Canon SX30 IS Review - 35X Superzoom digital camera

When it comes to superzoom digital cameras, you can trust Canon to deliver the best results. On September 14, 2010, Canon announced the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS superzoom digital camera. The new SX30 IS is replacing the older version, the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. Canon really managed to surprise us, by implementing a 24-840mm (35mm equiv.) 35x zoom lens on the SX30 IS. This is the longest zoom ever achieved on consumer compact digital camera (together with Olympus SP-800UZ, 840mm). The SX20 IS has a 28-560mm lens. Canon put itself on top of the competition by a large margin. Eve so, we still need to carefully examine the image quality in the telephoto long end. In this review, I want to spread some light on the new features of the SX30IS, so let's get started.

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Looks like it was Rebel-ized

With Photokina 2010 opening date closing in (four days from today, 9/17/2010), new digital cameras emerge.  Canon released a new replacement for the successful SX20IS camera. Canon new compact superzoom is packed with Canon's new technologies, like: USM, Voice Coil (VCM), 720p HD move recording, 2.7-inch 230K-dots vari-angle PureColor II VA LCD, 14.1-megapixel sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor and many other goodies.

The SX30IS will have to compete against other popular ultra super zoom digital cameras:

• Fujifilm HS10 (24-720mm - 30x)
• Panasonic Lumix FZ100 (25-600mm - 24x; up to 32x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function)
• Olympus SP-800UZ (28-840mm - 30x zoom)
• Nikon Coolpix P100 (26-678mm - 26x zoom)
• Kodak EasyShhare Z981 (26-676mm - 26x zoom)
• Pentax X90 (26-676mm - 26x zoom) 
• Samsung WB5000/HZ50W (26mm-676mm - 26x)

You probably won't be surprised to know, that this is a short list, and there are other models in that category. What you need to know, that the superzoom cameras' niche market is huge. Most of its buyers are probably family and travel photographers. After all, a compact superzoom camera is the best camera to take to a vacation, don't you think?

In terms of marketing perspective, I knew that Canon won't come up with something shorter than 840mm. If they did, Olympus could continue use slogans like "World's Longest Ultra-Zoom".

Canon didn't want to create "just another" super zoom compact camera, but wanted to make a breakthrough with the SX30 IS. The main mission, create a compact superzoom range camera, that will exhale in both image quality, design and features. To conquer this high ground, Canon employed some of its latest technologies.

Sensor and DIGIC 4

The Canon SX30 IS features a 14.1 Megapixel (effective), 1/2.3-inch type CCD sensor. Canon produces its own sensors, so they have the leverage to further optimize the sensor for specific lenses. I personally not a fan of high resolution (ad high pixel density) tiny sensors. The reason why we see large pixel count on tiny sensors, because many people in this market niche, still think that pixel count matters the most. Well, you won't try to convince them what are the advantages of large sensors, because they do not care. Less pixel density (in most cases) means better image quality. On the camera box, 14.1MP looks better than 6MP in terms of marketing strategy.

On the other end, Canon has been upgrading its sensors and imaging processing unit every couple of years. So as picky photographers, we can expect better image quality on same size sensor. That have to be tested and evaluate, but again, that's what we have right now. Furthermore, with higher pixel count sensors, you can print larger image (A2+ prints) and have more cropping freedom.

Canon has also incorporated its DIGIC 4 processor, allowing the camera to produce sharp images and have better low-light characteristics So the combination of the two components, will hopefully resemble a very high quality digital image.

35x Ultra wide-angle Zoom IS Lens

When it comes from a trusted company like Canon, the lens optical quality is its main business. Canon is a leader in the digital photography market, with many years of experience in creating high optical quality lenses. The lens is one of the most important components of any digital camera, whether it is a DSLR or consumer camera.

SX30 IS with its lens fully extended (840mm)

The new 24-840mm f/2.7-5.8 IS (35x optical zoom) lens has the longest zoom length available today. It is not the first one to deliver 840mm length. Olympus has done it with its SP-800UZ ultra super-zoom digital camera. We will compare those two cameras one vs. another, later in this review. The lens is constructed with 13 elements in 10 groups, featuring one Hi-UD lens, one UD lens and also one double-sided aspherical lens).

35X Sample Video

I am sure that you want to know what 35x zoom look like in practice. So here is a hands-on preview video from "What Digital Camera", which demonstrated the 35x zoom range.

Wow!, What happened here?!  An Amazing ZOOM Range!

In order to shoot blur-free images with long focal length lenses,  optical image stabilizer is used. The main purpose of in-lens optical image stabilization is to prevent camera shake, and produce sharp images. The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS lens has Canon's latest optical image stabilization. The IS offers 4.5-stops advantage.  You can see in the SX30 IS sample video above, that the IS does an amazing job, stabilizing the image.

The new 35x zoom lens also included Canon's Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) and Voice Coil Motor (VCM).
The main purpose of the USM is to allow fast auto-focusing (AF). The purpose of the VCM is to allow fast, accurate and silent zooming and focusing. This is especially important when you shoot HD movies. In HD movies, the camera mic can easily capture the camera's zoom motor noise, and that is reflected in your videos. So by taking advantage of the Voice Coil Motor technology, you can shoot HD movies without worrying about such disturbing sounds.

I personally remember watching HD movies from Olympus and Panasonic super-zoom cameras, and the noise from the zooming motor is really distracting. So overall, great new features and a good implementation and combination of Canon's latest technologies. Another thing worth mentioning, is that the 24-840mm IS lens was developed from the same materials and processes as Canon's EF lenses. For you, the photographer, it means very-high image quality for taking  high quality images. By the way, the camera itself looks more like Canon REBEL cameras, rather than a consumer digital camera.

720p/30 HD Movies

Many family and travel photographers just won't buy a digital camera without video capability. For them, this is a MUST feature in every super zoom digital camera. Even a few years ago, we still had a movie function in our digital cameras. Of course the quality was inferior to what we have today. With the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS you can shoot HD movies in 720p with stereo sound.

The red button is a dedicated movie button.
On the top-right corner, the "Zoom Framing Assist" button.

Of course you can take advantage of the extreme zooming capabilities, and zoom in and out while you are shooting HD videos. Furthermore, the IS is also operative while shooting movies. That means that you will get steady videos, even when shooting at the far end of the zoom range (840mm).  The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS has a Smart Auto i movie mode, which allows the photographer to get the best exposure, without tweaking it using the camera every time you capture a movie.

So HD 720p is all about capturing precious memories. With the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS new capabilities, all you have to worry about is the video composition. When done shooting, you can transfer the video files to your computer or HDTV (via a HDMI-mini cable; sold separately).

You have 3 resolution options for shooting movie clips:

• 1280 x 720p /30fps
• 640 x 480p / 30fps
• 320 x 240p / 30fps

Maybe some of you will criticize Canon with the lack of 1080p HD movie recording. There was possibly a limitation that is related to pricing or technology implementation. Nevertheless, 720p will satisfy most if the users who buy the PowerShot SX30IS. It's also a great resolution for sharing your videos on YouTube and Vimeo video sharing websites. You should also understand, that the higher the resolution, the bigger the file size. Even though we can find cheap large capacity SD memory cards, with 720p you can shoot more videos than with 1080p.

Zoom Framing Assist Function

This is probably a little misunderstood technology, and I will try to help you understand it better. The new "Zoom Framing Assist" button is meant to help photographers tracking subjects when shooting with super telephoto lenses.

I am sure that you have tried to track a subject when zooming all the way in, but it's very hard sometimes. It's hard because every slight movement of the camera, shift the frame by a large margin. When it happens, you lose a focus on your subject whom you want to photograph. To tackle this problem, Canon has come up with the "Zoom Framing Assist" function (button). By pressing and holding the assist button, the camera will zoom out, allowing you to locate the subject again. When you detect it in a wider angle, you can release the button, and the camera will zoom to the original zooming range, allowing you to capture the subject. Furthermore, the camera will also keep the subject in focus. This will help you capture far away subjects, that otherwise would be very hard.

Zoom Framing Assist Function, Explained Step-by-Step:

• You zoom on your subject
• Suddenly the subject goes out of frame
• You quickly push and hold the Framing Assist Function button
• The lens zooms out
• Now you can find your subject again (a rectangle will mark the area of the original zoomed frame)
• Position the subject inside the rectangle frame
• Release the button to zoom back in to the original zoom range
• Capture the shot

This function can be used for both stills and movies.

I have spent some time to create a visual step-by-step cheat-sheet guide. I hope it will help you better understand how Canon's Zoom Framing Assist function works.

How Zoom Framing Assist function works (click to enlarge)

You can share this above image, but please do credit, thanks.

Other Features (specs)

The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is fully featured. Here are more features, which can be found Canon's new superzoom compact digital camera:

• Face, Wink and Smile detection
• ISO 80 up to ISO 1600 (Auto mode is also available)
• 1/3200 maximum shutter speed
• Self time
• Electronic View Finder with 202,000-dots
• mini HDMI connector
• Compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
• Servo AF/AE for keeping track on moving subjects
• Smart AUTO
• Manual mode
• Up to 4x digital zoom
• In-camera special effect (Fisheye, Miniature, Super Vivid, Low Light, etc.)
• Works with NB-7L Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
• Pop-up flash (support for external flash)
• Dedicated movie button

Estimated retail price (ERP): $429.99.
Dimensions: 123x92x108mm.
Weight: Approx. 21.2 oz. / 601g (including battery and memory card).

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS vs. Olympus SP-800 UZ

I am pretty sure that many photographers will compare the Canon SX30 IS vs the Olympus SP-800 UZ. You are probably intent to know which one is better?, as both cameras have the same Telezoom end focal length (840mm). The SX30IS has an advantage of being wider (24mm), compared to the SP-800UZ 28mm. Both superzoom compacts have almost the same pixel count (Canon 14.1MP vs. Olympus 14.0MP).

Olympus SP-800 UZ can shoot up to ISO 3200 (native) and ISO 6400/10000 in extended mode. The PowerShot SX30 IS steps up to ISO 1600 "only". The Oly has dual image stabilization, by utilizing mechanical and digital image stabilization, while the SX30IS employs in-lens IS.

The Oly features a larger 3.0-inch LCD screen, while the Canon employs a 2.7-inch LCD screen. Both cameras have the same 230,000-dots LCD resolution. When it comes to macro shooting, the Oly has a minimum focusing distance of 1cm vs. 0cm of the Canon.

One big advantage for the SP-800 UZ is the ability to shoot in 10fps continuous shooting vs. the 0.6fps of the SX30 IS. Both cameras offer 720p/30fps, but the Canon also features a 320x240p @30/15fps movie recording.

The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS has an Electronic View Finder, while the SP-800 UZ doesn't. Furthermore, the Oly is more compact (110 x 90 x 91mm) than the Canon (123 x 92 x 108 mm), and lighter (455g) than the Canon (601g).

Both are top super zoom compact cameras for 2010. When it comes to features and optics, it seems that Canon has the upper hand so far.

The Closest you Can Get Right Now!

I am personally very impressed with the new Canon PowerShot SX30 IS. When I've first read about the SX30 IS, I knew that Canon will top its previous model, and do it by a large margin. The PowerShot SX30 IS employs Canon's leading optics and technology innovations.

The SX20IS is still one of the best ultra-zoom compact camera. Canon has increased the resolution, the zoom range (840mm / 35x) vs. the SX20IS 560mm (20x). The SX30 IS has an advantage of having a wider angle (24mm ) vs. the SX20 IS (28mm). The new SX30 IS now works with Lithium-Ion battery, while the SX20 IS operates on 4 x AA batteries. I personally prefer the AA option. AA batteries can be found on many kiosks and supermarkets. They are cheap and have high availability. I personally see this as an advantage for the SX20 (personal preference).

However, tt all comes to the 35X ultra-zoom creative capabilities. If you are into shooting wildlife & safari photography, you will enjoy the benefits of having such a long focal length. If you've watched the YouTube video I've posted in this review, you can see how close you can get with a 35x zoom lens (840mm).

I think that the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is the best digital super zoom camera available today. It features Canon's optical (not mechanical) image stabilization, which has a 4.5-stops compensation to prevent camera shake. It also features Canon VCM to minimize zooming and focusing noise while shooting video clips. You won't appreciate this feature, unless you have previously shot videos with other super-zoom compacts. Even so, it is a feature that should be implemented a long time ago.

On the other hand, when it comes to long super zoom digital cameras, you are giving up some image quality for better flexibility. Having a Big zoom range comes very handy when you want to travel light. You can beat the Physics. It means that ultra-zoom lenses will exhibit lower image quality than short-range zooms. We still need to see how the new lens performs in lab-test in-depth reviews.

I personally think that with super zoom digital cameras, you can take images that otherwise you couldn't. Even if the image quality won't be superb, I think that it still will be worth buying. As technology becomes more advanced over the years, we can expect to see an improvement in the image quality.

If you are struggling to decide between the Nikon, Canon or Olympus superzooms, I suggest comparing their features side-by-side. For me, the PowerShot SX30 IS is packed with the latest bells and whistles. You don't have 1080p, but ask yourself if you really need it. If I had to choose a super zoom digital camera, I would take a very close look at Canon's new SX30 IS.

Related articles:

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS Super Zoom - with 720p HD, 13x zoom, compatible with SDXC cards and 3-inch LCD.

Pentax Optio RZ10 Super Zoom - 10x zoom, 14.1MP, 720p HD movies. Pentax latest super zoom compact digital camera with Cats and Dogs face recognition.

Best Superzoom cameras 2010 - a comparison between a large selection of superzoom digital cameras. Including: Fujifilm FinePix HS10, Kodak Z981, Nikon Coolpix P100, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 and FZ100 and others (via safari-guide.co.uk).

CNET Australia  Superzoom comparison- a new article, which compares the following cameras: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100, Canon Powershot SX1 IS, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35, Fujifilm finePix S200EXR, Nikon CoolPix P100 and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS (the older model), It covers their cons and pros with CNET editor rating and user rating.