• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.3 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax VS20 advantages over Canon SX30 IS

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $430 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    235g vs 615g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX30 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax VS20
Pentax VS20

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX100V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX100V

Pentax VS20
Sony HX100V
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Canon SX40 HS

Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX40 HS
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS

Pentax VS20
Canon SX40 HS
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Canon SX40 HS

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Canon SX30 IS
Olympus SZ-12
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Olympus SZ-12

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-12
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-12

Compared to Sony HX200V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX200V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX200V

Pentax VS20
Sony HX200V
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX200V

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Canon SX30 IS
Olympus SZ-16
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Olympus SZ-16

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-16
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-16

Compare Other Cameras?