The Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR is a new super-zoom digital compact camera. Looking and handling like a DSLR, the bridge-style Fujifilm HS30EXR boasts a 30x zoom lens which covers a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-720mm and features mechanical image stabilisation and twist-barrel manual zoom and focusing controls. Other highlights of the HS30 EXR include a 16 megapixel EXR Back Side Illuminated CMOS sensor, a 3-inch tilting 460k-dot LCD monitor, 920k-dot electronic viewfinder with eye-sensor for automatic switching, and full 1080p HD movie recording with stereo sound. In addition there’s an ISO range of 100-12800, High Speed movie capture at 320 fps, continuous shooting at 8fps, 0.16 second auto-focusing, 600 shot battery life, a customisable Function button, full manual controls and support for the RAW file format. The Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR is available now for £439.99 / $499.95 in the UK / US respectively.
In addition to these "normal" movie
modes, the HS30EXR also offers several high-speed modes. There are three
different speeds on offer - 320, 160 and 80fps, with the file size
varying from 320x112 to 640x400 pixels respectively. This slow-motion
effect is initially very appealing and sure to impress your friends, but
there are some drawbacks to be aware of. Sound isn't recorded at all,
horizontal bands can appear as the lighting fluctuates, and the actual
sizes of the recorded movies are pretty small.
From the front the Fujifilm HS30EXR
looks like a serious bit of kit. The large zoom lens dominates
proceedings, with a push-on lens cap, retaining strap and lens hood
provided in the box. Above the lens and extending out across the lens
barrel, which boasts a textured surround allowing you to get a good firm
grip and achieve a smooth, steady zooming action, is an attractively
sloping ridge that conceals the pop-up flash (when not in use), which is
activated via a dedicated button positioned on the right. Still viewing
the HS30EXR from the front, the stereo sound speakers
are positioned one on either side of the lens barrel, with a familiar
dual purpose AF-assist illuminator and self-timer lamp to the left.
Above the pop-up flash is another DSLR-like touch - a hotshoe for
additional illumination via an optional external flashgun (EF-42 and
EF-20 models).
