Pre-CES: Fujifilm has revealed the HS30EXR, the latest in its range of Raw-capable EXR superzoom cameras. The HS30 features a redesigned 16MP back-lit CMOS sensor and gains a series of improvements over the existing HS20 model. These include not only interface features such as electronic level gauge and manual focusing during video capture, but also more fundamental changes, such as the use of a lithium-ion battery and the addition of a high resolution electronic viewfinder. It retains the 24-720mm equivalent, F2.8-5.6 lens.
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Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR – Long zoom versatility and exceptional image quality
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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, 460,000 dots | 3-inch 460,000 dots Sunny Day mode |
| Electronic viewfinder | 0.20-inch, 200,000 dots 16° viewing angle |
0.26-inch, 920,000 dots 22° viewing angle |
| Battery | 4x AA batteries (350 shots per set) | Lithium-ion rechargeable (600 shots per charge) |
| 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
- 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
Additional Images
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Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR Specifications
| Body type | |
|---|---|
| Body type | SLR-like (bridge) |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 |
| Other resolutions | 4608 x 3072, 4608 x 2592, 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 1840, 2304 x 1728, 2304 x 1536, 1920 x 1080 |
| Image ratio w:h | 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
| Sensor size | 1/2" (6.4 x 4.8 mm) |
| Sensor type | EXRCMOS |
| Processor | EXR |
| Color filter array | RGB color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (6400 and 12800 with boost) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 6400 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 12800 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (1) |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal |
| File format |
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| Optics & Focus | |
| Focal length (equiv.) | 24–720 mm |
| Optical zoom | 30× |
| Maximum aperture | F2.8–5.6 |
| Autofocus |
|
| Digital zoom | Yes (2x) |
| Manual focus | Yes (Still and Movies) |
| Normal focus range | 45 cm (17.72″) |
| Macro focus range | 1 cm (0.39″) |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 460,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT color LCD monitor with Sunny Day mode |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes |
|
| Scene modes |
|
| Built-in flash | Yes (Pop-up) |
| Flash range | 7.10 m (Wide: 30cm - 7.1m / Tele: 2.0m - 3.8m ) |
| External flash | Yes (via Hot-shoe EF-42/EF-20 ) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
| Drive modes |
|
| Continuous drive | 11.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Auto release, Auto shutter (Dog, Cat）) |
| Metering modes |
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| Exposure compensation | ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | No |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Stereo |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Storage included | 20 MB |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini) |
| Remote control | Yes (Optional RR-80) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Li-ion NP-W126 battery and charger |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 687 g (1.51 lb / 24.23 oz) |
| Dimensions | 131 x 97 x 126 mm (5.16 x 3.82 x 4.96″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | No |
| GPS | None |
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