Fujifilm Announces HS25 EXR and HS30 EXR Top-End Bridges

Fuji today announced no less than 19 new cameras, updating its entire compact camera range. Among them are two top-of-the-range bridge cameras, the HS25 EXR and HS30 EXR, which have similar basic tech specs to the current HS20 EXR they're designed to replace.


Fuji has announced two bridge cameras to replace the HS20 EXR. The HS25 EXR is a slightly lower-end model, slotting in between the new SL series models also presented today and Fuji's high-end bridges. The HS30 EXR, on the other hand, is a more advanced model that's basically a skimmed-down alternative to the X-S1.

On the outside, both of the new cameras are identical to their predecessor, using the same pleasant-to-handle body with manual zoom ring. The zoom is still equivalent to 24-720 mm according to Fujifilm, but we reckon it's more like 22-660 mm—this lens was designed to give a wide angle of 24 mm with a 1/2.3" sensor but the Fuji 'EXR' BSI CMOS sensor is a bit bigger.

Fuji claims to have improved the sensor's sensitivity, although its tech specs haven't changed a bit. The main updates are in fact to the internal software, as the two new models boast an improved digital zoom (something we systematically advise against using—it's hard to imagine a digital zoom ever being better than cropping on a computer), as well as a manual focusing function for the video mode.

Note that the HS25 EXR can't take RAW photos, which instantly makes us prefer the HS30. As well as taking RAW shots, the HS30 EXR also has an Li-ion battery.

The main difference between the two models is that the HS30 is loaded with the same viewfinder as the S-X1. This viewfinder is 30% bigger and has a screen definition of 920,000 dots, making it much more comfortable and practical to use than the tiny viewfinders usually seen in bridge cameras (including the HS20). This makes the HS30 a great alternative for anyone who finds the X-S1 too expensive or too bulky.

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