Of course, the SX30 is by the extreme zoom range (as mentioned current record) an interesting camera, especially when combined with its superb image stabilizer. Here the device actually has a unique selling point, that may well justify a purchase - if you attaches great importance to these strengths. The video function is good enough, so you need as an opportunity Filmer no separate video camera more.
Unfortunately, the joy is significantly reduced at the first glance on the photo results. The noise is really borderline in many shooting situations. In addition, a nearly ubiquitous chromatic aberration (color fringing on contrast edges), you either have to focus the subject on the invoice or must be subsequently calculated out on the PC.
Now for the details.
Appearance and operation
First impression when unpacking: A thin plastic box - it rustles the Above strike. In this price range you're used to a wertigeren impression of Canon products. At least that's Metal tripod mounting thread, and the processing is good overall. Pleasant is also on the front grip roughened case surface. The device is not very difficult, but relatively bulky. Size and shape are strongly reminiscent of an SLR (including a compact zoom lens.) - A similarity that is certainly intentional.
Positive: A standard mini-USB cable fits, so that you do not always dig out a special cable.
When you wake up the device is fixed, just two seconds after pressing the power button can be the first photo shoot. After that, it then continues relatively sedate, in series shoots our candidate every 1.5 to 2 seconds a picture.
Here there is a strong delay between the real scenery and display / viewfinder. One can perhaps try to trigger appropriately based on the real scene. Measured by the displayed image the shutter lag is certainly quite long.
Autofocus is not outstanding, a bit slow, but in most situations ok. Especially at the telephoto end, there are problems with focus low contrast scenes.
Absolutely succeeded, however, is the image stabilizer, which one can only describe as outstanding. Even fully durchgezoomt (840mm KB-equivalent) find it relatively easy to shoot blur-free photos.
The vari-angle display is sufficient for an assessment of the live image. In contrast, the digital viewfinder is a compromise for people who absolutely need to press your eye their camera when taking pictures. At roughly dissolved and low contrast in order to assess more than the shot can.
The flash is folded out by hand and is so strong that can be photographed with acceptable ISO 250. Prima is also the possibility of being able to control the flash intensity.
As you would expect from Canon, there is a very good menu, incl. Pop-explanatory texts. It comes out with almost no manual. The only shortcoming: It is not known at each setting carefully whether it applies only to the currently active mode or global effect. Some of the settings appear in various menus.
Image quality for photos
The overall impression of the images is quite good. Beautiful, natural color reproduction, no Rotschwäche as the competition from Nikon.
Upon closer examination, however, reveals itself unfortunately, unfortunately, a very high amount of noise. Photos from the SX30 are only up to ISO 400 more or less useful for my needs, all about falling for me to the "emergency room".
Manual and automatic adjustable are sensitivities of ISO 80 to ISO 1600. Image noise at ISO 1600 is still disturbing even after reduction to 800x600, at ISO 800, after all, still clearly visible. Assuming generously to 1600x1200, so it will be starting at ISO 400 dingy. On the whole, relatively clean photos only succeed to ISO 200. Whenever possible, you should therefore use the good stabilizer and best company with ISO 100 or 80 a slower shutter speed in purchasing. The 14 Megapixels are mere waste if you fine picture details are as it were washed away in a sea of noise.
In fact, the nominal resolution of the high noise component of the tiny image sensor is expected to be achieved in almost any shooting situation - the typical disease of all modern pixel defying non-mirror reflections. After all, would probably have been not so kampakt and inexpensively feasible with a larger sensor of extreme zoom range. Perhaps Canon would still set an example and should be limited to healthy 6-8 megapixels.
Here occurs to make matters worse, over the entire focal length range chromatic aberration to light. Especially in WW-area it is so strong that many images without finishing are useless with the appropriate software. The relatively strong distortion is still the lesser problem.
JPEGs in maximum resolution of 4320x3240 and maximum quality evidence based on image content only 2 to 5 MB, about 3 MB on average. This strong JPEG compression is only logical because the JPEG artifacts occur in comparing two of noise in the background. The absence of a RAW shooting mode fits to: A RAW workflow with pictures from this camera would be something for die-hard fans who also appreciate small improvements at a low level.
Great cinema
Finally, a positive chapter: The SX30 offers an excellent video function for shooting in the "small" HD resolution. The zoom is slowed when shooting video, to reduce disturbing noises (very reasonable) - Zoom noise is therefore also hardly hear in the recordings. Unfortunately you can hear in quiet scenes, however, (especially in the extended telephoto) chugging autofocus. A possible injury to compensate for the image stabilizer function of video in good stead - wide angle you can while walking films without the audience on the big screen are seasick later. Incidentally, the separate video trigger, actually a practical idea, somewhat inconveniently located (next to the viewfinder). So looking at the camera warped especially when stopping recording usually somewhat.
Video recordings take just under 3 MB per second. That's quite a lot, but is rewarded with clean, beautiful images. (Specification Video: AVC 720p at 29.97 fps, about 23 Mbps, Audio: Stereo PCM with 48 KHz, 1536 Kbps)
Conclusion
Overall, you can definitely be no absolute buy recommendation. If you want to just go with a huge zoom range on the game, without having to spend equal to 2000 euros for a DSLR equipment and then have to carry kilos, can with this little box well have some fun. However, if the image quality is paramount (for me it is so), you have to advise against the SX30 actually. Here the trouble will predominate. That's a real shame given the strengths of the camera.
For users who are not so keen on the large zoom range, not entirely true, the price-performance ratio. Since the respectable video function can not be reconciled. Quite interesting cell phone from me there for only three stars ***.
