Camera reviews: Fujifilm HS30, Fujifilm Finepix S4500, Fujifilm Finepix Sl300, Samsung WB150F

Fujifilm HS30
Rating: 4.5/5
SPECS:
16 MP EXR CMOS sensor, 30x Fujinon 24-720mm lens, 1 cm Super Macro Mode, ISO 12800, FullHD, Raw + JPEG shooting mode

Fujifilm is carving a niche for itself in the ultra-zoom category. It's latest offering in the segment is the HS 30 with a stunning 24-720mm lens. The HS 30 is similar other bridge cameras from Fujifilm, but is more compact and comes with a swivel LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder. The extra zoom in almost completely hidden and the camera is not larger than a regular 18-55mm lens.

The rubberised grip on the lens is one of best you will find and acts as a key factor when you are seeking subjects far away. There is also a focus ring, which comes into play when you are using the manual mode. However, both the viewfinder and monitor don't have a live preview and that was a disappointment.

VERDICT:
Overall, this is a good option for those who want an advanced camera, but don't want to take the DSLR plunge. Moreover, this is very reasonably priced for its features. (Click here for the full review)

FUJIFILM FINEPIX S4500
Specs: 14MP CCD sensor; 30 x optical zoom lens, f=4.3mm-129mm, F3.1 - F5.9; 1/2000 sec; ISO 6400; 1280 x 720 p; SD/ SDHC /SDXC memory card.

All camera makers seem to be specialising on one feature or the others. FujiFilm, for instance, seems to have found its calling in making the longest zooms. So, its new Finepix S4500 too has a 30x optical zoom complemented by a 14MP CCD sensor. The S4500 looks a lot like the S2950 we reviewed earlier this year. It shares another feature with that camera, a love for Alkaline batteries, for which we have no convincing explanation. The S4500 weighs 543 gm, a tad too much for a non-DSLR . But thankfully it has a good build and offers a steady grip, though we would have loved the trigger button at a slightly angled position. There is an electronic viewfinder as well as a 3-inch LCD. However, they don't offer live view to show how the pictures will turn out.

BAG IT OR JUNK IT? A bit outdated for our liking. (Click here for the full review)

FUJIFILM FINEPIX SL300
Specs: 14 MP CCD sensor; f=4.3mm - 129.0mm; F3.1-F5.9; 1/4sec. to 1/2000sec; ISO 6400; 1280 x 720 p video; SD / SDHC / SDXC cards.

Take a guess, what would be a good zoom to have in a pointand-shoot camera? 30x, 50x? What about 200x? Well, that is how much zoom-optical and digital-the new Fujifilm FinePix SL300 packs. Yes, you heard us right.

The SL300 is a good mid-level point-and-shoot with the specs that you would expect in this range. It has a 2.3-inch 14 megapixel CCD sensor, 3-inch bright LCD screen, 720p HD movie capture as well as full-auto and semi-auto modes. We liked the fact that there is a separate button to shift to burst mode, of which this camera has many - top 6, final 6, long durations, 20 shots and 40 shots.

We wanted to focus, quite literally, on the zoom capabilities of this camera. It actually has a 30X optical zoom which is really good. The pictures shot in this range were clear without any noise. Beyond 30x the zoom is digital and this is where you need really steady hands to handle this camera. We suggest you use the tripod when you go to 200x, which is the equivalent of a 500mm lens. Even the wind can set you off target at this range and you would have to zoom out and see what you were shooting. At full zoom, the quality is not that great, considering the camera is just blowing up the 30x image to focus on a certain part. But step back a bit, to about 140x and the pictures will be passable.

VERDICT: Excellent camera if you have use for a zoom this long. (Click here for the full review)

SAMSUNG WB150F
Specs: 14.2 MP, 7.76-mm CCD Image sensor; Schneider-KREUZNACH 18X zoom lens; Optical image stabilisation; 3-inch 460K hVGA LCD; ISO 80-3200; 1280-720 (30fps) HD video; Full manual mode.

WI-FI
The camera lets you select Wi-Fi from the control dial itself and there is no need to go to the menu for this. Users can upload photos and videos directly to social networking sites like Facebook, Picasa, YouTube and Photobucket as well as mail it. The network can also be exploited to connect the camera to your phone, using which you can even click phone remotely. The Wi-FI can also be harnessed to upload photos to a SkyDrive account or to back up your PC. You can type the login ID and password through the virtual keyboard using the control dial. It is not as tough considering you will have to do it only once.

CAMERA
The 14.2 megapixel WB150F has all features you would expect of a point-and-shoot. But it exceeds the brief as far its zoom capabilities are concerned. It has an 18x optical zoom, with the telescopic lens really stretching itself. Then the digital zoom takes it up to 90x, which despite the slight pixilation at the extreme end, is superb for any camera. So you can have a frame with a tree in a corner and another focusing on a leaf on the tree, all standing at the same point. We will have to thank the 4.0~72mm Schneider Kreuznach lens as well as the optical image stabilisation for the results. Like many new cameras that have HD video capabilities, this one too comes with a separate record button for video, though the trigger button too can initiate shooting.

BAG IT OR JUNK IT? The best buy at this price range with superb features and usability. (Click here for the full review)