Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Verdict
Comprehensively specified "super zoom" offers a best-in-class focal range, with the added compositional advantage of manual focus and zoom rings, plus tilting LCD screen and eye sensor activated electronic viewfinder. If the chunky dimensions and weight doesn't put you off, the build should ensure you will still be using the HS10 years down the line

Bridge camera featuring a 30x zoom, 1080p video and the latest CMOS sensor technology.

Design: 9/10
Image Quality: 8.5/10
Performance: 8.5/10
Value: 9/10
Features: 9/10

The good:
Great feature set; excellent dSLR-like controls.

The bad:
Poor photo quality above ISO 400; mixed shooting performance.

The bottom line:
Fujifilm's FinePix HS10 has the look, feel, and controls of a dSLR, with the photos and shooting performance of a common point-and-shoot.

Design: 10/10
Features: 10/10
Ease-of-use: 9/10
Image Quality: 8/10
Value for money: 9/10

plus
A genuine expert bridge camera with a mechanical zoom and loads of settings
High-quality manufacturing and finish plus flip-out LCD
Image-quality doesn't suffer too much when you zoom
Full HD video with stereo sound
Powered by AA batteries

minus
Terrible viewfinder, poor-resolution screen with tight wiewing angles
Interface dense and still over-complex
No auto setting for the pop-up flash
Difficult to zoom smoothly in video mode
Powered by AA batteries

This is a high class digital camera. If you are looking for ultimate zoom power it is very hard to beat. Picture quality is up there with the best and there is a great range of features on offer. I enjoyed using the twisting lens barrel to zoom in and out.

Build Quality: 8/10
Features: 10/10
Image Quality: 7/10
Value: 7/10

Pros

Cons

Bottom line

Pros

• Slow shot-to-shot time
• Slow autofocus
• Mode switching and UI can be sluggish
• EVF/LCD Auto switching is slow and might make you miss a shot
• Image quality not on par with similarly priced digital SLRs
• High-speed 10fps shooting only allows 7 frame JPEG bursts, 6 frames in RAW mode
• Outdated menu system
• Video recordings slow to start
• Lab reported inconsistent exposures in some cases
• High amounts of geometric distortion and CA in uncorrected RAW files
• AF struggles in low light
• Below average accuracy from electronic viewfinder/LCD
• No printed manual (only PDF on a CD)
• Documentation is short on details
• Panorama mode leaves many stitching errors
• Sluggish flash recycling time