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The Canon PowerShot SX30is measures 12x11.5x8cm however with the lens fully zoomed the 11.5cm can increase by another 6cm. It weights 635grams.

This camera does not need a case – apart from keeping it dry – as the TFT rotates on itself as is the fashion with camcorders. It can be totally operated without the using the TFT so people who come from 35mm film can still use the viewfinder to capture and here even for quick review. Unlike some other cameras in the PowerShot range that have ‘AA’ batteries this comes with a solid battery. All these are a big plus as far as I am concerned.

For a non DSLR unit this is heavy but it does give those thinking of stepping up a good feel and it’s a decent neck strap supplied.

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The base has the battery door which is also where SD, SDHC or SDXC cards are inserted and there is also a tripod screw. The right side has HDMI out, AV out and Digital sockets all behind a door. The front has the 35x zoom lens with the manual flip up lens always at least 5cm behind it. Either edge of the top has the anchor points for the neck strap, to the right of the flash housing is the twelve point wheel and the on/off button, in front of these is the shutter release and this has the wide angle/telephoto controls wrapped around it.

This leaves the back and at this point I normally say it is dominated by the TFT in fact it is dominated by the back of the TFT as it has the flip open style favoured by video cameras, it is 5.5x4.2cm which is 2.5inch diagonal. Above the TFT are a fast print button and a quick way to get into video mode, to the right of this three more well marked buttons the ubiquitous five position joystick and below this two further buttons. The viewfinder is also on top of the TFT and of course you can frame and capture using this any images captured are also displayed for instant view in the viewfinder. Detailed viewing is best done when you open the TFT display.

There is a small 36 page Getting Started manual, sad to say the manual now comes on optical media as or course does the supplied software. The Getting Started booklet should be enough to get anyone up and running.

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I tested this in a range of conditions – except bright sunlight as there was none during the test period – and I was happy with the images captured. I often find that getting an even flash image when part of the subject is in bright light is the hardest. Here I tried both with and without flash and was pleasantly surprised how the camera coped but with and without flash to give perfectly acceptable results either way. In poor light without flash it also produced acceptable results providing you managed to keep the camera still to avoid the dreaded shake.

With such a large zoom even on a still day you must have a decent tripod as even resting the camera on a wall with more than 50% of the zoom you will not get a decent image.  With 6cm of additional movement in the lens housing there must be some movement in that and although I did not have any high winds they must be a problem.

During this test period I also had an A3 Brother All In One unit and I took the chance to print some 14MP images – even zoomed in portions – with it, I was extremely happy with the results.

This is a lovely unit and certainly worth the highly commended I have awarded it. For anyone coming from a pocket camera this makes a perfect stepping stone on the journey to a DLSR unit and the size and shape help also.

Doing my Internet searches found the Canon PowerShot SX30is at £370

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0042RUAQ6?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634

I found the Canon PowerShot SX30is available for $379.99 including free delivery from Amazon on the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0041RSPR8?condition=new

I found the Canon PowerShot SX30is available for €372,99 including free delivery from Amazon on the following link:

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B0042X0538?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge04-21&linkCode=as2

www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_SX30_IS/