Review of the classic "pseudo-mirror" Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR

Review of the classic "pseudo-mirror" Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR

Fujifilm invites us to recall the once popular pseudo-mirror camera FinePix HS20EXR, which is notable for the presence of a lens with a solid appearance, 30x optical zoom, and support for Full HD video shooting.

Introduction

In connection with a sharp drop in the price of basic SLR cameras, the era of classic "pseudo-mirrors" seemed to have gone without a trace, and their place was taken by hyperzums. These are compacts, equipped with multiple zoom lenses and made in the style of DSLRs, but lacking a hot shoe, zoom control, and RAW support with manual focus using lens rings. Nevertheless, one of the leaders in the "pseudo-mirror" segment - Fujifilm still continues to produce such cameras. Today we will be testing one of them - Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR.

This camera belongs to the segment of rapid-fire hyperzums, but still a little different from them. It is based on a CMOS sensor (we will touch on its features later), equipped with a wide-angle lens with a thirtyfold zoom, but it is controlled manually (like pseudo-mechanical focusing control), and not an electric drive. The novelty is equipped with RAW support and a "hot shoe", which are less and less common in the class of hyperzoom.

General view and technical characteristics

Contents of delivery

A device was provided for review, the package of which included several thin brochures, a USB cable, a video cable and a hood. Also in the kit we found four disposable AA (LR6) batteries, but clearly not the first freshness.

Appearance

Externally, the camera is not much different from most hyperzums. What caught my eye were pseudo-mechanical focusing (the focusing ring is electrically connected to the lens system, so it does not have a travel stop) and mechanical zoom control, as well as a variety of keys that allow you to manipulate most of the basic settings without entering the menu. I would also like to mention the command dial and the mode dial, traditionally set at an angle for Fujifilm cameras.

General view

The body material of the device is thick plastic with a soft touch surface, which turned out to be a bit unusual, because rough plastic is mainly used in the hyperzuma segment. The camera grip is rubberized with a small rubber thumb pad, which allows the photographer to fix the camera more securely. The right and left side surfaces visually, only resemble rubber. But in reality, they are made of plastic.We had no complaints about the build quality, and when trying to squeeze and twist the case did not creak and did not give in.

Flash

On the front are a pair of microphone holes, a lens, an AF-assist lamp serving as an auto-shutter indicator, and a built-in pop-up flash.

Viewfinder

On the back, the FinePix HS20EXR looks more like a DSLR camera than a hyperzoom, primarily due to its multiple controls. In addition to the video keys, AEL / AEF lock buttons, display mode selection keys, switching between the lens and the viewfinder, there are also buttons for selecting the sensitivity, focus area and exposure metering mode. Of course, the abundance of buttons has a positive effect on the speed of working with the camera, because there is no need to dangle around the menu, and the corresponding settings associated with these keys are not provided in the main menu.

On top of the body there is a "hot shoe", control dials and selection of shooting modes, keys - introduction of exposure shift, selection of a drive mode and a shutter release.

Bottom is barely noticeable compartment for four power supplies and a metal tripod connector, which for some unknown reason is painted black, which will make it difficult to install in complete darkness.

On the left are the system speaker, lens lock key and a rubber flap that hides the connectors for connecting USB, HDMI, and AV cables.

The right side is also not empty - here you can see the memory card slot and it is slightly hidden by a plastic spring-loaded door, which is very strange for a hyperzoom. Moreover, not all budget SLR cameras have a separate compartment for memory cards.

Testing

To estimate the noise parameter, we used the following method: a number of multi-colored objects with different sensitivity values ​​were photographed in JPEG format with minimal compression, and the white balance was set to automatic mode. The crop fragment was created in the software product Photoshop and then saved in the JPEG format. In the image, green squares indicate the areas of crop fragments. Test shots were shot with sensitivity ranging from ISO 100 to 3200.

Display and interface

The camera uses a 3-inch rotatable display with a resolution of 460,000 dots, which is not that much at the moment, but still the resulting image looks very good and the grain is practically invisible to the eye.

Rotary display

The viewing angles of our display are quite large in two planes. The stock of brightness is decent, and in sunny weather its screen is easy to read. With regards to the realistic rendering of colors, then we had no doubts. The camera interface is similar to most Fujifilm compacts. I would like to note that for some reason it does not have a quick F-menu, which is usual for expensive series. Although the tested device doesn't really need it, because all its functions have been replaced with additional keys, which we mentioned above.

Camera features

What is so unusual about the matrix? For starters, the FinePix HS20EXR's sensor is slightly larger than the competition (1/2 "versus 1 / 2.3). Of course, the maximum resolution is also higher. Although, the size is not important here, and our matrix is ​​very different from others. According to the company, EXR color and pixel arrays are key to good picture quality. When rotated 45 degrees, the EXR array increases both vertical and horizontal resolution. The use of dual diagonal pixels of the same color makes it possible to switch the sensor between DR (wide range), HR (high resolution) and SN (noise reduction and high sensitivity) modes depending on the plan, in any conditions to obtain high quality photos. A unique feature of the EXR sensor is its ability to adapt settings to suit the scene.The three available modes differentiate the sensor from any other and are used exclusively in Fujifilm products. The EXR AUTO mode automatically sets the optimal sensor settings. The camera is able to independently determine ten types of scene programs, which is also not possible for every competitor's device.

It is worth paying attention to high-speed shooting modes. The camera is capable of shooting video at 80 frames / sec. with VGA resolution, 160 frames / sec. with qVGA resolution and 320 frames / sec. with a resolution of 320x112px. In addition, the HS20EXR can record video at 8 frames / sec. at maximum resolution and 11 frames / sec. with a resolution of 8MP.

Also, the camera itself is able to stitch panoramic images. Before shooting, you can, without entering the menu, select the direction of movement of the lens, as well as the angle of the panorama. As you take a photo, a horizon line and a progress bar are displayed on the screen, allowing you to more accurately control the movement when you rotate the camera. FinePix HS20EXR is not demanding on turning speed, you can even stop the movement. In fact, the limitation occurs only when moving backward. Rotating even a degree will automatically stop shooting. In terms of shooting automatic panoramas, our device loses in resolution and correctness of gluing to one of the competitors - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V. Nevertheless, the function is still there, and it works, although without a tripod, panorama stitching does not always work correctly.

Shooting and impressions

The first impression about the camera, or rather about its performance, is formed already at the first turn on. If it fails at the start, then it will annoy you all the time. Unfortunately, our test camera takes 4.09 seconds to get ready to shoot - an awful long time. To minimize this time, we kept the camera on during testing. The FinePix HS20EXR has a sleep mode. The good news is that it leaves it many times faster, but it is inconvenient to keep the camera in this mode all the time.

The focusing speeds were measured under strong lighting conditions. The target was a test still life, which is used to assess the noise level. Focusing was performed on the center zone, and before each metering, the camera was aimed at infinity. In telephoto, the shooting was carried out from a distance of two meters, and at a wide angle - from 30 cm. It is stated that the camera can focus in 0.16 seconds, which is very good and impressive. Under test conditions, the camera achieved wide-angle focus in 0.29 seconds. The result is not the best and is far from the one stated in the press release. In telephoto, the situation was complicated by the fact that autofocus does not work correctly, helplessly aiming at infinity. The minimum focusing time was 0.49 seconds, and the maximum was almost two seconds.

In the focus area selection mode, 4 options are available: multi-zone, center zone, subject tracking and manual focus area selection. There is only one note to them - the autofocus periodically misses when the lens is moved to teleposition, both when shooting distant objects and close ones. True, mistakes are not so frequent as to interfere with shooting, but in such conditions competitors are still less likely to make mistakes.

The most interesting is the object tracking mode. Its implementation still leaves much to be desired in most cameras. The tested camera is no exception, since it accurately and quickly picks up objects of shooting, provided there is a contrasting background. If the target is not visible enough on it, then the probability of its capture is minimal. With rapid and chaotic movement, the camera can handle large objects with ease. As for small animals and nimble birds, they are too tough for the mode of guidance. When an object leaves the frame, the mode is not turned off, and the camera jumps to any randomly selected object automatically.

The camera's autofocus operates in 3 standard modes - manual, AF-S and AF-C.Given the rather high autofocus speed, there is no need for continuous autofocus operation, so you can get by with the single-frame trigger mode, thereby perfectly saving the power supply. The manual mode is a separate reason for the company's pride. As we already mentioned, the lens is equipped with a focusing ring, so the connection with the optical lens system is not mechanical, but electrical. Wheel travel is decent, making the setup process easier for entry-level users. But for experienced photographers, this can be very frustrating, since the speed decreases due to the large stroke. In addition, the focusing ring is not located at the edge of the lens, but in the opposite side (close to the body), so it is not always convenient to rotate it. On the other hand, it is still more convenient than using the joystick keyboard.

Exposure setting modes: aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, program, automatic. Also, it is possible to introduce exposure shift in the standard range in steps of one third (a special key is highlighted for this function) and shooting with auto bracketing in steps of 1, 2/3, 1/3 steps. Exposure metering works in 3 standard modes - spot, weighted average, multi. Unlike many compacts, this camera brightens shadows very carefully so as not to knock out highlights. This is possible not only in the EXR D-Range mode (expands the dynamic range), but also in the software. Manual mode sets - 400%, 200% and 100%. True, the value of 200% can be set if the sensitivity is 200 ISO units and above, and 400% - at a sensitivity value of more than 400. As practice shows, there is no particular benefit from the program mode.

In the light of halogen lamps, the metering error reached -0.52EV. When illuminated with conventional incandescent lamps, the error was in the range of -0.03-0.18EV. Even if the result is not a record, it is still very good. Automation does a good job of tricky lighting and very shaded subjects.

There are 3 preset options for fluorescent lighting in the white balance settings, as well as presets for sunlight, tungsten lighting, and a combined cloud / shadow preset. Of course, there are manual and automatic modes. To assess the correctness of determining the white balance, the Colorchecker 24 table was used. Constant light sources were fluorescent lamps with a light temperature of 6400K, as well as special illuminators with incandescent lamps. See the test results below.

Automatic BB. Fluorescent lighting 6400 K

Automatic BB. Incandescent lighting

In each field, the small inner rectangle acts as a standard, and the inner square is the one obtained with the camera, but reduced in contrast and brightness, the outer square is the unprocessed area, also obtained from the camera. The red number is the S color deviation in the HSV color space, and the blue is in Kelvin.

Flash

The camera has the following flash modes: auto, automatic with red-eye reduction, forced firing, forced shutdown, slow sync, sync with red-eye reduction. Fujifilm has traditionally hidden red-eye reduction in system settings. It’s absurd, but it’s the way it was. The flash can be adjusted from -2/3 to + 2 / 3EV in 1/3-stop increments. Below are thumbnails-links to full-size files that were captured in 1/3 stop increments with compensation values ​​of -2/3 and +2/3.

Shooting in a dark room with a flash. Flash Compensation: -2/3

Shooting in a dark room with a flash. Flash Compensation: +2/3

To assess the camera's capabilities in low light conditions, we filmed a test still life with lighting from two incandescent lamps connected to the mains through a rheostat, with the help of which lighting was set from 10 to 200 lux.The white balance was set automatically.

10 lux

200 lux

Camcorder mode

A modern hyperzoom with a built-in CMOS sensor is obliged to shoot Full HD video, as this is the norm. Manufacturers resort to cutting this functionality only in order to prevent competition in their own product line, as, for example, in the lineup of Sony cameras, where the Full HD shooting function was cut by software. Unfortunately, the HS20EXR does not support AVCHD format. The autofocus operation during shooting is possible, but it is rather slow, therefore, during subsequent viewing, the adjustment process is clearly visible when changing the focal length or distance to the subject of photography, although in fairness I want to note that the camera's autofocus is quite accurate.

Of course, zooming is carried out manually, in this regard, it is almost impossible to hold the camera exactly, in contrast to the electronically controlled hyperzoom zoom. In the Nikon Coolpix P500 camera, for example, in addition to the standard zoom lever, a side lever is attached to the shutter release button, which minimizes the amplitude of the camera vibrations. This is important, because with an EGF of more than 300 mm. and a slight tremor in the hands turns into a decent bump in the picture. And the tested hyperzuma is subject to as much as 720 mm. The advantage of the manual drive is one thing - speed. After all, the focal length changes much faster than in the case of using camera electronics. In fact, only the white balance settings can be changed, there are almost no shooting mode settings.

Autonomous work

4 AA (LR6) cells are used as a power source. In the settings of the camera under test, a choice of different types of power supply is provided, namely alkaline, lithium, and nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries. For the latter, a full discharge mode is provided - this is a proprietary feature of Fujifilm devices, which minimizes the negative effects of memory effects inherent in this type of battery. Lithium and alkaline disposable self-contained power supplies have a large capacity, which allows them to be changed less often. In addition, batteries of this type are very affordable and, like ordinary batteries, are always on sale either in an underground passage or in any stall. Yes, the cost does not scare them, so it is advisable to keep a couple of sets with you at once. The minus is no less significant - this is the additional cost of purchasing a charger. Although, it is worth noting that "charging" for AA batteries costs a penny. The dimensions of spare batteries themselves are not a big disadvantage, because for SLR-Like cameras it is not so critical. The test with complete Panasonic batteries failed, so traditionally Duracell LR-6 1500 alkaline cells were selected for testing. The test result turned out to be very, very good - 980 frames, 80 of them were shot with a flash.

Conclusion

Was there a triumphant revival of classic pseudo-mirror cameras? Looks like no. Nevertheless, the camera bypasses direct competitors and is quite interesting in several ways. First of all, it is worth noting its controls, because there are plenty of them, so most of the most used parameters change instantly, without the need to chat about the menu. In addition, the focal length also changes quickly, thanks to the manual drive (in the shooting mode, due to the manual drive, when the focal length is changed, the bumpiness is too great). Don't forget the pseudomechanical manual focus drive. In work, it is more pleasant than the push-button control, which is characteristic of most hypersooms.

It should be noted that the automatic settings work well when setting exposures. When filming in harsh conditions, where cameras are too active to lighten shadows, the device under test works more correctly.Automation proved to be quite accurate in determining the white balance in natural and fluorescent lighting. The disadvantages of the camera include: periodic focus errors in the teleposition of the lens, slow switching on, metering misses when the object is illuminated with incandescent lamps, as well as the aforementioned bumpiness when changing the focal length during video recording. Well, the lack of support for the AVCHD format.