Augmenting the usual host of scene selections (Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Fireworks, Sunset, and 12 others), the FinePix F200 EXR provides a few film-simulation modes, mimicking the look and feel of several different Fujifilm brands (Astia, Provia, and Velvia).
One quibble about the settings: Though the camera's manual mode allows you to tweak shutter and aperture settings, you don't get full manual control over the aperture. Because manual mode defaults to shutter priority, you must select the aperture settings based on those compatible with your shutter speed. Manual shutter-speed selections range from 0.001 second to 8 seconds, and four aperture options are available: F3.3, F5.1, F9, and F14.
Despite the FinePix F200 EXR's array of extra features, its controls are straightforward and easy to use. The power button, shutter release, and zoom ring are located on the top of the camera. The main mode dial on the back of the unit offers access to eight shooting modes: Manual, Program, EXR controls, Auto Mode, Natural Light with flash, Natural Light without flash, Scene Modes, and Movie Mode (the camera shoots standard-definition 640-by-480 AVI files at 30 frames per second; you can't zoom while shooting videos). Below the mode dial are dedicated playback and setting buttons, a standard four-way directional pad for accessing and navigating menu settings (plus one-touch controls for EV settings, flash, macro mode, and the self-timer), a dedicated button for LCD display options, and a button to toggle face detection and red-eye reduction on or off.
A fairly sturdy plastic door on the side of the camera covers the A/V-out port--a proprietary connector on the camera's end, though the included cable offers both USB and A/V (but no HDMI) connectors. On the bottom of the camera, another sturdy plastic door covers the battery compartment, which doubles as a card slot that can handle SD/SDHC cards and xD cards.
The FinePix F200 EXR scored well in PC World Test Center's battery evaluations, capturing 315 photos on a single charge of its lithium ion battery, enough for a battery life score of Very Good.