The pictures were taken P and A mode with L size, everything standard except for NR which was low. They are SOOC except for having been re-sized to 1024x768.
I have spent time using the HS10 and HS20 during the last year and got my HS30 two days ago. Posting some that I took yesterday. After two days of not-so-rigorous use, the things I noted:
The EVF: Much clearer than the HS20, totally usable for compositions. The LCD display on my HS20 has not been working for the last 6 months, and I had been using the EVF exclusively for taking my shots, so I can speak with confidence on this. As one reviewer on Amazon had mentioned, the colors on the EVF appear to have less contrast as compared to the LCD, I found the EVF on the HS30 is certainly a step-up from the one on the HS20.
The 60x Digital Zoom: Does offer extra reach and is useful as long as you are steady, and are using a high enough shutter speed. My only complaint is that I was expecting the 4:3 aspect zoom that was there in the HS10. It made shot composition easier. 1.4x (total 42x) is more manageable, although I would like to compare the digital zoom vs. manual cropping from a 16mp output to see if there is any difference.
Ergonomics: Having used the HS20 for over 8 months, initially I felt that the HS30 was slightly "unbalanced" in my hand due to the single battery as compared to the 4 AAs which offered better balance. I was able to ignore this after a while. The raised flash certainly makes manual focusing easier. Zooming the lens using the barrel was slightly stiffer than the HS20 but I am hoping that with some more use, the zoom will become smoother.
Performance: AF is certainly improved over the HS20. The AF issue that was there in the HS20 wherein the camera did not focus at max. zoom has been eliminated in the HS30. Shutter lag also seems improved although, I cannot say that conclusively. HS30 works great with EF42 as did the HS20. High ISO performance is definitely improved but only in EXR mode. ISO 800 and 1600 images in EXR mode were surprisingly better than what I had seen with the HS20 but I could not replicate the same IQ in P-mode. I intend to explore this further later using the P/A/S/M modes with M-size files.
Video is as good (or bad depending on pov) as the HS20 but has the additional option of using MF which is nice as long as you don't use the zoom much. Another addition to the video is the option of selecting the size of the picture that can be taken while shooting the video. You have the option of choosing 8mp (M) images which cause a visible interruption in the recording or the 3mp (S) option which does not show up in recording. In the HS20 also you could shoot pictures while taking videos but there was no explicit option is set the size.
The HS30's menu has some more added options which I have not explored in detail yet: Intelligent Sharpness, Motion Image Stabilization in addition to the regular IS, DR bracketing and the sunny day LCD thing.
Overall: The HS30 is definitely an improvement over the HS10, the difference in performance is night and day, especially shutter-lag and AF. Over the HS20, you get definite improvement in the EVF and AF performance. Low-light ISO is better in EXR mode and it helps if you have steady hands. The loss of AAs in the battery dept. is a loss or gain depending on your view but is certainly not a deal breaker. Replica Li-ions for the HS30 are available online for much less than the Fuji's version.
I hope this information is useful for those looking to get this camera. I have had a wonderful time using the HS series ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/61081579@N06/ ) and I am looking forward to a better one with the HS30.
Cheers!
- Deep
I should be able to do some objective comparisons. Now I understand some of the comments made by new owners and why their first pics may not have been the best.