Canon SX730 HS vs Fujifilm HS30EXR: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

When it comes to superzoom cameras, few models evoke the warmth of nostalgia or practical charm quite like the Canon SX730 HS and the Fujifilm HS30EXR. Both sit in a niche beloved by travelers, casual enthusiasts, and hobbyists craving a versatile, pocketable camera with a hefty zoom range. They hail from different generations - the SX730 HS released in 2017, and the HS30EXR dating back to 2012 - and from brands with different philosophies. I’ve spent many hours putting these two through their paces and comparing their real-world performance, so let’s break down how they stack up for various photography needs.

Before we dive in, here’s a quick look at their physical differences...

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Portability vs. Grip

Look at the Canon SX730 HS and the Fujifilm HS30EXR side by side, and you’ll immediately notice the SX730’s compactness versus the more substantial, SLR-style Fujifilm bridge body. The SX730 HS is nimble - 110 x 64 x 40 mm, weighing just 300 grams, fitting easily in most coat pockets or smaller bags. The Fujifilm measures 131 x 97 x 126 mm and weighs 687 grams, offering a heftier, more substantial feel. The camera’s bulk and grip shape make it feel more like a traditional DSLR, which some users appreciate for stability, especially when wielding long telephoto focal lengths.

In practical terms, if your ideal camera is pocket-friendly, slips in a carry-on bag effortlessly, and doesn’t call attention, the Canon SX730 HS wins. The Fujifilm HS30EXR requires a dedicated space but rewards you with a more stereo-like grip and easy access to physical controls, which also helps with one-handed operation and shooting in challenging conditions.

Speaking of controls...

Design and Control Layout: Intuitive Navigation or Classic DSLR Style?

Both cameras aim to provide manual control but approach the user interface differently. The Canon’s top layout is clean and simple - you mostly rely on a mode dial, a few buttons, and a rear control wheel. Its tilting 3-inch screen and lack of a viewfinder mean you’re often shooting live on the LCD. The Fujifilm HS30EXR offers a traditional electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage (a real plus when shooting in bright outdoor conditions), alongside a larger tilting screen with less resolution but also a “Sunny Day” mode, which boosts visibility in harsh light.

The Fujifilm’s design favors DSLR-type handling with more dedicated buttons, switches, and a bigger zoom rocker. If you’re someone who appreciates tactile feedback and quick-access physical dials - especially for settings like ISO, exposure compensation, or focusing modes - the HS30EXR is a better match. The Canon, while user-friendly and modern, leans toward a beginner-to-enthusiast crowd that values simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s the key technical arena. Both cameras use 1/2.3” type sensors, common in superzooms, but their details differ meaningfully. The SX730 HS packs 20.3 megapixels on a 6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor, while the HS30EXR features 16 megapixels on a slightly larger 6.4 x 4.8 mm EXR CMOS sensor.

Though just a sliver of difference in sensor dimension, it translates into noticeable ramifications for noise performance and dynamic range, particularly in low light or high contrast scenes. The Exmor CMOS sensor in the Canon benefits from DIGIC 6 processing, focusing on noise reduction and color fidelity, while the Fujifilm’s EXR sensor employs unique pixel technology aiming to optimize dynamic range and improve signal-to-noise ratio, particularly in high-contrast situations.

In practical tests, the Canon SX730 HS tends to resolve finer detail thanks to the higher megapixel count, but this comes at the expense of increased noise past ISO 800. The Fuji’s sensor, with fewer pixels and a somewhat better high-ISO boost (up to 12800 ISO in extended modes), maintains better color and texture fidelity in dim light, though noise still becomes evident. The Canon’s max ISO tops out at 3200 natively, which feels limiting, especially for indoor or night shooting.

Regarding optics, Canon’s 40x zoom range from 24-960 mm (in 35mm equivalent) impresses with sheer reach but starts at a slower aperture of F3.3 at wide angle to F6.9 at telephoto. The Fujifilm offers a faster F2.8-5.6 aperture but with a slightly shorter zoom range of 24-720 mm. In practice, the Fuji’s brighter aperture wide-angle offers more flexibility for low-light landscapes and interiors, while Canon’s longer reach may appeal to birders or wildlife photographers constrained by budget.

LCD and EVF Experience: Seeing Your Shot

The LCD screens and viewfinders often dictate usability in varying lighting. The Canon SX730 HS’s 3-inch tilting screen with 922k dots is crisp and flexible. The lack of touch control is a minor downside these days but doesn’t hamper navigation excessively.

Fujifilm’s 3-inch LCD with 460k dots is less sharp but features “Sunny Day” mode, brightening the display for easier use in direct sun. More importantly, Fujifilm includes an electronic viewfinder, which many outdoors photographers swear by to frame accurately without worrying about glare or camera shake while holding on to the camera body.

If you extensively shoot outdoors or need critical framing precision, the Fuji’s EVF is a clear advantage. For casual smartphone-style live view or selfies (which the SX730 supports), Canon appeals more.

Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Performance in Action

Both cameras employ contrast-detect autofocus systems without phase-detection points, which isn’t surprising given their small sensors and bridge/compact designs.

Canon SX730 HS offers 5.9 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting with face detection and autofocus tracking available. The Fujifilm HS30EXR pushes higher, with 11 fps burst rates that are impressive for a bridge camera from its era.

Real-world testing shows the Fujifilm’s AF is generally quicker and more accurate, especially in good lighting, thanks to dedicated AF modes and a larger viewfinder aiding composition adjustments. The Canon’s focus is adequate for casual shooting but sometimes slower to lock, notably in dim conditions or on moving subjects.

For sports and wildlife, where rapid focus and frame rates matter, the Fujifilm has the edge. The Canon can still be useful for slower subjects or general photography but might frustrate when chasing quick action.

Lens Compatibilities and Macro Abilities

Neither camera has an interchangeable lens mount; both use fixed lenses, so your optical versatility rests solely on the zoom range and macro capabilities.

Macro-wise, both cameras impress with close focusing down to about 1 cm. This allows for tight detail shots of flowers, textures, or small subjects.

Canon’s longer zoom reach comes paired with Optical Image Stabilization, essential for telephoto sharpness handheld. Fujifilm counters with sensor-shift stabilization, which helps across all focal lengths and makes macro handheld shots surprisingly steady.

For macro enthusiasts, I find the sensor-shift system on the Fujifilm slightly more forgiving in creating smooth, shake-free close-ups, but Canon offers long-distance macro-capable reach you can’t ignore.

Video Capture: Where Do They Stand?

Video modes reflect their release period differences. Canon records Full HD 1080p at 60 fps with H.264 compression, making footage smooth and relatively sharp for casual use. It lacks 4K or high frame rate slow-motion, but 1080p60 is nice for dynamic scenes.

The Fujifilm HS30EXR records 1080p video at 30 fps, capped compared to Canon, and only up to HD 720p at 30 fps at lower modes. Audio input via an external microphone jack is a notable advantage, though Fujifilm doesn’t offer headphone output for monitoring.

Neither camera shines as a serious video tool by today’s standards, but Canon’s smoother frame rate and superior codec make it friendlier for casual videographers, vloggers, or travel shooters. Fujifilm’s mic jack tips the scale if audio quality is a concern, but its lower frame rate limits slow-motion capture.

Battery Life and Storage: Lifespan in the Field

Battery life is always crucial for fieldwork or travel. The SX730 HS touts around 250 shots per charge, translating to a moderate day of shooting if you keep the camera in power-saving modes intermittently. It uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack specific to Canon.

Fujifilm’s battery stats aren’t officially published for the HS30EXR, but users report roughly 300+ shots per charge using the NP-W126 battery, which is a slightly larger form factor than Canon’s pack. This can translate to longer sessions but also adds bulk.

Both cameras support standard SD/SDHC/SDXC media cards, single slots only, with no particular advantage here.

Connectivity: Wireless and Ports

Here, Canon clearly embraces modern convenience. The SX730 HS integrates built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, allowing instant sharing, remote shutter control via smartphone apps, and straightforward connectivity to social media or cloud services. This is invaluable for contemporary photographers who prioritize quick sharing or wireless backup.

Fujifilm HS30EXR, the older model, offers no wireless features but does provide USB 2.0 and mini-HDMI outputs for tethered shooting and external display.

If connectivity and integrating into a smart workflow matter most to you, the Canon’s wireless suite is a decisive advantage.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. Both should be treated carefully and not exposed to harsh environments.

However, the Fujifilm’s bigger heft and traditional bridge shape lend it a sturdier-feeling build; the Canon performs well for its class but feels more fragile due to the lightweight compact body.

What You Get for Your Money: Price-to-Performance

At around $399 retail, the Canon SX730 HS represents a solid value for travelers and casual superzoom shooters wanting modern wireless features, good image quality, and decent video. The Fujifilm HS30EXR can be found second-hand near $430 or less, appealing to enthusiasts who want DSLR ergonomics, faster burst shooting, and slightly better manual control.

If you weigh features versus price, the Canon’s newer tech, connectivity, and longer zoom may justify the expense. For shutterbugs who prize speed, EVF, and manual control over convenience, the Fujifilm appeals.

How They Handle Different Photography Types

Let’s take a closer look at genre-specific performance to help you figure out which camera fits your style.

Portraits

Neither camera supports RAW capture except the Fujifilm, which is critical for serious portrait post-processing. Canon’s higher MP count aids detail, but limitations in noise control may affect skin tones in low light. Eye detection autofocus on both is basic and limited by contrast detection systems.

If portraits are a priority, Fuji’s RAW support and manual controls provide more editing freedom, but the Canon’s face detection and better color science produce pleasing JPEG skins straight from the camera.

Landscapes

Dynamic range is a weakness across compact sensors, but Fujifilm’s EXR sensor historically offers a slight edge in retaining shadow and highlight detail - a plus for landscapes. Canon’s zoom outperforms for framing distant landscapes, but keep ISO low.

Weather sealing absence means both struggle in harsh outdoor environments.

Wildlife

For birdwatchers or wildlife snappers, Canon’s 40x 24-960mm lens is a compelling lure, coupled with Optical Image Stabilization that aids sharp handheld shots at long reach. Yet, Fujifilm’s faster burst rates and more responsive autofocus make chasing movement smoother, even with shorter zoom.

Sports

Fast autofocus and high frame rates shine on the Fujifilm with 11 fps continuous shooting. Canon’s 5.9 fps can feel sluggish, reducing keeper rates for fast action.

Street Photography

Canon’s compact footprint and quiet operation suit discrete street shooting. Fujifilm’s bulkier size and louder zoom may attract unwanted attention. Both handle low light moderately, but Canon’s faster aperture at wide end and newer sensor give it a slight edge.

Macro

Both cameras can focus very close, but Fujifilm’s sensor-shift stabilization helps keep macro shoots sharp handheld, whereas Canon’s longer zoom helps isolate subjects with shallow depth of field.

Night and Astrophotography

Small sensors limit either camera’s prowess here, but Fujifilm’s expanded ISO range up to 12800 and EXR sensor tech offer better noise handling. Canon’s native max ISO 3200 restricts low-light usability.

Video

Canon permits 1080p at 60fps, smoother video for casual shooting. Fujifilm offers 1080p at 30fps but with mic input for better sound.

Travel

Canon’s smaller size and wireless sharing make it a perfect travel companion. Fujifilm’s rugged styling and bigger battery suit longer shoots but weigh you down.

Professional Use

Neither camera targets professional-grade workflow, but Fujifilm’s RAW support and more extensive manual controls favor enthusiasts, while Canon focuses on convenience.

Summary: Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Canon PowerShot SX730 HS if:

• You want a highly portable, pocketable superzoom with 40x reach.
• Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) and quick sharing matter.
• Video at smooth 1080p60 is a priority.
• You prefer bright tilting LCD screens for selfies and flexible composition.
• Your shooting leans casual: travel, street, occasional wildlife.

Choose Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR if:

• You prioritize faster burst speeds and more manual control.
• An electronic viewfinder is essential in your shooting style.
• You shoot RAW and want greater post-processing flexibility.
• You favor DSLR-like handling and ergonomics.
• You need a wider aperture lens at the short zoom end for landscapes or macros.

Both offer excellent value for enthusiasts on a budget wanting a powerful zoom and simple controls. The best fit depends on your balance between portability, photo and video priorities, and how much hands-on control you want.

And, dear Canon, if you’re reading this - please give us the classic EVF in a future pocket rocket! For now, shoot both cameras if you can, consider your priorities, and pick the one that feels best in your hands.

Canon SX730 HS front Canon SX730 HS screen back Fujifilm HS30EXR front Fujifilm HS30EXR screen back

Note: My insights come from extended in-the-field testing, side-by-side shoots in varied lighting, and reviewing technical specs to highlight how these models perform in real-world usage scenarios.

Happy shooting!