Fujifilm has announced the latest member of its introductory FinePix A-series cameras with the FinePix A700. This inexpensive point-and-shoot is strictly cookie-cutter, with a 7-megapixel Super CCD sensor, a 3X (36 to 108mm-equivalent) optical zoom, and a 2.4-inch LCD. Though these features aren't very noteworthy, they're solid stats for a simple snapshot camera and an inexpensive upgraded to the 6-megapixel FinePix A600.
Previous FinePix A-series cameras were hindered by their few features and sluggish performance. With higher resolution its only notable upgrade, the sparsely equipped FinePix A700 probably won't impress many users. Consumers looking for an inexpensive snapshot camera might have more luck with the Canon PowerShot A540, the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-S600, or the Samsung Digimax L60. The FinePix A700 boasts the honor of sporting 7 megapixels in a budget camera, but higher resolution doesn't mean much if the features, performance, and image quality aren't there.
The Fujifilm FinePix A700 ships in early October, with a suggested retail price of $200.