The new Canon PowerShot SX30 — a monster digital camera rocks a 35x optical zoom. The surface of this superzoom’s features, specifications and review are given below.
This Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is a brand new super-zoom camera sporting an incredible 35x zoom lens equivalent to a focal length of 24-840mm. Multiple special lens elements including an Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element as well as a Hi-UD element, are included in the lens construction which are compensating for light aberrations while maintaining high image quality across the entire zoom range.
Besides all of above, onboard is a 4.5-stop image stabilisation system. Ultrasonic Motor (USM) and Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technologies promise fast, accurate and quiet zooming and focusing. The 14 megapixel SX30IS features full manual controls, 720p HD movie recording with a dedicated record button, stereo sound and a HDMI port, a 2.7 inch vari-angle LCD screen, an electronic viewfinder and a flash hot shoe replacing the previous SX20 model.
The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is available in black and priced at £449.00 / €549.00 / $429.99.
Specifications:
| Sensor | 1/2.3 ” Type CCD 14.1 million effective pixels |
|---|---|
| Image sizes | 4320 x 3240 3072 x 2304 1600 x 1200 640 x 480 3744 x 2104. Resize in playback (M2, S, 320 x 240) |
| Movie clips | 1280 x 720 @ 30fps 640 x 480 @ 30fps 320 x 240 @ 30fps Miniature Effect (HD, L) 6fps, 3fps, 1.5 fps |
| File formats | Still: JPEG (Exif v2.3) Movie: MOV [H.264 + Linear PCM (stereo)] |
| Lens | 24- 840mm equiv 35x Optical zoom F2.7 – F5.8 13 elements in 10 groups (1 Hi-UD lens, 1 UD lens and 1 double-sided aspherical lens) Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) |
| Image stabilization | Yes (Lens shift-type) |
| Conversion lenses | Yes |
| Digital zoom | up to 4x |
| Focus | Face Detection AiAF 1-point AF (Any position is available, fixed to centre or Face Select and Track) Manual focus Single, Continuous, Servo AF/AE Focus bracket |
| AF assist lamp | Yes |
| Focus distance | Closest 0 cm |
| Metering | Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF) Center-weighted average Spot (centre or linked to Face Detection AF or FlexiZone AF frame) |
| ISO sensitivity | Auto ISO 80 ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400 ISO 800 ISO 1600 |
| Exposure compensation | +/- 2EV 1/3 stop increments |
| Shutter speed | Auto (1 – 1/3200 sec) 15-1/3200 sec |
| Aperture | F2.7-5.8 (max) |
| Modes | Auto Program AE Shutter Priority AE Aperture Priority AE Manual Custom1 Custom2 Portrait Landscape Sports SCN Movie |
| Scene modes | Smart Shutter (Smile, Wink Self-Timer, FaceSelf-Timer) Low Light (2.0MP) Super Vivid Poster Effect Color Accent Color Swap Fish-eye Effect Miniature Effect Beach Foliage Snow Fireworks Stitch Assist |
| White balance | Auto (including Face Detection WB) Daylight Cloudy Tungsten Fluorescent Fluorescent H Flash Custom |
| Self timer | 2 or 10 secs Custom |
| Continuous shooting | Approx 0.6 fps until card is full (AF / LiveView) Approx 1.3 fps until card is full (LCD monitor off) |
| Image parameters | My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color) |
| Flash | Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction Slow Sync Speed : Fastest speed 1/2000 sec +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments Face Detection FE compensation Safety FE Flash exposure lock Manual Power Adjustment Range (Auto ISO):50cm – 5.8m (wide) /1.4m- 2.8m (tele) |
| External Flash | E-TTL with Canon EX series Speedlites Canon’s High Power Flash HF-DC1 |
| Viewfinder | EVF 202,000 dots |
| LCD monitor | Vari-angle 2.7″ TFT 230,000 pixels Adjustable Brightness 100% Coverage |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 Hi-Speed HDMI mini connector AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable) |
| Storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMCplus, HCMMCplus |
| Power | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-7L (battery and charger supplied) |
| Weight (inc.battery & card) | 601 g |
| Dimensions | 123 x 92 x 108 mm |
Reviews:
Smart Auto in Movie mode is used in the PowerShot SX30 which can detect 21 different scene types and automatically adjusting the settings. But the main thing of Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is its monster zoom.
Canon has managed to constrict in a 35x optical zoom lens, which enlarges from 24mm to 840mm. Connect with a 14.1MP CCD and what you have is a rather feature-packed camera which really wants to be a DSLR.
The SX30 IS costs slightly more than its predecessor following on from last year’s SX20 model. This is DSLR-styled compact camera with the world’s longest lens, an incredibly versatile 35x image stabilized optical zoom. It provides a broad 35mm equivalent focal range of 24mm to 840mm and makes it a direct challenger to the likes of the Fujifilm FinePix HS10, Panasonic DMC-FZ45, Samsung WB5000, Olympus SP-590UZ and the Casio EX-FH25.
The SX30 competes against entry-level DSLRs and the new breed of compact system cameras. It is packed with hard plastic bodywork with a large hand-grip. Its overall weight is 600g, adds a definite feeling of solidity, while the matt black finish lends an overall air of sophistication.
The SX30 IS’ dimensions, 122.9 x 92.4 x 107.7mm which are not much more compact than an entry-level DSLR so it will slot into a jacket pocket. Out of the box, there is no full hard copy manual given, only a very rudimentary getting started pamphlet with full manual on CD. If you are chained to a PC
The Canon SX30 IS offers an incredible zoom range much more portable and cheaper compare to its equivalent on a DSLR as touched on earlier. The SX30 IS is a one-stop-shop for all your photography needs with 24mm available at the wide-angle end and 840mm at the other. Right apertures of f/2.7 and f/5.8 at either end backs the massive focal range While 4.5-stop image stabilization system is better than many Canon pro lenses. The attachment of 67mm filters such as the Canon PL-C B 67mm polarizer filter is allowed in an optional lens filter adapter.
