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Canon Powershot SX30 IS
The Canon Powershot SX30 IS is as close to a true Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera that any compact camera design can get. It features an SLR-like body including the viewfinder and major camera controls. The major difference between the SX30 IS and a true SLR is the fixed zoom lens on the SX, whereas a true SLR uses a range of interchangeable lenses, therefore offering greater flexibility and creative scope.
The Powershot SX30 IS is known as a ‘Super Zoom’ compact digital camera because of its sophisticated lens which offers a far greater focal range of (zoom) compared to the smaller compact camera with limited zoom capabilities, which is typically 4-6x. The SX30 IS replaces the previous SX20 IS, and as such features a number of improvements over the model it replaces.
The SX30 IS’s lens offers 24mm – 840mm focal length equivalent wide-angle 35x zoom. Images are captured on a 14.1 Megapixel sensor, and can be displayed on a 2.7” articulated LCD panel, that is housed in the rear of the camera body.
There have been a number of improvements to the lens motors for quieter and faster zooming and focusing including Ultrasonic (USM) and Voice Coil (VCM) motors.
As with many of today’s digital cameras, the Powershot SX30 IS offers 720p High Definition (HD) video recording with Image Stabilization (IS), which when combined with the Super Zoom lens will easily outperform lesser digital compacts and mobile phones.
The camera makes good use of its SLR-like body, offering its user a comfortable, one-handed grip, with all the major controls easily to hand. The viewfinder also apes those of the more advanced SLR cameras, providing the user with an abundance of information, including the equivalent ISO (film speed) setting, focus assistance, whether using Autofocus or Manual focus, and all of the traditional camera settings, such as Exposure Value (EV), that contribute to a great picture.
The SX30 IS also uses an SLR-like pop-up flash while also offering the ability to hot shoe a more sophisticated flash unit such as Canon’s 270EX, 430 EX II or 580 EX II. All these flash units will sync with the camera’s TTL (Through The Lens) metering system.
The camera offers a wide-range of settings with equivalent film speeds (ISO) of 80, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600, thereby able to shoot images in almost all light conditions. The shutter speeds range from 1/3200th of a second to 15 seconds, enabling both actions shots and long exposure shots to be captured with confidence. The camera can be controlled using both Aperture and Shutter priorities as well as full manual control. The camera also offers 3 metering modes; multi-point, centre-weighted, and spot metering, while Exposure Value can be compensated for +/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV steps.
If you’re an enthusiastic amateur photographer, or a semi-professional seeking a handy, light compact work tool, then the Powershot SX30 IS offers you almost all of the benefits of using a digital SLR but without the hassle of having to carry either a number of different lenses or having a bulky zoom lens attached to your camera body. The SX30 IS’s lens retracts neatly within the camera body and yet delivers a stunning performance and excellent images.
The SX30 IS typically retails for around $400-$480 in the US and around £350-£450 in the UK.