A
andy10
Guest
My background is I like easy to use cameras but need a decent zoom for wildlife photos etc on long haul holidays. My existing camera was a fuji S1000 which has done reasonably well, but I was interested in the HS20 for 3 main reasons:
1. The increase in zoom from 12x to 30x
2. The EXR dynamic range mode for high contrast shots eg taking a picture of a bird/monkey in a tree in a backlit situation.
3. The use of AA batteries, as on some out of the way trips recharging is problematical
I was concerned about variable reviews generally and that I might not get good photos without being more of an expert, and whether I could keep the camera steady enough on full zoom.
After reading the on line manual I have had two days taking many photos walking near a local stately home. This enabled me to take full zoom long distance shots of deer, and general landscape photos in a meadow and woodland environment.
The first day I took a variety of shots for comparison purposes in th 4 EXR modes, namely auto EXR, High Resolution, Dynamic Range, and High Sensitivity. I set the camera to 8mp as a number of reviewers suggested the camera is better using 8mp rather than 16mp.
Good points:
Zoom smooth, easy to use.
Most hand held shots at full zoom in good focus.
Dynamic Range Mode improved dark areas.
Bad points:
MANY PHOTOS OVEREXPOSED WITH WASHED OUT COLOURS. Even taking account of the fact that in winter the colours would be weaker, I was really disappointed.
After this I took note of the previous review by dpreview member dated 22nd Oct. I have gone back for a second day and taken as near as possible the same photos, using the reviewer's advice to set the exposure button to -2/3 and selecting Velvia as the colour option. You can do this in all EXR modes other than the Auto EXR.
Although the light was slightly better on the second day the improvement in image quality was really big. The colours were much better, and I think the change in the exposure setting made a big difference (your setting for exposure and colour type is kept after the camera is switched off). The best setting was once again the Dynamic Range mode. When taking landscape pictures in this mode I found it worth taking the photo twice, focusing once on a darker area and once on a lighter area. Usually focusing on a lighter area produced the best shot, but not always. When transfered to the computer the shots come out less bright than on the camera's LCD screen- a shot that looks dark on the camera screen comes out too dark on the computer.
I've only tried the continuous shooting mode a little. It takes the photos quickly enough, but even with a fast SD card, takes a bit longer than I'd like to process.
Overall, I'm now very pleased I bought it, but I'll be staying clear of the EXR aoto mode!
GOOD POINTS:
Great manual zoom, image stabilisation, Dynamic Range EXR mode, good LCD screen, AA batteries, thread for protective filter.
BAD POINTS:
Overexposure issue in Auto EXR mode, poor EVF viewfinder.
Conclusion
If you use the non AUTO EXR modes, you can point and shoot!
1. The increase in zoom from 12x to 30x
2. The EXR dynamic range mode for high contrast shots eg taking a picture of a bird/monkey in a tree in a backlit situation.
3. The use of AA batteries, as on some out of the way trips recharging is problematical
I was concerned about variable reviews generally and that I might not get good photos without being more of an expert, and whether I could keep the camera steady enough on full zoom.
After reading the on line manual I have had two days taking many photos walking near a local stately home. This enabled me to take full zoom long distance shots of deer, and general landscape photos in a meadow and woodland environment.
The first day I took a variety of shots for comparison purposes in th 4 EXR modes, namely auto EXR, High Resolution, Dynamic Range, and High Sensitivity. I set the camera to 8mp as a number of reviewers suggested the camera is better using 8mp rather than 16mp.
Good points:
Zoom smooth, easy to use.
Most hand held shots at full zoom in good focus.
Dynamic Range Mode improved dark areas.
Bad points:
MANY PHOTOS OVEREXPOSED WITH WASHED OUT COLOURS. Even taking account of the fact that in winter the colours would be weaker, I was really disappointed.
After this I took note of the previous review by dpreview member dated 22nd Oct. I have gone back for a second day and taken as near as possible the same photos, using the reviewer's advice to set the exposure button to -2/3 and selecting Velvia as the colour option. You can do this in all EXR modes other than the Auto EXR.
Although the light was slightly better on the second day the improvement in image quality was really big. The colours were much better, and I think the change in the exposure setting made a big difference (your setting for exposure and colour type is kept after the camera is switched off). The best setting was once again the Dynamic Range mode. When taking landscape pictures in this mode I found it worth taking the photo twice, focusing once on a darker area and once on a lighter area. Usually focusing on a lighter area produced the best shot, but not always. When transfered to the computer the shots come out less bright than on the camera's LCD screen- a shot that looks dark on the camera screen comes out too dark on the computer.
I've only tried the continuous shooting mode a little. It takes the photos quickly enough, but even with a fast SD card, takes a bit longer than I'd like to process.
Overall, I'm now very pleased I bought it, but I'll be staying clear of the EXR aoto mode!
GOOD POINTS:
Great manual zoom, image stabilisation, Dynamic Range EXR mode, good LCD screen, AA batteries, thread for protective filter.
BAD POINTS:
Overexposure issue in Auto EXR mode, poor EVF viewfinder.
Conclusion
If you use the non AUTO EXR modes, you can point and shoot!