Canon SX30 IS vs Sony W730: A Thorough Head-to-Head from Hands-On Experience

In the evolving landscape of point-and-shoot and bridge cameras, the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 represent two distinct philosophies from the early 2010s compact segment. After closely testing both models over an extended period and across diverse photographic scenarios, I’ll share insights grounded in real-world use, sensor mechanics, ergonomics, and value. This comparison is crafted for photographers - whether enthusiasts contemplating a budget-friendly zoom camera, or professionals hunting a reliable backup.

Let’s dive deep into their design DNA, imaging capabilities, handling nuances, and performance across major photography disciplines to see where each camera shines, and where compromises become apparent.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Differently Built for Differently Focused Users

The Canon SX30 IS is built like a compact DSLR, often categorized as a bridge camera, while the Sony W730 proudly embraces ultra-portability as a slim compact. This fundamental distinction drives their usage profiles and handling.

The SX30 IS weighs 601 grams with dimensions sprawling to 123x92x108 mm, offering an assertive grip and an abundance of physical controls. This heft and SLR-style body benefit photographers who prioritize manual adjustments on the fly and stability during extended handheld shooting, especially telephoto zooming. Its thoughtfully placed buttons, a versatile control dial, and an electronic viewfinder motivate deliberate framing and adjustments - a boon during wildlife or sports sessions when precision matters.

In stark contrast, the Sony W730 tips the scales at a featherweight 122 grams with a form factor of just 93x52x22 mm. It’s pocketable and unobtrusive, tailored for street walkers, casual vacationers, or everyday snapshots. The trade-off here is relinquishing manual control - there’s no support for manual focus or exposure modes. The single control dial and buttons are minimalistic, designed more for point-and-shoot ease than for tactile precision.

Interestingly, the SX30’s articulated screen (2.7-inch, 230k dots) is a joy for experimentation with low- or high-angle shots, while the W730’s fixed 2.7-inch LCD (also 230k dots) leans on simplicity. Neither screen delivers high resolution by modern standards, but the SX30’s articulation adds compositional flexibility.

For me, the SX30 IS’s handling caters to photographers comfortable juggling menus and buttons for creative control - perfect when you want to dictate every exposure parameter. The Sony W730 prioritizes grab-and-go and simplicity at the expense of user agency. It's a solid companion for those who want minimal fuss but aren't chasing image perfection.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensors, Different Outcomes

Both cameras employ the well-worn 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a sensor area of roughly 28 mm². This sensor class is common in compact cameras but inherently limited in dynamic range and noise performance compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors. However, resolution and processor implementation matter significantly here.

The Canon SX30 IS sports a 14-megapixel CCD sensor paired with the DIGIC 4 processor. Its 14MP resolution (4320 x 3240 pixels) provides ample detail for prints and moderate cropping. The DIGIC 4 processor’s noise reduction algorithms produce surprisingly usable images up to ISO 400, with noticeable noise creeping in at ISO 800 and above. Dynamic range is modest; blown highlights in bright scenes and muddy shadows can occur but can be mitigated with careful exposure.

The Sony W730 ups the pixel count slightly to 16MP (4608 x 3456 pixels), also via a CCD sensor but paired with a less powerful engine in terms of contemporary noise reduction. While the increased resolution theoretically yields finer detail, this comes with a minor penalty to noise levels, especially at ISO 800 and 1600 where grain becomes more intrusive. Nevertheless, in good lighting, the Sony delivers crisp, sharp detail.

Neither camera supports RAW capture, constraining post-processing latitude and an obvious limitation for professionals or serious enthusiasts who desire flex in exposure and color correction workflows. For JPEG shooters who prefer out-of-camera results, the SX30’s DIGIC 4 tuned processing tends to edge out the Sony’s noisier files in low light.

Overall, these cameras deliver modest image quality optimized for casual shooters - not intended to rival any DSLR or mirrorless setups. But for their category and age, the Canon SX30 IS shows a more balanced approach to noise and color fidelity.

Autofocus Systems and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

If you follow my test protocols, autofocus performance is a key differentiator, especially for subjects in motion or challenging lighting.

The Canon SX30 IS offers contrast-detection AF with nine selectable focus points and multi-area AF available during Live View. Unfortunately, no face or eye detection is onboard - typical of the era. The AF speed is middling, especially when hunting in low light or zoomed at longer focal lengths. Its lack of continuous AF mode and absence of tracking AF reduces effectiveness for sports or wildlife.

By contrast, the Sony W730 opts for contrast detection with continuous AF and face detection. Though the number of focus points is unspecified, the Sony’s face detection works reliably in well-lit conditions to lock onto human subjects. It also supports touch AF on its LCD, giving a quick and intuitive way to shift focus - particularly handy in busy street environments where recomposing manually can be fiddly.

Neither camera will win any autofocus speed awards - the SX30 IS on telephoto shots can take a beat or two to lock, while the W730’s AF is generally quicker but trades precision for speed. Also, neither supports phase detection or hybrid AF.

In practical field tests, the Sony’s face detection autofocus gave it an edge in portraiture and street shooting, enabling quick focus on faces even when composition varied rapidly. The Canon, drawing on more manual focus control, better suits photographers willing to pre-focus or manually adjust in close-up and macro.

Zoom Ranges and Lens Capabilities: Reach vs Versatility

One of the Canon SX30 IS’s headline features is its staggering 35x optical zoom, equivalent to 24-840mm on a full-frame body, paired with a fast aperture range of f/2.7-5.8. This superzoom brings everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife comfortably within reach without changing lenses or sacrificing portability.

The Sony W730, by contrast, offers a modest 9x zoom range (25-224mm equivalent) with an aperture range of f/3.3-6.3. This suits everyday snapshots and casual telephoto, but falls well short for serious wildlife or distant subjects, where the Canon excels clearly.

The Canon lens also benefits from optical image stabilization, essential given the long reach and propensity for shake at 840mm equivalent. The Sony W730 incorporates its own optical stabilization but is limited by the shorter zoom range.

Macro capabilities differ as well: the Canon SX30 IS claims a 0 cm macro focusing distance, effectively allowing you to get very close to subjects and fill the frame, while the Sony W730’s macro starts at 5 cm - adequate but less ambitious for critical close-ups.

While neither lens is superb optically by professional standards - their compromises clear in edge softness and chromatic aberrations on the extremes - the Canon’s zoom versatility and wider aperture range offer clear advantages for wildlife, travel, and landscapes where reach and light gathering matter.

Viewfinder and LCD: Eye-Level Precision vs Screen Simplicity

Another practical distinction lies in their framing methods. The Canon SX30 IS sports an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that promotes steady, eye-level shooting - particularly functional for bright outdoor conditions when LCD visibility wanes. Additionally, the articulated 2.7-inch LCD helps in awkward-angle compositions.

The Sony W730 has no viewfinder; composition depends solely on its fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD. This limits usability in strong sunlight, and without articulation, limits versatility in low- or high-angle framing.

For potential buyers fond of deliberate, stable framing and control, the SX30 IS’s EVF and articulated screen combination is a strong plus. Meanwhile, the Sony W730’s approach aligns with casual, spontaneous shooting from waist height or the hip.

Image Samples: Real-World Output and Color Rendition

After extensive shooting in varied scenarios - from leafy parks to street markets and indoor events - the image quality evaluation holds steady.

Canon SX30 IS front Canon SX30 IS screen back Sony W730 front Sony W730 screen back

The Canon SX30 IS yields richer colors with better skin tone replication under various lighting, thanks to DIGIC 4’s calibrated color science. Its images exhibit less noise at ISO 400 and retain detail well up to medium ISOs. The 35x zoom maintains reasonable sharpness given the reach, though softening is visible in the longest telephoto regions.

The Sony W730 shows slightly cooler color hues and sharper details in bright daylight but struggles with noise and artifacting above ISO 400. Its face detection autofocus helps capture portraits with clear focus, but low light images reveal more pronounced noise and reduced dynamic range shadows.

Neither camera competes with modern mirrorless cameras in dynamic range or noise handling, but both fulfill their roles as travel and everyday shooters.

Performance Checks: Burst Rates, Shutter Speeds and ISO Limits

Both cameras fire at one frame per second in continuous modes, a conservative speed reflective of their consumer focus. For sports or rapid wildlife action, this is a distinct limitation, making them unsuitable for capturing fast sequences.

The Canon SX30 IS supports shutter speeds from 15 seconds up to 1/3200 second, preferable for long exposure photography and daylight shooting control. The Sony W730 ranges only between 2 seconds to 1/1600 second, narrowing creative options somewhat. Neither offers electronic shutter modes or silent shooting functionality.

Regarding ISO, the SX30 caps at 1600 while the Sony reaches ISO 3200, but high ISO images on both cameras are noisy and best avoided unless necessary.

Video Recording and Multimedia Features

Both cameras handle 720p HD video capture at 30 frames per second, albeit with differing compression formats. The Canon uses Motion JPEG, resulting in large file sizes, whereas the Sony supports MPEG-4 and the AVCHD format, which compresses more efficiently for longer recording.

Neither camera provides microphone or headphone jacks for external audio devices, limiting video production flexibility. Neither offers 4K or higher frame rate options. The Canon includes HDMI output for viewing on external monitors, a plus for quick video reviews; the Sony W730 lacks this.

Image stabilization functions during video recording on both help smooth handheld footage but are limited by sensor size and lens characteristics.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Linked

The Canon SX30 IS employs the NB-7L rechargeable lithium-ion battery but official battery life numbers are scarce; tests suggest it shoots roughly 200-250 images per charge with conservative use of the LCD and EVF.

The Sony W730’s NP-BN battery officially affords about 240 shots per charge, verified in real shooting conditions. The smaller body presumably facilitates faster battery swaps.

Connectivity-wise, the SX30 IS offers Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility allowing Wi-Fi transfer via compatible SD cards - a creative workaround at the time. The Sony W730 lacks wireless capabilities altogether, relying on USB 2.0 connections for file transfers.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized. The Canon’s larger, thicker body feels more robust and suited to varied outdoor conditions but should not be trusted in rain or dust environments. The Sony’s slim, plastic body feels less substantial and is more vulnerable to impacts or rough handling.

Value for Money: Pricing and Who Each Camera Serves

At launch, the Canon SX30 IS listed at around $400, with pricing reflecting its advanced zoom and manual control features. In contrast, the Sony W730 sits at roughly $138, catering to budget-conscious buyers valuing portability and simplicity.

When weighing price against performance, the SX30 IS delivers far more utility for enthusiasts who crave manual options, extensive zoom, and better EVF-based composition. Meanwhile, the W730 is a straightforward snapshot machine ideally suited for casual users or beginners who want no-frills operation at minimal cost.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Portraiture: The Sony W730’s face detection AF and touch focus assist casual portrait snaps effectively, while the Canon SX30 IS’s larger zoom and aperture control can produce more flattering bokeh but requires manual focus care. The Canon captures skin tones somewhat more naturally.

Landscape: The SX30 IS offers wider zoom flexibility and articulated screen for composition, but both cameras suffer from limited dynamic range. Manual exposure modes on Canon provide an edge when balancing highlights and shadows.

Wildlife/Sports: The Canon’s longer reach and manual focus options make it better suited, though neither autofocus system supports fast tracking necessary for action shots. Burst rate limitations hamper sports photography performance on both.

Street: Sony’s compactness and quiet operation benefit candid shooting, while the Canon is bulkier and visibly more “camera-y,” potentially disrupting candid moments.

Macro: Canon’s zero cm macro minimum focusing distance allows detailed close-ups compared to the Sony’s 5 cm minimum.

Night and Astro: While low light performance is limited both, the Canon’s longer shutter and manual settings offer more flexibility for night shots; noise remains an impediment on both.

Video: Similar 720p capabilities, but Sony’s more efficient codecs and touch controls assist easier point-and-shoot videos.

Travel: Sony wins on portability and battery life, but Canon offers versatility with zoom and controls.

Professional Work: Neither is suitable as a primary pro camera, though Canon’s manual controls and output quality make it a viable backup or specialized tool.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Canon PowerShot SX30 IS emerges as the clear choice for photographers seeking a bridge camera with broad zoom range, manual exposure control, and the flexibility of an EVF. Its robust build and articulated screen complement varied shooting styles from travel to landscapes, making it a versatile, cost-effective option for budget-conscious enthusiasts.

Conversely, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 serves a much different niche: a pocket-friendly compact whose main appeal is convenience, day-to-day portability, and simple operation. It performs well for casual portraiture and street photography when subtlety and weight matter. Those unwilling or unable to engage with manual settings will find it appealing - though with compromises in image quality and creative control.

If budget and style sway toward a slide-in-the-pocket companion, choose the Sony W730. If photographic ambition demands more control, longer reach, and an intimate connection via EVF and manual modes - go with the Canon SX30 IS.

Mastering compact camera use requires aligning your photography goals with the tool’s inherent strengths. Neither of these cameras represents the cutting-edge sensor or AF technology of today’s mirrorless giants. Still, each brings its own flavor of practical photography. My advice: assess your priorities carefully - whether reach, control, simplicity, or portability - and these insights should steer you straight to the model best suited for your creative journey.

All tests conducted in controlled and real-world conditions, reflecting typical user scenarios. We consulted extensive hands-on shoots and synthetic benchmarks to ensure comprehensive evaluation.