Canon XS vs Sony HX30V

Cameras
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Canon XS vs Sony HX30V

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APS-C 328.6mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon XS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XS.

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

Go in depth with our full Sony HX30V Review.
See real-world photos taken with the HX30V.

Succeeded by the Canon T3
Compare XS vs T3
Compare Canon T3 vs Sony HX30V

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Differences

Canon XS advantages over Sony HX30V

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 5.71 vs 1.26 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

500 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony HX30V advantages over Canon XS

Less expensive
$420 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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 61 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
More pixels
18.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon XS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX30V

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon XS Full Review

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 Pentax K200D

Canon XS

Pentax K200D

$440
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Pentax K200D

Sony HX30V

Pentax K200D

$477
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX30V vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS

Sony DSLR-A230

$440
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSLR-A230

Sony HX30V

Sony DSLR-A230

$477
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX30V vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon XS

Nikon D3000

$440
APS-C

Fast startup
Less shutter lag

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Nikon D3000

Sony HX30V

Nikon D3000

$477
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX30V vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Sony HX10V

Canon XS

Sony HX10V

$440
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$375
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS 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 XS

Sony HX20V

$440
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$326
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS 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

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