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Returning sx420. Now comparing sx30 vs sx540?

Started Jun 18, 2020 | Discussions
Ian_abaco
Ian_abaco Regular Member • Posts: 127
Returning sx420. Now comparing sx30 vs sx540?

I'm returning my sx420 that I just bought. It was too small in my hand, I mainly use one hand to shoot (quadriplegic) and the 420's small size didn't sit easily in my hand without having to worry about holding it steady.

My sx30 is a bigger model and had more control that I was used to. I will say that the 420 lets you set white balance and iso so I was considering accepting the cameras choice of aperture for each shot. But I decided to return it and not regret missing the features and hand stability best for my situation.

The sx540 that I'm thinking of upgrading to size looks the same as the sx30.

sx30: 4.84 x 3.64 x 4.24 in. / 122.9 x 92.4 x 107.7mm

sx540: 4.72 x 3.22 x 3.62 in. / 120.0 x 81.7 x 91.9mm A little smaller but not much right?

And it's 20.3 vs 14.1 megapixels so that would be an upgrade.

Not sure about processors but I think the sx30 has a dig 3 and the sx540 has a dig 6. The newer one should produce better quality photos right?

The sx540 is $249 new. If it is a good upgrade from the sx30 I think it's a good price.

Appreciate any feedback. Would also be interested if there was a comparable but better quality camera in this price range. Thank you

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
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reyalp Regular Member • Posts: 201
Re: Returning sx420. Now comparing sx30 vs sx540?

Ian_abaco wrote:

The sx540 that I'm thinking of upgrading to size looks the same as the sx30.

sx30: 4.84 x 3.64 x 4.24 in. / 122.9 x 92.4 x 107.7mm

sx540: 4.72 x 3.22 x 3.62 in. / 120.0 x 81.7 x 91.9mm A little smaller but not much right?

Yes, sx540 is more similar to your sx30 than the sx420 was. Weight is a bit less, 600g for the sx30 and 440g for the sx540. sx540 also does not have the swiveling screen. It does have manual control modes like M, Tv and Av.

And it's 20.3 vs 14.1 megapixels so that would be an upgrade.

Not sure about processors but I think the sx30 has a dig 3 and the sx540 has a dig 6. The newer one should produce better quality photos right?

It will be faster (almost 10 times faster in continuous shooting), and probably does better noise reduction at high ISO. For low ISO shots, quality depends more on sensor and lens. The sensors are both 1/2.3", but the BSI CMOS in the sx540 should generally be a bit better.  The sx540 lens may be more compromised given the bigger zoom range and lower price point, but difficult to know without a controlled comparison. Neither is in dpreview's image comparison.

The sx540 is $249 new. If it is a good upgrade from the sx30 I think it's a good price.

Appreciate any feedback. Would also be interested if there was a comparable but better quality camera in this price range. Thank you

I think for Canon, that's probably about as close you get for a long zoom, 20MP camera. Other brands may be worth looking at, but I don't follow them closely enough to know what's in this range.

Other options:

sx70 is the current camera in the same model line as the sx30, but costs a lot more ($440 refurb). It has faster performance (digic 8), wider zoom range, swivel screen, raw, etc

sx720 through sx740 are 20MP and 40x, zoom but these are a more compact form factor, which you probably don't want if the sx420 was smaller than you liked

G3X gives you a much better (1", 20MP) sensor, but only 25x zoom and much higher cost ($680+).

Ian_abaco
OP Ian_abaco Regular Member • Posts: 127
Re: Returning sx420. Now comparing sx30 vs sx540?

I would be fine without the swivel screen as I didn't use it on the sx30. Hopefully canon will have a refurbished one but if not the new price isn't bad.

Ian_abaco
OP Ian_abaco Regular Member • Posts: 127
Re: Returning sx420. Now comparing sx30 vs sx540?

Thank you for the feedback. I take photos but never really look into specs as long as my camera produces. My sx30 has been great for maybe 8 years. Not ready for the sx70 price yet so the sx540 may be the one. I'm hoping to be patient enough until my return is refunded then make a desc ion. Greatly appreciated!

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