The Fujifilm FinePix HS10 is one of two cameras that have a 30x optical zoom lens, with the other being the Olympus SP-800UZ. However, this camera is more advanced, offering users full manual exposure control, RAW format image capture, and employs a backside-illuminated (BSI) image sensor. The FinePix is oriented toward enthusiasts who want a camera that offers a dSLR-like shooting experience without the hassle of switching lenses. However, the image quality is compromised due to the smaller sensor. Still, the HS10 delivers decent images we've come to expect from a Fujifilm camera and is packed to the brim with features that advanced shutterbugs will appreciate.
Design
We won't be surprised if you mistake the HS10 for a dSLR. This is because its styling mimics that of the interchangeable lens camera, from the controls right down to the chunky handgrip.
Click through for a photo gallery of the FinePix HS10. (Credit: CNET Asia)
The HS10 handles like a dSLR, and at 636g (without memory card and battery), it weighs as much as one. It is definitely not a camera suited for everyday use unless you have strong shoulders to haul this camera around for extended periods. However, the well-placed buttons make operating the Fujifilm easy. Enthusiasts familiar with dSLRs will feel right at home with the HS10, but new users will find the multitude of controls daunting.
Features
Compared with the SP-800UZ, the HS10 has the edge in terms of features. However, some users may not want such a complicated camera. Here's a quick chart to see how the two shooters stack up.
| Specifications/model | Fujifilm FinePix HS10 | Olympus SP-800UZ |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor resolution/ size | 10 megapixels / 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS | 14 megapixels / 1/2.3-inch CCD |
| Zoom range | 30x optical zoom (24-720mm) | 30x optical zoom (28-840mm) |
| LCD size | 3-inch tilting LCD | 3-inch widescreen |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 pixels | 1280x720 pixels |
| Shooting modes | PASM, SR Auto, Panorama, Pro Low-Light and scene modes | Auto and scene modes |
| Image formats | JPEG and RAW | JPEG only |
| Image stabiliser | Sensor-shift | Sensor-shift |
| Dimension/weight | 130.6x90.7x126mm/636g | 107.3x73.4x84.7mm/417g |
| Other useful functions | High speed video, hotshoe, electronic viewfinder | 2GB internal memory, Magic Filters |
Unlike the Olympus which has an electronically controlled zoom, the HS10 lets shutterbugs zoom the optics by rotating the lens barrel, much like what you would do on a dSLR. This offers precise control over the focal length you want to shoot at. Also, manual zooming is faster than the electronic version, and since the HS10 has a long 30x optical zoom, such an implementation will be useful.
One of the key features of cameras that use BSI sensors is panorama capture mode, and this Fujifilm has it, too. We just had to pan the camera across the scene to take a panoramic shot, though the HS10 took quite a while to process and record the photo. The stitching is done quite seamlessly, with no visible traces of misalignment as long as you pan the snapper smoothly.
The FS10 also has a Pro Low-Light mode, which captures a few images simultaneously and combines them to form a sharp photo with lower noise levels. More on this in the image quality section below.
We really liked the 3-inch tilting LCD, which helped us take some photos at low or high angles. However, viewing it under direct sunlight posed a problem as it was hard to see what was on the screen. In this instance, you could use the electronic viewfinder, but we found it a bit too small for our liking.
Performance
The HS10 took slightly over two seconds to start up, which is very common for a shooter of this calibre. Shutter lag measured 0.1 second with pre-focusing and between 0.4 and 0.7 second without pre-focusing. Generally, the autofocus on the Fujifilm was fast to lock onto our subjects, though it was sluggish when the lens was extended fully. Then again, this is a common characteristic for most superzoom shooters.
The HS10 utilises a sensor-shift image stabiliser system to counter blur in photos caused by hand shake, but even this implementation has its limit. At the longest end of the optics, you have to use a very fast shutter speed (1/250 second and above) to get a sharp shot. If you are taking pictures in low-light environments, you'll have to use a tripod to support the camera or boost up the ISO sensitivity settings.
With a zippy 7fps burst mode, the HS10 is suitable for capturing fast action shots. Better still, the images are recorded at full resolution, unlike most compacts which reduce the megapixel count for speedier capture.
However, the HS10 is not all that fast. When using specialised modes such as Panorama or Pro Low-Light, the camera takes quite a while to process and record the images.
Image quality
Although the HS10 looks like a dSLR, the picture quality it delivered did not reflect that. The camera has an ISO sensitivity range of 100 to 6400, but we'd advise users not to venture beyond ISO 400 for most shots. Take a look at our ISO comparison table below, and you will see that from ISO 800, the noise reduction algorithm got very aggressive and smeared away plenty of details.
ISO samples of the HS10 from ISO 100 to 1600. (Credit: CNET Asia)
An interesting feature we noticed about the HS10 is that when set to Pro Low-Light mode, the shooter can produce pretty decent night shots even at a high ISO of 800. The colours may be a little saturated, but there's little evidence of digital artefacts.
This ISO 800 picture was taken in the Pro Low-Light mode, and looks better than the normal ISO 800 sample. (Credit: CNET Asia)
Overall, colour reproduction from this FinePix looks great. Tones appear natural, which really enhanced the look of our macro shots of flowers. In general, the lens is slightly soft and at its sharpest in macro mode. There is an in-camera sharpening option, but we think putting the pictures through an image-editing program like Photoshop is a better idea since it gives you more fine control over the parameters.
A macro shot taken with the HS10.(Credit: CNET Asia)
The HS10 can record full-HD (1920x1080-pixel) videos, and we were very satisfied with the results. Plenty of fine details were rendered in our clips, and it looked sharp, too. The file sizes generated are reasonable for a camera that can capture full-HD movies: 63MB for a 34-second video.
A 100 per cent crop from a 1080p video clip recorded with the FinePix. (Credit: CNET Asia)
Other than full-HD video, the HS10 has a high-speed mode that can record 1000fps slow-motion clips. However, resolution is reduced to 224x64 pixels, which is pretty small. Luckily, there are other settings, such as 480fps at 224x168 pixels. The quality isn't fantastic, but it is a good novelty function that can give you unexpected results.
Conclusion
The HS10 is a feature-packed camera that will satisfy enthusiasts who want a camera that operates like a dSLR. It's a pity the picture quality isn't fantastic, but photographers who like to take videos can look to this FinePix. The 30x optical zoom lens is suitable for users who want a camera they can bring along everywhere, though the weight can be a deterrent for some. That said, we're sure some users will find the HS10 appealing with its multitude of functions and professional look.
Via CNET Asia
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