PowerShot SX 30 IS Review
The PowerShot brand by Canon started out very simple with digital cameras attempting to drive consumers away from the traditional film cameras so they can enjoy the convenience of taking large amounts of photos without developing. It also brought in a new and younger audiences that wanted to know more about photography in general.
Photography is such a broad subject and it was clear that Canon had to roll out different models to certain groups of individuals. This led to the formation of different series including the G series which consisted of advanced models while the SD series were more on style and portability.
Those that want the best of both series should look at the SX series. In fact, one of the cameras in the series which is the PowerShot SX 30 IS happens to be one of the largest in Canon’s point and shoot lineup and sports some very unique features that no other point-and-shoot camera possesses.
To get the PowerShot SX30IS at the best price : Click Here
Design
The Canon PowerShot SX 30 IS looks to cater to those that want to transition to the DSLR cameras but cannot afford the high prices or are not ready to tinker with removable lenses.
While this is certainly not the kind of camera that goes in a pocket, the PowerShot SX 30 IS features a full black body with a comfortable grip on the side. The display size is disappointingly small measuring 2.7 inches resulting to a low 230,000-pixel resolution.
While beginner photographers won’t have a problem with this, things can get tricky when it comes to manual focus. On the upside, the display does flip out and can rotate which could be nice for taking angled shots or recording video.
Usability
The PowerShot SX 30 IS simply feels like a mini DSLR camera which makes this a nice bridge model to try out. Its larger size allows more controls to be placed and they are all highly accessible and shouldn’t frustrate beginners too much.
Some of the buttons are easy to identify because of their icons such as the dedicated record button. It also features this one button that can be customized to activate any manual setting.
Shooting options are plentiful with lots of modes to try out for creative shooting including a nice new mode called Super Vivid mode. The Poster mode looks nice too while other modes can be used to enhance certain occasions such as Sports.
Once the proper modes are set, taking a picture is as easy as pressing that large and comfortable shutter button.
Image Quality and Performance
Image quality is above average when compared to the less expensive point and shoot cameras but does not really reach the quality of the flagship models.
Low light performance fell in the middle since it uses the basic imaging sensor so cranking up the ISO setting can result to some noise here and there. It is really the various filters that make the pictures nicer along with other advanced features like Auto Exposure Bracketing and FlexiZone AF.
The most unique feature of the SX 30 is the 35x optical zoom which can be used to the fullest without running into any serious issues. The Optical Image Stabilization performs wonderfully in eliminating camera shakes while using the full zoom.
This also makes this 14.1-megapixel shooter a decent Macro and telephoto camera. Although there can be some instances of purple fringing, the PowerShot SX 30 IS can shoot some great pictures for its price.
Video Quality and Performance
The video recording capabilities take a back seat with the PowerShot SX 30 IS. Although it can shoot some nice 720p HD visuals at 30 frames per second, the video format can leave some video enthusiasts wanting more.
It would have been better if it used the AVCHD Lite format rather than the H.264 format. The average quality is also due to the smaller sensor as this camera is more focused on taking better images.
Bottom Line
The PowerShot SX 30 IS is pretty much the only choice for Canon fans if they really want the largest zoom that does not have the complexity of a DSLR camera.
Owners of the older SX 10 and SX 20 models will also benefit from upgrading since it offers a larger rechargeable battery along with support for SDXC memory cards which is important for storing those big 14.1-megapixel photos or lengthy 720p videos.
To really make the most out of the camera, the various manual functions need to be explored. Its flexibility and zooming capability gives this $400 camera the thumbs up.
To get the PowerShot SX30IS at the best price:
