Clicky

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Previous Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX40 HS
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Succeeded the Pentax Q
  • Renewed by Pentax Q7
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Canon SX30 IS versus Pentax Q10, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the Q10 (12MP) is pretty close and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

The SX30 IS was unveiled 24 months prior to the Q10 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX30 IS matches up versus the Q10 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Pentax Q10

 SX30 IS Q10 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Canon SX30 IS

 Q10 SX30 IS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012September 2010Fresher by 24 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q10

 SX30 IS Q10 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX30 IS features outer dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") with a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q10 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX30 IS versus Pentax Q10 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX30 IS and the Q10.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX30 IS and Q10 is 64 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The graphic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX30 IS and Q10.

Plainly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon SX30 IS to render extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older SX30 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax Q10 Portrait photography information
42
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
48
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than others in class (601g)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (200g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX30 IS
Sports photography with Pentax Q10
43
long zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
36
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (270 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Travel photography details
Pentax Q10 Travel photography details
58
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (840mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (601g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
60
lighter than average (200 grams)
has built in flash
not so great battery life (270 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX30 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax Q10
41
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
54
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (270 CIPA)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q10 Vlogging highlights
50
rather wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (601 grams)
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (200g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external mic jack
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q10
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISPentax Q10
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Pentax Q10
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-09-14 2012-09-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 0cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 7.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000s
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 601g (1.32 lb) 200g (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.9
DXO Low light score not tested 183
Other
Battery life - 270 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-7L D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $400 $350