Fujifilm equals Olympus with its own record 30x zoom bridge camera

Equalling the record set by Olympus this morning, Fujifilm has just announced its own incredible new super-zoom: the FinePix HS10 will also reach 30x, like the Olympus SP-800 UZ.  However, on paper at least, Fuji's new camera is the more interesting because of its backlit 10 Megapixel CMOS sensor.

First though, we should let you know that we're rather rushed with this particular piece of news.  Although the majority of other manufacturers co-operate with us and provide us with information about their product launches in advance--on the condition that we sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and don't say anything until they're ready--we knew nothing about Fujifilm's new models until this morning.

We couldn't not mention the HS10, which, from the look of its specs, is the most promising of the new bridge cameras (our test will find out for sure) but we'll be getting straight to work because of all the other models that have been launched in the past few days.

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

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Olympus didn't manage to hold on to its super-zoom record for very long.  A matter of hours after the launch of the SP-800, Fujifilm has equalled it with another 30x zoom.  While Olympus pushed its zoom into telephoto territory, Fuji goes one better by starting at 24 mm.  The zoom control is manual, with a ring around the lens, making it easier to reach and better for lining up photos.

With such a powerful zoom, the stabilisation system has got its work cut out.  The HS10 has a mechanical system that involves moving the sensor, as well as a 'very advanced digital stabilisation system' which we don't know anything else about yet for the time being.  Other manufacturers have announced plans for similar blur reduction systems, which we're hoping to test as soon as possible.

The 10 Megapixel CMOS sensor is lit from behind, using the same principle as those found in some Sony and Casio cameras.  We know that contributed a lot to the performance of the HX1 and the TX1, and pairing this type of sensor up with a powerful zoom should make for a worthy heir to the line of expert-level bridge cameras that was Fuji's speciality up until the S100fs; the more recent S200EXR was more disappointing.

Such a high speed sensor allows for burst modes of 10 fps, but only over seven shots.  Some Sony and Casio cameras can do better.  The HS10 can also combine several shots from a single burst mode to remove movement, simulate a longer exposure time or create a panoramic view; these are all things coming to other cameras that we've heard about recently.

For video, the HS10 moves up to 1080 Full HD quality at 30 fps, which is likely to please some people given that the recent S200EXR was still stuck at VGA.  The press release doesn't mention this specifically, but the product shots give the impression that there are two micas, so hopefully stereo sound is available.  A high speed 1000 fps mode is available, but only with a reduced resolution.

More advanced users will be glad to hear that RAW mode hasn't been forgotten, and the move away from the Super CCD EXR sensor means that we won't have the same problems as the S200EXR.

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