Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR Review | 108 Data compared

The CNET review of the Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR highlights it as a sturdy, highly flexible 16-megapixel bridge camera aimed at photography enthusiasts seeking a DSLR-like experience without the interchangeable lenses. A major standout feature is its versatile 30x optical superzoom lens (24-720mm equivalent), which features a manual lens ring for quick, precise focal adjustments. The camera scores highly for its rich, naturalistic colour reproduction, effective image stabilisation, and impressive 1cm Super Macro Mode for close-up shots. Additionally, it features a 3-inch tilting LCD screen that helps with awkward angles, robust 1080p HD video recording at 30fps with stereo sound, and adaptive EXR modes like Pro Focus and Pro Low Light that capture multi-exposure night shots. However, the reviewer points out several performance drawbacks that keep it from matching true DSLR quality. Image noise is a noticeable problem, showing up as fine pinkish flecks in solid colours even at a low sensitivity of ISO 200, along with a tendency for purple fringing (chromatic aberration) in high-contrast scenes. Speed is another issue; processing slows down considerably when capturing RAW format images, resulting...

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR is a 16-megapixel super-zoom bridge camera featuring a 30x manual zoom lens (24-720mm equivalent) and a 3-inch tilting LCD screen. Designed to appeal to hobbyist photographers, it boasts a reassuringly solid, DSLR-like build and an array of physical controls, including a unique back-illuminated EXR CMOS sensor capable of switching modes to prioritize resolution, lower noise, or high dynamic range. Its standout strengths include a class-leading wide-angle focal length (24mm), an innovative EXR mode that genuinely recovers high-contrast details, effective sensor-shift image stabilisation, and useful automated features like a 360-degree sweep panorama mode. However, the camera suffers from several handling drawbacks and performance limitations. Its heavy, bulky design is compounded by an awkwardly placed flash housing that obstructs the manual zoom barrel, making fine adjustments difficult. While it supports 1080p30 video recording, the stiff manual zoom mechanism makes smooth adjustments during filming nearly impossible, and the continuous autofocus frequently hunts and struggles to track subjects at longer focal lengths. Additionally, users must navigate clunky operation issues, such as a slow three-second startup time and a frustrating...

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR is evaluated as an ambitious bridge camera designed to look, feel, and handle like a serious SLR, yet it ultimately falls short due to critical image quality issues. On the positive side, the review praises its fantastic handling, painless navigation, and an excellent 30x optical zoom lens that features rubberised manual focus and zoom rings. It is highly commended for its feature-rich design tailored to experienced buyers, which includes full manual "PASM" controls, creative "Film Simulation" modes like Velvia and Astia, a hot shoe, and an articulating LCD screen. Additionally, the camera boasts pretty solid color accuracy and an exceptionally effective sensor-shift "Dual Image Stabilization" system that resolves 57% more detail in shaky conditions. However, the camera's notable design successes are severely undermined by its pathetic image resolution and abysmal sharpness. The review explicitly points out that high chroma and luminance noise pollution breach 1% as early as ISO 200, while the camera's heavy-handed noise reduction software overcompensates by leaving default ISO 100 shots looking smudged and blurry. Other major drawbacks include a quirky, frequently inaccurate...

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR features a versatile 30x optical zoom lens (24-720mm) with a precise manual zoom ring and a 360-degree panorama mode, offering fast, DSLR-like handling. However, the 16-megapixel sensor produces heavy image smearing and artifacts, resulting in a downgrade in image quality compared to its predecessor, according to the What Digital Camera review. While the EXR mode effectively improves dynamic range, the camera suffers from ergonomic issues, including a poorly placed flash that disrupts zooming, a low-resolution EVF, and image stabilization that doesn't work in the viewfinder. The review concludes that while versatile, the compromised image quality limits its appeal.

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR is a well-built, prosumer super-zoom camera priced at $499 that successfully blends a DSLR-like ergonomic experience with the compact convenience of a fixed-lens system. Its standout features include a larger-than-average 1/2-inch 16-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor that delivers excellent image quality, low noise at low ISOs, and impressive high-dynamic-range capabilities. Enthusiasts will appreciate the versatile 24-720mm (30x) optical zoom lens equipped with physical zoom and focus rings, full manual controls, RAW mode, a flash hotshoe, and a highly flexible, hinge-mounted 3-inch tilting LCD screen. Additionally, it boasts advanced shooting modes like "Pro Focus" for background blur, "Pro Low-light" for multi-frame noise reduction, an 8 frames-per-second continuous burst mode, and an elaborate movie mode capable of 1080p Full HD recording, 720p at 60 FPS, or high-speed capture up to 320 FPS with functional optical zoom. It also provides excellent battery life using widely available AA batteries. Despite its strong performance, the camera has several minor limitations that potential buyers should consider. On the downside, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) is small, grainy, and only covers 97% of the actual...

The Fujifilm Finepix HS20 EXR is an SLR-styled ultra-zoom camera defined by its versatile, mechanically-linked 30X optical zoom lens, which offers a 24-720mm equivalent focal range suitable for everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife. Built around an upgraded 16-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor featuring Fuji's unique EXR technology, the camera offers robust triple-mode operations (Resolution, Dynamic-Range, and Low-Noise priorities) along with extensive manual exposure controls (PASM), efficient dedicated physical buttons, and built-in image stabilization. Performance highlights include an 8 FPS continuous drive mode at full resolution, customizable dynamic range expansion up to 1600% at 8 megapixels, full 1080p HD video recording, and a convenient Sweep Panorama mode capable of capturing up to 360-degree views. However, the camera suffers from several distinct drawbacks, most notably a severe exposure time restriction in low light, where the slowest available shutter speed is reduced by one stop for each increase in ISO level, dropping from 30 seconds at ISO 100 to just 1 second at ISO 3200. Usability is further hindered by a cropped electronic view-finder that prevents exact composition, limited 3-step adjustments for image...

The Photo Review assessment of the Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR, a feature-rich bridge camera with an overall score of 8.5/10, highlights its 16-megapixel 1/2-inch BSI EXR CMOS sensor, 3.0-inch adjustable LCD, and a versatile 30x manual optical zoom (24-720mm equivalent). Key strengths include a robust, DSLR-like build, extensive manual controls, 1080p video, and effective 360-degree panorama, making it a capable, all-in-one, high-zoom, and versatile imaging tool. However, the analysis notes limitations, such as visible color fringing, under-exposed images at ISO 100, and a lack of a shutter lock for out-of-focus subjects. Additionally, the camera suffers from slow processing speeds when handling RAW or high-resolution files and challenging hand-held framing at maximum telephoto range, with some manual controls restricted in certain modes.

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR, as reviewed by ePHOTOzine, is a feature-rich bridge camera featuring a 30x manual zoom lens and a 16MP EXR sensor that performs well in specialized low-noise and high-dynamic range modes. Pros highlighted include the robust build with a deep grip, a 3-inch tilting LCD, quick mechanically-linked zoom, and a 360-degree panorama mode. Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, particularly a small, low-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) and visible image noise at lower ISOs, stemming from the high-density sensor. Performance issues include slow startup, lengthy RAW file writing times, and inconsistent autofocus during video recording.

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR is an advanced ultra-zoom bridge camera that mimics the physical feel and manual functionality of a serious SLR camera. Its standout features include a robust, rubberized body design with dedicated manual zoom and focus rings surrounding its 30x optical zoom lens. In performance testing, the camera achieved remarkable color accuracy in its standard "Provia" film simulation mode and delivered an exceptionally effective sensor-shift "Dual Image Stabilization" system, which resolved 57% more detail when activated. It also provides high-end features rare for its class, such as RAW image shooting, full PASM manual controls, a functional electronic viewfinder (EVF) with an automated eye sensor, and rapid burst shooting speeds reaching up to 11.3 frames per second. Despite its sophisticated hardware design and rich feature set, the HS20EXR is severely bottlenecked by poor image and video quality, failing to outperform its predecessor or rivals from Panasonic and Canon. The camera's main flaws include prominent purple fringing (chromatic aberration) and a lack of sharpness across all focal lengths, which is worsened by a quirky autofocus system and a destructive, heavy-handed...

The FUJIFILM FinePix HS20 EXR is reviewed as a highly capable bridge camera designed for individuals who want DSLR-like image quality and styling without the complexity of changing lenses or mastering advanced manual settings. The reviewer praises its user-friendly interface, which allows novices to rely on optimized scene selections—such as dedicated modes for snow, sports, and pets—to automatically handle exposure and focus for superior results. Notable positive features include a powerful 24-720mm zoom lens, advanced image stabilization, a 3-inch rotating LCD screen for easy low-angle shooting, and a highly efficient built-in motion panorama feature that instantly pieces together images up to 360 degrees. The camera's proprietary EXR CMOS technology is also commended for delivering excellent clarity, crisp colors, and minimal digital noise, even when shooting fast-paced ice hockey practices under challenging, low-light indoor stadium conditions. Despite its strong performance, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks. A major downside is that the camera lacks a dedicated rechargeable battery, forcing users to rely entirely on keeping a steady supply of standard AA batteries on hand. Additionally, the electronic viewfinder is noted as...

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20 is a sturdy, DSLR-styled bridge camera recognized for its comfortable grip, pleasant color reproduction, and effective dynamic range optimization. However, the 16-megapixel sensor displays a mottled texture at high magnification even at low ISO, and the camera is plagued by a slow interface and sluggish write speeds for RAW files.

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR is a highly-specified superzoom camera featuring a versatile 24-720mm focal range with manual zoom functionality, which allows for fast and precise adjustments without a zoom rocker. It benefits from a vertical-tilt 3-inch LCD screen, image-based stabilisation, a dedicated one-touch RAW button, and the ability to record 1080p HD movies. Additionally, its EXR processing technology automatically optimises settings for enhanced dynamic range and sharpness when shooting at lower resolutions like 8 megapixels. However, the camera falls short of DSLR performance due to a heavily crowded 16-megapixel sensor that produces "smeary" images lacking absolute definition and suffering from visible noise. Design issues plague the body layout, as the awkwardly placed protruding flash interferes with the manual zoom rotation, and the manual focus ring is positioned uncomfortably at the back of the lens. Other notable drawbacks include a low-resolution, small electronic viewfinder, reliance on AA batteries, slow 7-second buffer processing times when capturing RAW+JPEG frames, and erratic autofocus tracking during video recording.