Great game and tool!

I decided just before availability of HS30 for a purchase of the "old" model (decisive was the price for money (not even a year!); Of which one does not know, of course, how it will develop, also the (the viewfinder / flash) somewhat more compact design; and finally the interpretation on AA batteries / rechargeable batteries).

Since I started with a time OM2 tens years ago to make "real" photos, I always wanted to return to freedom manual and semiautomatic programs. That is why I am with my previous camera, the Nikon L120, never became quite "hot". The returns in 90% of cases beautiful results, but eventually it gets too difficult to prevent the unauthorized intervention of electronics.

Now here is a camera that always leaves the choice. If you operate it "automatically", the results are (for me at least) a bit boring. . But as soon as one uses the range of settings, etc. with ISO, dynamic range, white balance as needed "play", they will (for a camera with "small" chip) fantastic (at least in my opinion, and based on the current price; I paid 269 Euro).

By the way: The chip is 1/2 "tall" his (which therefore does not apply only for HS30). The converted to 35mm (small format) focal length is therefore incorrectly specified by Fuji. She was considered for the HS10 (with its 1 / 2.3 inch chip, as in compact cameras). Due to the enlargement of the chip, the focal length is "slipped" down (a photo comparison between HS10 and HS20 from a forum post has confirmed my impression):

Lens 4.2 - 126 mm, sensor 1/2 inch (instead of 1 / 2.3 inches in HS10), so is the zoom range (based on KB 35 mm) instead of the specified 24-720 mm (with a crop factor of 5.4): 22.68 x 680.40 mm or 22.7 x 680 mm. So there is a little less tele, but an enormous wide angle (the seemingly small changes are as significant as the supposedly great at Tele, on the other end).

Distortion at WW and telephoto falls at the ends of significantly; but they can (I use Gimp 2.6: tug filter, Ver, Lens Distortion [!]) (also, of course, if the always inevitable, but at ordinary magnification more theoretical loss of sharpness) corrected readily.

Manual handling of the zoom I find fantastic (you can very quickly adjust to the object the cut), the emulation of the manual focus, however - like others - rather sobering. One can probably stick with MF also set to "infinity" (fireworks, landscape) ...

One need hardly repeat that one to M = 8 megapixels really is with the attitude always well served. As film simulation I use currently not standard (Provia), but not the powerful (quite charming) Velvia, but (at least in the winter / spring) Astia.

Younger EVF (Viewfinder) I find not so bad; I regard him as an encore, which may help in some situations. Initial reports seem as if even the new, high-resolution viewfinder the HS30 bit disappointed. Both cameras have a not quite as high-resolution display so the rest; Here one would want more, but - as I said - the HS30 in any case it does not offer too ...

Finally, a personal Bags Recommendation: Mantona Sportsbag SLR Camera Case (sporty compact bag) for bridge cameras and Micro SLR - see my review there.

PS: Have fun with the HS20 (or HS 30)!