Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR Digital Camera (OLD MODEL)

PREFACE: This review is primarily intended for Point & Shoot types. I do not delve into MANUAL adjustments, nor do I have any interest in that. I want something that will take good pics without undue hassle and is convenient to take on travel. Well, after a fairly long wait for Fujifilm to release the HS-30, mine arrived this afternoon. I charged the li-on battery (no more four AAs) and took it outside to take around ten test shots. They turned out perfectly. I had the HS-10 ... then HS-20 before this latest incarnation, and really liked both cameras. I've no doubts I'll like this one at least, if not more, than the previous HS-20. You can read all the specs, etc., so I won't get into that. Physically, the electronic viewfinder and LCD are sharp, clear, and bright - and I do detect that slight shortening of the flash unit, which protruded a bit annoyingly on the HS-20. Thus, no problem at all focusing with the manual lens (which I love). I also did not detect the lag one experienced between shots with the HS-20. Now, again, I just received the thing and only took some ten shots ... but I was very happy with the shots. Since mine is the first review, it remains to be seen if problems, such as the overheating warning with the past early editions of the HS-20 produced, will come along as others get their cameras and put them to use. I hope to get out there tomorrow and run this thing through its paces. If anything untoward happens, I will certainly advise. The HS-30, like the HS-20, sure beats the heck out of having to stop to change cumbersome lenses for differing shots/scenes! Additionally, it all fits into a nice/compact Case Logic case, no more lugging around all that other "stuff" in backpacks, etc. :-) In closing, my background is strictly amateur photography. I've no aspirations in becoming a pro. The pics I take are for my own enjoyment, and it ends there. Speaking only for myself, I do believe photography should be fun, not a hassle. I've had the Canon 7D and the 60D, with all the "L" lenses, so I do "know my way around the block" a bit. This is not to say I think this bridge camera takes the place of DSLRs for professional use, certainly not. Enjoy your HS-30, and please do post your experiences so we can all benefit. :-) ADDED: March 15, 2012: Took the camera out to my favorite park and ran it through its paces. There was a slight ... slight ... delay between some shots at the park, but no delay when taking pics indoors and other environments. Not a problem for me. I took 52 pictures, and except for two, they were absolutely perfect, and those two were probably my fault. The zoom works fine, no problems. The LCD is also excellent, though I prefer taking my shots via the viewfinder. Lastly: I am a huge fan of POST PROCESSING any pictures I take, be it with a DSLR or the HS-30. I have a MAC and use APERTURE 3, and Aperture 3 makes a notable difference in getting pictures to look the way I want them (that "finishing touch"). If you're using a Windows machine, you might want to look into software packages designed to work with digital pictures. SUMMATION: Realizing this camera is NOT a DSLR, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. It felt so nice to walk around the park this morning without lugging along a bag filled with heavy lenses. And the resulting pictures more than satisfy me. ADDED: 3-20: Having had this camera since last week, and having taken a lot of shots with it, I can say I take nothing back: it was worth buying. I am speaking strictly from a Point & Shoot perspective here. If one is looking for all the bells and whistles of a DSLR, then get a DSLR, or you're probably gonna be frustrated. Reiterating: though quite advanced for a P&S, this camera, in the end, is NOT a DSLR. ADDED/CONCLUSION: 5-2-12: I've now had the HS-30 for about 1.5 months and have used it extensively. I even took it on the annual trek to Las Vegas a bit over a week ago, and it performed flawlessly. If anything, I would draw the prospective buyer's attention to ACTION photography. I would NOT expect this to behave like a DSLR in this respect, OK? You CAN get a sequence using CONTINUOUS MODE, but I found using a DSLR in this respect (action shots of moving subjects) much more satisfying. Taking shots of static objects however, this camera has worked excellently. I note the price keeps dropping on what they were asking initially for the camera. I think it's a great bargain if you're in the market for a great Point and Shoot camera.

REASONS TO BUY IT: For me it came down to buying a DSLR at the very lowest end, or buying this, which is probably one of the best in its class. Maybe it’s like the difference between being the best college player (this camera) or the worst professional player (low-end DSLR). -This camera is at least $100 cheaper than the cheapest DSLR, but has *almost* as many ways to take a picture. When you throw in the ability to take and edit photos in RAW format, you should expect high quality pictures that you could frame, if you wanted (though, of course, you’ll have to learn to use the camera well, first). -The lens is probably as good as you will find *on a non-dslr camera.* However, like DSLR lenses, it will accept filters (58mm, the same size as the Canon Rebel DSLR series). -Also like a DSLR, you can zoom manually, and even focus manually if you choose, though I find I trust autofocus more than my own adjustments. This is a huge advantage over most other point-and-shoot cameras. -It is just a little smaller than a typical DSLR combo (though larger than most point and shoot units). -The viewfinder is a must for taking pictures outside on sunny days. REASONS NOT TO BUY IT -If you don’t want to learn how to use the various settings, it has way more than you need, and is more expensive than simpler cameras. -If you have the money to buy a *good* DSLR, you’d probably be better off with that. For instance, a good DSLR lens would have lower f/stops than this lens. -If you don’t really want a camera, and you are reading this review for no particular reason. HUNDREDS OF WAYS TO TAKE ANY GIVEN PICTURE This thing has more dials and switches than the flight deck of a Boeing 747. For some, that would negative, for others, positive. There are 32 possible modes, and 90 potential parameters to use. Not every mode can make use of each parameter, but suppose half the parameters are available in each mode (which is probably an accurate average) and you have 1500 different possible different ways to take any given picture. This does not count the incremental aperture, shutter, zoom and focus adjustments you can make in many of the different modes, nor the many different increments of exposure or white balance compensation. In addition, if you shoot in RAW format (one of the huge benefits of this camera) you can make almost unlimited adjustments to your pictures on your computer, after you take them. In the midst of all that, however, there are two modes that are basically fully automatic: EXR Auto, and “just plain” Auto. These are useful for quick shots and establishing baselines, however, if you just want a camera to “point and shoot” this one has way more than you need, and you can find a fully auto camera cheaper. BOTTOM LINE This is a top-of-the-line camera for a non-dslr. The lens has a great range between wide an zoom. The manual adjustments and the ability to use lens filters all make it a great choice for the non-professional enthusiast.

I bought this as a gift. My wife wanted a digital camera with a viewfinder that you hold up to your eye and a long telephoto lens. This camera has the highest resolution viewfinder that I could find and it is beautiful. It also switches automatically between the back LCD display and the viewfinder. The telephoto is 30x which is terrific. The camera is image stabilized so the telephoto is useful at full range. I really like the camera and so does my wife. It is compact, fits her hands well, and is light. I would have given it a 5 but the battery charger came with a European type cord. I could not plug it in to charge the battery and there were a few tense moments as she unwrapped the gift. I managed to replace the end on the cord, but this should not be necessary.