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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Point & Shoot Camera

The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is a 14MP 1/2.3 inch compact camera — with HD (720p) video. Used copies start from $105 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Point & Shoot Camera

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Point & Shoot Camera

Used Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Listings on GearFocus

Camera Overview — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is a point-and-shoot camera built around a 14MP, 1/2.3-inch sensor and powered by Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor. It offers an ISO range of 80 to 1600, giving shooters a reasonable spread of sensitivity options for varying light conditions. The camera features optical image stabilization, which helps manage camera shake during handheld shooting.

For composing shots, you get two options: a 2.7-inch Vari-Angle LCD display with 230,000 dots of resolution — useful for shooting from low or high angles — and an electronic viewfinder with a 202,000-dot resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. Autofocus is handled by a contrast detection system with face detection AF across 9 focus points. Video capture tops out at 30fps with 8-bit color, and a Standard color profile is available.

Still shooters can choose from five color profiles including Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, and Black & White. Burst shooting is supported at 1.3 frames per second. Storage uses SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, and connectivity includes USB, Mini HDMI output, and a standard ISO hot shoe for compatible Canon Speedlite flashes.

The body is constructed from plastic with metal components, measures 123 x 92 x 108 mm, and weighs 601g. Battery life is rated at approximately 370 shots per charge using the Canon NB-7L battery.

Key Features — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

35x Optical Zoom Lens: An exceptionally wide zoom range covers wide-angle to super-telephoto subjects without changing lenses.

14MP 1/2.3-Inch Sensor: Captures images at 14 megapixels using a compact 1/2.3-inch sensor paired with Canon's DIGIC 4 processor.

Optical Image Stabilization: Lens-based OIS compensates for camera shake, particularly useful when shooting at the long end of the zoom range.

Vari-Angle LCD Display: The 2.7-inch articulating screen swivels and tilts to allow comfortable framing from high, low, or awkward angles.

Built-In Electronic Viewfinder: A 202,000-dot EVF provides an alternative to the LCD for composing shots in bright light.

Canon TTL Hot Shoe: Accepts compatible Canon Speedlite flashes with TTL metering for more powerful or creative lighting beyond the built-in pop-up flash.

Camera Specifications — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesTravel, Wildlife, Sports
TypePoint and Shoot
Sensor1/2.3 inch
Resolution14MP
ProcessorDIGIC 4
ISO Range80 – 1600
AF SystemContrast Detection, Face Detection AF
AF Points9 points
Max Photo ResolutionFull HD (1080p)
Burst Rate1.3 fps
Max Video ResolutionHD (720p)
Max Frame Rate30fps

Description — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS is a 14MP point-and-shoot camera equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor and DIGIC 4 image processor. The ISO range runs from 80 to 1600, and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is built in to help reduce blur from camera movement. For framing, the camera offers a 2.7-inch Vari-Angle LCD with 230,000 dots alongside an Electronic Viewfinder running at 60Hz with 202,000-dot resolution.

Autofocus uses Contrast Detection and Face Detection AF across 9 focus points. Five color profiles are available — Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, and Black & White — giving creative flexibility for still images. Burst shooting is supported at 1.3fps.

The body is built from plastic with metal components, weighs 601g, and measures 123 x 92 x 108 mm. It stores images on SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards and connects via USB and Mini HDMI. The Canon NB-7L battery is rated for approximately 370 shots per charge (CIPA standard).

Pros — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

  • ✓Vari-Angle 2.7-inch LCD display enables flexible shooting angles
  • ✓Electronic viewfinder with 60Hz refresh rate provides an alternative framing option
  • ✓Optical image stabilization (OIS) helps reduce camera shake

Cons — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

  • ✗No weather sealing, making it vulnerable to dust and moisture
  • ✗Burst shooting limited to 1.3 fps, which is slow for action photography
  • ✗No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity for wireless image transfer

Reviews — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Videos — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Review — infosyncvideos

Resources & Downloads — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Frequently Asked Questions — Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Does the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS have image stabilization?+
Yes, the SX30 IS features optical image stabilization (OIS). This is confirmed in the specifications under imageStabilization.type. In-body IS and digital IS are not present on this camera.
What memory cards are compatible with the SX30 IS?+
The camera supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. These are the three storage formats listed in the specifications.
Can I use an external flash with the SX30 IS?+
Yes. The SX30 IS has a built-in pop-up flash and is also compatible with Canon external Speedlite flashes via its standard ISO hot shoe. This is confirmed in both the flashSystem and mount.hotShoe fields of the specifications.
What is the battery life on the SX30 IS?+
The camera uses a Canon NB-7L battery and is rated for approximately 370 shots per charge according to CIPA standard testing, as listed in the battery specifications.
Does the SX30 IS support wireless connectivity?+
No. According to the specifications, both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are listed as false. The camera connects via USB and offers a Mini HDMI output for video output to external displays.
What video frame rates does the SX30 IS support?+
The SX30 IS records video at 30fps, as listed in the videoSpecs.frameRates field. Video is captured in 8-bit color with a Standard color profile available.

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