Canon SX30IS Review
Canon SX30IS
digital camera is a nifty gadget giving you enough features so that you can maximize your picture taking potential in terms of creativity. The Canon SX30IS sports a 35X optical zoom, a 4X digital zoom, a 14.1 CCD sensor, a 24mm wide angled lens, and amazing advances over the Canon SX20IS. The SX30IS unifies remarkable optics with supreme technologies so that photographers everywhere are granted access to a superior camera for creative endeavors of all kinds. What's more, this all in one camera comes with the most impressive price tag too.
Canon SX30IS is an EVF camera with a max resolution equivalent to 4320p x 3240p. This device has a CCD sensor inside, an image ratio of 16 to 9 or 4 to 3, and an ISO setting range between 80 and 1600. You get manual focus features with the SX30IS digital camera, an excellent macro and micro focus range, a variety of white balance settings, a great shutter speed, and a superior flash range with the SX30IS digital camera as well. This device has hot shoe external flash options, and it comes with fill in, slow sync, red eye, on/off, and automated flash modes.
Canon SX30IS has a -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps exposure compensation, and spot, center and evaluative metering. The device offers shutter and aperture priority functions, a lens thread, a focal length multiplier, and you can capture high definition movies with the Canon SX30IS digital camera too. This camera comes with a charger and a lithium ion battery, it allows you to shoot continuous pictures at a rate of.6 frames each second, it has HDMi connectivity, and the LCD display is generous in size as it measures at 2.7 inches. While the device does not have live view, the LCD display does offer up 230,000 pixels for clear and precise image viewing.
Canon SX30IS is outfitted with an orientation sensor, a self timer, and on board memory. It is also compatible with SD storage cards. This device is absent of a remote control, it does not have time lapse features, and it does not offer in an uncompressed format. The SX30IS digital camera has an electronic viewfinder, movie audio capturing functions, a top quality lens, image stabilizing features, Dynamic IS® for improved image quality, and 21 different scene modes to choose from when it is in use.
Canon SX30IS is definitely a superior device, one that can give you the best of all features for capturing video and stills. From a superior lens to optical image stabilization, from dynamic IS® to stereo sound, this device is clearly versatile. Stills and videos are captured in excellent resolution and all captures possess sharp contrasts, colors, hues, and lines. You can literally imitate real life when you use the Canon SX30IS: this device allows you to capture images and videos in an ultra-realistic fashion.
What do others have to say about their experiences with the Canon SX30IS?
digital camera is a nifty gadget giving you enough features so that you can maximize your picture taking potential in terms of creativity. The Canon SX30IS sports a 35X optical zoom, a 4X digital zoom, a 14.1 CCD sensor, a 24mm wide angled lens, and amazing advances over the Canon SX20IS. The SX30IS unifies remarkable optics with supreme technologies so that photographers everywhere are granted access to a superior camera for creative endeavors of all kinds. What's more, this all in one camera comes with the most impressive price tag too.Canon SX30IS
is an EVF camera with a max resolution equivalent to 4320p x 3240p. This device has a CCD sensor inside, an image ratio of 16 to 9 or 4 to 3, and an ISO setting range between 80 and 1600. You get manual focus features with the SX30IS digital camera, an excellent macro and micro focus range, a variety of white balance settings, a great shutter speed, and a superior flash range with the SX30IS digital camera as well. This device has hot shoe external flash options, and it comes with fill in, slow sync, red eye, on/off, and automated flash modes.Canon SX30IS
has a -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps exposure compensation, and spot, center and evaluative metering. The device offers shutter and aperture priority functions, a lens thread, a focal length multiplier, and you can capture high definition movies with the Canon SX30IS digital camera too. This camera comes with a charger and a lithium ion battery, it allows you to shoot continuous pictures at a rate of.6 frames each second, it has HDMi connectivity, and the LCD display is generous in size as it measures at 2.7 inches. While the device does not have live view, the LCD display does offer up 230,000 pixels for clear and precise image viewing.Canon SX30IS
is outfitted with an orientation sensor, a self timer, and on board memory. It is also compatible with SD storage cards. This device is absent of a remote control, it does not have time lapse features, and it does not offer in an uncompressed format. The SX30IS digital camera has an electronic viewfinder, movie audio capturing functions, a top quality lens, image stabilizing features, Dynamic IS® for improved image quality, and 21 different scene modes to choose from when it is in use.Canon SX30IS
is definitely a superior device, one that can give you the best of all features for capturing video and stills. From a superior lens to optical image stabilization, from dynamic IS® to stereo sound, this device is clearly versatile. Stills and videos are captured in excellent resolution and all captures possess sharp contrasts, colors, hues, and lines. You can literally imitate real life when you use the Canon SX30IS: this device allows you to capture images and videos in an ultra-realistic fashion.What do others have to say about their experiences with the Canon SX30IS?
Excellent camera that has surpassed expectations
"I bought the SX30IS just over a week ago and it is an upgrade from a S3IS. I was particularly attracted by the superzoom and the 14mp. The camera has surpassed all my expectations so far. While it is larger and noticeably heavier than the S3, the quality and features are great. I've not taken lots of photos as yet but have taken some shots of the moon. The detail in the photos at full zoom are quite remarkable and I've only seen that level of detail with moon shots taken using a telescope. The flash and battery life are very good and the HD video is also an excellent and welcome feature. I have found the menu access and structure easier to use than the S3. All round, this is a great compact digital with many features exceeding those of a DSLR, without the price and the inconvenience of multiple lens."
just over a week ago and it is an upgrade from a S3IS. I was particularly attracted by the superzoom and the 14mp. The camera has surpassed all my expectations so far. While it is larger and noticeably heavier than the S3, the quality and features are great. I've not taken lots of photos as yet but have taken some shots of the moon. The detail in the photos at full zoom are quite remarkable and I've only seen that level of detail with moon shots taken using a telescope. The flash and battery life are very good and the HD video is also an excellent and welcome feature. I have found the menu access and structure easier to use than the S3. All round, this is a great compact digital with many features exceeding those of a DSLR, without the price and the inconvenience of multiple lens."Pros: Good battery life, Excellent image quality, Durable, Simple controls/menu, Easy to use
Cons: Heavy/Bulky
BY:GORDON
Great quality camera
"My first canon camera and I am extremly pleased with the quality of camera and images produced. The zoom is amazing, and even at high zoom images are clear. All of the photo editing features allow for a different style of photo and all in all a great camera and qould recommend it to anyone looking for a great camera."
and I am extremly pleased with the quality of camera and images produced. The zoom is amazing, and even at high zoom images are clear. All of the photo editing features allow for a different style of photo and all in all a great camera and qould recommend it to anyone looking for a great camera."Pros: Good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, Excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, Easy to use
Cons: Heavy/Bulky
BY:Emily
Monday, January 17, 2011
0 commentsSuper Corrected Lens system
I inquired with Canon USA regarding the issue of chromatic aberration with the SX30IS and here is an excerpt from their prompt response.
and here is an excerpt from their prompt response.“Lateral Chromatic Aberration (LCA) or more commonly known as fringing results in loss of sharpness and white light objects or areas having
colored halos (commonly a reddish or purple cast) around the edges.
colored halos (commonly a reddish or purple cast) around the edges.
LCA is caused by light which is made up bands of different wavelengths (as seen when light passes through a prism). These bands focus at different points and different magnifications. Since a camera lens can only focus light at a single point, wavelengths falling on either side of that point will be slightly more diffuse and less focused. Only through the use of specially ground lens optics which are generally found only in professional grade lenses can LCA be controlled.
LCA is most often seen in areas of high contrast or areas with a great difference in exposure levels. You may wish to try switching your Photo
Effects setting to NEUTRAL, this setting will help in such settings.
Another cause of LCA can be that a lens has an optic that is out of alignment and would require servicing. I have included service information if you would like to have your camera checked out.”
Based upon what this Canon service tech is saying, the issue is either the result of the limitation of the lenses themselves or it is the alignment of the lenses.
It may be the unavoidable limitation of the super wide angle/super telephoto setup that results in a trade off of quality vs. versatility.
Because it was a service tech who responded and not one of the engineers, it is hard to say what the real issue is. Suffice it to say that the aberration is a lens issue. Either it is an issue in the quality of the manufacturing (grinding) of the lenses themselves, or in the assembly of the lenses, or in the limitation of the high powered telephoto configuration, or any combination of the above.
Since the fabrication and grinding of lenses is computer controlled, the quality is probably not as much an issue as the assembly itself. Beyond that, the configuration of the lenses may have certain limitations that are unavoidable.
Afer reviewing “Digital Camera Review” online review of the SX30IS, they had this to say about chromatic aberration and image sharpness.
, they had this to say about chromatic aberration and image sharpness.“When light rays pass through a camera lens they separate into various color waves and dispersion (all colors don’t focus at exactly the same point) can become a problem. Dispersion causes axial chromatic aberration - the fuzzy colored edge blurring image degrading phenomenon popularly known as purple fringing. The SX30’s f/2.7-5.8 4.3-150.5mm (24-840mm equivalent) zoom is constructed of 13 elements in 10 groups and includes one Hi-UD element, one UD element (to reduce chromatic aberration), and one double-sided aspherical element.
’s f/2.7-5.8 4.3-150.5mm (24-840mm equivalent) zoom is constructed of 13 elements in 10 groups and includes one Hi-UD element, one UD element (to reduce chromatic aberration), and one double-sided aspherical element.A 35x zoom designed for a DSLR would be so long that you’d need a pick-up truck to transport it and so heavy that it would require three men and a boy to carry it. Canon’s technical folks did a remarkable job - this lens is amazingly compact and astonishingly light-weight. But this is a super corrected lens, and as optical complexity increases, lens faults and optical aberrations are magnified exponentially. Images do show some visible corner softness and barrel distortion (straight lines bow in toward the center of the frame) at the wide-angle end of the zoom range is noticeably above average. Pincushion distortion (straight lines bow in toward the center of the frame) is (as expected) above average at the telephoto end of the zoom. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is also above average, but not as much above average as expected.”
I think this last comment should answer my above question. The SX30IS appears to be at its own design limitation with a super corrected lens system. Apparently, the chromatic aberration is less than expected (“not as much above average as expected”) for that much lens correction.
So this seems to be my answer. It is apparently a legitimate trade off between image quality and extreme versatility. That being confirmed, I can now go and purchase this camera knowing that it is not an exercise in smoke and mirrors. For this much versatility, there is a bit of an image quality trade off under certain circumstances.
A larger CCD might get rid of some of the high resolution noise but there is no certainty of that given the very highly corrected lens system. In other words, there is no guarantee that a larger CCD would make any affective difference in low light high resolution noise in this camera. This appears to be as good as it gets.
BY:GORDON
BY:GORDON
I’d Appreciate Suggestions
I recently bought a SX30IS to replace a SX120IS. As I liked some of the features it had to offer. I have been a Canon fan for years. Point and shoot is basically where I’m at. Anyway, the camera went back fairly quickly as the pictures were so bad as to be unusable.Maybe I just got a bad Camera. Can anyone recommend a suitable all-in-one camera. A viewfinder is a must, 10-12 Mp, 15x zoom more than enough. Two features on the SX30 I really liked were the one button to video and the zoom back-off for following moving objects. I don’t want to get into DSLR or changable lenses. I’d appreciate suggestions. Thanks
to replace a SX120IS. As I liked some of the features it had to offer. I have been a Canon fan for years. Point and shoot is basically where I’m at. Anyway, the camera went back fairly quickly as the pictures were so bad as to be unusable.Maybe I just got a bad Camera. Can anyone recommend a suitable all-in-one camera. A viewfinder is a must, 10-12 Mp, 15x zoom more than enough. Two features on the SX30 I really liked were the one button to video and the zoom back-off for following moving objects. I don’t want to get into DSLR or changable lenses. I’d appreciate suggestions. Thanks BY: CHUCK
I liked it so much!!
Tried this camera in a store, and I liked it so much, I bought it. Now I have it home and have done some experimental shooting, I’m convinced this is a really nice point-shoot device, it’s not a DSLR despite the fact that it looks like one. The zoom feature is pretty nicely sorted, with a good usable range. Video quality is less than perfect, but hey, if you want good video, buy a video camera! Controls are simple, the ergonomics are reasonably good too. I like the wheel for manual focus, great for macro work. Incidentally, this lens is great for close picture taking, if that’s what you are into. There have been comments about noisy pictures at certain focal lengths. My only response to this is that no single lens can promise to do it all for every situation, and at this price range frankly you are not going to get the perfect picture all the time. Spend more money and get better camera and a selection of lenses!
in a store, and I liked it so much, I bought it. Now I have it home and have done some experimental shooting, I’m convinced this is a really nice point-shoot device, it’s not a DSLR despite the fact that it looks like one. The zoom feature is pretty nicely sorted, with a good usable range. Video quality is less than perfect, but hey, if you want good video, buy a video camera! Controls are simple, the ergonomics are reasonably good too. I like the wheel for manual focus, great for macro work. Incidentally, this lens is great for close picture taking, if that’s what you are into. There have been comments about noisy pictures at certain focal lengths. My only response to this is that no single lens can promise to do it all for every situation, and at this price range frankly you are not going to get the perfect picture all the time. Spend more money and get better camera and a selection of lenses!I’d rate this as a decent camera, and consider my money well spent, as it’s now occupying the #2 slot in my stable. Perfect for someone who wants good versatility, at an affordable price.
GREAT SX20is!!!
I just purchased the new SX30is a few days ago and put it up against my SX20is I’ve owned for 8 months now. I took dozens of shots with both cameras on the same subjects in various ranges and lighting conditions.
With both cameras on equal settings (auto or programmable manual) the SX20is won in picture color reproduction quality and fine detail. It seemed he SX30 is had trouble dealing with red / burgandy colors (making them look more light/dark brown) and greens (making them lighter in the pics than they really are). Yes, the effective zoom is greater than the SX20is, BUT only slightly. Surprisingly, photos from the SX20is at 80X digital zoom were croppped and enlarged to compare with anything the SX30is had to over from 35X-140X and STILL the color and detail quality was better in the SX20is shots.
Suffice to say, I didn’t have a chance to try out the HD video. At that point, poorer image quality at a premium price had me itching to return the new SX30is for a full refund.
The SX30is has since been returned and now I hold a greater appreciation for my SX20is!
a few days ago and put it up against my SX20is I’ve owned for 8 months now. I took dozens of shots with both cameras on the same subjects in various ranges and lighting conditions.With both cameras on equal settings (auto or programmable manual) the SX20is won in picture color reproduction quality and fine detail. It seemed he SX30 is had trouble dealing with red / burgandy colors (making them look more light/dark brown) and greens (making them lighter in the pics than they really are). Yes, the effective zoom is greater than the SX20is, BUT only slightly. Surprisingly, photos from the SX20is at 80X digital zoom were croppped and enlarged to compare with anything the SX30is had to over from 35X-140X and STILL the color and detail quality was better in the SX20is shots.
Suffice to say, I didn’t have a chance to try out the HD video. At that point, poorer image quality at a premium price had me itching to return the new SX30is
for a full refund.The SX30is has since been returned and now I hold a greater appreciation for my SX20is!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
1 commentsSo much potential
I had hoped this camera would complement my 50D as a super-zoom for outdoor shooting. The lens range on this camera is amazing. I wish the photos were better...especially in marginal (overcast sky) lighting...surprisingly grainy. I've had this camera for about a month and found the following flaws too hard to live with:
- Camera is somewhat hard to hold and some buttons are encumbered by the neck strap.
- No thread for filters...you have to buy an adapter.
- No remote control capability...I've not been able to find any such feature.
- Slow response time between shots.
- Does not produce 1080p video.
- CCD based...good for video but poor low light performance.
The differences in the 14+ Mpixel images between the SX30IS and the 50D are way too significant. I was hoping image quality would be somewhat close; thus, mixing similar photos between the cameras would result in marginal differences. I hope Canon fixes these problems in the next SX release. Again, the range of the lens is absolutely amazing.
UPDATE:
I took three cameras (all Canons...50D, SD940IS and SX30IS) to Italy and compared results. My tiny SD940IS worked wonders in all modes to include Auto...not true for SX30IS...great results all around for the 50D. In fact, the SD940IS performed incredibly well in low light conditions. Indoor photos taken inside the Duomo (cathedral next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa) on a snowy overcast day produced results on SD940IS that almost kept up with my 50D. The SX30IS' photos were darker, grainy and somewhat blurry. I tested the SX30IS and SD940IS in both Auto and P modes...great results almost all the time on SD940IS; not true for SX30IS. The SX30IS auto mode couldn't find a consistent shooting mode and were confused by the faces found on the statues and frescoes. I'm dropping the rating to 2 stars (from 3). If the zoom range wasn't there then I'd give it just 1 star.
BTW, another missing feature: GPS. The camera is pretty bulky; thus, I'm sure Canon could have included a small GPS receiver. In fact, carrying this camera was almost as much a challenge as carrying my SLR. In fact, this camera takes up almost all the space inside my Canon Rebel XTicase...surprisingly large.
One final note: I've been a Canon fan for some 25 years now. This camera along with the T80 were the only disappointing Canons I've purchased over the years.
BY:W. Joo
- Camera is somewhat hard to hold and some buttons are encumbered by the neck strap.
- No thread for filters...you have to buy an adapter.
- No remote control capability...I've not been able to find any such feature.
- Slow response time between shots.
- Does not produce 1080p video.
- CCD based...good for video but poor low light performance.
The differences in the 14+ Mpixel images between the SX30IS
and the 50D are way too significant. I was hoping image quality would be somewhat close; thus, mixing similar photos between the cameras would result in marginal differences. I hope Canon fixes these problems in the next SX release. Again, the range of the lens is absolutely amazing. UPDATE:
I took three cameras (all Canons...50D, SD940IS and SX30IS) to Italy and compared results. My tiny SD940IS worked wonders in all modes to include Auto...not true for SX30IS
...great results all around for the 50D. In fact, the SD940IS performed incredibly well in low light conditions. Indoor photos taken inside the Duomo (cathedral next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa) on a snowy overcast day produced results on SD940IS that almost kept up with my 50D. The SX30IS' photos were darker, grainy and somewhat blurry. I tested the SX30IS and SD940IS in both Auto and P modes...great results almost all the time on SD940IS; not true for SX30IS. The SX30IS auto mode couldn't find a consistent shooting mode and were confused by the faces found on the statues and frescoes. I'm dropping the rating to 2 stars (from 3). If the zoom range wasn't there then I'd give it just 1 star. BTW, another missing feature: GPS. The camera is pretty bulky; thus, I'm sure Canon could have included a small GPS receiver. In fact, carrying this camera was almost as much a challenge as carrying my SLR. In fact, this camera takes up almost all the space inside my Canon Rebel XTi
case...surprisingly large. One final note: I've been a Canon fan for some 25 years now. This camera along with the T80 were the only disappointing Canons I've purchased over the years.
BY:W. Joo
Love, Love, LOVE It!,
We were worried about the handful of negative reviews here, but did much research and bought this camera anyway. We are VERY happy we did. I don't know why some reviewers had problems with poor quality photos... we have taken hundreds of gorgeous shots with this camera. Near and far, all lights, indoors and out, flash and not, super high zoom, etc. Beautiful, beautiful pictures. We originally got a Sony Handicam (the lower end model, $250) to shoot family videos. We were so disappointed in the quality of the video we decided to trade up to something that would take great video AND photos. After much research we decided on the Canon SX30IS, and we LOVE it. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. The video quality is far superior to the Handicam we returned, and the photos are fantastic. If we have any problems though, I will post a follow-up.
BY: Kelly Albrecht
, and we LOVE it. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. The video quality is far superior to the Handicam we returned, and the photos are fantastic. If we have any problems though, I will post a follow-up. BY: Kelly Albrecht
The Best Canon Point & Shoot on the market today,
I've owned many Canon cameras from my first film ones when I was younger to the SLR AE before going digital. The first of those was a huge mistake, on the advice of a friend I got a Point & Shoot Olympus which I managed to give to my brother in law and then went back to my favorite manufacturer. That was an SD400 and it served really well even though it's optical zoom really didn't zoom much and video was mono but it was great at concerts because it was so small, no security guard ever found it in my purse! Then, wanting better I moved on to the S5IS which took great photos & stereo video. This was in the days just before HD so it did produce 4:3 output but it was certainly good at it and the photos (with it's 12x optical zoom) were superb. For those times when only a DSLR will do I have the Rebel XSI and a couple of extra lenses and a SpeedLite flash unit (EX 300). Of course I got the last but one DSLR that doesn't do video but that's always the case. This year we ventured further and got the SD3500 for the small camera essential times and just before Black Friday I picked up the SX30IS at a real bargain. The real bugbear of the S5 as far as I was concerned was those 4 x AA batteries; even if you use rechargeables you always have to carry spares and carrying st least 8 in my purse created weight I didn't need. ALL the other Canons used small squarish gray units and a very compact recharged so my purse is now happy again. All the photos so far have been great & the HD video is even better. As with the S5, the strap could be thicker, like the one the Rebel uses, I find the thin one cuts into my neck. And FINALLY Canon seem to have solved the dreadful issue of the lens cap falling off usually as inappropriate moments! 35x optical zoom is awesome & I cannot wait to take it to concerts. Most venues now say cameras are OK but not professional. I've always gone by the rule that professional cameras are ones that have intercheable lenses (like the Rebel & Canon's wonderful but unaffordable for me) EOS range, so that gets it past security. I think most venues have decided that confiscating phones with cameras could be detrimental to their security guards' health (having several hundred iPhones/Smartphones to return to the right owners wouldn't be an easy task) so they are a little more forgiving to the venue patrons) so I can't wait for my next concert or day trip.
BY: CariM
from my first film ones when I was younger to the SLR AE before going digital. The first of those was a huge mistake, on the advice of a friend I got a Point & Shoot Olympus which I managed to give to my brother in law and then went back to my favorite manufacturer. That was an SD400 and it served really well even though it's optical zoom really didn't zoom much and video was mono but it was great at concerts because it was so small, no security guard ever found it in my purse! Then, wanting better I moved on to the S5IS which took great photos & stereo video. This was in the days just before HD so it did produce 4:3 output but it was certainly good at it and the photos (with it's 12x optical zoom) were superb. For those times when only a DSLR will do I have the Rebel XSI and a couple of extra lenses and a SpeedLite flash unit (EX 300). Of course I got the last but one DSLR that doesn't do video but that's always the case. This year we ventured further and got the SD3500 for the small camera essential times and just before Black Friday I picked up the SX30IS at a real bargain. The real bugbear of the S5 as far as I was concerned was those 4 x AA batteries; even if you use rechargeables you always have to carry spares and carrying st least 8 in my purse created weight I didn't need. ALL the other Canons used small squarish gray units and a very compact recharged so my purse is now happy again. All the photos so far have been great & the HD video is even better. As with the S5, the strap could be thicker, like the one the Rebel uses, I find the thin one cuts into my neck. And FINALLY Canon seem to have solved the dreadful issue of the lens cap falling off usually as inappropriate moments! 35x optical zoom is awesome & I cannot wait to take it to concerts. Most venues now say cameras are OK but not professional. I've always gone by the rule that professional cameras are ones that have intercheable lenses (like the Rebel & Canon's wonderful but unaffordable for me) EOS range, so that gets it past security. I think most venues have decided that confiscating phones with cameras could be detrimental to their security guards' health (having several hundred iPhones/Smartphones to return to the right owners wouldn't be an easy task) so they are a little more forgiving to the venue patrons) so I can't wait for my next concert or day trip. BY: CariM
Great Camera - Great Value
All the features of the higher priced SLR cameras at an affordable price. Easy Set-Up, Easy to Use, Powerful Zoom and Fantastic Pictures. Wished the camera came with a "Hard Copy" Users Mannual. Mannual comes on a downloadable CD, which is not convient. All in all, I'm very pleased with the purchase. Would definetly recommend the camera.
BY: Fredc
at an affordable price. Easy Set-Up, Easy to Use, Powerful Zoom and Fantastic Pictures. Wished the camera came with a "Hard Copy" Users Mannual. Mannual comes on a downloadable CD, which is not convient. All in all, I'm very pleased with the purchase. Would definetly recommend the camera. BY: Fredc
Extraordinary telescopic zoom with image stabilization
The strength of this camera which is unmatched by any other camera at almost any price is the amazing 140x zoom. The higher MP count further helps digital zoom. Other reviewers advocating low MP count seemed to totally ignore this. The extraordinary zoom is the reason you buy the sx30is for. The IQ is very acceptable & you can make shots that otherwise just can't be accomplished with lower optical zoom combined with lower MP sensor digital zoom, e.g. a person's face or a number plate from >300 yards away. I use this camera also as a very powerful image stabilized telescope that I can aim freehand without a tripod. Totally happy with the wonderful optical technology for the price paid. To protect the lens, I purchased the 67mm adapter and a sigma multi-coated UV filter. This makes the supplied lens cap too small to fit the filter, which is actually a blessing because you have the camera always ready without having to take off the lens cap.
BY: NaCl
for. The IQ is very acceptable & you can make shots that otherwise just can't be accomplished with lower optical zoom combined with lower MP sensor digital zoom, e.g. a person's face or a number plate from >300 yards away. I use this camera also as a very powerful image stabilized telescope that I can aim freehand without a tripod. Totally happy with the wonderful optical technology for the price paid. To protect the lens, I purchased the 67mm adapter and a sigma multi-coated UV filter. This makes the supplied lens cap too small to fit the filter, which is actually a blessing because you have the camera always ready without having to take off the lens cap. BY: NaCl
WOW, Canon SX30IS
I admit it. I am an amateur. I bought the Canon Powershot SX10 IS a couple years ago and that camera has a 20x zoom. I still get great pictures from it.
Now to the Canon Powershot SX30 IS with 35X zoom. You would think that zooming out to 840mm would be a little shaky and images blurred. This is not necessarily the case. Stabilization is awesome (I still have to tuck the elbows and cradle with the left). I have been able to take VERY good shots right out of the box. Great P&S (point and shoot) camera, just like it's grandpa. There is a little problem with Depth of Field, even in manual mode, f8 is all you can do to decrease DOF. No lenses to lug around, and all the modes needed for most situations.
I have tried the Fuji Finepix HS10. NOT a P&S camera. The zoom is all manual (in comparison to the power-zoom of the Canon SX30IS)and stabilization was almost non-existent, no matter what the zoom. In auto mode, I got 5 pics out of 60. I returned the camera, but would recommend to the professional photographer. My new Canon Powershot SX30 IS, my test results were exactly the opposite. 55 out of 60 under the same conditions (ie. Sequim Bay, winter, high tide...etc.)and the failures from not taking my time on the zoom.
BY: Wolfhere
Now to the Canon Powershot SX30 IS
with 35X zoom. You would think that zooming out to 840mm would be a little shaky and images blurred. This is not necessarily the case. Stabilization is awesome (I still have to tuck the elbows and cradle with the left). I have been able to take VERY good shots right out of the box. Great P&S (point and shoot) camera, just like it's grandpa. There is a little problem with Depth of Field, even in manual mode, f8 is all you can do to decrease DOF. No lenses to lug around, and all the modes needed for most situations. I have tried the Fuji Finepix HS10. NOT a P&S camera. The zoom is all manual (in comparison to the power-zoom of the Canon SX30IS
)and stabilization was almost non-existent, no matter what the zoom. In auto mode, I got 5 pics out of 60. I returned the camera, but would recommend to the professional photographer. My new Canon Powershot SX30 IS, my test results were exactly the opposite. 55 out of 60 under the same conditions (ie. Sequim Bay, winter, high tide...etc.)and the failures from not taking my time on the zoom. BY: Wolfhere
Canon SX30 IS
Absolutely fantastic!
Unless you are a camera
snob, or only feel happy spending more than necessary, this Canon truly does everything well enough and the telephoto is incredible for bird photography. Everything works perfectly and I cannot think of anything to complain about. Even the digital zoom can be used if absolutely necessary, but over 35X (optical) you lose a lot and focusing becomes very difficult.
The RCA connector allows you to play video or slideshow directly onto any TV with spectacular quality.
By: mr.lotus74
Unless you are a camera
snob, or only feel happy spending more than necessary, this Canon truly does everything well enough and the telephoto is incredible for bird photography. Everything works perfectly and I cannot think of anything to complain about. Even the digital zoom can be used if absolutely necessary, but over 35X (optical) you lose a lot and focusing becomes very difficult. The RCA connector allows you to play video or slideshow directly onto any TV with spectacular quality.
By: mr.lotus74
Excellent Camera!
The camera is excellent and has a large number of resources to take good pictures. But we strongly recommend reading the manual, because even in AUTO mode, the photographer must press the shutter button halfway to focus, and then tightening them to shoot (even in automatic modes, the user must have a minimum of knowledge of the camera).
I think that many complain about the image quality by not knowing how to use the various features of the camera (not knowing how to use the automatic features and the various resource manuals) or wait for the quality of a DSLR.
If all machine resources are used, the photographer can get close to this quality of DSLR, but SX30IS is not a DSLR! See the pictures I posted in the gallery that show the strength and quality of the maximum zoom (840 mm - 35X) and image stabilizer. All photos taken by hand, without tripod!
Pros:
- The 35X zoom is really impressive and the image stabilization is spectacular. In the requirement zoom and image stabilization, there are no competitors that come near the SX30IS. You can get excellent pictures by hand using the 35X zoom. But in low light conditions the user must know how to use the resources and / or tripod to get sharp photos. (When using a tripod, the image stabilization must be switched off)
- The menu is easy to use and intuitive. The LCD Flip-out screen is the best among the competitors, being very clear.
- There are several features to take great photos. I'm still reading the manual and I can not use all resources, but the pictures and movies are improving as I know the camera better.
- The movies are good quality
Cons:
- The greatest shortcoming of the camera is to have low FPS, because the camera does not take many pictures per second. In this variable the superzoom competitors are way better.
- Do not shoot in full HD, though HD movies are already very good. It could have 3-inch screen instead of 2.7.
- No High-speed frame rate (slow motion) in the movies. This feature is present in the competitors. But you can see the movies in slow motion in the camera (not the same thing already burn in slow motion).
Thus, I considered this an excellent camera, especially because I'm still learning to use the various features, and photos are improving. I bought a tripod, a Canon 270EX flash, Canon filter adapter and Tiffen filter polarizer, which are greatly improving my photos.
I'm still waiting for my Canon 270EX flash, which I believe will greatly improve my indoor photos, completion, macro and portraits (bounce flash)
O tripé já melhorou muito as fotos em condiçõe de pouca luz.
Highly recommended!
By: Alex
I think that many complain about the image quality by not knowing how to use the various features of the camera (not knowing how to use the automatic features and the various resource manuals) or wait for the quality of a DSLR.
If all machine resources are used, the photographer can get close to this quality of DSLR, but SX30IS
is not a DSLR! See the pictures I posted in the gallery that show the strength and quality of the maximum zoom (840 mm - 35X) and image stabilizer. All photos taken by hand, without tripod! Pros:
- The 35X zoom is really impressive and the image stabilization is spectacular. In the requirement zoom and image stabilization, there are no competitors that come near the SX30IS
. You can get excellent pictures by hand using the 35X zoom. But in low light conditions the user must know how to use the resources and / or tripod to get sharp photos. (When using a tripod, the image stabilization must be switched off) - The menu is easy to use and intuitive. The LCD Flip-out screen is the best among the competitors, being very clear.
- There are several features to take great photos. I'm still reading the manual and I can not use all resources, but the pictures and movies are improving as I know the camera better.
- The movies are good quality
Cons:
- The greatest shortcoming of the camera is to have low FPS, because the camera does not take many pictures per second. In this variable the superzoom competitors are way better.
- Do not shoot in full HD, though HD movies are already very good. It could have 3-inch screen instead of 2.7.
- No High-speed frame rate (slow motion) in the movies. This feature is present in the competitors. But you can see the movies in slow motion in the camera (not the same thing already burn in slow motion).
Thus, I considered this an excellent camera, especially because I'm still learning to use the various features, and photos are improving. I bought a tripod, a Canon 270EX flash, Canon filter adapter and Tiffen filter polarizer, which are greatly improving my photos.
I'm still waiting for my Canon 270EX flash, which I believe will greatly improve my indoor photos, completion, macro and portraits (bounce flash)
O tripé já melhorou muito as fotos em condiçõe de pouca luz.
Highly recommended!
By: Alex
The best camera
I bought this camera because i wanted to advance from my casio exilim but i wasn't ready to get a dslr so i looked options of compact cameras that i could use manually and this canon was the best of all. Some reviews are not positive but in my case i use it in all modes auto, manually, program, etc and i get really good photos; saying that, some times in auto mode doesn't looks good so i take the photo again manual and totally changes to a great quality. The zoom is amazing, i had taken moon pictures very cool and also birds very far from where i am.
It has a fish mode, miniature, flower, vivid colors... so many modes that you have to take your time to know the camera.
The video is great, in my HD tv looks very real and i love it, you can use the zoom to get close while you are in video mode and that's great.
This camera i think is semiprofesional so to use it you need to know basic stuff about digital photography so you don't expect to just point and shoot.
I love my sx30is
By: Andres C.R.
because i wanted to advance from my casio exilim but i wasn't ready to get a dslr so i looked options of compact cameras that i could use manually and this canon was the best of all. Some reviews are not positive but in my case i use it in all modes auto, manually, program, etc and i get really good photos; saying that, some times in auto mode doesn't looks good so i take the photo again manual and totally changes to a great quality. The zoom is amazing, i had taken moon pictures very cool and also birds very far from where i am. It has a fish mode, miniature, flower, vivid colors... so many modes that you have to take your time to know the camera.
The video is great, in my HD tv looks very real and i love it, you can use the zoom to get close while you are in video mode and that's great.
This camera i think is semiprofesional so to use it you need to know basic stuff about digital photography so you don't expect to just point and shoot.
I love my sx30is
By: Andres C.R.
Canon sx30is Review: The pros and cons - mostly pros
I purchased this camera as a replacement for my Panasonic FZ-35. After having taken a few hundred pictures - including some side-by-side comparisons with the FZ35, here is my impression.
The canon image processor is much better at color balance and overall image capture than the FZ35 - images are brighter and so capture more details otherwise lost in shadow or just a tendency the FZ35 has towards gray-scale processing in order to get the excellent sharpness the FZ35 is known for.
Having said that - I would not recommend using the Auto setting on the Canon. Its choice of focal point within an image tends towards creating images where the background is just as likely to be more in focus than the subject. Typically the camera tries to focus around the edge of the subject rather than the subject itself. Sometimes this can work to improve clarity by improving depth of focus a bit, sometimes it creates an image where nothing is in focus and sometimes it causes the camera to focus on "edgy" subjects that may not really be the subject at all - like a lamp post in the background, tree trunks in the background, etc. In the playback mode you can select a display which shows you the cameras focal point - which can help explain why some of your images look they way they do in Auto. Auto mode will also adjust the color of an entire image when it senses facial recognition to improve skin tones, but honestly the color balance of the Canon is so good anyway this is almost unnecessary and sometimes tends towards overcompensation so your entire image takes on a sickly green/brown hue.
However, if you switch from auto to P - or in fact any other of the SCN or mode selections on the dial, these annoying Auto features are disabled and you can get some really great photos. At this point the camera uses a single center focus frame (the size and position of which can easily be manually adjusted to fit your subject if you like) and you start getting pictures more like you expect. In addition, the customization options of the Canon such as magnifying the focal frame, color options, easy adjustment of just about any shooting function, combined with the superb zoom range still make this camera best in class. My only complaint for SCN settings is I wish they had a "sunset" but that is easily created in the color menu where you can select to emphasize reds.
The canon normally produces very clear images, however Canon generally processes to keep color balance as opposed to edge distinction at higher ISO speeds so sometimes the images become a bit more fuzzy than what those of us used the the FZ35 might like - on the other hand red stays red rather than turning black. You can manually limit the ISO to whatever maximum you prefer with the easy to use ISO button.
If you want to add a lens filter protector, polarizer, etc. you will need to purchase the 67MM adapter to do so (Canon FA-DC67A) - and good luck finding one!
This camera, like all of the others in this class, struggle with poor light conditions due to their small sensor. However unlike the competition, canon allows you to mount an external flash and that pretty much clears up this issue if you're willing to pay the expense. The way I look at it its a cheaper option than a $1,000-$3,000 DSLR which can go up to ISO 6,000 for low light conditions.
Overall the Canon is definitely a step up from anything else that was out there - but it does have its quirks you need to be aware of and work around. The opportunity for creativity on one camera/lens is really unrivaled by anything else out there. The ability to go from 1 cm away macro to 35x superzoom at the pull of a switch just can't be found on any other camera, combined with the scene options such as fisheye not normally found on other such cameras, and wide range of color options also not found on the Canon competitors in this class, you have a great tool for creative photography. So while the SX30 is certainly not perfect and image quality will sometimes be less than your $3,000 DSLR+lens (although for some pictures you'd need large magnification/blow-up to tell the difference) - on the whole it's worth putting up with the limitations for the other factors. One caution - if you're looking for a simple to use point-and-shoot this may not be your best choice due to the often poor intelligence in Auto setting. If not for this it would have gotten 5 stars.
By: Daniel Brewer "Victorinox knife guy"
. After having taken a few hundred pictures - including some side-by-side comparisons with the FZ35, here is my impression. The canon image processor is much better at color balance and overall image capture than the FZ35 - images are brighter and so capture more details otherwise lost in shadow or just a tendency the FZ35 has towards gray-scale processing in order to get the excellent sharpness the FZ35 is known for.
Having said that - I would not recommend using the Auto setting on the Canon. Its choice of focal point within an image tends towards creating images where the background is just as likely to be more in focus than the subject. Typically the camera tries to focus around the edge of the subject rather than the subject itself. Sometimes this can work to improve clarity by improving depth of focus a bit, sometimes it creates an image where nothing is in focus and sometimes it causes the camera to focus on "edgy" subjects that may not really be the subject at all - like a lamp post in the background, tree trunks in the background, etc. In the playback mode you can select a display which shows you the cameras focal point - which can help explain why some of your images look they way they do in Auto. Auto mode will also adjust the color of an entire image when it senses facial recognition to improve skin tones, but honestly the color balance of the Canon is so good anyway this is almost unnecessary and sometimes tends towards overcompensation so your entire image takes on a sickly green/brown hue.
However, if you switch from auto to P - or in fact any other of the SCN or mode selections on the dial, these annoying Auto features are disabled and you can get some really great photos. At this point the camera uses a single center focus frame (the size and position of which can easily be manually adjusted to fit your subject if you like) and you start getting pictures more like you expect. In addition, the customization options of the Canon
such as magnifying the focal frame, color options, easy adjustment of just about any shooting function, combined with the superb zoom range still make this camera best in class. My only complaint for SCN settings is I wish they had a "sunset" but that is easily created in the color menu where you can select to emphasize reds. The canon normally produces very clear images, however Canon generally processes to keep color balance as opposed to edge distinction at higher ISO speeds so sometimes the images become a bit more fuzzy than what those of us used the the FZ35 might like - on the other hand red stays red rather than turning black. You can manually limit the ISO to whatever maximum you prefer with the easy to use ISO button.
If you want to add a lens filter protector, polarizer, etc. you will need to purchase the 67MM adapter to do so (Canon FA-DC67A) - and good luck finding one!
This camera, like all of the others in this class, struggle with poor light conditions due to their small sensor. However unlike the competition, canon allows you to mount an external flash and that pretty much clears up this issue if you're willing to pay the expense. The way I look at it its a cheaper option than a $1,000-$3,000 DSLR which can go up to ISO 6,000 for low light conditions.
Overall the Canon is definitely a step up from anything else that was out there - but it does have its quirks you need to be aware of and work around. The opportunity for creativity on one camera/lens is really unrivaled by anything else out there. The ability to go from 1 cm away macro to 35x superzoom at the pull of a switch just can't be found on any other camera, combined with the scene options such as fisheye not normally found on other such cameras, and wide range of color options also not found on the Canon competitors in this class, you have a great tool for creative photography. So while the SX30
is certainly not perfect and image quality will sometimes be less than your $3,000 DSLR+lens (although for some pictures you'd need large magnification/blow-up to tell the difference) - on the whole it's worth putting up with the limitations for the other factors. One caution - if you're looking for a simple to use point-and-shoot this may not be your best choice due to the often poor intelligence in Auto setting. If not for this it would have gotten 5 stars. By: Daniel Brewer "Victorinox knife guy"
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