Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD
- 35x wide-angle optical zoom (24-840mm) with Optical Image Stabilizer
- Improvements to Movie modes: use the Optical Image Stabilizer in the wide-angle setting;Optical Zoom is now available while shooting video
- 720p HD video with stereo sound; HDMI output
- New Zoom Framing Assist button; DIGIC 4 Image Processor and 14.1 megapixels
- Capture images and video to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card, MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus Card, HC MMC Plus Card (not included)
The PowerShot SX30 IS has got you prepared for your next extreme photo opportunity. This point-and-shoot digital camera comes with a massive 35x Wide-Angle (24-840mm) Optical Zoom lens – a first for any PowerShot! It also comes with a 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD, 14.1 Megapixels, High Dynamic Range, Zoom Framing Assist and much more.
FEATURES: The SX30 IS is equipped with Canon’s acclaimed Optical Image Stabilizer Technology that automatically detects and corrects camera shake–one of the leading causes of fuzzy or blurred shots. Even when zoomed in, you can get the steady, crisp, brilliant images you’ll be proud to shoot and share.
The 35x zoom is unbelievable. This was my primary reason for getting the camera and I haven’t been disappointed. Image stabilization was a must for me.
Rating: 
(out of 19 reviews)
Here’s the Press Release and announcement at dpeview:
Press Release:
Exceed your ambitions – Canon introduces the pioneering PowerShot SX30 IS with 35x optical zoom and advanced photographic control
London, UK, 14 September 2010 – Canon today redefines the boundaries of its compact superzoom range with the introduction of the new PowerShot SX30 IS – a high performance camera that boasts a 24mm ultra-wide, 35x optical zoom lens. Succeeding the PowerShot SX20 IS, the new model combines outstanding Canon optics with a host of advanced imaging technologies, providing the ideal tool for photo enthusiasts who want a powerful all-in-one camera for all their creative pursuits.Perfect for use in any situation, the PowerShot SX30 IS provides full manual control, HD movie recording and a number of creative and automatic shooting modes – delivering as much or as little creative assistance as desired. Other design features, including a 6.8cm (2.7”) vari-angle LCD screen and hot shoe, also allow users to extend their creativity by shooting from different angles and with a range of compatible Canon accessories.
See more details about the new Canon SX30IS HERE:
Accessory Kit For The Canon SX30IS Digital Camera Includes USB 2.0 High Speed Card Reader + Extended Replacement NB-7L (1300 mAH) Battery + Ac/Dc Rapid Battery Charger + Deluxe Case + Clear LCD Screen Protectors + More
- This Kit Includes Everything You Need To Take Full Advantage Of Your New Digital Camera
- USB High Speed 2.0 Card Reader – Supports SD/SDHC/MMC Cards Transfer Photos/Videos/Music – Compatible With PC or MAC
- Deluxe Soft Medium Case, Classic Fashion Design, Shock-Proof Material, Waterproof
- Hi Capacity Lithium 1300MAH Replacement extended Battery For Canon NB-7L, + 110/220 Ac/Dc Rapid Travel Charger For Canon NB-7l.
- Plus Additional Accessories
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Review by Joseph Ogiba for Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD
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Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R8M8YY3RFZF0F First handheld test of my Canon SX30IS with 35x optical + 4x digital zoom (140x) 3360mm (35mm eqiv) on a windy day at sunset.
Review by Vanamali Ashram for Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD
Rating:
I sold my Panasonic DMC-FZ18 to a birder in India last spring, thinking that I would simply order one of the next generation of ultra-zooms. Thanks to Amazons 30 day return policy I tried the Fujifilm HS10, Nikon P100, Panasonic FZ100 and now the Canon SX30IS. Its my first day…but it looks like the Canon is a keeper (finally). From a birders perspective….focusing was a constant struggle for the Nikon & Fuji…they only took good pictures in ideal conditions…and even then images were soft (blurry detail). The Panasonic did a great job of staying in focus…but is shots were too soft for my eye. This Canon is doing an amazing job of focusing, it ignored the foliage in the way & picked out a crow perched in a tree enjoying an apple, more than a 1000 feet distant at 35X. My 35X shot of a Golden crowned sparrow …in mediocre light… was really detailed and the 35X shot of a Black Phoebe in late afternoon light was tops as well. The image stabilization is excellent!…and it feels so much lighter than the Fuji…comparable with the Panasonic FZ100. To be continued…
Review by Josh Bieker for Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD
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I scouted the camera’s release back in September and have been waiting impatiently for it’s arrival in early October! I finally got it last week and couldn’t be more pleased! I’ve taken well over 2000 pics and at least 20 videos so far. Can’t seem to put it down (literally- i’ve yet to use a tripod, even at 35 and 140x zooms)! I have shaky hands, so I was pleasantly surprised at the quality in any shooting situation! The zoom seems to be the most reviewed feature, but this thing is far from done there! It has a million features from fully automated shooting to complete manual functionality! Tons of effects and modes (check Canon’s site). I had looked at several DSLR cameras, and even tested a few out, and for beginner to intermediate usage this camera is gonna be tough to beat! Especially with that price tag. Here are some of the features that appealed to me: 14.1 MP, 35x wide angle zoom, 720p HD video, TV, AV , Manual mode (especially this- complete control of aperture, shutter, and focus), all the common photo effects, 4.5 stop Image Stabilization. If you’re looking for a professional quality camera, but aren’t ready for DSLR pricing this is the camera to own! You won’t be disappointed!!
UPDATE 10/26/10:
I have taken well over 4000 pics now. Still loving the overall performance and quality. I don’t own previous versions of this camera so I can’t compare it to the other models.
I sent about 50 shots in to be printed turned out amazing on 4×6 and 5×7. 8×10’s to follow soon!
Anybody interested in lens accessories, i found a link on another review for this site:
[…]
They have some great options for all three versions of this camera (as well as some other brands). I just ordered the 58mm filter adapter and the Hoya HMC Circular Polarizer (6 coats) 58mm. should be here this week. i’ll update on those. should help a lot with my landscape shots!
Review by Daniel Brewer for Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD
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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.
Review by freestyleFrEaK for Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD
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I purchased a new SX30is as a replacement and upgrade to my SX20is I had for 8 months. The 24 mm wide angle and 35X optical zoom looked quite appealing to me however reading the fact the megapixels had been bumped up to 14.1 (from the 12.1 in the SX20is) on the same image sensor had me concerned about the picture quality this new Canon SX30is had to offer.
Pitting both cameras in the field (both indoors and outdoors) on various subjects both distant and nearby and set to equal settings on both cameras (in “auto” and in programmable mode with equal exposure compensation, ISO settings, lighting settings) I was surprised and disappointed in the performance of the new SX30is when compared to the SX20is. The image quality from the SX20is consistently outperformed the SX30is. Both in macro and pushed through the digital zoom spectrum. The SX20is consistently produced better detail and color reproduction over the SX30is. Yes, the SX30is did have a farther reach advantage over the SX20is ( theoretically 10X optical increase over the SX20is since the 35X optical zoom starts at a wide angle of 24 mm on the SX30is vs. the SX20is optical zoom of 20X starting at a wide angle of 28 mm) but what was puzzling was the fact I could take the digital zoom photos from the SX20is, crop and enlarge them slightly to match the SX30is zoom photos, and again, consistently have better image detail and color! Again, this fact was prevelant even in the wide angle shots and macro shots! However hard I tried under equal settings I couldn’t manage to get a single shot from the SX30is to better anything the SX20is had to offer. What a pity!
After 3 days of deliberation and countless photos, I decided the SX30is was not worth the money. Frankly, no amount of additional zoom could compensate for poorer image quality. Essentially what I was looking at in the SX30is was just a marketing ploy being pushed on the masses of unsuspecting casual phototakers who can simply be sold on a big zoom and so-called greater megapixels. The SX30is was returned to where I purchased it from for a full refund and now I hold a greater appreciation for my SX20is.
SX30is pros: large zoom, stylish DSLR style body, “miniature” setting, slightly larger LCD screen of 2.7″ vs. the 2.5″ in the SX20is (hardly noticeable), a slightly quieter lens extender motor (I couldn’t tell the difference), a hotshoe for external flash, and a tether now comes on the lens cap (thank god!). And really, that’s about it.
SX30is cons: greater megapixels crammed onto the same image sensor as it’s predecessor, a cheapish feeling lightweight plastic body, poor image quality, a switch to a proprietary battery as opposed to AA’s (which you can get anywhere), the relocation of the SDHC card slot in the battery compartment on the bottom side of the camera, no raw file option, no threads to add lens filters, no lens hood cover ( was an included accessory with the SX20is), a hotshoe cover that’s almost impossible to take off without breaking, a higher retail sales price than it’s predecessor, and finally, if I’ve mentioned it before then let me mention it again, POORER PICTURE QUALITY!
What it boils down to it folks is Canon has given you a greater zoom and a “greater” megapixel designation all at the expense of poorer image quality.
As Abraham Lincoln once said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”
Don’t be fooled.
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