Function and operation fine, picture quality is still acceptable

Function and operation fine, picture quality is still acceptable

Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR Digital Camera (16 Megapixel, 30x opt. Zoom, 7.6 cm (3 inch) display, image stabilized) (Electronics)

Customer Review

The Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR is a bridge camera that comes close in size, shape and operation concept of a DSLR. As such, it follows a clear approach.

Compared to entry-level DSLRs like you get a lot of functionality and a very large zoom range with a single relatively compact, lightweight lens with a lower price. In return, you have to make significant concessions, as expected especially in image quality.

Compared with other superzoom cameras on the other hand, the image quality is fine. Here are obtained in the HS30EXR relatively extensive intervention possibilities and features such as RAW recording, at the cost of slightly larger dimensions and more weight.

Now for the details.

Appearance

The physical resemblance of the HS30EXR with an SLR is striking, to the filter thread on the lens and the flash shoe via the viewfinder - can be seen only on closer inspection that the lens is securely attached and the viewfinder works electronically.

The unit is very well and securely in your hand. In the right places, the housing is provided with a safe grip rubber pads. All controls are housed useful easy to reach and work without problems. It would be nice maybe a tripod mount made of metal have been (here: plastic).

The workmanship is good and the price range of the camera all reasonable, it affects overall very solid. Succeeded I find the thick, easily detachable and tight fitting rubber cover for data connections and the stable and fed snap flap on the SD card slot. The battery compartment cover seems stable and fed snaps. Only the release latch has fallen a bit fiddly.

The digital focus ring on the lens runs very easily. The mechanism on the lens to adjust the focal length on the other hand is likely to be somewhat smoother. Relevant but that is only if you like zooms while shooting video.

In the box you will find in addition to the usual accessories (battery, charger, cable, strap, lens cap, Quick Start Guide, CD with software and detailed operating instructions) or a lens hood.

Operation and function

The camera responds very quickly to total inputs, and to navigate quickly and safely through the clearly structured menu items. As fairly casual users hardly requires a manual.

The delay between the real scenery and display / viewfinder is small, and fits to the shutter lag is minimal. Snapshots are not a problem.

The switch-on time is sufficiently short: If the autofocus plays along (or off), you can shoot the first image after about two seconds.

Autofocus is not outstanding fast or fail, but sufficient for most situations. There are problems most likely at the telephoto end, especially in low-contrast motifs. For manual (electronic) Focusing is achieved with the ring on the lens and the magnified view in the display very good and a useful alternative.

The image stabilizer works properly, but produced if you do not keep quiet, in videos the typical sensor shift "Jell-O" at the top and bottom of the screen.

The display has a sufficient for the assessment of live image and recording resolution, is bright and very high contrast. It can also switch to a mode that dark areas representing brighter, so that displays are easier to read in direct sunlight.

The low-contrast, easy image flickered in the electronic viewfinder is certainly not for everyone. Some users love but out of habit to look through a viewfinder, and in some situations (eg in bright sunlight) this also tangible benefits. But at least he dissolves even somewhat finer than the main display, so that not only the selection of the image detail, but also manual focus in the viewfinder is possible.

The HS30EXR shoots in normal series at maximum resolution depending on image content 5 to 12 images in succession, at a rate of (selectable) 3, 5 or 8 frames per second. If it has to go faster, at half the resolution (3264x2448) and 11 frames per second are possible. In addition, there is a special series Photo mode, with the already photographed the button is pressed halfway, but each last 8 or 16 images will be saved only when you press. Some getting used to, but a nice idea.

On the filter thread should incidentally very flat filter screw. A normal polarization filter (8 mm high) has already resulted in my tests the wide angle end to shadowing in the upper left corner.

Battery performance is excellent. With the first charge I could shoot more than 1,000 photos and take a good 30 minutes of video.

To my PC about 14 MB per second are transmitted via USB. That's fast enough. Pleasant is that a standard mini-USB cable fits.

Quality photos and video

Images from the HS30EXR are in the overall impression handsomely, with natural color reproduction. The contrasts are fine, though sometimes a little dull. The automatic white balance is doing well in most situations, only occasionally, there is a slight blue tinge. The camera exposes quite safe.

In wide angle a powerful, but still acceptable barrel, at the telephoto end a minimal pincushion distortion can be seen. Notable edge blurring produced my copy only in the lower left corner and only in extreme wide-angle. Here it comes to a more substantial vignetting. Chromatic aberrations occur most likely at the telephoto end, but are limited. Overall, the imaging performance of the lens is measured by the zoom factor quite well.

In order to enable the large zoom ratio with a compact, lightweight lens, the HS30EXR, like all superzoom cameras a tiny image sensor. With a half-inch size this is indeed slightly larger than the sensors of most competitors (about 20%). A big advantage in quality does not bring, however.

The even at ISO 100 noise vigorous attempts to get to grips with the electronic camera with an aggressive noise reduction. To save the sharpness, but the edges are significantly sharpened the image. The picture details do of course not good - it gives the watercolor-like appearance typical compact camera photos.

After taking the image noise at higher sensitivities to only moderately. From ISO 400, it is visible on an HD monitor already in full screen. Up to ISO 1600, the recordings remain reasonably usable at ISO 3200 the noise affected already on the camera display the image impression.

JPEGs from the HS30EXR prove in the maximum resolution of 4608x3456 pixels and maximum quality depending on the image content about 5 to 6 MB, RAW (RAF) 24-25 MB.

With the ability to record RAW, the camera is aimed on the one hand clearly towards more ambitious users or amateur photographers. Given the achievable image quality of the photographic results of the additional expense for a RAW processing appears not necessarily rewarding.

The RAWs from the HS30EXR use a new format that can be naturally converted from the supplied software. For the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in version 6.7, which supports this format, but there are currently only a preliminary version (RC). It also works only with CS5, not with Elements.

A fairly positive chapter is the video function. The HS30EXR produces beautiful HD videos in bright light. Only in low light, the effective resolution suffers significantly below the noise reduction. Criticisms here: The video image provides in some shooting situations to weak contrasts, and by the over-sharpening the edges, there is staircase artifacts. The overall impression of the video, however, is good. The stereo sound is clear and vivid, only in quiet passages a slight background noise is highlighted.

(Specification Video: QuickTime / MOV, max 1080p AVC with 29.97 fps, about 12 Mbps, sound in stereo PCM 48 KHz, 1536 Kbps..)

Conclusion

Overall, the HS30EXR is a versatile and easy to operate camera for ambitious users. It provides in processing and use hardly any weaknesses and provides as much flexibility as it is at all possible without interchangeable lenses.

The physical resemblance with equipment from the DSLR-bearing sits in the operating concept and other properties to the ability of RAW shooting continued. Compared with a DSLR eliminating unnecessary the purchase price and receives a zoom factor that would not make sense realized in a typical large DSLR image sensor.

This of course is clear that the image quality of the HS30EXR can keep up with the DSLR-bearing in any way and more is on par with other super zoom cameras. When functionality and zoom but are more important than compactness and imaging power in detail, the camera is a good choice.

The price-performance ratio is right, the concept is coherent and well implemented. Because of the moderate image quality, it is sufficient in my view, not quite to a maximum score, I give to the caveats but overall a buy rating and four stars ****.

Top-fridge Rank: 5/5
March 7
38 Interesting Rank: 3/5
December 3
Perfect January 2805 Rank: 5/5
September 13
powerful but ... 2 Rank: 3/5
June 30
OK 14 January 1152 Rank: 3/5
July 25
2 Wireless Doorbell Rank: 5/5
March 18

Related Reviews


Operation good picture quality, especially in SD maximum mediocreSamsung UE55H6620 SVXZG, UE55H6620SVXZG (Electronics) robust and cheap, top picture quality up to 1080p! No high-speed!Ligawo ® HDMI Switch 3x1 3D automatically with power supply (works even without) - up to 3 devices to a projector / TV (optional) Functional and easy, but disappointing qualityBench Mens Jacket Quaff (Sports Apparel) Functional and high fineClothespins, strong, wood, 50 pcs. (Household goods) Function and operation of super!TFA Dostmann 60.2528.02 BINGO radio-alarm clock, white / green (household goods) No problems, fully functional and therefore a good quality of printsHP 901 Black Original Ink Cartridge (Office supplies & stationery) Function and operation of the switches are in orderHome Easy HE307EU wireless wall switch / wireless range, 30 m (tool) Affordable, great functionality, possibility for tuning but operation and picture quality could be betterD-Link DCS-933L / E mydlink Wireless Sound Detection Camera (Accessories) Image quality and operation TOP, processing not ....Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 system camera (16 megapixels, 7.6 cm (3 inch) display, Full HD, optical image stabilization, WiFi, NFC) Black / Silver (Electronics) Operation + speed convincingly - so-so picture qualityCasio Exilim EX-ZR1000 digital camera (16.1 megapixels, 7.6 cm (3 inch) swivel display, 25x Multi SR Zoom, HS Night Shot ISO 25600, HDR) White (Electronics) Very good quality in features, function and endurance - High priceSennheiser Presence Basic Bluetooth Headset (accessory) Only for Creative / hipster with low demands on picture quality and the P / L ratio ;-)Polaroid GL10 Instant Mobile Photo Printer With Bluetooth (Electronics) Super picture quality and many settingsFujifilm FinePix S6500fd digital camera (6 megapixels, 10.7-fold opt. Zoom, 6.4 cm (2.5 inch) display, Face Detection) (Electronics) TV picture quality: - as a PC monitor: - Operation: - Multimedia:Samsung UE22H5680 54.7 cm (22 inch) TV (Full HD, Triple Tuner, Smart TV) (Electronics) Hardware and picture quality, unfortunately, disappointingCanon IXUS 155 Digital Camera (20 Megapixel, 10x opt. Zoom, 6.8 cm (2.6 inch) LCD, HD-ready) silver (Camera) Housing High-quality, top picture quality, night illumination top, many functions, P / L beatFoscam FI9805W H.264 HD surveillance camera / network camera (1.3 megapixel, 1280 x 960 pixels, 4 mm lens) (Electronics) Functional and very good quality but the price ????Canon SC-DC65D Camera Case for PowerShot G11 and G12 Brown (Accessories) Best picture quality, outdated and very slow technique.Nikon Coolpix P600 Digital Camera (16 Megapixel, 60x optical Mega Zoom with Super ED glass, 7.5 cm (3 inches) RGBW LCD monitor 5-axis image stabilization (VR), Dynamic Fine Zoom, Wi -Fi) (Electronics) Good design and functionality but with poor image qualityPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZX3EG-K digital camera (14 megapixel, 8x opt. Zoom, 6.9 cm (2.7 inch) display, image stabilized) (Electronics)