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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS 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
  • Announced September 2010
  • Older Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX40 HS
Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Launched January 2016
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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Canon SX30 IS versus Canon SX420 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are offered by Canon. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX30 IS (14MP) and SX420 IS (20MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was introduced 6 years before the SX420 IS and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SX30 IS grades against the SX420 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Canon SX420 IS

 SX30 IS SX420 IS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon SX30 IS

 SX420 IS SX30 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2016September 2010More recent by 64 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX420 IS

 SX30 IS SX420 IS 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX30 IS features external measurements 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 SX420 IS has sizing of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX30 IS versus Canon SX420 IS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SX30 IS vs the SX420 IS.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX30 IS and SX420 IS is 64 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at specs. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX30 IS and SX420 IS.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Canon SX420 IS to resolve extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The older SX30 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography advice
Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography advice
42
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Street photography advice
Canon SX420 IS Street photography advice
49
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competitors (601 grams)
52
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX30 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX420 IS
43
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
41
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
very slow continuous shooting (0.5 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (195 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Travel photography camera
58
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (601 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
61
megapixel count good (20MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (195 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Landscape photography camera
41
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inch)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
47
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery (195 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging advice
Canon SX420 IS Vlogging advice
50
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
more heavy than competitors (601g)
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Canon SX420 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISCanon PowerShot SX420 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-09-14 2016-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 DIGIC 4+
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.5-6.6
Macro focusing distance 0cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 0.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 601 grams (1.32 lb) 325 grams (0.72 lb)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 195 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-7L NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $400 $299