After HS 20 HS 50 now ...

* Olympus Pen E-PM2 (system camera, price-performance good, MFT sensor 16 Mpixels)
* Nikon 1 S1 (System Camera CX-Sensor 10 Mpixel)
* Compact Nikon S9100 (compact camera, 12 megapixels, uncomplicated snapshots)
* Fujifilm HS50 just in test

brief introduction:

Basically, I have been interested in the HS50 because I had to use the already HS 20 some time ago and, except for the relatively poor picture quality in dimly lit areas actually was not dissatisfied. Especially the value for money was there quite adequate for a superzoom camera. Due to the difficulties in low-light shots, I switched to the system camera world with a significantly larger sensor. The only drawback, superzoom is now no longer in it, you need it 1-2 min additional costly (if at all available) Interchangeable lenses to achieve approximately 10 times zoom. In the image quality this system cameras are generally but really far forward, they play in the middle SLR category with good.

For me now it was really interesting:
1) What has happened in the new Fujitsu HS 50 compared to the HS 20
2.) What is the image quality
3.) Is the combination - superzoom camera / camera system the better alternative to multiple interchangeable lenses. A single good interchangeable lens with 10x zoom factor cost you more than the HS 50!

Scope of supply:
Camera, battery, charger, lens cap, lens hood, shoulder strap, manual + CD.

Something about the technology of the HS 50:

It's a really massive bridge camera which actually can be optically and technically weight confused with almost any SLR. She is ready for operation with more than 800 grams significantly heavier than the HS 20 and also slightly larger (135 mm x 101 mm x 146 mm). The rubberized plastic housing is high quality, absolutely handy and for one-handed work still suitable. The usual baggy backed rubber covers for USB and HDMI and mic are also here to find. The high-resolution monitor is now swivel and rotate and the electronic viewfinder equipped with Dioptrinverstellung dissolves with 920000 points significantly higher on the subject can now better realize the viewfinder image but is slightly delayed when panning. The optical zoom range is now up to 1000 mm (42 times) has been drilled and the EXR-16 Mpixel 1/2 inch sensor + processor has experienced an upgrade, now called EXR CMOS II. The AF is then accelerated even a hybrid phase contrast auto focus. Supposedly possible the focus in 0.05s. I can not measure it, but quickly the AF is definitely. Only in the far telephoto or in darker environments, it sometimes does not manage the AF and pumping something. The image stabilizer earns now his name, which is very clearly noticeable when you increase the focal length and the stabilizer off times, because then you get no stabilization without the verwacklungsarmes Photo anymore. Continuous shooting at full resolution are "mathematically" with 11 images / s. For me, however, after 5 shots always stored only once. Videos can be shot at 60 frames / s in Full-HD. These are by the way quite well lit and rendered smoothly. For this, you probably need a Class 10 SD card, for me it came with Class 4 to aborts the recording, alternatively, you can reduce the resolution, then it will come with class 4. During video recording still pictures can be photographed. Basically RAW and JPG photo format as is available, video with stereo sound is saved as mov file.

The lens is HS typically only manually adjustable, there is again a switchable manual focus ring and a small manual pop-up flash is also integrated. The latter can be replaced by a stronger light on existing hot shoe.

Photographing:

Since I was able to take pictures with a HS20, the operation of the HS50 for me was quite simple. It's pretty similar to everything remained the same. The SLR users will cope safely afloat with the operation and controls. Who have not had the opportunity to use an SLR or Fuji HS-XX and umsteigt of a compact or brand new einsteigt, but certainly here to get to know some specifics. Clear that there are many manual and semi-automatic and fully automatic modes that can be selected via the mode dial. Who wants to simply take pictures only quickly over to automatic or P-Mode. Photo friends want to regulate a lot of shutter speed or aperture itself, select the semi-automatic S, A modes. Should it go to the crunch, the manual modes M & C are available.
Especially with this camera the advertised EXR mode is highlighted. This mode gives allegedly, almost automatically, lower noise, or higher quality images dynamically. Here are, roughly speaking, depending on the EXR mode, compared to the photosensor after photographing adjacent pixels and the light values ​​with each other and offset against each other. Thus, there is a possibility that you only half the max. 16 Mpixel resolution obtained, but lower noise and more dynamic pictures gets delivered.

Info for illustration, with no guarantee of absolute technical correctness .:
* In good lighting conditions the camera at full resolution and even the smallest detail work is reproduced exactly.
* In low light sensitivity is increased by two adjacent pixels of the same color faint taken together on the sensor to a lichtstärkerem pixels.

But my experience with the EXR mode is something of a mixed nature, because it can also provide unfavorable image results. I photograph, therefore, mainly with the "P" -or auto mode and set this menu on the ISO max. Car 800 with a DR100 or 200.
Only in low light I try the EXR Auto mode or even the times ProLowLight mode, with many ordinary image results up to ISO 1200th The professional is purely manual hammer out even more sophisticated images. With weak colors I use the film simulation "Velvia" for crisper results!
Basically, the image quality, nothing to complain about, as with most cameras in daylight. Until Din A5 (Postcard) or even A4 there are natural colors and well-resolved images. Is there enough light, the results are very good and even on ISO 2000, the camera delivers useful results, at least until Din A. 5

The crux is in such a small 1/2 "-Fotosensoren, despite all the tricks (HDR / EXR), most of the low-lit area from ISO 800 in low light I would attest clear color noise in the image magnification with the EXR II -.. Or possibly . ProLowLight mode can be but the beginning of the noise sometimes quite clearly contrary to expect. The lens flare effect (glare spots / lens reflection) is in this lens when photographing light sources but very pronounced.

One more thing for creative people:

The FinePix HS50EXR offers various Filmsimulationsmodi with whom the previously available color films can be simulated, such as "Velvia", "PROVIA", "ASTIA". "Sepia" or "Black-Weis". In addition, many special effects such as pinhole camera, Miniature, Soft Focus are many more. specified. Special programs such as Portrait, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow / beach, Flower, Text, Party and panorama may not be missed. Using the Multiple Exposure twin recordings can be combined into a single image. Also overlapping photos are therefore relatively easy with this camera.

Conclusion:

As a camera for "everyone", the times just wants to quickly snap shots, the Fujifilm HS50's sure something oversized. The camera is a compromise between the compact and the SLR or system camera world. Hence the name "Bridge" fits very well. As all-rounder I would not call but as a "Many-rounder". She has an enormous number of possible combinations for various image situations, here a little experimentation and training will need to bring. Especially the manual controls get much more out of the camera. Size and weight of course one must also not interfere, rather the reverse, the camera enters thereby to visually very professional and the weight alone counteracts camera shake!
The really special feature of this camera is especially the huge telephoto for me, since one brings so photographically almost every plane from the sky. Such focal lengths are otherwise almost priceless in individual lenses. I've done as a prime example times Moon, gliders and animal photography, in good light the pictures are at full focal length sharp, clear and beautiful, such as the moon image is scanned every major craters sharply. The interchangeable lens system camera for the first time, therefore I save. Some pictures I have stored the effect on customer photo area. The image quality, especially in low-light environments, however, remains significantly behind those of the system or DSLR cameras back and pronounced Lens flare like not always. For a Megazoom camera, the HS50 yet provides all around very ordinary images. Compared to the predecessor HS20 Fujifilm HS50 EXR managed with a much improved and above all faster camera, which of course is reflected in the relatively high price (april 2013).
4 stars, camera like that.

A request would be my hand that Fujifilm this type of camera (if techn. At all feasible) times could spendieren a slightly larger sensor (CX format?), Then so many expenses for noise reduction would possibly no longer necessary and the "HS" could be a be an absolute hit. An alternative would be here at the moment, the Fujifilm X-S1 with 2/3 sensor.