Canon PowerShot SX30 IS - the world's first camera with a standard zoom indicator of 35x. For a whole range of parameters, this camera can be called outstanding. This is a range of focal lengths, and a luminous lens, and the most powerful optical stabilization system among all Canon models.
The considered device is focused on the lovers of photoshoot and people who want to fully control the process of shooting. For this, there is a whole set of plot programs, manual settings, as well as a convenient user interface and ergonomics comparable to mirror cameras.
It is worth noting that cameras with zoom ratios from 26 to 30x have been introduced by such companies as Panasonic Lumix, Olympus and Pentax. Canon, however, once again managed to jump the entire market and release a camera with the widest range of focal lengths.
Technical characteristics:
• 1 / 2.3 "CCD-sensor (5.9x4.4 mm), 14 Mp;
• DIGIC IV processor with iSAPS technology;
• 35x Canon Lens 4.3-150.0 mm (24-840 mm, 35mm equivalent), f / 2.7-5.8;
• video with sound: 1280x720, 30 fps; 640x480, 30 fps; 320x240, 30 fps;
• optical stabilization (floating element in the structure of the object);
• TTL-focusing, technology face recognition, 1-point autofocusing (in any position, with a fixed center or on a selected face);
• reversible 2.7-inch TFT LCD with variable tilt angle, approx. 230,000 pixels
• electronic 0.44-inch viewfinder, 202,000 pixels;
• focusing distance: 1 cm from the external lens of the objective (macro mode) - infinity;
• exposure metering: evaluative metering (within the autofocusing frame of the face recognition function), center-weighted integral metering, spot metering (on the center point);
• exposure compensation: –2 to +2 EV, 1/3 EV steps;
• light sensitivity ISO: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, AUTO;
• electric-mechanical shutter;
• range of extracts: 1 / 3200-15 s;
• built-in flash: auto, forced on / off, slow sync, red-eye correction;
• three power levels with built-in flash, up to 19 levels with external flashes Speedlite 220EX and 430EX II, 22 levels with 580EX II;
• radius of action of the flash: 0.50-5.8 m (wide angle) / 1.4-2.8 m (tele);
• balance white: auto, daylight, cloudy, incandescent lamp, fluorescent lamp, high-temperature fluorescent lamp, custom settings;
• rezhimy semki: avtomatichesky, programmnaya avtoekspozitsiya, avtoekspozitsiya with prioritetom vyderzhki, avtoekspozitsiya with prioritetom diaphragm ruchnoy, polzovatelsky, portret, peyzazh, nochnaya stsena, sport, rezhim semki panoram, rezhim recording videoklipa, osobaya stsena (CONTINUOUS Po ulybke, effekt thumbnails Fisheye, indoor shooting, night mode, sunset, foliage, snow, beach, fireworks, aquarium, color accentuation mode, color change mode), super macro photography;
• Effects: function "My Colors" (My Colors) (disabled, vivid colors, neutral, sepia, black-and-white, positive film, lightening of skin tone, darkening of skin tone-blue, bright red );
• shooting methods: frame-by-frame, continuous, self-timer, FaceSelf-timer (self-timer when a new object appears in the frame);
• USB 2.0 for PC connection, audio and video output (PAL / NTSC), DC IN;
• support for memory cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC plus, HC MMC plus;
• file formats: JPEG (Exif 2.2, 3 levels of compression), MOV (H.264 + linear PCM (stereo));
• 25 languages menyu (Russian and Ukrainian are present);
• power supply: lithium-ion battery NB-7L, 1050 mAh;
• operating conditions: temperature 0-40 ° C, humidity 10-90%;
• plastic case;
• dimensions: 122.9 x 92.4 x 107.7 mm;
• weight with battery and memory card: 619 g.
Ergonomics and appearance
The camera turned out to be small and not light - the kit with a battery and a memory card weighs more than 600 g, which corresponds to the weight of an average mirror camera with a whale. Model SX30 IS is not meant to be carried in a bag, but will fit in a backpack or special case.
It is convenient to hold the camera: the handle cannot be called large, but the grip is both one and two hands quite comfortable. On subjective feelings, in the exterior of the device inadequate rubber inserts and the body seem a little slippery, especially if you hold the ultrasound with one hand.
The solidity of the body of the SX30 IS immediately catches the eye. The camera is made of black matte and structural plastic, which is very durable. Traces of nails inevitably remain on it.
The lens, enclosed in a strong metal tube, was created according to technical documents and standards that are used in the production of lenses for Canon EOS mirror cameras, EF line. This part is equipped with a cover that does not fall when pulled out, as it is attached to the movable part.By using the clip on the inner side, the cover can be lifted onto a strap. For the convenience of a photograph, the lens is marked with an equivalent focus distance.
In addition to the massive lens, on the front side of the SX30 IS, you can view two microphones for recording stereo sound and a bright green LED for the auto-focusing eye lamp
The model has a fairly powerful built-in flash. If it is recharging, the camera will not take a picture until the flash is fully charged. Recharging time takes from 4 to 8 seconds. The camera can shoot about 18 frames with a flash, which is a very good result. If the memory card is full to the limit, then when you try to remove the device, you will not even try to focus.
The speaker is located on the left of the SX30 IS, and on the right is USB for connecting to a computer and TV, an HDMI connector. The compartment for the battery and memory card is located on the bottom of the camera. There is also a hole for mounting on a tripod.
Immediately, I would like to clarify the moment on the basis of the optical zoom. Zoom - the number that is received as a result of dividing the maximum focusing distance (tele) by the minimum (wide angle). This is not an absolute, but a relative value. Let us compare two identical digital cameras with lenses with effective focal lengths of 28-840 and 24-840 mm. In the first case, the zoom will be 30x, and in the second case, it will be 35x. At maximum zoom, both cameras will show identical magnification and the same viewing angle.
But without zooming, a camera with a lens with an effective focal distance of 24-840 mm will give out a larger viewing angle and thus capture more space. The second camera is the Canon SX30 IS. The first camera - this is already existing for some time on the market of Olympus ultrazoom, model SP-800 UZ. Equivalent focusing distance at maximum zoom of this identical Canon model in question.
Konstruktsiya obektiva osnovana on neskolkih spetsialnyh opticheskih elementah including from ultranizkodispersnogo element (UD) and stekla elementa with vysokim koeffitsientom prelomleniya (Hi-UD) and for kompensatsii aberratsy sohraneniya vysokogo kachestva izobrazheniya vo vsem diapazone fokusnyh rasstoyany.
The SX30 IS uses the same lithium-ion rechargeable battery as the camera Canon PowerShot G11... This is one of the key differences of the described device from the predecessor model SX20 ISwhich used AA type finger batteries.
It is thanks to the use of lithium-ion batteries that the manufacturer managed to slightly reduce the dimensions of the device, in particular, to reduce the weight and to reduce the dimensions of the handle.
The USM (ultrasonic) motor is designed for fast autofocusing. The Voice Coil Motor module allows you to work quickly, accurately and quietly with the zoom mechanism. Since the SX30 IS is capable of capturing HD quality video clips, it is critically important that the microphone does not capture any ambient sounds during recording.
The very same model looks very much like a mirror camera Canon EOS 550D, and it is not possible for an inexperienced user to recognize a conventional digital camera in it from a distance. The device in question has both a built-in flash and a connector for connecting external blitzes. Normally, the connector is covered with a rubber plug to prevent dust and moisture.
One of the most important features of the SX30 IS is the rotating display. According to the existing statistics, 90% of the frames that won in various photo contests were taken not from the level of the photographer's eyes, but from the position above the head or from the ground level. And although the rotating screen itself is not uncommon, it will allow without special problems for the owner to receive non-standard compositions, to shoot with a tripod and record video clips from the hands. The whole rotary mechanism and the body of the LCD display are metal.
In addition to the rotating screen, the camera has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 202,000 pixels. If you turn the display with the front side inward, switching between it and the viewfinder is automatic.
The camera is turned on with the ON / OFF button. View mode is launched without object layout when you press the Play button. The location of the controls is intuitive and convenient.
Video
The SX30 IS camera is capable of recording video clips in 720p resolution at a frequency of 30 frames per second.Stereo sound is being recorded during the shooting, you can use optical and digital zoom, 2-3 times digital zoom is practically not reflected on the quality of the video. For the convenience of the user, video recording can be started from any mode - a dedicated video start button is located on the back of the camera.
During video recording, automatic scene recognition and stabilization are in operation. It is worth noting the excellent performance of the last one - even at the maximum zoom, the shaking of the picture is almost not felt. It is noteworthy that zooming can be done both slowly and quickly.
In the process of shooting a movie, you can take photos (this moment will be recorded as a small interruption). Sound recording is also configurable - you can change the sensitivity of the microphone and even operate the wind noise reduction, etc.
And if you squeeze the zoom lever all the way, the camera literally in a second will reach the equivalent focal length of 840 mm, which is the same as the maximum 35x zoom. During video recording, only the slow zoom mode works - in order to minimize the sounds of the drives and allow the autofocusing system to work in the following mode.
Since the camera offers full access to manual adjustments and even manual focusing, fast navigation is extremely important. For the convenience of the photo, there is a navigation dial that surrounds the 4-position joystick. The movement of the disc is very smooth and soft. All keys have become substantially larger when compared with previous models.
Menu
The software part of the SX30 IS is very well thought out and easy to learn. The menu is extremely intuitive: even for a newbie, it will be easy to figure out all the settings in the shortest possible time, in addition, for each item, a little help is displayed. There are no hangs. Access to a few settings is made in a couple of clicks.
The menu is linked to the shooting mode. In full automatic mode, most of the settings are hidden, in other modes there are limited values. For example, in the automatic mode, the camera will only allow you to change the resolution of pictures and video clips, and in the programmed auto-exposure mode, you can change a wide range of parameters.
You can evaluate the captured material in the preview mode, which is called without extending the zoom lens. As in previous Canon models, the captured frames can be divided into categories in order to facilitate further viewing. The "Smart Display" function is very interesting, which offers a selection of several photos that look like the one being viewed at the moment.
It is easy to evaluate the exposure of the frame by the histogram, on which the overlit areas are also shown. The exposure bar is displayed for convenience.
The SX30 IS has one user-configurable key, to which you can assign one of the many functions (face selection, flash power compensation, exposure metering, resolution / quality of compression of photos and video materials, next focusing, auto focus and auto exposure lock, digital TV display
In addition, a special “MY MENU” mode is available, which can be filled with the most frequently used settings.
Of the programmatic improvements, it is worth noting the connection between the settings in the main menu and the items of the special menu (a tip with extended settings is displayed). This is true for flash settings and continuous shooting. The blitz setting key functions simultaneously in several modes. It brings up the flash mode menu. Sequential pressing will allow you to switch between them, and holding the button for a second will cause an extended operation menu with a built-in flash.
Since the camera is positioned as extended, there is also full manual control of aperture and shutter speed, as well as manual focusing.
Canon has introduced a new Zoom Framing Assist function that allows you to quickly switch between focal lengths. With this, the frame will mark the area of magnification, which the photographer observed in front of this, which is convenient when shooting moving objects trying to leave the area of the frame. It works like this: while the corresponding button is pressed, the camera returns to a shorter focus distance, and a frame appears on the screen, corresponding to the forthcoming magnification. You align the frame with the desired object, remove your finger from the button - and the lens will return to the high zoom position.
Test shots
If the recognized face is with closed eyes, after shooting the camera will give a warning and give a chance to re-frame. For the convenience of shooting auto-portraits when the screen is turned to itself, the device has a reverse function - a mirror image of what the SX30 sensor “sees” is shown.
Several additional functions of the automatic timer are associated with the definition of faces in the frame. First, the camera is now capable of recognizing smiles and, with the appropriate mode, take a picture as only some of the people being filmed will smile. Secondly, when shooting group portraits, you just need to wink at the camera to turn on the countdown timer. Third, the self-timer turns on when a new face is detected in the frame.
There are many favorite tilt-shift-lens imitation programs (miniature effect), which also work during the shooting of video clips.
We liked the work of the built-in flash - both in macro photography, and in indoor photography, and in the background light, it worked just fine. It is worth noting that the camera also recognizes scenes both with sharp shadows and in the light of projectors (convenient for shooting concerts).
Unlike SX130 IS, the work of automatics in the SX30 IS did not cause any complaints.
Geometric distortion of the lens in the wide-angle position along the edges of the frame, as well as the loss of sharpness and violet-green aberrations, are visible to the unattended eye. As far as noise is concerned, at ISO 80 they are not noticeable, however, at 100% magnification, some noise reduction artifacts are visible. With an increase in ISO up to 1600, the colors almost do not lose saturation and do not fade, but a noticeable loss of detailing already takes place at ISO 400, visible noise at an increase is at ISO 200.
Automatics of an exposure works without naming. In the position of the maximum zoom on the contrast transitions, the chromatic aberrations are moderate.
Focal distance 24 mm
840 mm focal distance (35x zoom)
One can only guess about the presence of some objects in the photographs of the general plan, and thanks to the 35x zoom, one can consider a lot.
In the corners of the frame, the loss of sharpness and its own violet-green chromatic aberrations are well noticeable.
Macro photography
Miniature effect
Pros:
• speed of work and high ergonomics;
• Powerful stabilization system;
• rotary display;
• excellent macro photography;
• HD-video shooting with stereo sound and zooming capability;
• manual settings;
• flexibility of the interface and settings "My MENU";
• the largest indicator of optical zoom among compact cameras;
• quality of assembly;
• good battery life (550 frames).
Minuses:
• loss of detailization to ISO 400;
• artifacts of noise suppression;
• lack of RAW;
• large weight and dimensions.
Conclusion
Camera Canon PowerShot SX30 IS It turned out to be excellent, balanced and multifunctional. It has everything that you can need: shooting in auto mode, access to manual settings, powerful, quiet and fast lens, excellent ergonomics, shooting HD-video - the list is very easy.
If you are looking for the maximum possible zoom, consistently high image quality and ease of use - the SX30 IS is the perfect choice. With its 35x zoom, you can not move at all - it is able to show what you would not even be able to see with the untrained eye. Shooting at the maximum zoom is possible at short shutter speeds, i.e. with very good lighting. Even in spite of the strong stabilizer, blurring of pictures at 35x magnification is difficult to avoid.
However, the presence of a large zoom in such a body excludes the possibility of setting the sensor to a larger extent (the 1 / 2.3-inch matrix is not a markup, but the need for a camera is a prerequisite for the power). Also, the camera is not capable of recording in RAW format, which is depressing, if you take into account the cost of the device and the target audience. Today for this money without a problem you can buy a budget mirror camera with a whale lens.
