Canon Powershot SX30 IS review

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Review

The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS’ lens has shot into the lead, reaching further than any other existing superzoom. With an ultra wide-angle 24mm and a whopping 840mm at the telephoto end (35x optical zoom), photographic possibilities are virtually endless. This model has taken a massive leap forward from its predecessor, the SX20, which sported a 20x zoom and vastly different design.

This upgrade wears an attractive, business-like suit, closer resembling an entry-level DSLR rather than a hybrid. The plastic body is assuredly weighty and feels robust and comfortable to hold in both hands. Its size does mean that users will need to invest in a small camera bag, but the SX30 would still make a budding travel companion because you can’t, and don’t need to, alter the lens.

Zoom by flicking the zoom rocker switch that surrounds the shutter release. Responsive, albeit noisy, the extending lens barrel reveals the 35mm equivalent focal lengths in incremental distances so that you have a realistic idea of where you are. Also, by pressing a button on the rear of the camera, the SX30 performs a quirky, hokey-cokey manoeuvre by zooming out and then back in to the same position once released. This is a novel function that means if your subject moves out of the frame, you can quickly re-position so you don’t lose out on the shot.

Another design feature that aids flexibility whilst shooting is the flip out and rotate LCD screen. This opens up a wealth of angles, whether you’re capturing a live band by shooting over the crowd, or stealing candid street photos by holding it from the hip. The side of the camera protrudes to fit the shape of your hand and the thumb grip makes photography a pleasurable experience. This ergonomically friendly design extends to the control buttons, which are large enough to press even with gloved hands. They are clearly labelled with dedicated movie record button and ridged d-pad.

On top of the camera you will find a large mode dial boasting the P, A, S, M modes for advanced users, as well as fully auto and scene recognition options for beginners. The number of scenes has been boosted from 22 on the SX20 to 28 on this present model. These include fun effects such as Miniature, Fish-Eye, and Colour Accent, mimicking what skilled Photoshop users can achieve in post-production without the hard work. Some of the creative filters, as well as the zoom, can actually be used during movie mode. Incidentally, this is HD (720p) with stereo sound.

Disappointingly, there is no option to shoot RAW files, which will no doubt put off DSLR users in the market for a second shooter. This is also something that competitors do offer, such as the Fujifilm FinePix HS10 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100. Another drawback is the increased noise due to a larger 14MP sensor, which creeps in at ISO 400 and diminishes detail as a result. The SX30 performs well in bright conditions though, capturing colours accurately and producing sharp results, even at the telephoto end. The Optical Image Stabiliser has gone up from 4 to 4.5 stops of compensation to combat camera shake that will inevitably occur at 35x zoom. You have to watch out for chromatic aberrations, however, that form unpleasant green and purple edges in areas of high contrast.

If you’re not looking to advance to the stages of RAW capture and large format printing any time soon, then the SX30’s shortcomings won’t matter too much. The control dial that enables you to easily navigate through menus, coupled with ‘Hints & Tips’ for guidance on every setting, make for a stress-free shooting experience for users of all ability levels. The colossal focal range will keep you interested and the image quality is above average, as long as you operate at low ISO settings. This superzoom will definitely be a hot contender with the Christmas crowd.