Fuji HS50EXR has arrived. Initial impressions and sample.

Yeats

All-Pro
Location
New Jersey, USA
Name
Chris
UPS man came with the camera just as I was leaving the house. Fortunately, the battery had a 50% charge, so I popped it in the camera and took it with me. It was not great weather for shooting; gray and sporadically rainy.

First impressions:

Compared with the Canon SX50, the Fuji is much larger. In fact, it's a little bit bigger than a typical entry-level DSLR with the kit lens. The Fuji's grip is large, grippy and comfortable, with a contoured thumbrest. Buttons and dials fall readily to hand. The EVF is noticeably larger and higher-res than the Canon, though lacking in saturation. The lens' manual zoom feels a little rough and uneven, but IMO is superior to using a little switch. AF seems fairly snappy, although I have yet to present it with a challenging situation.

Unfortunately, I don't yet have any real good shots to post... but here's one:

fuji_swan_DSCF1023.jpg


If you want to play with a RAW file (RAF converted to DNG), you can download it here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/2340230992/DSCF1023.dng

When weather and time allows, I'll post some more.
 
looks good & would like to see more
what was the thinking in selecting this model?

Well, I wanted a superzoom to complement my LX7 and Pentax K-01. I had the Canon SX50, and was impressed with the quality of it's images, considering the tiny sensor and incredible 24mm-1200mm zoom range. But... the Canon's EVF was so small, dim & low-res that using it was a real chore. Also, the ergonomics were pretty poor for my use - the grip was far too small, my fingers fumbled over the buttons on the rear panel, etc.

Prior to the Canon, I had auditioned the Nikon P510. It was much nicer to hold and I preferred the button layout. Alas, the EVF was even worse than the Canon, and the image quality wasn't as good over ISO 200. Also - critically - it didn't shoot RAW. The Panasonic FZ200 is attractive because of it's reputation for fast AF and better-than-average EVF and constant-aperture f/2.8 lens, but 600mm is too short. So that leaves Fuji, with it's large-n-lovely grip, decent EVF, and supposedly fastest-in-class AF. The $64,000 question is, is the IQ up to, say, ISO 400 good enough?
 
Currently, the Panasonix FZ200 and the Fuji HS50 are the only superzoom bridge cameras that I would seriously consider. I wish the Fuji was a bit smaller - or that Fuji would use its size to put a larger sensor inside. Of course, that would mean a shorter telephoto reach. But I could be convinced about the HS50 depending on what else we learn from you, Chris.
 
Currently, the Panasonix FZ200 and the Fuji HS50 are the only superzoom bridge cameras that I would seriously consider. I wish the Fuji was a bit smaller - or that Fuji would use its size to put a larger sensor inside. Of course, that would mean a shorter telephoto reach. But I could be convinced about the HS50 depending on what else we learn from you, Chris.

Out of curiosity, what about the Fuji xs-1?

Gary
 
If I were to have only one camera for all-around usage, and pocketability was not a consideration, I'd get an XS-1. It has the same sensor as the X10.
 
one of my oldest contacts on flickr recently bought the FZ200 (I met him when we were both shooting the old FZ35). The shots he's been getting have ALMOST made me reconsider my self-imposed ban on small sensor cameras. You can check his shots out here Flickr: Garry9600's Photostream if it might be a camera that interests you.

And the funny thing is, the FZ200 might actually have the worst of the modern tiny sensors in terms of noise and DR. But we all know that a camera is more than a sensor... ;)
 
Out of curiosity, what about the Fuji xs-1?

Gary

Yes, that has crossed my mind. But, you know what? I made a decision not to buy the X10 - not because it isn't a good camera but because I really can't be bothered with Fuji's whole EXR mode, reduced resolution, etc. I don't mind manual controls but one has to work just a bit too hard to figure out what the camera is doing. Others have said the same. So I decided to wait for the X20, which I will probably own down the road. If Fuji came out with an X-S2 based on X20 innards, it would be an instant contender.
 
Yes, that has crossed my mind. But, you know what? I made a decision not to buy the X10 - not because it isn't a good camera but because I really can't be bothered with Fuji's whole EXR mode, reduced resolution, etc. I don't mind manual controls but one has to work just a bit too hard to figure out what the camera is doing. Others have said the same. So I decided to wait for the X20, which I will probably own down the road. If Fuji came out with an X-S2 based on X20 innards, it would be an instant contender.

Thanks. I did not realize the exr mode difference.

Gary
 
looking good so far
i have been really impressed with the lens quality for the price on all the Fujifim Superzooms I have trie; S5200, S6000fd and HS30EXR.
Lotta bang for the buck!
 
Funny you should say that, Lili....

Today was another lousy day for shooting - very rainy and windy. However, I did manage to take a few pics, and noticed that the left side of the images are noticeably softer than the center and right.

Center:
center.jpg


Left:
left.jpg


In addition, it appears that there's significantly more noise at ISO 400 than with the Canon SX50. I haven't been able to shoot the Fuji in good lighting, though, so I can't make a definitive conclusion, yet.
 
Funny you should say that, Lili....

Today was another lousy day for shooting - very rainy and windy. However, I did manage to take a few pics, and noticed that the left side of the images are noticeably softer than the center and right.

Center:
center.jpg


Left:
left.jpg


In addition, it appears that there's significantly more noise at ISO 400 than with the Canon SX50. I haven't been able to shoot the Fuji in good lighting, though, so I can't make a definitive conclusion, yet.

i have only eer had that issue with the F series..
My S and HS ones have all been stellar
sigh
 
I don't think the lens decentering really has much of a practical impact on me - I intend to use it mostly the 300-1000mm range for wildlife, so the edges don't matter much. I just have to get over it. :)

My F20 and S6500fd were lovely, no lens issues with them!
 
I don't think the lens decentering really has much of a practical impact on me - I intend to use it mostly the 300-1000mm range for wildlife, so the edges don't matter much. I just have to get over it. :)

My F20 and S6500fd were lovely, no lens issues with them!

My HS30 has been very ood on that, very crisp all over, have had issues will 3 f600 series cams tho :(
 
Well, I unfortunately have to return the HS50. Not only is the left edge of the lens soft (which I could live with) but there appears to be an electrical short in the LCD. A few final observations:

- The EVF really does trump that of the Canon SX50 & Nikon P510 in size, resolution & clarity.
- As much as I prefer the manual zoom of the HS50, the Canon SX50 takes about 2 seconds to go from wide to tele via it's switch. Probably a better solution for shooting video.
- AF on the Fuji was faster than the Canon, but the Fuji seemed to focus behind the subject more often.
- The Canon SX50's images have less noise, even when the Fuji's 16mp images are resized to match the Canon's 12mp images.
- The Fuji has more PF and CA than Canon & Nikon. Nothing debilitating, though.
- Having experienced the Fuji's eye proximity sensor (automatically detects when your eye is near the EVF) I don't think I could live without it on a superzoom.
- The Fuji's 16mp RAW files are 25% larger than my Pentax K-01's RAW files.

deer_DSCF1131.jpg
 
3 ?! Yikes... :(

on the first the lens was perfect
till the sliding lens cover started abrading the front element
the second had a soft right edge at wide angle
the third a soft left edge zoomed out
i gave up after that
hurt too much grinding my teeth
 
Well, I unfortunately have to return the HS50. Not only is the left edge of the lens soft (which I could live with) but there appears to be an electrical short in the LCD. A few final observations:

- The EVF really does trump that of the Canon SX50 & Nikon P510 in size, resolution & clarity.
- As much as I prefer the manual zoom of the HS50, the Canon SX50 takes about 2 seconds to go from wide to tele via it's switch. Probably a better solution for shooting video.
- AF on the Fuji was faster than the Canon, but the Fuji seemed to focus behind the subject more often.
- The Canon SX50's images have less noise, even when the Fuji's 16mp images are resized to match the Canon's 12mp images.
- The Fuji has more PF and CA than Canon & Nikon. Nothing debilitating, though.
- Having experienced the Fuji's eye proximity sensor (automatically detects when your eye is near the EVF) I don't think I could live without it on a superzoom.
- The Fuji's 16mp RAW files are 25% larger than my Pentax K-01's RAW files.

So, what does this mean for you in real terms, Chris? You will keep it? Or you're going to get another SX50? Or neither?
For me, the decision has been made easily... I've decided for now to keep my Panny FZ100... I've reduced the res to 12Mp instead of 14, and it is making a difference for me during the golden hour. Its still rubbish in really low light, but I have plenty of other cameras to cover that. I have nothing for distance, except my Pentax and zooms.
 
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