Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W550
64 Imaging
37 Features
42 Overall
39


96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(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
- Released September 2010
- Replaced the Canon SX20 IS
- Successor is Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Introduced July 2011

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W550 Overview
Lets examine more closely at the Canon SX30 IS versus Sony W550, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX30 IS was launched 10 months before the W550 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX30 IS matches up versus the W550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W550 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX30 IS Gallery and Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Sony W550
SX30 IS | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon SX30 IS
W550 | SX30 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2011 | ![]() | September 2010 | More recent by 10 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Sony W550
SX30 IS | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX30 IS features external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") having a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX30 IS versus Sony W550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX30 IS against the W550.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX30 IS and W550 is 64 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specs. The photograph below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX30 IS and W550.
All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photographs though you should always take the production date of the products into consideration. The older SX30 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W550 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX30 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
Released | 2010-09-14 | 2011-07-24 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-840mm (35.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.7-5.8 | f/2.7-5.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | - | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.80 m | 3.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 601 grams (1.32 pounds) | 110 grams (0.24 pounds) |
Dimensions | 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
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 ID | NB-7L | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | - |
Price at launch | $400 | $119 |