New 42x and 50x Fuji Superzooms out March 2013 (1 Viewer)

[earleybird]

anyone seen the new Fujifilm Superzoom bridge cameras about to be released in March ? The Fuji guys on the tube have done a prelim intro for both models

In the H series the most interesting model for me is the HS50EXR with 42x zoom !
It also has the world's fastest AF Auto focus in its class 0.5 second ! a 1/2 EXR CMOS ll sensor ! and 11fps cotinuous shooting at full 16mp resolution !

In the S series there is the SL1000 with a staggering 50x optical zoom...:eek!: thats 1000mm

I was about to upgrade my old Fujifilm HS10 to a Fujifilm X-S1 today but saw the new releases minutes before my purchase. I'm now going to wait to trial the HS50EXR before deciding X-S1 or HS50 ?

 

[kennethwfd]

I'm watching this as it does seem to address some of the issues I had with the HS20 (larger viewfinder for a start).

One point to clarify is that at 16mp resolution you can only shoot 5 frames at a time

Sample website after googling "hs50" http://www.greatdigitaldeals.co.uk/fuji-finepix-hs50-exr-digital-bridge-camera-p-2809.html

The sensor is smaller than the XS1, but a comparison site says that the 2011 technology of the XS1 has been improved on in the HS50, so a comparison on size alone is not justified (the HS50 sensor is smaller than the XS1.

I wonder whether the EXR and "intelligent digital zoom" modes will still result in a 8MP camera.

Those who are quoting a price seem to be around the £550 mark. Expected to be on sale in approx 2 months time, will performance and quality live up to the hype?

 

[punta]

It looks like the dogs dangley bits from what i have read and seen - will just have to wait and see. Puts my new bridge camera on hold now though :eek!:

 

[earleybird]

I'm watching this as it does seem to address some of the issues I had with the HS20 (larger viewfinder for a start).

There is no comparison with previous viewfinders. This is almost as good as DSLR

One point to clarify is that at 16mp resolution you can only shoot 5 frames at a time

It shoots 11 frames per second but you'll only get 5x frames at full 16Mp yes If you want more you can reduce the Mp setting to say 12Mp anf get more frames .

Sample website after googling "hs50" http://www.greatdigitaldeals.co.uk/fuji-finepix-hs50-exr-digital-bridge-camera-p-2809.html

The sensor is smaller than the XS1, but a comparison site says that the 2011 technology of the XS1 has been improved on in the HS50, so a comparison on size alone is not justified (the HS50 sensor is smaller than the XS1.

Yes again there is no comparison between sensors. this new sensor is completely new technology EXR Cmos ll and permits amazingly quick AF (autofocus).

I wonder whether the EXR and "intelligent digital zoom" modes will still result in a 8MP camera.

Those who are quoting a price seem to be around the £550 mark. Expected to be on sale in approx 2 months time, will performance and quality live up to the hype?

you need to read one of the many excellent full reviews and specifications on the net rather than speculate like eveyone seems to do about Bridge cameras. read the facts and figures and then you'll be informed :t:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/01/07/Fujifilm-finepix-hs50-exr-hs35

 

[earleybird]

It looks like the dogs dangley bits from what i have read and seen - will just have to wait and see. Puts my new bridge camera on hold now though :eek!:

yes me too

I was just about to order an X-S1 ...

Amazon ran out of stock of this camera on the first day!

:-C

 

[kennethwfd]

you need to read one of the many excellent full reviews and specifications on the net rather than speculate like eveyone seems to do about Bridge cameras. read the facts and figures and then you'll be

Have read this and several others, where have I speculated? And my question regarding whether the camera has 8mp max resolution when in EXR & intelligent digital zoom modes goes unanswered

 

[earleybird]

Have read this and several others, where have I speculated? And my question regarding whether the camera has 8mp max resolution when in EXR & intelligent digital zoom modes goes unanswered

what am I ? Mr Fuji ?

I'm afraid I don't know .You'll have to do a search

 

[kennethwfd]

having spent some time on forums for trainspotters and tattoos, unlike this one I find i can ask questions and have an intelligent conversation without talking to myself

 

[earleybird]

I'd be happy to discuss the relative merits of this camera with anyone that has taken the trouble to be informed . Its a bit of a one way conversation with someone who hasn't .

However I'll give you the benefit of the doubt .

I know nothing about this camera other than what I have managed to read on the net by using Google search.

There are some excellent pre release reviews on youtube, particularly those by the Fujiguys

There a couple of sites that have done some side by side comparisons with other bridge cameras like the Fujifilm X-S1 and the new Fujifilm SL1000 which has a 50x zoom . dpreview.com forum for one

 

[iveljay]

I own both an XS-1 and an HS20. I own both as I have never regarded the XS-1 as an upgrade path to the HS series.

The HS series are the Fujifilm premium long zoom cameras and exist to take on the Canon and Panasonic equivalents. The XS adresses a rather more niche market place largely inhabited by owners of other X series cameras I suspect.

The XS-1 feels much more like a non-interchangeable lens slr, more like the Olympus E10/E20 cameras. The actual body is actually bigger than many 4/3 slr bodies (and vastly bigger than Micro 4/3 bodies), though this helps to balance the lens which is far smaller than an equivalent 4/3 lens would be.

One of the attractions of the XS-1 is that it shares the same battery as the X-100 and has great similarities in operation to the X-10, both cameras I use extensively, but not for bird photography. Hence the retention of the HS20.

The HS50 handbook looks like a straighforward upgrade of all the HS range from the HS20 onwards.

At the end of the day the proof will be in the pictures the final production model produces, though bearing in mind that like many Fuji cameras the XS-1 was accused of all sorts of problems by people who never owned one and ignored the fact that it took excellent photos; we will just have to wait and see.

Personally I think that the HS50 will be an excellent camera for taking photographs and a sensible upgrade for HS10/20 users.

The other thing to remember is that a Fuji spokesperson once said that EXR functionality was not strictly tied to specific hardware i.e. the X100 does not use an EXR sensor but uses an EXR processor and does retain all its pixels, however the HS50 does have an EXR sensor which indicates that it still retains some degree of pixel reconfiguration capability of its predecessors.

 

[earleybird]

thats very interesting .

I mostly take pictures of garden birds and wildlife with my HS10 . I assumed that from the specs the X-S1 would give better quality images with faster AF and read/write times ? and would therefore be a distinct improvement over my HS10.

you're saying that you've kept the HS20 for bird shots ......

How would you compare the HS20 and the X-S1 in terms of image quality with bird photography all settings being equal

 

[iveljay]

Unfortunately for this discussion I am basically a photographer who also has an interest in bird behaviour. So I photograph birds doing something such as blackbirds digging snow holes in the recent blizzard rather than portraits of birds, but most of the time I just watch them using binoculars. However despite this the following describes how my bridge cameras fit into my photography as a whole.

The HS and XS cameras are used as notebook items when I can't be bothered to carry a bag of slr or video kit, ie out walking etc. However I don't use the XS for bird photography - it was bought for other uses - basically as an X10 with a telephoto for people and scenic photography. It is also better in low light than my HS20.

The HS range has a longer reach than the XS and allows me to see more clearly what I am shooting, while a better sensor may allow you to crop later with similar quality it isn't as good for knowing when to shoot.

I prefer the manual focussing on the XS1, but its not a valid comparison as the HS20 viewfinder is pretty dire (fixed on the HS30 and 50).

The XS seems faster than your HS10 (I did own one before the HS20) but if that is a major consideration I'm afraid I use an slr.

Also - if you are out in heavy rain or a blizzard the HS series are not weather proof - the XS is rumoured to be better, but a pro quality slr and lenses are fully sealed, and furthermore take a battery grip to give you more reliable operation in the cold.

Similarly I rarely take bif shots with a still camera as I currently get more out of a good video shot on a dedicated video camera - you can see the dynamics of how the bird works and it is rare to be able to get an interesting composition around here. This is an area where the HS50 video may have potential depending on its ability to expose, follow focus and stabilise in these conditions - totally unknown at this time.

So I would suggest that at the present showing, the HS50 will be a worthwhile improvement over the HS10, once you have mastered getting the best out of EXR etc, something some reviewers never achieved with the 20. The improved viewfinder, greater reach and improved processing sound good at this time. In addition you can fold the ... lcd away so it is out of sight and protected most of the time and will be much more useful when you need the thing for macro etc.

I expect the review trolls will see pink elephants or something but I can honestly say that despite having early models of both the X10 and the XS1 I have only ever seen 2 very small globes and never had a droopy photograph. (Maybe I was lucky?)

 

[earleybird]

thats an interesting and informative insight thank you.:t:

One aspect that I realise I hadn't really considered much is the fact that I like to hand-carry my HS10 when i'm out and about , walking and exploring woods, reservoirs and rivers etc . The HS10 is light and compact so its never a burden and always at the ready for a snapshot capture .

The X-S1 is considerably larger and heavier than the HS50 which would undoubtably be more intrusive to hand carry however........

My next project is to photograph all my garden birds, so for the next year at least ,the camera is going to be used predominantly on a tripod ,for taking shots at a feeding station approx 8-12 feet away from the camera lense often through glass.

Weight is not going to be an issue at home and I can retain my HS10 for taking out into the field as before for which it is perfectly suited.

So my choice comes down to something with a good zoom (min zoom 26x) with fast AF a good EVF and a reasonable sensor and image quality.

i've decided to wait until the HS50 is released and then order both HS50 and a X-S1 and try them back to back and return the loser.:t:

 

[John In Ireland]

I see the Fujifilm FinePix SL1000 on sale now at Argos. £299. I was looking at the Canon SX50 but will hold now to compare. A few samples on YouTube already.

 

[earleybird]

yes the HS50 has also been on sale at Argos for the past week? Nothing at Amazon until today 4th March but I noticed last night at midnight Amazons message about pre-ordering changed to 'out of stock'

I ordered my HS50 a3x weeks ago so hopefully the order will be completed. today or tomorrow. I would hate to think I'd missed it when I could have bought it elsewhere.

I'm hoping we are going to see a review soon in case there are any bugs in the new super-zooms.

 

[Biancone]

A fairly superficial review of the HS50 has just appeared here. Obviously need to wait until someone posts some images relevant to birding conditions. But, surprise, surprise (not), seems the incredible autofocus performance the PR talks up may not be at all impressive at long focal lengths. Image quality perhaps short of the Canon SX50 too. I'm wanting to replace my FZ45 for this summer, and am torn between the FZ200 and the SX50. Definitely leaning leaning to the latter, mainly because there are many good images in the SX50 thread on BF, but still don't know if the HS50 is a third contender or not!

 

[earleybird]

its a dilemma isn't it .!

I remember all the criticism of the HS10 when it was first introduced. particularly regarding the image quality.

I've now used my HS10 for 2 years and have learnt how to get the best out of the camera. Some of my images are more than equal to DSLR's costing £thousands . You need to learn how to use all the settings and manual modes to their full to get the best out of the HS series cameras.

The trouble is we are looking at a cheap tele-zoom camera costing a mere £400 and comparing it with DSLR cameras costing twice or three times as much and expecting the same IQ .

There is no comparison to DSLR's ...... thats missing the point completely.

A friend of mine just bought a compact Sony X100 for about £420.00 (same price as a HS50 ). It has a 1" sensor !:eek!: and phenomenal image quality at 20Mp :eek!: The zoom is useless so he is stuck with taking portraits of family and pets and still needs his DSLR for birds

The image quality at 100% is miles better than the HS50 but its completely impractical. Where is anyone going to use 20Mp images ? They are massive files taking ages to download and upload.

To post them anywhere for people to see he has to reduce the resolution and size considerably which to my mind defeats the whole object.?

I want a camera which i can carry anywhere in my hand , which has macro,super macro wide angle and telephoto all built in and will take images of birds at up to 720mm + which I can then upload to Flickr/ Photobucket and share on various online forums .

The HS series does that perfectly .

If i was a professional togger taking wedding pictures or Hi-res images for publication then I'd buy a DSLR and all the lenses

 

[kennethwfd]

I'd be happy to discuss the relative merits of this camera with anyone that has taken the trouble to be informed . Its a bit of a one way conversation with someone who hasn't .

had the opportunity to try out the HS50 today....but I'd better not post my conclusions here as I'm obviously ignorant and can't be bothered to ascertain the facts

 

[Biancone]

had the opportunity to try out the HS50 today....but I'd better not post my conclusions here as I'm obviously ignorant and can't be bothered to ascertain the facts

Surely the fact that one particular BF user has caused you offence doesn't mean you need to deny the rest of us any useful observations?! Go on, tell us...|=)|

 

[earleybird]

My initial comment was fair given that you had clearly not made use of Google to search for the specs on the HS50 camera ,however on reflection I feel that my comment was unnecessarily harsh for which I apologise.

I didn't intend to cause you any insult hence the use of a winking smilie at the end of my post . Unfortunately you seem to have missed the smilie and misread my intention.

I hope that you do post about your experience with the HS50 I'm sure that there are many folk out there waiting to hear any snippit of information about this camera before committing to purchase.

My HS50 arrived this morning and I have only managed to unpack it and look it over. now that the camera is available generally ,I will start a new thread so that future reviews and comments about the camera do not get buried in this speculative thread