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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX20 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX40 HS
Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon SX30 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX50 HS
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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are produced by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the SX40 HS (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was manufactured 12 months earlier than the SX40 HS so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX30 IS scores versus the SX40 HS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Canon SX40 HS

 SX30 IS SX40 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Canon SX30 IS

 SX40 HS SX30 IS 
ReleasedSeptember 2011September 2010More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX40 HS

 SX30 IS SX40 HS 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX30 IS has outer dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Canon SX40 HS has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SX30 IS versus the SX40 HS.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX30 IS and SX40 HS is 64 and 64 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX30 IS and SX40 HS.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon SX30 IS to render more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older SX30 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography advice
Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography advice
42
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
41
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
has face detect focusing
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX30 IS
Street photography with Canon SX40 HS
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competitors (601g)
49
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than average (600 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX40 HS as a Sports photography camera
43
incredible zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
43
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Travel photography advice
Canon SX40 HS Travel photography advice
58
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (840mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (601g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
55
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (840mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (600g)
low resolution (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX40 HS Landscape photography advice
41
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse function
38
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX40 HS Vlogging features
50
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competitors (601g)
57
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
does not have mic port
heavier than average (600 grams)
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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX40 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISCanon PowerShot SX40 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-09-14 2011-09-15
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/2.7-5.8
Macro focusing range 0cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - PureColor II VA TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 7.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 601 gr (1.32 pounds) 600 gr (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-7L NB-10L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $400 $330