Fuji has once again risen

I could do with my last year as a rookie when it comes to HS30EXR larger-than-a-Compact my first steps in the field of advanced photography. Well, I think the HS50EXR in the fingers and am thrilled what Fuji offers. Comparing the two bridge cameras, the HS50EXR already acts due to the larger 42-fold objective instead of the so far only 30 times optical zoom moderate. The objective is reflected in the slightly higher weight of now nearly 850 grams, good 200 grams more than the previous model.

Also noticeable right away is the redesigned screen. Had at the HS30EXR always grease stains on the display when you photographed with viewfinder instead of the screen, so this is now not only to fold more, but also every angle. The screen is now simply folded when it is not needed and is thus safe from stains and scratches on the screen.

Pleasant falls immediately on the feel that immediately conveys the good feeling of quality. All buttons and knobs have well dosed pressure points. Despite heavier the HS50EXR is very nice in the hand and is easy to use. However, the housing, the buttons for ISO, the AE and AF and white balance button have disappeared, who still direct access to these functions while taking pictures allowed in the HS30. These settings must now be made via the menu or the Q key.

With the new menu structure itself there are no surprises, everything is pretty easy to find and can be explained largely by itself. However, I recommend to read the manual on the CD. Here you will find plenty of tips and tricks and insightful descriptions, especially for beginners. Among other things, the function of the Q key is explained here. This is very useful when you want to quickly make certain settings, such as the ISO setting, image size, image quality, etc.

The faster autofocusing is a real plus in the HS50EXR, even though she was already well on the HS30EXR. The camera is ready really quickly. The video function has, however, interests me only secondary, because I already have a very good camcorder. But if it is then but stayed at home again, so does the video function of the HS50EXR. The sound recording can be but little to be desired. For this you can also take photos while recording video, also a plus.

I am an absolute fan of the filter functions and the types of subjects. For creative types, some motifs are now, however, account for, such as dogs and cats. Since I've been here anyway never found a visible difference, I can get over this and welcome it even as there were in my opinion too much creative types. Good photos are touched up on the PC anyway, if needed. The Advanced Mode has changed to the extent that now 3D images more can be generated. The 3D technology does not seem to really enforce in photography?

But you now have a number of filter to get, such as Partial Color, in which a black and white image with a single color (red, orange, purple yellow, green, blue or) can be added. But it is important that in this case a clear color separation is given in the motif. Brown, in the choice of colors orange then be ever displayed in color, or the color mode red lips of a person in low light conditions are also shown in red, although they are pink. Most filters, such as pinhole camera the or the thumbnail view, I find very appealing and will apply them safely more often, whereas I do not know exactly what you want to totally overexposed High-Tone or underexposed low-key to take pictures? But this is certainly a matter of taste. The Pro-Focus-, Pro Low-light and multiple-exposure selection has remained.

For my needs, the camera is beautiful photos, especially outdoors and macro range. But as others reviewers noted, is the automatic the HS50EXR is not the ne plus ultra in poorly lit designs. Here can be sure a lot of the right attitude to improve. But one should take time to determine the optimal settings. This then can be stored in the mode C (Custom Mode), so that one does not have to memorize the settings and can quickly access them.

Clearly, the HS50EXR is compared with the HS30EXR a significant improvement, but the price difference is also quite clear.
However, I enjoy the advantages of 42-fold zoom in the HS50EXR, this is my absolute highlight of this camera. Rarely get me so good and steady images at maximum zoom level.