almost perfect, when properly set an excellent camera with a few small flaws

My equipment:

Canon EOS 60D - Canon 4.0 / 70-200L IS; Canon 4.0-5.6 / 17-85 IS; Canon 1.8 / 50; Tokina 2.8 / 11-16
After I only with relatively light equipment'm traveling for 3 years, I had to reduce health vigorously the weight of my equipment, I am now in 2011 exclusively with Canon landed (DSLR equipment). No compiled equipment weighs more like 2 - 3kg.

Why now a bridge camera and Fuji:
- Anticipate, it is a bridge camera and not as some say a bloated Compact DSLR or capped
- Have previously had good experiences with Fuji, especially with the Fuji S100FS
- Would like the DSLR Feeling not miss when photographing, a purely subjective decision
- The EXR sensor has convinced me, however, a need for greater familiarization and understanding of the technology for optimum results
- The DSLR equipment is me time to take a few pictures too big for the Sunday outing or just on the go
- The camera should be able to cover many photographic situations

Have many cameras previously gekauft..verkauft..getestet and am now, so I hope at Canon (DSLR) and Fuji (Bridge Camera) arrived, at least for a certain period of time :)
Alone for financial reasons would be a change at the present time to another system unwise the equipment is complete and the Fuji HS20 covers the "rest" from.

Plus points:
+ Weight of the camera, take very good care, to be equated with a DSLR (do not worry, the HS20 will not compare with a DSLR in the photographic section)
+ Balanced weight distribution when holding the camera, thanks to the 4 right "overweight" batteries
+ 4 batteries can be used, even I use Eneloop, a charge lasts about 700 photos including flash usage
+ Very good, stable processing, everything revolves and moves great (in my copy)
+ TTL flash connector, which always lacked at the Fuji S100FS
Manually unfold + flash, then pops the on temporary and often disturbing is already `ne professional way
+ Tulip-shaped sun visor included
+ Diopter - adjustment for eyeglass wearers, a super feature in this price range
+ The most important settings adjustable via keypad and not eternal in the menu Search (ISO; WB; +/- correction; flash button; AE; AF and much more ...)
+ C a setting for the most frequently used settings of the preferred photo application (with me setting for Landscape / Nature Shots)
+ EXR sensor with the setting for "dynamic range DR = or high sensitivity / low noise = SN, works very well (EXR Auto, one should not use the other hand)
+ Possibility of muting the camera and the flash deactivation, no noise disturbs more in situations where it is not desirable
+ Shoot RAW + JPEG in common, even standard should be in this class
+ Many shooting modes for beginners and amateur with good image results
+ P; A; S; M for the photographer who wants to work individually
+ F 2.8 - 5.6 very good for a lens of this focal length range
+ Manual zoom setting on the lens, just like a DSLR lens, very good, broad rotating mechanism on the lens
+ Built-in level to get an often under schätzes detail to straightened images, save your time on rework
+ Many detailed settings, such as grid line Architecture, histogram, individual flash settings, and more, very good quality
+ 360 ° panorama function, requires a certain training, but it works quite well afterwards
+ Macro and Super Macro function, the greatest strength of this camera
+ Adjustment for the simulation of the analog used from times most Fuji films, for me personally, an important detail
+ Image quality of 28mm to 500mm very good and so perfectly adequate for almost all situations, above and below the lens to its limits
+ 58mm filter thread, I use again my Cokin filter system
+ The foldable display and the viewfinder inclusive eye control (shutdown of the display)), may fail even if this would have greater
+ Separated battery and memory card accommodating

Neutral:
# Viewfinder a bit too small, but clear and bright enough to image design, nothing more and nothing less, still ok
# For the perfect camera would have to limit the lens 28-500, everything else is marketing strategy
# Little cover for hotshoe not there to protect it from dust and sand (Nikon BS-1 fits perfectly)
# Minimum focusing from 50cm, could have been less (30cm) or you have to switch to Macro for objects under 50cm
# Slight rattle of lightning hinges, but is on many cameras so, my Canon 60D also has and is absolutely not disturbing, but is determined even better
# Due to complex processing of data in the EXR mode bit slow storage of the images but still ok

Bad points:
- EXR Sensor automatic delivers almost unbearable image quality, or am I too critical when viewing, it is too much ironed
- A second C setting for example adjustment of the two EXR modes (except car) would be ideal, then nothing can go wrong when taking pictures
- Lack of detailed printed manual that could Fuji ever really good
- Video should be omitted in favor of another photo settings, my purely subjective consideration, it is just a photo camera
- Folding screen can not be completely turn over to work only with the viewfinder and left no footprints

Conclusion:
* Who is intensively engaged operating the camera to take advantage of all the opportunities is in good hands with the HS20
* One must be aware that a bridge camera is always a compromise between DSLR and compact camera, in the case of the HS20 but a very good
* Who gets by with 28 to 500mm gets a tip camera, everything else requires quite intensive post-PC, but is available
* The HS20 covers most shooting situations very well, perfectly adequate for photo-Normal consumers, special task requires individual camera equipment
* Who is the sensor limited to its "EXR dynamics and high sensitivity / low noise" a very very good picture quality get (8MP limited - SUPER)
* 16MP for fully automatic with the small sensor then again `ne mean disaster, but marketing Technically unfortunately common
* From me at this price-performance ratio is an absolute buy recommendation

Optional accessories:
1) for the "small" camera as an additional flash of Fuji EF-20 perfectly adequate for Move, the EF-42 acts quite Globig on the camera
2) original remote release RR-80 for connection to the USB connector of the camera, ideal for tripod shots without camera shake "key trigger" by
3) ideal bag = Lowepro Zoom AW45, here fits the camera very well purely incl.Blende, in addition to the small Flash EF-20, spare batteries, Polarizer, memory card
4) Professional 6 layer safety glass screen protector = then the display can no longer scratch, fits and fits perfectly
so that you can get for little euros a complete camera features, here DSLR only beginning and that only housing + kit lens

special tips:
Make ~ Storing a function EXR (zBDR = dynamic extension) and all settings individually required under C
~ Setting the second EXR function (SN - high sensitivity / low noise) and make all settings individually required under EXR
~ Perform program shift setting under P and all settings individually required under P and has the 3rd individual setting
~ All settings are retained even after get off and one has thus three C storage for its fields of application, completely sufficient
~ All other manual functions can then S; A; M make for each specific application of the photographer
~ Wen`s disturbs can turn off all ads, very good for viewing through the viewfinder, because that's all annoying hidden in the small viewfinder

Suggestion for Fuji technician:
^ Take the housing and lens of the Fujifilm S100FS, plus a completely transform rotating folding screen, the technology of Fuji HS20EXR plus an APS-C CMOS EXR sensor paired with ... a decent larger 100% viewfinder and the competitors will be pale and a DSLR can be eventually mothballed!
^ While the APS-C CMOS EXR sensor kept at 16MP and then you have fantastic possibilities with each 8MP in the EXR settings
^ So I imagine a perfect Bridgkamera, confidently omit the video function is called and therefore guarantees all photographers - target groups.
^ Priced this solution would still be much more attractive than a DSLR equipment with all the matching for Fuji lens optics of a DSLR
^ For more suggestions, I am happy to help and would like to hold in my hands the first the "New" and test

Note:
Those who want more and can wait: In January 2012, the Premium Bridge Camera Fuji FinePix X-S1 will come out, size / weight similar to the S100fs, but also much more expensive than the HS20, whose prices also why are so deep in the basement. Throwing 2 similar cameras in less than a year on the market is a sales killer for the previous model.
Fuji FinePix X-S1 = larger 2/3 "sensor with 12MP, lens 2.8-5.6 / 24-624, weight 905gr., Sounds very promising and almost like my recommendation at the end of the review :))
Whether, however, worth the almost 3-fold price remains to be seen, and then also a Finepix X-S1 must be able to provide a DSLR. One would NEN APS-C sensor and the lens should obstruct slim down a little at the telephoto end (24-500) is sufficient. Nevertheless, Fuji, thanks to this move you have many Finepix HS20EXR allows to get a great price, especially with many, many ways the same as in the X-S1. Can all just recommend the most reasonable price the HS20EXR now exploit. Premium Finepix X-S1 back and forth more than 80% of identical data this is not a clever marketing of Fuji. The image quality of the HS20EXR is already very good and photographers will probably continue to use their DSLR and appreciate a good and cheap Bridge camera as the HS20. This is my preliminary assessment by comparing the data sheets, whether or not the large sensor and the less MP to bring more I will appear to test the X-S1. Then the X-S1 has to show what they can. In my test, the X-S1 is against the HS20EXR and the Canon 60D (4.0-5.6 / 17-85 IS & 4.0 / 70-200L IS) compete. I know that Canon equipment should not be compared, but why not. It is a visual test and no laboratory test for the evaluation of the images, is interested in the end also only the image quality. Personally, I'll stay with the HS20EXR, as well as the weight forever this one and the picture quality is really good.