There are some people that might be wondering if a camera that is more than $300 is really worth the price. Bumping up the price a bit higher may even be enough to purchase a DSLR camera which is good for more occasions than a point-and-shoot model. But there are some professional photographers that can take some impressive pictures with a point-and-shoot digital camera because the specs are rather decent and the technologies make some room for creativity. It is also good to go for these cameras because of their size and the Canon SX30 IS is part of the high-end category of point-and-shoot digital cameras.
Features
Many of the high-end Canon models feature an impressive image processor that takes care of the image optimizations but the Canon SX30 IS is one of the few models that possesses the DIGIC 4 Image Processor which has great emphasis on noise reduction. It is also capable of delivering better image quality when higher ISO speeds are chosen. The iSAPS Technology works with this image processor by making sure that the white balance and exposure parameters are optimized.
The Canon SX30IS is categorized as a superzoom digital camera because of its massive 35x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom lens. This is an impressive milestone for the PowerShot brand because the 24-840mm gives photographers tons of options and macro photographers can rejoice. Whether the scene requires wide-angle or telephoto settings, the Voice Coil Motor makes sure that the transitions stay smooth, quiet, and speedy while saving as much energy as possible.
This makes the 14.1 megapixel resolution very significant even though this setting may result to very large photos. Professionals will like the fact that they can print 14.1 megapixel photos on 13 x 19″ posters while others will be pleased with the quality of photos even if they are cropped or zoomed. Since the 35x zoom can cover quite a distance, the Zoom Framing Assist button helps photographers capture subjects that are located very far away even if the subject is moving. By holding this button, the focal point will widen for better tracking so it can later be released so the subject stays in focus. This feature may be used for both image shooting and video recording.
Canon made sure that the SX30IS is accessible by both professionals and starters. Starters can conveniently open the panel to reveal a 2.7-inch display. There are some digital cameras with slightly larger displays but this display can tilt in various angles so the picture stays clear and accessible. There is a Night Display mode for low light situations. Once professionals or other photographers are ready to go for macro shooting, they can rely on the electronic viewfinder so macro shots are adequately sharp. It is also handy for viewing stored images no matter the lighting condition.
Most beginners will also be contented with the Smart AUTO setting. This setting automatically selects the proper setting out of a set of 28 settings based on the type of subject in range. This setting may not be ideal for all situations as the camera tends to add some focus on the background instead of the subject so it is best to experiment with other settings if the output is not desirable. It is quite easy to change mode as there is a dedicated dial for this and practicing on these modes will only lead to taking better shots.
Chromatic aberration is not a frequently talked about subject for non-DSLR models but thanks to the UD glass element, chromatic aberration is suppressed rather well. The lens is also double-sided aspherical glass-molded adding to the good overall image quality. Finally, an external flash unit can be mounted to further improve the performance and versatility.
The Optical Image Stabilizer Technology is back and better than before because the technology now applies to video recording as well. This ensures that the footage is steady even when using wide-angle settings through the use of Dynamic IS. The maximum resolution is 720p and the included mini-HDMI connector means that video can easily be outputted to high-definition TVs and displays.
Wrap Up
Photographers can finally grab a digital camera that has the feel of a point-and-shoot while enjoying the versatile zooming options. This is a good thing because DSLR cameras that may boost similar zooming capabilities are normally priced at over $500 which is far more than the $420 price tag that SX30 IS possesses. It also doubles as a decent video recording device for various occasions. All of these features are backed with optimal battery life where the Canon SX30IS now uses Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.