• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Sony HX30V

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.2
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 500 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony HX30V advantages over Canon SX30 IS

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    250g vs 615g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.11 vs 0.58 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX30 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX30V

Review Excerpt

  • Solid build; Fast autofocus; Excellent zoom range and functionality; Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Useful creative effects modes.

  • Image quality not as good as predecessor; No electronic viewfinder; Confusing menu system and user manual.

  • Read our Sony HX30V Express Review

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

Sony HX30V
Sony HX100V
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony HX30V 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

Sony HX30V
Canon SX40 HS
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX30V vs Canon SX40 HS

Compared to Sony HX10V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX10V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX10V

Sony HX30V
Sony HX10V
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony HX30V vs Sony HX10V

Compared to Sony HX20V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX20V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX20V

Sony HX30V
Sony HX20V
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Sony HX30V vs Sony HX20V

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

Sony HX30V
Sony HX200V
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX30V vs Sony HX200V

Compare Other Cameras?