Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, We are going to illustrate Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon SX30 IS has external dimensions of 123 x 92 x 108 mm (4.84 x 3.62 x 4.25″) and weighs 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz) (including batteries). Pentax Q has external dimensions of 98 x 57 x 31 mm (3.86 x 2.24 x 1.22″) and weighs 180 g (0.40 lb / 6.35 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q. Pentax Q is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 25mm narrower, 35mm shorter and 77mm thinner than Canon SX30 IS. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Canon SX30 IS has a built-in lens but Pentax Q doesn't. Once you put a lens on Q, its thickness will increase significantly.
![Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q Camera Size Comparison - Front View]()
Comparison image of Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View
Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Pentax Q is significantly lighter (421g ) than the Canon SX30 IS which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.
Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on Q, the total kit will weigh much higher.
Weather Sealing
Unfortunately neither Canon PowerShot SX30 IS nor Pentax Q provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections: Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing Top Mirrorless Cameras with Weather Sealing
LCD Screen Size and Features
Pentax Q's 3" LCD screen is slightly larger than Canon SX30 IS's 2.7" screen.
On the other hand, Canon SX30 IS sports a
Fully Articulated screen which you can change the angle and position of the screen almost freely, making it possible to shoot from waist or over the head levels, and especially very useful for shooting selfies and video. On the other hand, Pentax Q has a fixed type screen which provides almost no flexibility in shooting positions compared to SX30 IS.
Canon SX30 IS has a 14.0MP 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor. On the other hand, Pentax Q has a 12.0MP 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Below you can see the SX30 IS and Q sensor size comparison.
![Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax Q Sensor Size Comparison]()
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q Cameras
Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
In this section, we rank and compare Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.
Canon SX30 IS for Portrait Photography
Pentax Q for Portrait Photography
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details
Canon SX30 IS for Street Photography
Pentax Q for Street Photography
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Fully Articulated LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.70
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Live-view
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details
Canon SX30 IS for Sports Photography
Pentax Q for Sports Photography
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
840 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.80
Read the details
Image Stabilization
25 Focus Points
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No Built-in Viewfinder
Slow Continuous Shooting: 2.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Poor Battery Life: 230 shots
Read the details
Canon SX30 IS for Daily Photography
Pentax Q for Daily Photography
35.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
601g
Body Thickness 108mm
Read the details
Canon SX30 IS for Landscape Photography
Pentax Q for Landscape Photography
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Live-view
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q, below you can find their scores in five different aspects.
Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.
Here is a summary of how Canon SX30 IS and Pentax Q scores compare:
Canon SX30 IS
Ranked
#69 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked
#626 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Pentax Q
Ranked
#103 out of 126 in Rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked
#432 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Pentax Q has a higher Overall Score than the Canon SX30 IS and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.
| General |
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS |
Pentax Q |
| Brand |
Canon |
Pentax |
| Announced |
2010-09-14 |
2011-06-23 |
| Body Type |
SLR-like (bridge) |
Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor |
|
|
| Type |
CCD |
CMOS |
| Size |
1/2.3" |
1/2.3" |
| Dimensions |
6.17 x 4.55 mm |
6.17 x 4.55 mm |
| Area |
28.07mm2 |
28.07mm2 |
| Megapixels |
14 megapixels |
12 megapixels |
| Max Resolution |
4320 x 3240 |
4000 x 3000 |
| Max Native Light sensitivity |
1,600 ISO |
6,400 ISO |
| Min Native Light sensitivity |
80 ISO |
125 ISO |
| RAW Support |
|
|
Autofocus |
|
|
| AF Touch |
|
|
| AF Continuous |
|
|
| AF Single |
|
|
| AF Tracking |
|
|
| AF Selective |
|
|
| AF Center |
|
|
| AF Multi Area |
|
|
| AF Live View |
|
|
| AF Face Detection |
|
|
| AF Contrast Detection |
|
|
| AF Phase Detection |
|
|
| Number of Focus Points |
9 |
25 |
Lens |
|
|
| Manual Focus |
|
|
| Lens Mount |
fixed lens |
Pentax Q |
| Lens Focal Range |
24-840 mm (35×) |
no lens |
| Max Aperture |
F2.7-5.8 |
no lens |
| Macro Focus Range |
0cm |
no lens |
Screen |
|
|
| Type |
Fully Articulated |
Fixed type |
| Size |
2.7" |
3" |
| Resolution |
230k dots |
460k dots |
| Touch Screen |
|
|
Viewfinder |
|
|
| Viewfinder |
Electronic |
None |
Photography Features |
|
|
| Max Mechanical Shutter |
1/3200s |
1/2000s |
| Shutter Priority |
|
|
| Aperture Priority |
|
|
| Manual Exposure Mode |
|
|
| Custom White Balance |
|
|
| Image Stabilization |
Optical |
Sensor-shift |
| Built-in Flash |
|
|
| Flash Range |
6.80 m |
5.60 m |
| Max Flash Sync |
n/a |
1/2000s |
| External Flash |
|
|
| Continuous Shooting |
1.0 fps |
2.0 fps |
| Multi-Segment |
|
|
| Average |
|
|
| Spot |
|
|
| Partial |
|
|
| AF-Area |
|
|
| Center Weighted |
|
|
| AE Bracketing |
|
|
| WB Bracketing |
|
|
Video Features |
|
|
| Max Video Resolution |
1280 x 720 |
1920 x 1080 |
| Video Formats |
Motion JPEG |
MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone Port |
|
|
| Headphone Port |
|
|
Connectivity |
|
|
| Wireless Connectivity |
Eye-Fi Connected |
None |
| HDMI |
|
|
Physical |
|
|
| Environmental Sealing |
|
|
| Weight |
601g |
180g |
| Dimensions |
123 x 92 x 108mm |
98 x 57 x 31mm |
| Battery Life |
n/a |
230 shots |
Other Features |
|
|
| Timelapse Recording |
|
|
| GPS |
None |
None |
DxO Sensor Scores |
|
|
| DxO Overall Score |
not tested |
47 |
| DxO Color Depth |
not tested |
20.2 |
| DxO Dynamic Range |
not tested |
11.1 |
| DxO Low Light ISO |
not tested |
189 |
|
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