Now Posted: Our Review of the Fujifilm FinePix HS10

We’ve just posted our review of the big, bad, 30x zoom Fujifilm FinePix HS10. With a sensible 10.3 megapixel sensor, over 700mm of focal length, and full 1080p HD video, the HS10 is bursting at the seams with capability. The ultimate photographer’s solution? Find out in our review right here.

Fujifilm FinePix HS10 Review
Billed as the ultimate all in one photographic solution, the Fujifilm FinePix HS10 packs virtually everything you can think of in one very DSLR-looking camera body. While a good portion of attention is focused on the HS10’s 30x zoom lens (that’s 24-720mm for those keeping count), the HS10 also offers a 3″ tilt screen LCD, shoots RAW, captures stills at 10 fps, shoots 1080p HD video, and for fun even shoots lower res video at 1000 fps. Photographer’s wonder cam or camera overload? Perhaps a bit of both, but the HS10 is a very compelling option for photographers looking for the convenience of covering all the bases, with just one camera.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 1/2.3 ” BSI-CMOS, 10.3 million effective pixels
• Lens: 30x optical zoom, 24-720mm (35mm equiv.), f/ 2.8- F5.6.
• ISO: 100-6400.
• Continuous Shooting: 10 fps for 7 frames.
• LCD: 3″ 230K dot.
• Shooting Modes: Auto, SR, Adv, SP1, SP2, PANORAMA, Custom, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual
• Scene Modes: Portrait, Portrait Enhancer, Landscape, Sport, Night, Night (Tripod), Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Flower, Text, Natural Light, Natural Light & Flash
• Video: 1920 x 1080 pixels, 1280 x 720 pixels, 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames/sec., Stereo sound
• Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.6 x 5.0 in. (131 x 91 x 126 mm).
• Weight: 25.0 oz (709 g) includes batteries.

Exterior and Interface

While Fujifilm’s marketing will emphasize the HS10’s compact-ness, it is decidedly not compact, easily being the size of a small DSLR camera, which it indeed greatly resembles. Relative to a DSLR with a 720mm lens attached, the HS10 suddenly does seem a good deal more compact, but even for a super-zoom type camera the HS10 is a big bulbous beast of a camera.

Build quality is quite good, a textured plastic shell will likely be pretty resistant to abuse over time, and overall fit and finish is pretty satisfying. Ergonomically the HS10 also scores well. It offers a substantial grip, covered in large swath of rubber grip material, together with a  thumb recess on the rear, the HS10 feels secure and comfortable. Oriented to more experienced photographers, the HS10 provides plenty of physical controls, a dedicated movie record button, and even a command dial, so at least on the outside the HS10 is friendly for on-the-fly camera changes. The 3 inch tilt screen is nice right up to the point that you realize that 230k of resolution can make focusing and playback much less satisfying than a 460K or higher LCD would have.

On the interface front, the HS10, like the other Fujifilm cameras we’ve tested recently looks rather archaic…like Panasonic’s interfaces, the HS10 packs a good deal of info and camera setting options onto the screen in a not so pretty way, it’s mostly intuitive, just not neat or attractive. Regardless, pressing a dedicated camera function button (ISO for example), and turning the command dial with the thumb makes quick work of adjusting the camera, similarly, the command dial also works great for changing things like aperture when in one of the program modes (the HS10 does provide program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual shooting modes).

Shooting screen with info. As you can see, the HS10 can jam a lot of info on screen, just not in such an appealing sort of way.	Camera setting changes are easy, press and hold a dedicated button (ISO here), then use the command dial to set.
...here the focusing options, which include a tracking AF. AF speed is average only, and tracking AF is made less useful by slow shot to shot times.	Turn the shooting mode dial and the screen duplicates the action. Note here you can set a position to you're own custom choice.
The HS10 can take a super wide panorama shot by simply panning the camera from left to right (or up and down).	Note here in AUTO, the HS10 has quickly picked out a face in the composition.
The menu system allows for a bit of customization, but again is dated looking for a contemporary camera.	...
Playback allows for two views, with and without info. Here's the with info view, but note the lack of histogram.	Additionally, the playback options, like in-camera editing are quite limited, no creative options are available.

Unlike most super-zooms, the HS10 doesn’t provide a zoom lever, focal length changes are done manually (just like a DSLR), which provides the advantage of dialing in exactly the right needed distance, and eliminates the need for waiting for a lens motor to do the chore for you. It does eliminate zooming in or out during video as the action on the lens is far to stiff for such duties (not to mention a lack of an effective continuous focus). Finally, a 200K EVF is available for photographers who don’t care for composing on the rear LCD. Our unit’s lacked the clarity for prolonged use, but in bright light, an EVF is better than not being able to see the LCD.

Fujifilm HS10 10MP Digital Point and Shoot Camera (Black) at B&H Photo Get the Fujifilm HS10 10MP Digital Point and Shoot Camera (Black) and support this site at the same time, by making your purchase through the link above at B&H Photo Video.

Samsung TL500 (EX1) Image and ISO Samples

I never suspected that this year Samsung would be responsible for not one, but two (so far) of my favorite cameras to shoot with. First it was the Samsung NX10, and now we’re really enjoying the TL500 (the EX1 in some markets), a super handsome camera, with a tilt and swivel screen, and bright, bright f/1.8 lens. Every photographer I’ve shown this guy to has immediately been impressed with the form factor and interface, and that goes for me as well. We’re working on our review now, and have plenty more image samples set to the side, but I wanted to share a few examples, as well as provide some ISO samples to give you an idea of what the TL500 offers image-wise.

Of course, like the Canon G11 and the Panasonic LX3, the TL500 features a slightly larger sensor than your typical compact, in this case we’re discussing a 10 million pixel 1/1.7″ sensor, and it does help the TL500 bring a bit more detail to the table as well pretty good low light performance. It is no DSLR, but it easily performs better than the average compact, and to my eye is on par with the G11 and S90. I love the tilt and swivel LCD, and the TL500 feels pretty much right at home in an enthusiasts hands…only a lack of HD video keeps this little number from soaring close to the heights of the perfect compact.

Samsung TL500 Digital Point and Shoot Camera (Black) at B&H Photo Get the Samsung TL500 Digital Point and Shoot Camera (Black) and support this site at the same time, by making your purchase through the link above at B&H Photo Video.

ISO Samples

Below we’ve included some ISO samples from our usual low light setup. I’ve put RAW examples on the left side of the tables below, and JPEG samples on the right side. Click each thumbnail for a full size view of each crop, and use the image directly below to orient yourself to the crops’ positions. The full size samples for the RAW set is here and the JPEG set can be found here.

Crop 1

ISO 80 (RAW)	ISO 80 (JPEG)
ISO 100 (RAW)	ISO 100 (JPEG)
ISO 200 (RAW)	ISO 200 (JPEG)
ISO 400 (RAW)	ISO 400 (JPEG)
ISO 800 (RAW)	ISO 800 (JPEG)
ISO 1600 (RAW)	ISO 1600(JPEG)
ISO 3200 (RAW)	ISO 3200 (JPEG)

Crop 2

ISO 80 (RAW)	ISO 80 (JPEG)
ISO 100 (RAW)	ISO 100 (JPEG)
ISO 200 (RAW)	ISO 200 (JPEG)
ISO 400 (RAW)	ISO 400 (JPEG)
ISO 800 (RAW)	ISO 800 (JPEG)
ISO 1600 (RAW)	ISO 1600 (JPEG)
ISO 3200 (RAW)	ISO 3200 (JPEG)

Image Samples

We’ve gathered an initial assortment of image samples taken with the Samsung TL500, with a good number taken at higher ISO settings. We recommend taking the slideshow full screen for a better view, but for actual analysis, be sure to explore the full size files via the appropriate links. Feel free to download for your own personal use only.

Now Posted: Our Review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 (TZ10)

We’ve just posted our review of the 12.1 megapixel, 12x zoom Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 (also known as the TZ10). We’re big fans of the GPS, and were quite fond of the Sony HX5V, so how does the ZS7 compare? Find out right here.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Review

Two compacts cameras that have impressed us this summer are the Sony HX5V (our review here), and the subject of this review, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 (the TZ10 in some markets). Both cameras share very similar form factors, similar specs, and both of them feature built-in GPS, a fun and potentially useful addition that lets you geotag your photos for either organizational purposes, or simply for locating images later on Google Maps for example. The ZS7 brings to the table a slightly longer lens than the HX5V (12x zoom vs 10x zoom) and also seems a bit more oriented to somewhat skilled photographers, as compared to the more beginner friendly HX5V. Either camera makes an excellent traveling companion, indeed our preference for either almost seems like a coin toss, but most of the time that coin comes up ZS7.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 1/2.33″ Type CCD, 12.1 million megapixels.
• Lens: 12x optical zoom, 25 – 300mm (35mm equiv.), f/3.3 – 4.9.
• ISO: 80-1600, High Sensitivity (1600 – 6400).
• Continuous Shooting: 2.3 fps for 5 frames (standard), or 3 frames (fine).
• LCD: 3″ 460K dot.
• Shooting Modes: Intelligent AUTO, Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Custom, SCN, My SCN 1, My SCN 2, Clipboard.
• Scene Modes: Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial photo, Pinhole, Film Grain, High Dynamic (Standard, Art, B&W), Photo Frame, Underwater.
• Video: 1280 x 720 @ 30fps, 848 x 480 @ 30fps, 640 x 480 @ 30fps. Stereo sound.
• Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 in. (103 x 60 x 33 mm).
• Weight: 7.7 oz (217 g) includes batteries.

Exterior and Interface

For a camera packing an awfully complicated 12x zoom lens, the ZS7 is quite compact, featuring a well made and rather classy exterior. The camera’s front offers a slight bulge for grip which is paired with a textured surface for the thumb on the rear. It’s an easy hold, but the camera’s slick surface should encourage users to consider using the wrist strap for security. Camera controls on the rear are a bit small, but are well labeled and are responsive to the touch. Panasonic’s typical “Capture/Playback” switch is here, and a dedicated movie record button means that video is always a button press away. A dedicated flash means no annoying pop-up action (sorry Canon SX210 IS), and clever placement of the stereo speakers means fingers aren’t apt to accidentally cover them during recording. All in all the ZS7 is a well made camera, that while not offering the most innovative design, sure comes off quite practical and compact.

As to the interface, the ZS7 appears to be a bit more complex at first blush than the competitors, and it certainly offers more in the menu section in terms of customization (like control noise reduction for example). It isn’t nearly as pretty as the HX5V or SX210 IS, nor does it come off as intuitive, but in actual practice the interface is fairly to use: the “Quick Menu” button allows for easy camera setting changes, the “Display” button offers several different views of your composition, or captures depending on the mode you’re in, and as we mentioned, while the menu isn’t as neat in appearance, it’s still effective at getting the job done, and offers more options than “the other guys”. The visuals aren’t just a ZS7 thing, it’s a Panasonic thing we’re noticing, and though we don’t mean to make to big of deal of it, we do wish they’d consider giving their interfaces a bit of refresh.

The default shooting screen. It isn't aesthetically pleasing, but provides plenty of information. The optional live histogram is enabled here. You can access views with less info or one with grid lines by pressing the "Display" button.	Grid line view.
Note the GPS info at the bottom. The ZS7 refers to an internal database of locations to supply the info base on your coordinates.	Pressing the "Quick Menu" button allows you to make key camera setting changes.
The menu system, again, isn't all that visually pleasing, but does allow for more customization and options than the Sony HX5V or Canon SX210 IS.	Face detection quickly detects faces in compositions, even the dolls head here. Registered faces would display the person's name under the focus box.
The ZS7 offers so many Scene shooting modes, that it'll take awhile to really familiarize yourself with all of them.	Playback is implemented via a dedicated capture/playback switch. The "Display" button enables various views of your captures.
Here, and unobstructed view.	The zoom lever allows you to get a nice magnified view.
In-camera editing options are quite limited, but found by pressing the "Menu/Set" button while in playback mode.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 (Black) Digital Camera at B&H Photo

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 (Blue) Digital Camera at B&H Photo

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 (Silver) Digital Camera at B&H Photo

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 (Red) Digital Camera at B&H Photo Get the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 Digital Camera and support this site at the same time, by making your purchase through the link above at B&H Photo Video.

Now Posted: Our Review of the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS

Our review of the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS has just gone live. The SX210 IS is a compelling offering, seemingly being the ideal companion, 14 megapixels, 14x zoom lens, manual shooting modes, and HD video, all in slim compact body. To find out how it measures up (and our opinion of it versus the competition), check out the review right here.

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Review

The Canon PowerShot SX210 IS is one of the leading contenders in a category that many describe as the “travel zoom”, a sort of swiss army knife camera that’s small enough to take anywhere, while still typically offering a versatile zoom lens that allows the camera to go from wide angle to full telephoto to capture almost any sort of scenario, and thus perfect for traveling. The SX210 IS succeeds the PowerShot SX200 IS, bringing a sleeker, slimmer exterior, a longer 14x zoom lens (vs. 12x), and less useful, more “resolution” at 14.1 megapixels. The SX210 largely improves on the SX200, and stands up well to the competition, but also features its share of problems, both with overall image quality and with the camera’s design.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 1/2.3″ Type CCD, 14.1 million effective pixels
• Lens: 14x optical zoom 28 – 392mm (35mm equiv), f/3.1-5.9
• ISO: 80-1600
• Continuous Shooting: 0.7 fps
• LCD: 3″ 230K dot, widescreen
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Easy, Portrait, Kids & Pets,Landscape, Night Snapshot, Scene, Movie
• Scene Modes: Portrait, Indoor, Smart Shutter(Smile, Wink Self-Timer, FaceSelf-Timer), Low Light (3.5MP), Color Accent, Color Swap, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist
• Video: 1280 x 720 @ 30fps, 640 x 480 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 30fps. Stereo sound.
• Dimensions: 4.17 x 2.33 x 1.26″ (105.8 x 59.3 x 31.9 mm)
• Weight: Approx. 7.58 oz/215g (including battery)

Exterior and Interface

The SX210 IS gets an all new exterior, and on first take, it’s a nice improvement. The SX210 IS looks slimmer and sleeker than its predecessor (and its competitors), and aesthetically takes the series in a nicer, more contemporary direction. It does so at the expense of any sort of grip, but the design does provide a grooved bezel that makes the SX210 still easy to manage.

Many may remember that the SX200 IS had a particularly annoying pop-up flash design, only partly addressed here with the SX210 IS. On power-up, the flash still comes up automatically, but it’s now easy to push it back down to the closed position where it locks itself away. Unfortunately it stays locked away until you reboot the camera. Another little oddity, the zoom lever doesn’t surround the shutter release as you’ll typically find on most digital compacts. Instead it gets its own separate lever that moves left or right, a move likely intended to maintain the SX210 IS’ sleek exterior. It isn’t difficult to use, but we find it to be more awkward than the traditional design of surrounding the shutter.

The rear of the camera gets a 3 inch widescreen 230K LCD. The widescreen works great for shooting HD videos, but does mean stills images are presented smaller than on a typical 3 inch display. The SX210 IS uses the black bars on either side of the still image display to present user interface information. Camera layout on the back is cramped as you’d expect on a camera with a 3 inch display, but buttons are nicely sized, and the stepped dial surrounding the multi-selector is better than most other PowerShots’. Unfortunately, the multi-selector’s 4 directions are not labeled, a rather annoying blunder that hopefully will not be duplicated in any future SX2xx cameras.

The camera interface is textbook PowerShot, in other words, clean, concise, and easy to control. Outside of the camera’s few and unlabeled physical controls, the interface allows for fairly easy access to various camera settings, and intuitive icons and text descriptions keep things from becoming confusing. The menu system too, is kept nice and tidy, there’s a minimum of customization available, but it’s likely enough for the intended user (read: not enthusiasts or advanced photographers in need of more advanced camera setup options).

The widescreen display mean that stills get surrounded by black bars on either side. The SX210 IS uses those sides to display interface information. The DISP button offers a couple of different choices for viewing your composition, this one is the unobstructed view. Note that here in "AUTO", the SX210 IS has detected a face, focused on it, and put the camera into portrait mode.	Here's the view with info added. You can also opt for a grid overlay in the menu.
Pressing the FUNC/SET button allows the user to make changes to camera settings like WB, ISO, Metering, etc.	In the programmable modes, exposure adjustments are made by spinning the stepped wheel around the multi-selector. To switch from aperture to shutter (or exp. compensation) press up on the multi-selector.
The menu system is clean and organized affair, but it lacks a lot of customization options. Users can't, for example, adjust noise reduction.	In-camera editing options are pretty basic, but the SX210 IS does provide some organizational abilities.
The movie shooting mode allows you to see your video full screen before you start recording. Note with the widescreen display, movies get the viewing priority with the SX210 IS, not stills.

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Digital Camera (Black) at B&H Photo

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Digital Camera (Gold) at B&H Photo

Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Digital Camera (Purple) at B&H Photo Get the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Digital Camera and support this site at the same time, by making your purchases through the links above at B&H Photo Video.

Now Posted: Our In Depth Review of the Olympus E-PL1

Our in depth review of the Olympus E-PL1 has now gone live. The E-PL1 is oriented towards photographer moving up from the world of compact cameras, aiming to to achieve big improvements in image quality. In that respect, the E-PL1 really delivers, but as you’ll see, enthusiasts on a budget may also find the E-PL1 and appealing and affordable option. Read the review here.