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As I said in my previous post, I have been looking for a compact point and shoot camera as a backup to my HS10, and the start of 2011 saw many new models that would fit the bill very nicely!
Only a year and a half ago I was carrying my trusty Minolta A200, a bridge camera with 8mp, 7x zoom, 1.8inch LCD, 800x600 @ 15fps video and 2.3fps continuous shooting mode.

(Again I must apologize for the long post and loading times, supposed to be broken up into 3 pages, but for some reason the new Blogger wont let me! any tips would be most greatfull?)

The jump up to the HS10 was a welcome change, my wish list not quite fully filled, but it was well on its way!
Now we have a choice of models from most of the top names for an even smaller P&S cam with 15-16mp, 14-16x lenses, 3" LCD's, full HD video and 8-11fps continuous, plus lots of little extras like Panorama, slow-mo movie modes and GPS (something I've been looking forward to having on a camera for ages!)

I had been following the dpreview forums and various other website info about these exciting new cameras, waiting patiently for them to firstly become available, then for buyers to post their findings, the results were mixed to say the least, as with any new cams, a certain learning curve is required to get to know each cameras quirks.
Eventually, the "love-hate" debates ensued, some finding faults, minor and major, and some loving their new gadgets. Firmware updates cured a few minor problems, and gradually my personal favorite emerged, but I was still a little unsure!

My time with the Fujifilm HS10 since its launch has made me a fan of Fuji bridge cams, so the announcement this year of the new and improved HS20EXR got me instantly interested. There is no doubt that picture quality has improved from some of the pictures I've seen, the new EXR sensor when used sensibly really shines with the 30x lens, but the omission of a bigger and brighter EVF (viewfinder) and GPS, made my decision to wait for maybe the HS30, so much easier!
The same sensor is used in the Fujifilm F550, and although I'm not a dedicated Fuji fan, this little beauty had caught my eye!

3.0 inch rear LCD with 460,000 pixel
16 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor
Fujinon 15x Optical zoom lens covering 24-360mm (35mm equivalent)
New Rich User Interface using Vector fonts and graphics
Full resolution high speed shooting at 8fps
Full HD movie capture (H.264 MOV file format)
Self timer Approx. 10 sec./ 2 sec. delay
Advanced 27 scene mode EXR Auto
Sensor-shift Image stabilization
White Balancing
SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I) memory card Storage
Film simulation modes
360° Motion Panorama mode
Photobook Assist function
GPS functionality enabled
RAW shooting
Advanced Anti-blur technologies
1600% wide dynamic range
White balance settings

Point and shoot cameras are one of those handy breeds that you can put in any pocket, so generally are the most used as it just happens to be the one you have with you!

As a backup travel cam, it will come into it's own on those evenings when taking the larger bridge/dSLR is not an option, for practical and safety reasons.

I've had a few outings with the F550exr now, a day in London which included a trip to the Chelsea Flower Show, and a 10 day holiday to Portugal, where I was unfortunately laid up with a bad back for the most part, but managed to venture out a few days to take in some of the wonderful sights.

Once you learn a few tricks with this little Fuji, like using the "Macro" function with the zoom lens to aid in better close to mid range performance for flowers and the like, and the +/- EV button (basic stuff with any camera, I know!) it really helps to make your photos pop!

My main camera settings are as follows;

Mode = P (most of the time)
ISO = Auto 800, sometimes Auto 3200 when indoors.
Image Size = M 4:3 (that's 8mp, not the full 16mp)
IQ = F
D-Rng = Auto
Film Simulation = Velvia/Vivid (adds a little more colour)
WB = Auto
Continuous = Off
Adv Anti Blur = Off
Face Detection = Off
Photometry = Multi, sometimes Spot
AF mode = Center

Of course, these are only guideline settings that I have used so far, they could and probably will change the longer I use this cam, but for now, they are working quite well for me!

After handling the likes of the HS10, the F550 is very small in comparison, so I recommend using the included short wrist strap at all times, just in case!

There are not as many accessories for compacts like there are for bridge/dSLR's, but I did come across a couple, the Joby Gorillapod, which everyone has heard of, and a very handy little number, recommended by a fellow dpreview member, the Flipbac

This simple device is just a double hinged mirror that fits around the LCD screen on your camera, it protects the screen when not in use, fold it down out of the way when not needed, and soon comes into it's own when trying to take pictures in awkward positions.

It takes a little getting used to, as you see an inverted image in landscape or portrait view, but it is much better than laying in the dirt for close up macros of plants or for a different perspective.

Photo on camera for demonstration purposes only (but was taken with the F550)

Below are a few I took at Paul Simon's concert in Birmingham in June. I was sat in the furthest block from the stage (about 80m) but fortunately had a short wall and railing right in front of my seat.
Leaning forward and resting the camera on the wall, and looking down into the Flipbac, I managed to get some quite impressive images considering the conditions!
Shooting indoors under changeable lighting conditions can give most dSLR's a run for their money, but the little Fuji managed amicably and is far less conspicuous.

They wont win any awards, but please take into account that they were all taken at 15x plus digital zoom hand held but braced on the wall (didn't have the Gorillapod with me) the lighting conditions and of course, the moving artists! (apart from the first, which just shows the distance and handrail which sits on top of the wall!)

iso800, f/5.3, 1/20 sec, 66mm + lots of digital zoom

iso640, f/5.3, 1/60 sec, 66mm + digital zoom!

iso800, f/5.3, 1/28 sec, 66mm + digital zoom

iso800, f/5.3, 1/20 sec, 66mm + digital zoom

What a privilege it was to see and hear this icon!

Having gone through the steep learning curve with the HS10 over the last year, I had become accustomed to Fuji's menus and idiosyncrasies, so it was a lot faster to acclimatize to the F550, all be it in a much smaller package.

Handling, is to be expected for a P&S, right hand has a fairly good grip with a ridged rubber pad on the front, and contoured back below the mode dial with 6 small protruding rubber dots which act more for thumb placement rather than grip.

The slanted mode dial is easy to use, a little too easy at times, as I have accidentally moved it without knowing on occasion. ("firmer more positive dial in the next one please Fuji?")

Everything else is in an easily learned configuration, except the video button, it's not a bad location on what is a rather cramped back, it's just a little difficult to operate one handed, especially if you have long fingers like I do!

This is purely a personal thing, you might love it of course!

The "F" button handily places most manual settings in one easily reached place, ISO, Image Size, Continuous, Advanced Anti Blur (EXR only) and Film Simulation (Velvia, Astia, B&W and Sepia)

Macro, Flash, Timer and EV +/- adjustment have direct access through the circular "Selector Button" (SB) I have learnt that the F550 does need certain adjustments in the area of "Exposure Compensation", something that can be preset in the menus if you wish, but I prefer to do it as and when needed with the SB, be careful though, as once used, it will stay on that setting until you return it to +/- 0, even if the camera is turned off and on again!

Here is a sample from a day in London followed by a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, I had only had the camera a couple of weeks and took my HS10 along for the ride, but it didn't see daylight, I was having so much fun with the F550!

All handheld and jpeg only.

iso200, f/3.7, 1/640 sec, 5mm +1.3 EV

iso200, f/10, 1/680 sec, 17mm

iso200, f/10, 1/640 sec, 4mm

P mode, iso200, f/4.9, 1/850 sec, 14mm.....

iso200, f/5.9, 1/420 sec, 29mm.....

iso200, f/11, 1/320 sec, 66mm (full 15x zoom)

iso200, f/11, 1/450 sec. 66mm + some digital zoom.....

iso200, f/5.3 (?), 1/550 sec, 66mm + full digital zoom, camera says that equates to 62x?

I know that most frown upon digital zoom, but for a consumer P&S travel camera, it can be highly effective when used sensibly and has a similar output to cropping in PP!

Good light is essential of course, as is a steady hand, better still, use a tripod or Joby Gorillapod with the 2 sec timer.

I was at the Chelsea Flower Show this year because I had been working on part of a show garden designed by Nigel Dunnett for the RBC New Wild Garden.

It was a huge team effort, myself and fellow workers had to build a home office/studio out of an old shipping container, complete with habitat walls and a living roof, it was only a small part of the garden as a whole, but one of the main features.

For more details visit greenroofshelters.co.uk

iso100, f/3.5, 1/280 sec, 4mm

iso200, f/3.5, 1/220 sec, 4mm

iso200, f/4.4, 1/250 sec, 10mm

More habitat walls on another show garden!

Notice the film crew at the bottom of picture, I didn't until the pics were on my laptop!

iso3200, f/5.3, 1/60 sec, 19mm

This and the following shots were taken inside the main pavilion which has no artificial light,

just diffused sunlight from the sail like roof.

No flash used, just a higher ISO (Auto 3200) and individual EV adjustment!

All handheld.

iso1250, f/5.7, 1/60 sec, 25mm, -0.7 EV

Pitcher plants, amazing things and one of my favorites!

iso1250, f/5.4, 1/60 sec, 20mm +macro and +0.3 EV

iso1000, f/5.5, 1/60 sec, 22mm

iso160, f/5.9, 1/60 sec, 58mm + macro.....plus a little sunlight!

iso400, f/5.3, 1/60 sec, 66mm + Macro and +1 EV

iso400, f/4.4, 1/52 sec, 10mm,

and no, I didn't suddenly visit Africa,

this is a flower display with a cool backdrop!

As some of you may know if you've visited my site before, I am an avid nature photographer, and since purchasing the F550 I have snapped more than my fair share of critters.

Now, I know that other cameras are better suited to the task, my HS10 has done sterling work, but most of the time I don't have it with me, the F550 on the other hand sits in a pouch on my belt wherever I go, so if something is kind enough to show itself, then I have at least a chance of getting a shot!

Admittedly, it is not easy capturing anything too small and at range, but at least something is better than nothing!

Female Emperor Dragonfly laying eggs.

iso100, f/5.3, 1/150 sec, 66mm (15x) + Macro

iso100, f/5.3, 1/240 sec, 66m + Macro and -0.3 EV

A Stag Beetle, was kind enough to fly over when enjoying dinner in a friends garden!

.....yes, they fly!!

iso200, f/4.4, 1/52 sec, 10mm + Macro

This Swallow chick fell out of it's collapsed nest in a friends stable while I was working, a ladder, small piece of wood and a couple of screws later, it was returned along with it's 4 siblings, much to the delight of the parents, who now had 5 hungry mouths to feed again!