Fujifilm's 2002 beginner compact — 2MP CCD, 3x 38-114mm zoom, xD card, AA power. US name FinePix 2650.
The Fujifilm FinePix A204 was an entry-level digital compact announced in August 2002, sold in the US as the FinePix 2650. It was a minor update of 2001's FinePix 2600Z, and in Europe it launched at around £199 as part of Fujifilm's beginner-oriented A-series.
It used a 2.0-megapixel CCD with a Fujinon 3x optical zoom equivalent to 38-114mm. Compared with the 2600Z it switched storage from SmartMedia to the then-new xD-Picture Card and used a slightly smaller LCD to stretch battery life. Exposure is fully automatic with essentially no manual control, and power comes from AA batteries.
The A204 is a chunky, simple snapshot camera with natural, accurate colour for its class — period reviewers rated it highly, with the 2MP resolution its only real limit. Today it appeals to retro-digicam buyers who want the soft early-noughties CCD look; shutter lag means action shots need anticipation, but static subjects come out reliably.
These sell very cheaply, so condition matters more than price. The discontinued xD-Picture Card is essential to use the camera, making bundled cards valuable. AA power is trouble-free, but inspect the contacts for alkaline leakage. Check the zoom and flash both work and that the LCD is unmarked. US-market listings under the FinePix 2650 name are the identical camera.