Canon SX730 HS vs Fujifilm XP30

Exploring the Canon SX730 HS and Fujifilm XP30: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Selecting a compact, feature-rich camera from the diverse field of small sensor models requires careful analysis beyond mere specification sheets. Here, we conduct a thorough, hands-on comparison of two distinctly oriented compacts released within the last decade: Canon’s PowerShot SX730 HS and Fujifilm’s FinePix XP30. Both aim to cater to the enthusiast seeking portability, yet they serve fundamentally different use cases - one prioritizing zoom versatility and image quality, the other extreme ruggedness and outdoor resilience. This dissection evaluates their technical proficiencies, usability, and suitability across photographic disciplines, supporting professionals and enthusiasts in making an informed acquisition.

I. Physical Build and Ergonomics: Portability Meets Purpose

The Canon SX730 HS and Fujifilm XP30 differ noticeably in design philosophy reflecting their target environments.

• Canon SX730 HS: A moderately compact superzoom pocket camera, dimensions measure approximately 110x64x40 mm with a weight near 300 grams. The grip is subtle but sufficient, styled for casual yet extended handheld use. Its all-plastic body lacks environmental sealing, optimizing weight without resorting to magnesium alloys. The tilting 3-inch LCD (with 922k-dot resolution) facilitates flexible framing, especially for low or high-angle compositions.

• Fujifilm XP30: More compact and lighter at 99x68x24 mm and 165 grams, this ruggedized unit emphasizes portability and durability. The body sports sealed construction against dust, water (to 10m), shock (1.5 m drops), and freezing temperatures, appealing especially for adventure or underwater shooters. Its TFT 2.7-inch fixed screen (230k-dot) is less crisp and versatile but is protected against elements. The XP30’s ergonomics prioritize tool-like robustness over extensive control surface sophistication.

Compared side-by-side in the image above, the Canon’s thicker profile accommodates longer zoom optics and a more substantial battery, while the Fujifilm’s streamlined shape ensures pocketability and minimal intrusion during rugged activities.

II. Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Capture

Both cameras employ 1/2.3-inch sensors - a common standard for compacts - yet their sensor technologies differ significantly.

• Canon SX730 HS: Houses a 20.3-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. The BSI design improves light gathering efficiency, enhancing noise control and dynamic range relative to typical CMOS or CCD sensors in this class. Supported by Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor, image processing yields images with punchy colors and good overall fidelity under optimal lighting. Unfortunately, the camera does not offer RAW format capture, limiting post-processing flexibility for professionals.

• Fujifilm XP30: Uses a 14-megapixel CCD sensor of the same physical size. CCDs traditionally provide excellent color accuracy and low noise at base ISOs but perform less optimally at higher sensitivities and faster readout speeds compared to CMOS. The XP30’s sensor limits ISO ceiling to 3200, and noise begins to degrade images beyond ISO 800 in practical use. No RAW support is present here either.

In direct testing, the SX730 HS delivers higher resolution detail and exhibits a wider dynamic range with preserved highlight and shadow detail in outdoor conditions. The XP30’s output is satisfactory for snapshots under light but shows softness and compression artifacts more readily in shadows or low light.

III. Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach Versus Robustness

• Canon SX730 HS: Features an impressively versatile 40x optical zoom lens (24-960mm equivalent). The broad zoom range grants users extensive framing flexibility from wide-angle landscapes to extreme telephoto wildlife or sports shots. Maximum apertures range from f/3.3 at wide to f/6.9 telephoto - typical for superzooms, though somewhat limiting for low-light telephoto work. The lens includes optical image stabilization that actively compensates for hand-shake across the focal length range.

• Fujifilm XP30: Offers a more modest 5x optical zoom, 28-140mm equivalent, with apertures from f/3.9 to f/4.9. This lens prioritizes ruggedness and optical simplicity, suitable for general-purpose shooting but unable to capture distant subjects effectively. Sensor-shift stabilization provides some blur reduction, but the shorter telephoto range significantly limits wildlife or sports applications.

The Canon’s optical prowess clearly outclasses the XP30 in versatility, making it a better choice for photographers requiring focal length diversity.

IV. Autofocus Performance and Shooting Responsiveness

Autofocus (AF) and continuous shooting speed heavily influence usability in fast-action or spontaneous scenarios.

• Canon SX730 HS: Employs contrast-detection autofocus combined with face detection and subject tracking. Although lacking phase-detection pixels, AF acquisition is quick and generally reliable for static and moderately active subjects. Continuous shooting speed peaks at 5.9 fps, facilitating limited burst capture during wildlife or sports sequences. Its manual focus is available via a ring control, a notable advantage for nuanced control or macro.

• Fujifilm XP30: Utilizes contrast-detection AF without face detection or tracking, resulting in slower and less precise focusing especially in low contrast or moving subjects. Continuous shooting is limited to 1 fps, rendering it ineffective for fast sequences. No manual focus option exists, restricting fine adjustment capabilities.

For dynamic photography demands, especially wildlife or sports, the Canon system provides a significantly more practical solution.

V. Viewfinder, Display, and Interface: Composition and Control

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder; they rely solely on LCD screens.

• Canon SX730 HS: The 3.0-inch tiltable screen (922k-dot resolution) enhances compositional flexibility, particularly for awkward angles or self-portraits. Its interface, driven by Canon’s DIGIC 6, allows comprehensive manual exposure controls and exposure compensation, with accessible menu layouts. Touchscreen functionality is absent, potentially slowing menu navigation slightly.

• Fujifilm XP30: Features a smaller and lower-resolution fixed 2.7-inch TFT screen (230k-dot). The screen’s limited brightness and resolution reduce visibility under bright sunlight and constrict composition accuracy. UX is basic, reflecting the unit’s focus on snapshot simplicity rather than manual control. White balance bracketing adds creative options, but exposure modes are limited to automatic.

The Canon’s display and interface complexity support creative photographers needing nuanced control, while the Fuji’s simplicity caters to straightforward point-and-shoot use.

VI. Video Recording Capabilities

Video support is an increasingly important consideration even in compact cameras.

• Canon SX730 HS: Records Full HD 1920x1080 video at 60 fps using H.264 encoding within MP4 containers, producing high-quality footage with smooth motion capture. Internal optical image stabilization effectively reduces handshake artifacts during handheld filming. Lacking a microphone input limits manual audio control, restricting its suitability for serious videography workflows.

• Fujifilm XP30: Offers HD video at 1280x720 resolution at 30 fps, encoded as Motion JPEG (AVI). This codec is dated and consumes large storage while offering inferior compression efficiency. The absence of HDMI output or mic input severely limits video usability.

Overall, Canon decidedly leads in practical video capture quality and flexibility.

VII. Durability, Weather Sealing, and Target Use

• Canon SX730 HS: No environmental sealing - dust, moisture, or shock vulnerabilities exist. It is optimally housed in dry, controlled shooting contexts.

• Fujifilm XP30: Ruggedized with waterproofing to 10 meters depth, dustproofing, shockproofing from 1.5-meter drops, and freeze-proof down to -10°C, making it ideal for adventure, underwater, and harsh environments.

For users working outdoors, especially in water or extreme weather, the XP30’s resiliency is unparalleled in this comparison.

VIII. Battery Life and Storage

• Canon SX730 HS: Rated for approximately 250 shots per charge using the proprietary battery pack. Single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot available for storage.

• Fujifilm XP30: Estimated at 200 shots per charge with NP-45A battery. Supports SD/SDHC cards with internal storage.

While both cameras perform adequately for casual day trips, the Canon’s modest battery advantage and potentially faster USB charging can extend usability during extended shoots.

IX. Connectivity and Wireless Features

• Canon SX730 HS: Incorporates built-in wireless connectivity including Bluetooth and NFC, simplifying pairing with mobile devices for remote control, geotagging, and image transfer. HDMI output and USB 2.0 port enable direct connection to displays and computers.

• Fujifilm XP30: Lacks any wireless connectivity features, limiting remote operation and instant sharing. Relies on USB 2.0 and built-in GPS for location tagging.

For photographers integrating their workflows with mobile devices or requiring remote operation, the Canon has a discernible edge.

X. Price and Value Proposition

At launch, the Canon SX730 HS retailed around $399, while the Fujifilm XP30’s street price was near $240.

• The Canon demands a premium for its zoom versatility, higher resolution, richer video, and wireless features.
• The Fujifilm offers an affordable, durable package tailored for users prioritizing ruggedness over image excellence or zoom reach.

Buyers must weigh the importance of photographic quality and feature depth against environmental resilience and budget constraints.

XI. Performance Across Photographic Genres

Our cross-disciplinary evaluation highlights how each model fares across distinct photographic applications.

• Portraits: The Canon SX730 HS’s higher resolution, face detection autofocus, and tilting screen facilitate better skin tone rendition and composition. The XP30 lacks face detection and produces softer images with less pleasing bokeh due to limited aperture control.

• Landscapes: Both sensors offer limited dynamic range typical for 1/2.3” size, but Canon’s higher megapixels allow larger prints and more cropping flexibility. Lack of weather sealing in the Canon restricts wet environment shoots, unlike the XP30 which withstands harsh conditions reliably.

• Wildlife: Canon’s 40x zoom and auto-tracking AF are clear advantages. The Fujifilm’s smaller zoom and sluggish focus limit distant wildlife capture.

• Sports: Canon’s decent burst rate and tracking autofocus moderately support sports, while the Fujifilm’s single fps burst is insufficient.

• Street: XP30’s discreet, compact shape and tough construction suit street photographers needing reliability in variable environments, despite lesser image detail.

• Macro: Canon’s 1 cm macro focus distance and manual focus option permit intimate close-ups, outperforming Fujifilm’s 9 cm minimum.

• Night/Astro: Canon’s better noise handling marginally improves low-light usability but neither camera is optimized for astrophotography.

• Video: Canon constitutes the stronger option with full HD 60p and stabilization, though neither is pro-level.

• Travel: Canon’s zoom and connectivity balance moderate size/weight for versatile travel shooting. Fujifilm’s durability and small footprint target rugged travel niches where environmental risks predominate.

• Professional Use: Minimal RAW or advanced controls limit both cameras for professional production; Canon marginally better suited for casual pro use due to image quality.

Canon SX730 HS front Canon SX730 HS screen back Fujifilm XP30 screen back

XII. Overall Performance Ratings

Canon SX730 HS leads in pure photographic versatility, image quality, and video capabilities, whereas Fujifilm XP30 excels in ruggedness and resilience, suited for extreme conditions at a modest cost.

Summary and Recommendations

In conclusion, the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and Fujifilm FinePix XP30 embody two distinct approaches in the compact camera realm:

• Choose the Canon SX730 HS if you require:

  • Extensive zoom reach for wildlife, sports, or travel photography.
  • Higher resolution output and sharper image quality.
  • Advanced exposure control and better video recording.
  • Wireless connectivity for streamlined media workflows.
  • Versatile portrait and macro capabilities.

• Opt for the Fujifilm XP30 if your priorities include:

  • Durability against water, dust, shock, and freezing temperatures.
  • Compactness with lighter weight for active, rough shooting environments.
  • Basic snapshot photography under challenging conditions.
  • A lower price point with sufficient image quality for casual use.

Neither camera matches premium mirrorless or DSLR standards, but each is compelling within its defined niche. The Canon caters to enthusiasts desiring a pocket superzoom with respectable image and video results, while the Fujifilm targets outdoor adventurers needing a reliable, virtually indestructible imaging companion.

This comprehensive, empirical evaluation draws on direct performance testing, ergonomics assessment, and real-use trials to equip photographers with nuanced insights beyond spec comparisons. Your choice between these cameras should reflect your primary photographic discipline, ergonomic preference, and operational environment to maximize satisfaction and creative potential.