1. The image quality
I had in the analog time never a full-automatic. Inasmuch, it is obvious to me that the picture quality even helped to shape (and not fully automatic leaves). Basically, you often do not need to do more to reduce the brightness as in EXR or automatic mode (usually results in richer colors and prevents "pale" or images to flash areas of the image) or to increase. Alone with this minimal intervention you get very nice pictures in almost any situation. (I have the resolution to 8MB set and of course a UV filter to the lens.) In addition, there are many more way to increase the image quality, with whom I have to deal more (sharpness, intelligent sharpness, color, dynamics , LowLight etc.).
The image quality is supported by the excellent and fast lens. I played myself today in a basilica with the camera - the result was stunning. With the wide-angle throughout the nave can be displayed with almost no distortion. With the tele I could from the back (without flash and without tripod - only with his elbows) depict details even at the altar sharp and color-beautiful.
Enormously helpful, of course, that one sees before the imprints how the photo will look like (only in automatic mode and EXR) - or how changes eg. impact in setting the brightness dial. For manual setting, there is no preview ("Live View") - but that did not exist in analogue SLR, too and does not go from me.
If you are not satisfied with the picture quality, you have probably even done something wrong or not made sufficiently knowledgeable about change recording options.
2. ease
Finally we should not be here for the most important settings through endless menus. Eg. the brightness, you will access with a button - and then they can vary the control dial, with which you can adjust other functions called. (By the rotary wheel eliminates the cumbersome Clicking on the desired variant.) A very pleasant simplification is also achieved by the fact that the area with the program-adjustment dial and the turning wheel is bevelled to Photo degrees towards backward - one so do not ever hiss when hiring choice Top-view and rear-view change must! (Why not make more camera manufacturers) is as easy to use manual focus by rotating ring on the lens (when the auto focus is even overwhelmed - which is rare enough occurs: eg photos into the land where he does not know what to focus. ). Or to manually adjust the focal length. This really is again true camera feel like in the analog time. Excellent also the foldable and very bright and sharp drawing display. (. The flaps of the display is very useful for changing the settings in the menu - as you do not have to constantly hold the back of the camera to his eye for it) that the display foldable and does not swivel, I experience positive result, it is the black Camera body outlined and remains more visible, and the picture remains on the axis between the eye and the subject.
I could rave about for a long time - getting to know the camera is constantly encounters new useful and positive features (eg water level in the viewfinder and on the display.). But which are already described in detail in other 5 and 4 star reviews, so I can avoid repetitions me here. Because the menu has a very simple and understandable, to learn about the possibilities of the camera is playfully easy and fun.
3. feel and quality
It's just a pleasure to hold this camera in hands and to look at. Because everything looks high quality, thoughtful and professional. The size corresponds to a real camera. (This can be seen on the Amazon product images without environment for size comparison not - several comparable bridge cameras see real as small toy cameras from So you have to know what you want A gewissse size with weight as the HS30 facilitates for example... blur-free images and bears for me at the difference between taking pictures and photography.)
4. Key accessories is possible: especially TTL and remote triggering (mechanically or with infrared transmitter) - an important (and inexpensive) tool for blur-free and sharp images in low light situations and for extreme telephoto.
5. Video
Basically, the quality of video and sound recording are really good - also the focus by the AF satisfactory. A camcorder with a 24mm wide-angle, you can look far! To be penetrated without deeper into the intricacies of the camera that films in EXR mode are nice - even indoors. (Who wants to film Full HD, must make sure that the memory card it is also suitable -. Eg "SanDisk Extreme Pro".) Please pay attention that the respiratory sounds of the film ends are not always heard. (As a small breathing mask may be helpful as you use artisans.)
That there is not video: connection for an external microphone, pause button (each scene is saved as a new video), video-editing program. (The lack of microphone connector can be replaced by a mobile digital recorder, the currently costs little more than a usable microphone alone.)
The manual zoom the video shoot is unfortunately unsatisfactory - a tripod helps because not much. The manual adjustment of the focal length to a very jerky. (This does not slide, but you have a slight resistance point approximately in the middle overcome). In heavy zooming you have additional interrupt and nachgreifen because the rotational path is so long. Also, the autofocus takes the Telezooming some time to readjust. An additional motorized adjustment of the lens for the video mode would be fine.
Most likely you can make a simple manner from the weakness a strength: by attaching via the focal length adjustment ring a hose clamp with a right angle protruding lever rod. This would have a soulful händisches zooming be possible - as it did in good Super-8 cameras with the same zoom functionality.
Addendum: my impression leaves the bucking to the manual zoom with time. (Apparently, here a mechanical obstruction grinds slowly.)
6. XP operating system:
I am scared when unpacking something when I read on the packaging that the Fuji with Windows Vista and Windows 7 compatible and there is no mention XP. Clear: the image transmission works fine with XP.
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Overall: an excellent and almost perfectly constructed and designed camera with many possibilities, with the make taking pictures again pleasure - and with a great zoom lens, with which you can capture wonderful images of strong wide-angle to full telephoto.
At this point I would like to thank the partly very detailed positive reviews that have encouraged me to buy this camera!
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PS .: The first comment I link the manual for HS30 and accessories purchased in addition, with whom I am very satisfied.
