• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Canon SX170

  • 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/3.5
    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 448 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 300 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.3 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX170 advantages over Canon SX30 IS

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $430 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    251g vs 615g
    Lighter weight

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

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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
Canon SX170
Sony HX100V
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Canon SX170
Canon SX40 HS
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

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
Canon SX170
Sony HX200V
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon SX160

Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX160
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Canon SX170
Canon SX160
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compared to Nikon L620

Canon SX30 IS
Nikon L620
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon SX170
Nikon L620
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
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