FujiFilm FinePix HS50EXR Pro Reviews

The Fuji FinePix HS50 EXR is a versatile dSLR alternative that allows you to carry just this camera, no extra lenses required. Fuji's EXR II system is very powerful and delivers bold images with a slightly high level of image noise.

A strong all-rounder with particularly fine ergonomics, but image quality is bettered elsewhere

The HS50 EXR is one of the most fully-featured superzoom cameras currently available, with a superb focusing system, excellent viewfinder and ergonomic design to recommend it. Despite sub-par video quality, images are detailed and relatively noise-free throughout the range and the ability to capture and process Raw files only furthers the standard achievable from the camera. It's not the smallest or lightest superzoom currently available, but it's certainly one of the best for around the £400 mark.

Expert review of the Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR camera with sample photos, test shots, videos and more... £469 / $549 is undoubtedly a lot of money to pay for a compact camera with such a small image sensor, but if the image quality meets your requirements then the HS50EXR makes a compelling argument to be the only camera that you need. Super-zooms remain one of the few growth areas in the compact camera world, and its easy to see why when cameras as good as the Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR are being released. Highly recommended!

The Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR is a big camera with an impressive 42x zoom lens and plenty of controls, but its images don't hold up in low light.

The Fujifilm FinePix HS50 EXR updates the HS30/35 and offers a longer 42x optical zoom lens with manual zoom control, and is quite large compared to the previous model, with other cameras offering 50x optical zoom lens, such as the Fujifilm FinePix SL1000, and Canon Powershot SX50. The DSLR styling gives the camera the look and feel of a DSLR, yet offers a much larger optical zoom than you would be able to get with a DSLR at a much smaller size, and offers a fairly rare set of features including a microphone socket and focus switch. The HS50 offers rapid performance with high speed shooting (11fps full resolution when shooting JPEG), a tilting swivelling 3 inch screen, and a manual zoom control which is good for photos, but not so good for video. It has full manual controls, RAW shooting, flash hot-shoe, and a 16 megapixel EXR sensor which can help improve low light shots as well as dynamic range, although these give the best results at a much lower 8 megapixel resolution. If you don't want the bulk of carrying a DSLR with you, and want a large optical zoom, as well as full manual controls, then the HS50 EXR would make a good choice, particularly if you find yourself shooting in difficult lighting conditions, where the extended dynamic range and low light performance of the EXR sensor will be of benefit.

There are definitely a lot of megazoom options available -- from basic snapshot cameras to ones that are mostly point-and-shoots with a bit of extra control to those designed for enthusiasts. The Fujiflim FinePix HS50EXR falls into "enthusiast" group, but it's a very capable "family camera," with solid results if you just leave it in auto. Though its photo quality and performance still isn't that of larger-sensor cameras like dSLRs and mirrorless compacts, you're not going to get one of those with a 24-1000mm zoom lens. The Panasonic FZ200 still has a bit of an edge for its continuous shooting performance, better video quality, and its f2.8 zoom lens, but the HS50EXR does have a longer telephoto and some nice extras that will help you get better pictures in difficult lighting. I like having the manual zoom for shooting fast-moving subjects, too, because you can move in and out faster and more accurately than a motorized zoom; it's just not great for movies.

The Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR represents a definite step forward for the series, at times pushing towards a giant leap. The positives are clear: there's a more responsive autofocus system than before that's now always engaged even at the longest of focal lengths, alongside improved image quality and the eminently usable design. The only thing that's really holding this latest superzoom back is what else is out there in the market: the likes of the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS stills wins on the image quality front, while the Panasonic Lumix FZ200, despite its shorter zoom capacity, has a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout its range. The Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR does muster f/2.8 at the widest-angle setting and offers up a 1000mm equivalent, but at its £469 price point it's not got that single trump card nor the undercutting value to be deemed as the best of the bunch. Even the higher-spec Fujifilm X-S1 is more affordable at that price and that's not the plasticky fare of the HS50EXR. We like the FinePix HS50EXR a lot: it's an accomplished superzoom that's put Fujifilm right back up there and in the mix and shown just what this brand can do. It can hold its head up side by side with the levels of its nearest competitors, it just ought to be a touch more cost effective by comparison.