Bridge Camera

[JB9302]

Just considering a Fuji HS10 after doing some research , like the idea of manual zoom and focus ring , any feedback on this or near alt ?

Thanks

Julian

[diggleken]

Hi Julian,
The fuji was in my shortlist as a bridge and comes highly recommended by Mike, Lancashire Lad, who has shot some cracking stuff with it.
If youre doing macro closeup work, a raynox 150 or 250 lens on the front will help too.
I got the panasonic fz45, and am disappointed at the moment, my canon compact shot better, but its very complicated, so probably needs more use and experience.
I have had fujis in the past and love them, always belting lens quality when fujinons.
So good luck..............do you want to swop?
Cheers
Ken

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by diggleken

Hi Julian,
The fuji was in my shortlist as a bridge and comes highly recommended by Mike, Lancashire Lad, who has shot some cracking stuff with it....

Yep, I've had the HS10 for about twelve months, (it was a replacement for a much used S9600), and as a stand alone, all round camera, I can't really fault it. - Yes my DSLR system gives more flexibility, but it most certainly should should do, as it cost about ten times the price.

I would still contend though, that when the HS10 is used within its limitations, no one would be able to tell the end results from those of a good quality DSLR. I very often take it with me when I don't want the hassle of carrying the full DSLR kit. For the money, the HS10 is a superb camera and I would recommend it to anyone.

There is a very comprehensive review here: -
Fujifilm FinePix HS10 Review | PhotographyBLOG

You might be aware that there is a 16Megapixel HS20 version due to be released in March this year, at £399.00
Details here: -
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 | PhotographyBLOG

But to be honest, If I were in your position, I would in all probability still go for the HS10 - especially as prices are almost certain to drop again when the HS20 is released.

Regards,
Mike.

[JB9302]

Ken/Mike thanks for the feedback , very helpful , looks like the HS10 is available around the £250 mark at the moment , will report back when I have made mind up , was looking at Panasonic FZ45/100 or Canon SX30.
Got a Panasonic Bluray recorder that accepts AVCHD video if that of use seeing as these cameras record HD video as well , not sure if the video from the HS10 would be accepted by the Panasonic recorder.

Julian

[hawk123]

Hi , i recenctly picked up a fujifilm s1750 and fund it to be brillo for all sorts of shots , it has all the settings i need and is under £150 at argos

[ESJ]

Don't forget to consider the Panasonic FZ38 which is now available at under £200. It's a top rated camera (check Dpreview etc.) and is a great package with 12mp and 18x zoom, and very good video to boot.
I got one for xmas and would recommend it to anyone. The Camera is so user friendly and intuitive it's untrue, and in only a few days was using the 'creative' modes to vary the shutter speeds and apertures, which I had no understanding of previously.

Steve.

[JB9302]

Thanks for the help , I am dithering at the moment flitting between the Fuji HS10 and the Panasonic FZ100 , really fancy the Fuji based on reviews & manual zoom/focus ring but the Panasonic has the added advantage of its HD video (AVCHD) being easily replayed/copied from card without having to go the computer route.

Julian

[MeadsMan]

When I looked into Bridge Cameras two or three years back,the Panasonics lead the game when it came to quality,I ended up with a second hand FZ.50,this has Manual zoom,and an option of manual focus.My only disappointment with this particular model,was that it did not focus very close at the long end of the zoom,but once fitted with a raynox macro lens it works exceptionally well,overall I have been very pleased with the results I have achieved with it.Sadly it has fell behind a bit on the video front,it does have video but not in HD.I would definitely take a long look at the Panasonic Bridge cameras personally.

[Words]

Just saw Ken's comment that he's disappointed with the Panasonic FZ45. Me too (I got it as a spare so do use it, but wish I'd gone for something else). It's not that you can't get some ok shots with it (and the video function is excellent), but the image quality is really not great. Adjusting some of the in-camera settings may help (noise reduction is too heavy and "flattens" the images).

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by JB9302

....Got a Panasonic Bluray recorder that accepts AVCHD video if that of use seeing as these cameras record HD video as well , not sure if the video from the HS10 would be accepted by the Panasonic recorder....

From what I can see, there doesn't appear to be any reason why your Panasonic machine won't accept video directly from an HS10.

The camera records in full HD, at 1920 x 1080 pixels, or at lesser qualities of 1280 x 720 pixels (HD), 640 x 480 pixels, or 320 x 240 pixels (30 frames/sec.), all with stereo sound.

The camera is supplied complete with an AV lead which plugs into the camera at one end, and has the usual phono plugs (white- audio in/yellow-video in) at the other end, to enable direct connection to a TV or Bluray/DVD/Hard-drive recording unit.

Alternatively, there is also an HDMI port on the camera and it can thus be directly connected to TV or recording device by a suitable HDMI lead. (Although you would have to purchase that lead separately).

These are the relevant extracts from the review mentioned in my earlier post: -

"Movie recording 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (Full HD) / 1,280 x 720 pixels (HD) / 640 x 480 pixels / 320 x 240 pixels (30 frames/sec.) with stereo sound"

"File Format - Movie: MPEG4(MOV, H.264/AVC, ISO standard) with stereo sound."

The full HS10 user manual can be downloaded from Fuji's website. Details for movie making / playback / connections etc. can be found on pages 64 to 70 within that manual.
: - http://fujifilm.co.uk/media/dContent...anualsFile.pdf

I'm sure that your local Panasonic retailer would be able to advise, if you cannot determine compatibility from either the camera manual or your Bluray's manual.

Regards,
Mike.