject to take the picture.

25

Beep

Q

STILL IMAGE

TAKING PICTURES

8

To take the picture, press the shutter button
down fully without lifting your finger off it. The
camera beeps and takes the picture, and the
data is then recorded.

!

If you press the shutter button down fully in one

●

motion, the shot is taken without the AF frame
changing.

!

When you take a picture, the viewfinder lamp lights

●

orange (camera not ready) before switching back to
green to indicate that the camera is again ready for
shooting.

!

The viewfinder lamp flashes orange while the flash is

●

charging. If the LCD monitor is switched on, the
screen may go dark for a moment. This is normal
and does not indicate a fault.

!

See P.114-116 for information on the warning

●

26

displays.

(

A AUTO MODE

Warnings Displayed When

◆

[

Solution

h Ensure that you are at least 2 m (6.6 ft.) from

the subject when you take the shot.

h Use AF/AE lock to take the shot (➡P.30).

\

Solution

h Use the flash.
h Use a tripod.

|

)

the Shutter is Pressed Halfway

The camera cannot focus.

There is a high risk of camera
shake due to the slow shutter
speed.

You can take the shot, but it will not
be correctly exposed.

◆

■ Viewfinder Lamp Display ✽ When the LCD monitor is switched on, more detailed warning messages

are displayed (➡P.114-116).

Display Status

Lit green Ready to shoot.

Blinking green

Blinking green and
orange alternately

Lit orange Recording to xD-Picture Card (Not ready).

Blinking orange Flash charging (Flash will not fire).

Blinking red

Subjects Not Suitable for Autofocus

◆

Though the FinePix A203/FinePix A303 uses an accurate autofocus mechanism, it may have difficulty focusing
or not be able to focus at all for the types of subject and situation listed below. In such cases, the image may be
out of focus.

h Very shiny subjects such as a mirror or car body.
h Subjects photographed through glass.
h Subjects that do not reflect well, such as hair or fur.
h Subjects with no substance, such as smoke or flames.
h When the subject is dark.
h When there is very little contrast between the subject

and the background (such as white walls or subjects
dressed in the same color as the background).

AF/AE in progress, camera shake warning or AF warning (Ready to shoot).

Recording to xD-Picture Card (Ready to shoot).

h xD-Picture Card Warnings

No card loaded, card not formatted, incorrect format, card full, xD-Picture Card error.

h Lens operation error.

◆

h Subjects moving at high speed.
h When something other than your subject is close to the

AF frame, has contrasting areas of light and dark and
is either closer or further away than your subject (as
when you photograph someone against a background
with strongly contrasting elements).

For subjects of this type, use AF/AE lock (➡P.30).

2

27

４９４９

１Ｍ１Ｍ

Q

STILL IMAGE

TAKING PICTURES

(

A AUTO MODE

)

Number of Available Frames

The number of available shots is displayed on
the LCD monitor.

!

See P.52 for information on changing the Quality

●

(number of recorded pixels).

!

At shipment, the default setting is “1M”.

●

28

Standard number of shots per xD-Picture Card

The number of available shots when the
xD-Picture Card is formatted in the camera.

!

Because the amount of data recorded varies

●

depending on the subject, the number of available
shots may not decrease when recording ends, or in
some cases may decrease by 2 frames.

!

Also, the discrepancy between the actual number of

●

available shots and the standard number of shots
tends to be larger when the capacity of the xD­Picture Card is larger.

■ FinePix A203

Quality Mode

Number of recorded pixels

Image Data Size

DPC-16 (16 MB)
DPC-32 (32 MB)
DPC-64 (64 MB)
DPC-128 (128 MB)

■ FinePix A303

Quality Mode

Number of recorded pixels

Image Data Size

DPC-16 (16 MB)
DPC-32 (32 MB)
DPC-64 (64 MB)
DPC-128 (128 MB)

2M • F

1600 × 1200 1280 × 960 640 × 480

Approx. 620 KB Approx. 390 KB

25 39

50 79

101 159

204 319

3M • F

2048 × 1536 1600 × 1200 1280 × 960 640 × 480

Approx. 1300 KB Approx. 590 KB

12 26

25 53

50 107

102 215

2M • N

3M • N

1M

Approx. 320 KB

49

99

198

398

2M

Approx. 390 KB

39

79

159

319

0.3M

Approx. 130 KB

122

247

497

997

1M

Approx. 320 KB

49

99

198

398

2

0.3M

Approx. 130 KB

122

247

497

997

29

USING AF/AE LOCK

４９４９

１Ｍ１Ｍ

４９４９
１Ｍ１Ｍ

1

In a shot with this type of composition, the
subjects (two people in this case) are not in the
AF frame. If the shot is taken at this point, the
subjects will not be in focus.

AF (Autofocus)/AE Lock (Auto-exposure)

◆

On the FinePix A203/FinePix A303, when you press the shutter button down half way, the focus
and exposure settings are fixed (AF/AE lock). If you want to focus on a subject that is off to one
side of the image or if you want to set the exposure before you compose the final shot, lock the AF
and AE settings and then compose and shoot your picture to get the best results.

30

2

Move the camera slightly so that one of the
subjects in the AF frame.

◆