BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

It seems like not a day goes by that someone here on UHH brings up the category of bridge cameras or superzooms...and the overwhelming majority of the cameras mentioned are either the Nikon P510 or Canon SX40 or Panasonic FZ150. These are all very good cameras in their own right.....but I'm trying to figure out why hardly ANYONE ever mentions the Fujifilm superzooms as ones to also consider? So....I'm going to give a link to someone who uses them AT HIS JOB (you know, real world practical experience!), which should remind us that there's more to life than just Nikon or Canon or Panasonic or even Sony.
The main article is about the Fuji HS30EXR but you'll also find a link to the Fuji X-S1. Both of these cameras, according to the author, are dubbed as the only real, true bridge cameras made right now....and he gives a pretty good argument as to why he says so.

http://www.safari-guide.co.uk/fujifilm-finepix-hs30exr-digital-camera-review.php

Here is info on both of these cameras:

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/s/finepix_hs30exr/
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_s1/

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

There ARE a number of people on here using Fuji, it just doesn't get the exposure. PhotoGuy uses a Fuji in his Fire Dept work.

I looked seriously at Fuji cameras, but in the end the fully articulating LCD screen of the Canon is what sold me on the SX40. There is NOTHING really wrong with the Fuji, I just chose what I considered a better style of LCD. If Fuji comes out with a similar screen instead of just a tilting screen like Nikon and others, I will seriously consider it if I purchase another camera.

User-P510 Loc: Wales

Yes i would agree Fuji does make fine camera's...i really like my HS10 felt great in my hand and took great pic's and had all the bell's etc,....but too much mushness on closer inspection of pictures especially full zoom...there is a guy on another forum with 3 of the camera's mentioned...Fuji HS30EXR, Fuji X-S1 , P510 and compare's low light included....do a google search " HS30 Fuji X-S1 P510 " ...interesting read.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

I've considered Fuji cameras several times in the past but when doing side by side comparisons, Fuji will typically be weak in one thing that another brand isn't - such as low light performance, or highest usable ISO, or maximum f/number, or non-articulated LCD screen, etc. Fuji goes the extra mile or even two miles on many features then falls on their corporate face on one negative.

As the article author said, this HS30EXR looks to be the ultimate bridge camera except for bulk that some people wouldn't like but I DO (so some buyers will be shoved away by that) and manual zoom that some people wouldn't like but I DO (other buyers will be shoved away by that) - then they cheap out at the last minute and don't have an articulated screen which harms the total satisfaction score of the otherwise excellent unit (which shoves way even more buyers). Why would they do this with the LCD screen and blow a perfect camera package? You can see why Fuji is many times shunned by buyers.

I also think that they have a stigma on them that they were and are a film company, like Kodak was, and digital cameras by film companies aren't taken seriously like cameras by companies that don't make film. Canon makes copiers and fax machines so they should have a stigma attached to them too but it doesn't stick because there are optics involved. And Canon MAKES their own cameras. Sony makes TVs, video cameras, Blu-Ray players, and home theater systems but that actually enhances Sony's reputation in the electronics world and Sony also MAKES their cameras. Panasonic makes battery powered nose hair cutters and microwave ovens but nobody seems to care and they MAKE their cameras. It's just that a film company trying to be in digital photography by having someone else make cameras and slap their name on them is a stigma that harms their market share pretty badly.

Another problem is that Fuji cameras don't hold to their retail pricing very well. The article says street price is $499 but the Amazon ad at the bottom of the same page sells it for $331. Cheap price should draw buyers but it scares others that think something must not be right when the price is so low but the features are so plentiful. The inquiring mind wonders why but can't find an answer and eliminates Fuji as a potential purchase. Meanwhile Canon, Nikon, and Sony are up at $400+ for similar models and they get it.

Another problem is that I don't see any Fuji brick and mortar dealers so I can handle one and play around. I can always find Canon, Nikon, or Sony in Best Buy or even Target, if not a real camera store, to handle and try out.

I'm aware that some Fuji cameras are made by Pentax and that's an excellent reference point for me because Pentax makes excellent stuff and always has. That's likely why the super zoom lens on this Fuji is excellent at both ends of the spectrum. This model may be a Pentax, partially made by Pentax, or use a Pentax lens but that's all good in any case.

I agree, this is an excellent item, the sensor seems to be awesome, and I wouldn't be afraid of it at all - but now Panasonic is coming out with the FZ200 with f/2.8 throughout the zoom range and it's going to dominate the market until Canon and Nikon have that feature too. Will Fuji follow suit?

john901 Loc: Lancaster, PA

I use a Fujifilm HS30; it is an outstanding camera of its type. I was led to this camera by a highly regarded safari photographer whose work appears in many of the top books and magazines dealing with the African Jungle and its environs. He is always winning awards for his work.

He wanted a camera to compliment his Canon 5D Mark III and carefully studied everything he could find that met his high specifications. He finally chose the HS30. That was good enough for me, so I bought one. I have been extremely pleased with the quality of the camera and the results from its excellent lens.

John

john901 Loc: Lancaster, PA

I use a Fujifilm HS30; it is an outstanding camera of its type. I was led to this camera by a highly regarded safari photographer whose work appears in many of the top books and magazines dealing with the African Jungle and its environs. He is always winning awards for his work.

He wanted a camera to compliment his Canon 5D Mark III and carefully studied everything he could find that met his high specifications. He finally chose the HS30. That was good enough for me, so I bought one. I have been extremely pleased with the quality of the camera and the results from its excellent lens.

John

gemac Loc: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

Fuji s100 fs and my wife has an HS-10. own a few others like D90 bur the s100 gives photos that are great by my standards, the imager size gives a sweet spot combination of depth of field, resoultion etc as is evidenced by the s-1 and others maintaining the same size. The lack of interchangeable lenses is eliminated by the one on the camera. A full kit is the camera, extra battery, and a couple of polarizers. forget "bridge" and look at a "swiss army knife" or even ultimate camera. Used and owned Fuji, pentax, minolta, nikon SLR systems with film and the S100 shines. Also still own giant rangefinder fuji GL690.

shadow1284 Loc: Mid-West Michigan

The stand by for my Canon 7d is my Fuji s100fs. I don't feel short changed anytime I'm carrying the Fuji.

BUDDY36 Loc: Tennessee

STRANGE..that this discussion would come up at this time. I had a 10-12 year old Fuji but it was lacking in so many features and was restricted as to what I could shoot and feel good about. I am not one that is rich by any means and have to get by on what I have. I was very fortune to pick up a new S4500 30x a few days ago and I am in the process of reading and preparing to take my first pictures in the up and coming days. I can already see the difference and will submit a picture or two when I become at ease while shooting with it. Thanks for the discussion on Fuji cameras. I for one liked the old one I had and am sure I will like this one even more. How many of you in here has a camera that will not take a picture until the subject smiles? The S4500 has such a feature!!

Buddy 36

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

There are more and more stores that are starting to carry Fuji cameras. Target, Shopko (for those of you familiar with them in the midwest), Wal Mart just to name a few. They make some really nice cameras and I for one am more than satisfied with mine. I have the older model S1500 bridge camera model of Fuji's and love it. Runs on '4' AA batteries as compared to a battery pack or a special battery like some cameras now do. Some people may not like certain features but for what I do, I love what they have and won't switch any time soon that is for sure. Some models are cheaper than others cost wise as they will have different features or be at different retailers but all are great cameras. Another feature to me is they weigh less than some other brands and that is a big plus so they won't give you tired hands or a tired neck after a long time.

BUDDY36 Loc: Tennessee

Now that is what I am talking about Photoguy!

Buddy 36 :thumbup:

rebride

I bought the S100fs knowing as a bridge camera 4+ years ago and haven't crossed that bridge yet.
The s100fs is the predecessor to the X-S1.
Been thinking about the X-Pro 1, but I look at my prints hanging on the walls around the house and wonder why bother?