Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR Announced

The Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR updates the HS20EXR, reviewed here and adds a lithium ion battery for 600 shots, improved EXR-CMOS sensor for 30% less digital noise at higher ISO settings, manual focus during video recording, customizable function key, electronic level, and a new high resolution electronic viewfinder with 920k dots compared to 200k in the HS20EXR.

Update: The camera has an RRP of £399 and is available now.

Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR key features

• 16 mega-pixel EXR-CMOS sensor
• 30x Fujinon Optical zoom lens (24-720mm equivalent to a 35mm camera)
• Up to 60x Intelligent Digital Zoom
• 3-inch LCD screen with Sunny Day mode
• EVF with 920,000 dots
• 1080p Full HD movie capture
• Hot shoe for TTL flash
• RAW file format
• Lithium-ion rechargeable battery – 600 shots
• Programmes AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual exposure modes
• Macro focusing down to 1cm

From Fujifilm: Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR – Long zoom versatility and exceptional image quality

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.

Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR Specifications

Manufacturer	Fujifilm
Lens
	Max Aperture	f/2.8 - f/5.6
	35mm equivalent	24mm - 720mm
	Optical Zoom	30x
Image Sensor
	CCD pixels	16Mp (Megapixels)
	Pixels (W)	4608
	Pixels (H)	3456
	Sensor Type	Back-lit CMOS EXR (B.S.I.)
	Sensor Size	1/2 inch
	Sensor Size (width)	6.4mm
	Sensor Size (height)	4.8mm
	Aspect Ratio	4:3 3:2 16:9
LCD Monitor
	LCD Monitor	3in
	Screen resolution	460,000 dots
	Touch Screen	No
Focusing
	Min Focus	1cm
	Focusing modes	Autofocus Multi Centre
Exposure Control
	Shutter speeds shortest	1/4000sec
	Shutter speeds longest	30sec
	Exp modes	Program Aperture-Priority Shutter-Priority Manual Scene modes
	Metering	Spot M TTL
	ISO sensitivity	100 - 12800
	White balance	Auto Manual Incandescent Fluorescent Shade Outdoors/Daylight
	Exposure Comp	+/-2
Shooting Options
	Continuous shooting	11fps
Video
	Movie mode	Yes
	Video Resolution	1920x1080 1280x720 720p 640x480 VGA
	Video FPS	30
	Stereo Sound	Yes
	Optical Zoom with Video	Yes
Other Features
	Image Stabilisation	Yes
Interface
	HDMI	Yes
	USB	USB 2
	Wi-Fi	No
Storage
	Card Type	SD SDHC SDXC
	File Type	RAW JPG RAW + JPG
Power Source
	Battery Type	Li-ion battery NP-W126
	CIPA Rating	600
Box Contents
	Box Contents	Li-ion battery NP-W126, Battery charger BC-W126, Shoulder strap, USB cable, A/V cable, Lens cap and Lens cap cord, CD-ROM, Owner's manual, Lens hood
Dimensions
	Weight	687g
	Width	130.6mm
	Height	96.6mm
	Depth	126mm

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