Canon Compact Digicam Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
| Canon PowerShot SX30 IS |
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The SX30 IS has replaced the earlier SX20 model, offering features like increase in the resolution to 14.1 megapixel, boosting the LCD screen, 720p HD movie recording, electronic viewfinder, full manual controls, etc. But, in spite of all these features the overall performance of the camera is very sluggish. The zooming and image stabilization of the camera is brilliant, but everything else about the camera is pretty slow.
Technical Specifications
Review Fortunately, Canon has drastically changed the look of the SX30 IS from its big brother the SX20; thanks to the replacement of the AA battery by rechargeable Ion-Lithium battery. The button placement is almost similar to its predecessors, complete with a control dial in the back for quick and easy functions. In the front of the large grip is a shutter release, with a lever, to operate the huge 35x zoom lens. With the world’s longest lenses, the Canon Powershot SX30 IS is competing against the entry-level DSLRs along with other new breed super-zoom digicams. For the zoom aficionados, the SX30 IS will be a dream come true, as the camera will take you to places so close, that no other super-zoom digicams have ever ventured. The construction of the lens includes multiple special lenses which comprises of an Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) and Hi-UD element, 4.5 stop image stabilization system, Utrasonic Motor (USM) and Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technologies which guarantees a quite, accurate and fast zooming and focusing. This huge focal range is supported by bright apertures, f/2.7 and f/5.8 at both the ends, even as the 4.5 stop image stabilization is better than many of the professional lenses of Canon. Coming to shooting, the performance of the SX30 IS is slow, very slow. The only fast thing done by this camera is the startup. This super-zoom camera shoots generally at around 1.6 frames per second (fps) and if you are using Autofocus, the time slows down to more 0.6 fps. When this is combined with the screen refresh after each shot, it becomes quite difficult to know precisely what you are shooting. The real test comes when shooting fast moving subjects where you only have to pray that you get the correct shot. Also, like most of the mega-zoom cameras, the photos produced by the SX30 IS are very soft. The photos, even at low sensitivity of ISO 80 show noise when viewed in full size. Although, Canon manages to check in the noise up to ISO 400; the photos tend to become noisy at higher ISO. The color and exposure reproduced by the SX30 is very good. The video quality, too, though not excellent, is at par. The biggest USP of the camera is definitely the 35x zoom lens and it is reality a big accomplishment to fit this long lens into a compact camera for a price of around $400. This SX30 IS has got features for every kind of users and one that can handle a range of situations. |
The Canon Powershot SX30 IS is a super-zoom camera featuring a stunning 35x zoom lens! The camera has got looks like a DSLR but, it is a compact point-and-shoot camera with an incredibly long lens; in short not a DSSLR but more than a compact camera.