We are used to digital bridge cameras having wide focal length ranges, but the 14.1-million-pixel Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is a little bit special because its 35x optical zoom gives the SX30 IS a focal length range equivalent to 24-840mm.
Just to be clear, that's the Canon SX30's optical range at full resolution and it doesn't include the digital zoom which can extend the reach to 140x.
Having such a phenomenal range should make this new Canon PowerShot camera ideal for a whole raft of photographic situations, from shooting in fairly confined spaces indoors and taking shots of wide, sweeping vistas to photographing distant wildlife.
The PowerShot SX30 IS's lens features Canon's most advanced optical Image Stabilizer, which assesses camera shake around 8,000 times per second and is claimed to extend the safe hand-holdable shutter speed by up to 4.5 stops. Obviously this can't deal with subject movement when shooting wildlife, but it is a big help with cancelling out the involuntary camera movements that are an issue with very long telephoto optics.
Interestingly, Canon has used three Hi-UD (high-refractive index, ultra-low dispersion) elements, which are normally reserved for broadcast-quality video optics, to reduce the overall weight of the SX30's lens and keep the overall mass to a manageable 601g (including battery/batteries and memory card).
While the SX30 has a host of novice-friendly automatic scene modes, more experienced photographers will appreciate the option to shoot in program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes. At the widest point aperture can be adjusted in 1/3 EV steps from f/2.7-f/8, but at the longest point on the lens this drops to f/5.6-f/8. Meanwhile shutter speed varies by shooting mode, but the maximum range (which is selectable in shutter priority and manual mode) is 15-1/3200 sec.
Sensitivity may be set to auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800 or 1600, which is probably about as far as you would want to push a camera with a 1/2.3in CCD and 14.1 million effective pixels.
As usual, exposure may be measured using evaluative, centreweighted or spot metering. While the evaluative metering may be linked to the Face Detection AF frame, the spotmeter can measure from the centre of the frame, the Face Detection AF frame or the FlexiZone AF frame.
In keeping with the bridge camera genre, the PowerShot SX30 IS looks like a mini DSLR. There's even pseudo button-bump where you'd expect the lens release to be.
In some lights the SX30 looks two-tone, but I think it's actually the result of the two different finishes used on the camera's surface. The fine texture of the deep fingergrip provides just enough purchase when shooting or carrying the camera, but lacks the adhesion of Canon's DSLR grips.
I am a fan of articulating LCD screens and the hinged 2.7in unit on the SX30 is good, making it much easier to shoot from a range of angles. Although the screen has a relatively low pixel count by modern standards (230,000 dots), it provides a clear view even when shooting outside in bright sunlight – though bear in mind I used it in the UK's October sun rather than tropical July sunshine.
I am slightly less impressed by the SX30's electronic viewfinder (EVF), which seems rather small and allows little latitude in your eye position. On the plus-side, the EVF has only a few fewer dots than the LCD screen (around 202,000 dots) and provides a reasonably detailed view of the scene being composed. It's frustrating that there's no eye sensor to detect when the camera is held to the eye and automatically switch between activating the LCD and the EVF; instead, the Display button must be pressed to toggle between the options.
The PowerShot SX30 IS is one of those cameras that almost anyone can pick up and use straightaway. The controls are sensibly arranged and easy to locate, although there is no direct access to the white balance options by default. I set this to be accessed via the Shortcut button to the top left of the LCD screen.
Those wishing to mix stills and video shooting will love the fact that the SX30 has a dedicated button that can be used to start recording 720p (1280x720 pixel) movies whatever the shooting mode selected.
Even stationary subjects can sometimes be hard to locate in the LCD or EVF when a long focal length lens is being used, but Canon's Zoom Framing Assist button to the right of the thumbrest on the back of the camera makes life much easier. While this button is depressed the lens zooms out allowing the photographer to see more of the scene and locate the main subject. It's a real bonus when the lens is zoomed into 840mm.
In good light the SX30's autofocus system performs pretty well. It doesn't exactly snap the subject into sharp focus, but it comes into register fairly promptly. Things slow down a little in lower light, with low-contrast subjects and at the longest point of the telephoto lens, but in most instances the SX30 manages to find the target. In continuous AF mode the SX30 managed to keep up with a jogger making his way up a steep hill towards me, but I don't think it is the camera I would use for faster moving sports and action.
Canon knows a thing or two about exposure systems and the PowerShot SX30 IS's evaluative metering system doesn't disappoint. The main subject is correctly exposed in the majority of my images, although in some instances this is at the expense of the highlights. Fortunately, exposure compensation is available to +/-2EV in 1/3EV steps and is easily accessed using the 'up' navigation control and the control on the back of the camera.
It's worth keeping an eye on the histogram view (accessed via the Display button), as I found that the on-screen image sometimes differs a little from the captured version.
Overexposed areas of blue sky tend to look rather cyan, but this can often be rectified post-capture to make the results look more natural. Colours direct from the SX30 are generally quite vibrant and I would steer clear of the vibrant mode. Canon has one of the best, if not the best, white balance systems around and on the whole my images captured in auto white balance mode retain the atmosphere of the scene.
Chromatic aberration is an issue along some high-contrast edges, especially towards the corners of the frame. In several instances I was able to reduce this coloured fringing by adjusting the image using Adobe Camera Raw. Distortion is controlled well.
Still images may only be saved as JPEGs on the SX30, which is a little disappointing, but not entirely surprising. At high sensitivity settings there's little sign of chroma noise, but when examined at 100% on screen, even toned areas of images captured at ISO 200 have a slight granular texture caused by luminance noise.
Out-of-focus areas with very fine detail also look slightly smudged under high magnification, especially in high-sensitivity images. When the images are sized to make A3 prints they look good and the smudging is not apparent, but images captured at the highest sensitivity setting (ISO 1600 at full resolution) look a little softer than those taken at the lowest settings.
While not spectacular, 1280x720-pixel video quality from the SX30 is good, though some edges look at little oversharpened. Recording at 30fps ensures that movement is fairly smooth.
We used this set of clothes pins on a wooden tabletop to study the effects of noise at each of the SX30's ISO settings from ISO 80 to ISO 1600. Each image was cropped at 100% to better illustrate the changes. Click on each cropped image for the full version.
ISO 80
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 1600
Man in a canal boat, shot at 840mm: 1/400sec at f/5.8, ISO 200
Shooting at the 24mm end of the Canon SX30's lens captures a stunning perspective, but note the canal boat on the opposite side of the river. That dot in the window on the right is the man in the image above, which demonstrates just how impressive the SX30's zoom range really is: 1/200sec at f/5.6, ISO 200
Colours direct from the SX30 IS are generally quite vibrant as seen in this image using the Canon SX30's tilt and shift effect option: 1/500sec at f/4, ISO 80
Again using the Canon PowerShot SX30's tilt and shift effect you can manipulate the size and orientation of the zone that's sharp: 1/125sec at f/4, ISO 320
The hinged 2.7in articulated LCD screen on the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS makes it easier to shoot from a range of angles: 1/50sec at f/4, ISO 400
Canon's PowerShot SX30 IS is capable of producing some excellent images, but it's best to keep to the lower sensitivity settings if you want to make A3-size prints.
It's a shame that images cannot be recorded as raw files to allow experienced photographers more control over the noise reduction that is applied to their high-sensitivity images. Canon has added raw capability to its bridge cameras with a firmware update in the past, and I wonder if it will do so this time?
The SX30 is very easy to use and although the focusing can be a bit slower than usual when the lens is at its longer point, the incredible focal length span makes it a great choice for family day trips to the zoo etc.
Features: 4/5
The PowerShot SX30 IS's key features are its incredibly wide spanning lens, articulated LCD screen and its advanced exposure modes that are backed up with entry-level modes.
Build quality: 3/5
There are no real surprises here: the body of the SX30 is well put together, but it has a plastic look and feel to it – for obvious reasons.
Value: 4/5
This is a difficult one, as an EOS 1000D (body only) can be purchased for less than £300 these days. However, buying a range of lenses (or lenses and teleconverters) to cover the full focal range span of 24-840mm will set you back considerably more, making the £449.99 RRP of the PowerShot SX30 IS seem very reasonable.
Performance: 3/5
With a 1/2.3in sensor, the image quality from the SX30 IS is never going to compete with that from an APS-C-format DSLR, but it is nevertheless impressive. A superzoom lens usually demands a few compromises in the image quality, and although chromatic aberration is visible in some images, it is not as big an issue as I might have feared.
Overall: 4/5
Canon's PowerShot SX 30 IS is an excellent choice of camera for someone who wants something a bit more than the average compact model, yet doesn't want to go down the route of having interchangeable lenses. The feature set is extensive, the camera is easy to use and the results are generally good, allowing you to make prints at sizes up to A3.
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