Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR 16MP Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Black) (OLD MODEL)

OK, so my daughter wants to get into the professional photographing world and wanted me to buy her a "decent camera" to begin with.I searched, read extensively and tried the Canon 1100D (Ti3) and Nikon D3100 cameras which are considered excellent choices for beginners. Indeed, they were my first choice, but then when we began asking for zooming lenses and macro lenses and other special features, well we found out that you would have to pay more than double the original camera's price in lenses and if you wanted VR Lenses (Vibration Reduction), well the big zoom lenses cost almost 3 times the camera price!Then, we came by the Fujifilm XS1 which is a decent camera but a little old. We tried it and we loved it. After some searching on the net, I found out that Fujifilm made the HS series and the top of the range was the FinePix HS50EXR. I watched many YouTube videos and read plenty of reviews here on Amazon and on other websites. After so much researching and brain-storming to take the right decision, I set my mind on this camera and after a few days, I can assure you I made the right decision.I won't go into details about the camera, but generally it is second best in doing what most DSLR cameras do (at least the entry levels for beginners). The HS50EXR has a whooping 42X zoom which is surreal. You can switch between automatic, semi-automatic and manual modes on almost everything. It is handled like any other DSLR is handled (zooming is manual and not automatic). It has amazing features and photo-adjusting modes most other cameras don't (you can even see them on screen before you actually decide to take the photo which allows you instant feedback). You can also switch between shutter speeds and do manual focus or take double snaps into one photo.One of the things I didn't like about the camera is the menus. They are a little difficult to find and although you have an option to save some favorite photo-taking modes, it's still difficult to go into the menus to adjust or switch off a certain mode or feature. It's a little confusing, but I suppose like any other thing in this world, you need to adapt and with time, you'll eventually learn.Final judgement: if you can sacrifice very little quality in photos, but get 2nd best choices and features you get on DSLR cameras (especially the zooming-42X and the amazing macro shots at 1cm distance only) and have an all-in-one camera without the burden of having to carry cases or a big bag to carry lenses and accessories, then this camera is for you.Fujifilm made a risk, but I figure it really worked well. Once you to decide to go a step further, then after this camera, you surely have to go for a DSLR...

I decided to purchase this camera due to its 1000mm manual zoom and the macro capability. Both of which I don’t have with the 18-200mm lens that I use on my Nikon D90 or D7000. I do mostly portrait photography with the DSLRs, and I do have macro filters for a 50mm prime lens that I own, but I’m tired of messing with all the parts and pieces. Just wanted a camera that I could grab and go and have most of the capabilities that are found in a DSLR without the expensive price tag. A 1000mm lens for a DSLR would be 3 times (maybe more) the cost of this camera as a whole. So rather than buying yet another lens, I pursued a “bridge” camera that had the zoom built in. I liked the idea of having the manual zoom feature. Something I’m already used to with the DSLR. I read some reviews that said the lens sticks, or grinds, as you twist it, that it’s not as smooth as an SLR lens. Maybe a little, but I don’t think it sticks as bad as what I had read. Here are some of my personal pros and cons:Pros:• Manual (42x/1000mm) Zoom• Macro and Super Macro• Metal body• Takes acceptable pictures for the category of camera• 360o Panoramic Option• Q button. Gives you quick access to all your important settings.Minor Cons:• No setting to reverse the command dial. I like to move the dial to the left when reducing the shutter/aperature, but you need to turn it to the right. Not a huge issue, just a personal preference.• Flash does not popup automatically in Auto modes, even if the flash is set to Auto. Need to pop it open manually.• Comes with the Monitor Sunlight Mode setting turned ON and took me a while to figure out that’s what was making my pictures in Auto/Scene modes appear over exposed on the LCD screen. Almost returned it thinking something was wrong with the camera, but did my research first. Once I turned this setting OFF, pictures appeared as they should.• Don’t care for the electronic viewfinder. Guess I’m just used to the SLR optical viewfinder.• After each shot, pictures are displayed at either .5 seconds, 1.5 seconds or continuous until you press the OK button. Would be nice to have a 3 second option.• There’s a slight pause between when you put your eye up to the viewfinder before the camera switches from the LCD to the viewfinder, so shots can be lost. In other words the viewfinder doesn’t turn on fast, maybe a 1 second delay.Overall I’m happy with it and would recommend it. If you’re a newbie to Manual mode, this would be a good, inexpensive camera to tinker with. Would be a shame to just keep it in Auto all the time, but there’s definitely times when Auto comes in handy.