Fujifilm unveils FinePix HS10 with 30x zoom

Fujifilm announces the FinePix HS10 today with a 30x optical zoom range. With a back-illuminated CMOS sensor capable of 10 fps burst shooting, the HS10 offers DSLR-like features in a fixed-lens ultrazoom.

Fixed lens, pro body
Physically, the FinePix HS10 is similar to the S-series ultrazooms we've seen from Fujifilm. They resemble DSLRs with large lenses and sculpted handgrips. Unlike previous Finepix cameras, the HS10 reaches out past the 14.3x S200EXR to cover a full wide-to-telephoto range of 24-720mm. Zoom operation is manual-only, the same as any zoom lens coupled to a DSLR body. That 30x lens features a maximum aperture range of f/2.8-5.6.

A tilting 3.0 inch LCD is complemented by an electronic viewfinder. The HS10 is outfitted with a sensor that will automatically switch between the EVF and the LCD. Fujfilm hopes to entice advanced shooters to the HS10 by including a full array of manual and automatic exposure modes as well as RAW shooting capability.

The FinePix HS10's CMOS sensor is mechanically stabilized. In addition, the camera is equipped with a multi-frame stabilization mode that captures multiple images of a scene at both high and low ISO settings and combines them into one image.

Built for speed
Fujifilm didn't just build the HS10 to be a high-zoom monster, they designed it for speed as well. The HS10's CMOS sensor will be capable of firing off 10 megapixel images at 10 fps for up to seven frames. It will also record 1080p HD video and will offer mini HDMI output.

Additionally, it will capture low-resolution, slow-motion movies at up to 1000 fps, much like Casio's high speed FH cams. Another familiar-sounding feature is a panorama shooting mode. The HS10 will also shoot a series of images in succession at high speed as the camera sweeps across a scene to create wide panoramic images. The HS10 also incorporates another new feature that Fujifilm calls Multi-Motion Capture mode. It records 5 frames of a moving subject and puts them together in one composite image.

The whole system is powered by AA batteries, and Fujifilm claims that a fresh set of alkaline batteries will last for 300 shots.

Pricing and availability
The Fujifilm FinePix HS10 is scheduled for April 2010 availability. It will start at $499.95.