Considering buying the HS30

Hi Axel,

I read the blog - well, it's a pretty good description of an ordinary amateur's blues when starting to use HS30. It is definitely NOT P&S camera - and the author seemed to notice it from the start, but did not get a clue from that. Is it worth buying? Yes and no.

No if you are  after an easy camera with large zoom - I would send you to Nikon domain for their P510. No if you are after pixel-peeping galore - see something Canon with 12Mp sensor maximum.

Yes if you are after inexpensive but very capable camera with ergonomics so close to DSLR that you may feel at times that you are using one. Yes if you take images for Internet, TV slide shows and small (up to A4) prints (applies in general to all small sensor cameras -  otherwise go to 4/3s or DSLRs). Yes if you are are not scared of playing with camera settings and bother to read the manual, and if you looked for a small sensor camera that will work from dawn to dusk.

Because HS30 actually is a camera with DSLR functionality minus DSLR image quality. And if you are after something better and bigger (but not DSLR) - you also may have a look at the latest series X-S1. Fujifilm ironed out  most of initial X-S1 bugs, and this camera is definitely worth considering. For some examples of what HS30 is capable of - welcome to my gallery: http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4334154981/albums