Fujifilm is delighted to announce the launch of the FinePix HS30EXR, the latest in a long line of market-leading bridge cameras loved by photo enthusiasts all over the world. The HS range has become synonymous with versatility and optical quality among those photographers who don't want the lens-changing capability of a DSLR, but still want total control over their images.
The HS30EXR includes a number of key specification improvements over the HS20EXR model it replaces. The Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) has been greatly improved while a switch in power supply to a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery delivers up to 600 pictures per charge. These are just some of the changes that will ensure the HS30EXR keeps the Fujifilm name at the forefront of the bridge camera market in 2012.
New sensor, even better pictures
The FinePix HS30EXR features an improved EXR-CMOS sensor, which gives the user even more versatility, most notably in low light conditions. By redesigning the shape of the photo diodes used in the EXR-CMOS sensor, the images display 30% less digital noise at higher ISO settings, which results in smoother tones and better low light images.
The EXR-CMOS sensor offers three different user-selectable options: High Resolution (HR) delivers the best results in bright lighting conditions or when fine detail in an image is of paramount importance. Wide Dynamic Range (DR) Priority is ideal for capturing images in high contrast light situations, when the user wants detail in both shadow and highlight areas, while High Sensitivity and Low Noise (SN) Priority is the one to choose in low-light. All of these modes can be selected, or it can be left to the HS30EXR to choose through the EXR AUTO function.
Never miss a shot
Composing images on these HS-series can be done using either the 3-inch tilting LCD or the Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), both of which have been substantially improved over the HS20EXR. The LCD uses 460,000 dots to display menus and images with great clarity and now benefits from a brighter screen that ensures it's easy to view, even in direct sunlight.
Meanwhile, the FinePix HS30EXR’s EVF is also larger at 0.26-inches and features 920,000 dots, compared to only 200,000 dots on the HS20EXR, making for a far clearer viewing image.
Viewing comfort has also been boosted thanks to a 22 degree viewing angle (16 degrees on the HS20EXR) and the whole picture taking experience has been improved through a substantial reduction in starting up period compared to the HS20EXR. The starting up period is now just around a half compared with that of HS20EXR. The writing period after continuous shooting has also been dramatically cut to approximately 2 seconds (compared to 20 seconds on the HS20EXR).
A lens for every occasion
Sitting at the heart of the HS-series is a Fujinon 30x optical zoom lens offering a huge focal range from 24-720mm (equivalent to a 35mm camera). This enables photographers to tackle almost any type of subject matter from sweeping landscapes to fine details on wild animals.
But there may be occasions when users require even more telephoto power to pull in really distant details and, thanks to the Intelligent Digital Zoom function, this is now possible. This doubles the focal range, delivering a massive 60x zoom with a maximum telephoto setting of 1440mm. What's more, the Intelligent Digital Zoom function doesn't suffer from the problems typically associated with digital zoom capabilities. This is achieved through intelligent image processing where the HS30EXR boosts sharpness in selected areas without increasing digital noise.
Movie making and picture taking made easier
Like the HS20EXR, the HS30EXR also captures 1080p Full HD movies at 30 frames per second, but this hasn't stopped Fujifilm's designers making some key improvements to ensure movie capture is even easier.
Now, it's possible to manually focus during movie shooting for more creative focusing effects, while those preferring to auto focus will benefit in a reduction in focus hunting, so they can keep up with the action. When it comes to still images, the technologies used for Face Detection and Tracking AF have been combined to create Face Tracking Auto Focus. Ideal for capturing all the sporting action and active children, this unique feature allows users to follow the action, ensuring that the faces of friends and loved ones are kept sharp and perfectly exposed.
Finally, the FinePix HS30EXR has also been improved with the addition of a customisable Function (Fn) key on the rear of it. This enables fast access to regularly used functions without needing to go into the full menu each time.
Key differences between HS20EXR and HS30EXR
| HS20EXR | HS30EXR |
Sensor | 16 megapixel EXR-CMOS | 16 megapixel EXR-CMOS |
LCD | 3-inch, | 3-inch |
Electronic viewfinder | 0.20-inch | 0.26-inch |
Battery | 4x AA batteries | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
Intelligent Digital Zoom | No | Yes |
Manual Focus during movie recording | No | Yes |
Customizable Function (Fn) key | No | Yes |
Electronic level | No | Yes |
RAW shooting | Yes | Yes |
Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR key features
| FinePix HS30EXR |
Number of effective pixels | 16.0million pixels |
Image sensor | 1/ 2-inch EXR-CMOS with primary colour filter |
Storage media | Internal memory (approx.25MB) |
File format (still image) | JPEG (Exif Ver 2.3 ), RAW (RAF format), RAW+JPEG |
(movie) | H.264(MOV) |
Number of recorded pixels | L: <4:3>4608 x 3456 <3:2>4608 x3072 <16:9>4608x2592 |
Lens | Fujinon 30x optical zoom lens |
focal length | f=4.2 - 126mm, equivalent to 24-720mm on a 35mm camera |
full-aperture | F2.8(Wide) - F5.6 (Telephoto) |
constitution | 11 groups 15 lenses |
Digital zoom | Intelligent Digital Zoom approx. 2.0x (up to approx. 60x, with 30x optical zoom ) |
Aperture | F2.8-F11.(Wide) |
Focus distance | Normal : |
Sensitivity | Auto, Equivalent to ISO 100/200/400/800/1600/3200/6400*/12800* (Standard Output Sensitivity) |
Exposure control | TTL 256-zones metering, Multi, Spot, Average |
Exposure mode | Programmed AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual |
Shooting modes | SP: Natural Light, Natural Light & Flash, Portrait, Portrait Enhancer, Dog, Cat, Landscape, Sport, Night, Night (Tripod), Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Party, Flower, Text, |
(MODE DIAL) | MODE DIAL : EXR, AUTO, P,S,A,M,C,PANORAMA,SP1,SP2, |
Image stabiliser | CMOS shift type |
Face detection | Yes |
Exposure compensation | -2.0EV-+2.0EV 1/3EV step |
Shutter speed | (Auto mode) 1/4 sec. to 1/4000 sec. , (All other modes) 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec. (combined mechanical and electronic shutter) |
Continuous shooting (TOP) | Super High:approx. 11fps (Size M,S) |
(LAST) | - |
(others) | Best Frame capture: |
Auto bracketing | AE Bracketing ±1/3EV,±2/3EV,±1EV |
Focus (mode) | Single AF/Continuous AF (EXR AUTO, Movie), |
(type) | TTL contrast AF, AF assist illuminator available |
(AF frame selection) | centre, Multi, Area, Tracking |
White balance | Automatic scene recognition |
Self-timer | 10 sec./2 sec. delay/Auto release/Auto shutter(Dog,Cat) |
Flash | Auto flash (super i-flash) |
| Effective range: (ISO AUTO): |
Flash modes | Red-eye removal OFF: Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro. |
Hot shoe | YES |
Electronic Viewfinder | 0.26-inch., approx. 920,000 dots, colour LCD viewfinder approx. 100% coverage |
LCD monitor | 3.0-inch, approx. 460,000 dots, TFT colour LCD monitor, approx. 100% coverage |
Movie recording | 1920 x 1080 pixels / 1280 x 720 pixels/ 640 x 480 pixels (30 frames /sec.) with stereo sound |
Photography functions | EXR mode, High Speed Movie (80/160/320 frames/sec), Face Detection, Auto red-eye removal, Face recognition, Advanced mode (Pro focus, Pro low light, Multiple exposure, Individual shutter 3D), Motion Panorama360, Film simulation, Electronic level, Histogram display, Framing guideline, Frame No. memory, Best frame capture, Advanced Anti Blur, Date stamp |
Playback functions | Face Detection, Auto red-eye removal, Multi-frame playback (with micro thumbnail), Protect, |
Other functions | PictBridge, Exif Print, |
Terminal { Video output) | NTSC/PAL selectable |
(Digital interface) | USB 2.0 High-Speed |
( HDMI output) | HDMI Mini connector |
Power supply | Li-ion battery NP-W126 (included) |
Dimensions | 130.6 (W) x 96.6 (H) x 126.0 (D) mm /5.1(W) x 3.8(H) x 4.9(D)in. |
Weight | Approx. 687g / 24.2oz. (including battery and memory card) |
| Approx. 637g / 22.4 oz. (excluding battery and memory card) |
Operating Temperature | 0℃-40℃ |
Operating Humidity | 10%-80% (no condensation) |
Battery life | Approx. 600 frames (AUTO mode) |
Accessories included | Li-ion battery NP-W126 |
Optional accessories | Lens hood LH-HS10 |