Canon EOS Digital
Rebel XS
 vs
Canon PowerShot
SX30 IS

Updated (September, 2011): Compare the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS vs Canon Powershot SX40

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

58
"The PowerShot SX30 IS is a super-zoom truly worthy of the name. It will, without doubt, prove even more popular than its predecessors."
cameralabs.com | talking about the SX30 IS's overall-performance
"Canon has improved the camera's optical image stabilisation claiming it's the most effective optical image stabilizer."
cameralabs.com | talking about the SX30 IS's image-stabilization

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Lens
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

34
"Typical Canon CMOS noise-free images, remain detailed even at high sensitivities"
dpreview.com | talking about the Rebel XS's iso-noise
"The Rebel XS is primarily made from three materials; a stainless steel chassis, the mirror box which is made of high-strength 'engineering plastic' and the body made of a special lightweight 'engineering plastic' which also provides some electromagnetic shielding."
dpreview.com | talking about the Rebel XS's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 22.2x14.8mm
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
 Thin
2.6"
Supports RAW
 Shoots RAW
Better editing
Interchangeable lenses
 Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Live view
 Has live view
Preview your photos

differences

Advantages of the Canon Rebel XS
Size Smaller 126x98x65 mm vs 123x92x108 mm
Help
 More than 30% smaller
Sensor size Much larger sensor APS-C 22.2x14.8mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm
Help
 More than 11.5x larger sensor
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
 Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
 Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.6" vs 4.3"
Help
 Around 40% thinner
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
 CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 3 fps vs 1.1 fps
Help
 More than 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Weight Lighter 502 g vs 601 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Longest exposure Longer exposures 30s vs 15s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/3200s
Help
 20% faster max shutter speed
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS Learn more about
the Canon Rebel XS

Advantages of the Canon SX30 IS
Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 30fps vs None
Help
 Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Screen size Larger screen 2.7" vs 2.5"
Help
 Around 10% larger screen
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Learn more about
the Canon SX30 IS
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
34 vs 58
Explain scores
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a super zoom.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Rebel XS or the SX30 IS,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
Rebel XS:Pentamirror
SX30 IS:Digital
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
Rebel XS:1/4000s
SX30 IS:1/3200s
Weight Heavy Help
Rebel XS:502 g
SX30 IS:601 g
Thickness Quite thick Help
Rebel XS:2.6"
SX30 IS:4.3"
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Screen size Very small screens Help
Rebel XS:2.5"
SX30 IS:2.7"
Size Large Help
Rebel XS:126x98x65 mm
SX30 IS:123x92x108 mm
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
1,600 ISO
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots
Movie format One shoots movies Help
Rebel XS:None
SX30 IS:720p @ 30fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$330 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$347 - $380
Movie format Records higher quality movies
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS
Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3100 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS
Compare the D3100 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon PowerShot G12

Canon PowerShot G12

Pro digicam

$390 - $496
Screen size Has a slightly larger screen
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Color depth Has significantly less color depth
Low light performance Is slightly more noisy at high ISO
Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS
Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$487 with 18-55mm lens
Screen size Much larger screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Live view No live view
Compare the D3000 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi

Entry-level DSLR

$749 with 18-55mm lens
Live view No live view
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XTi vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Entry-level DSLR

$468 body only

$679 with 18-55mm lens
Screen size Much larger screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Color depth Worse color depth
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XSi vs the EOS Digital Rebel XS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$300
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$409
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Zoom Significantly less zoom
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS20

Super zoom

$299
Movie format Higher resolution movies
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Zoom Significantly less zoom
Size Larger
Compare the FinePix HS20 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$397 - $400
Zoom Significantly more zoom
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Aperture Narrower aperture
Macro focus Worse macro capability
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Super zoom

$611
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Zoom Much less zoom
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Compare the Lumix DMC-FZ100 vs the PowerShot SX30 IS

appearance

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

discussion

Showing 4 comments

Lauryn (8:56 PM, July 30, 2011)
ok so out of the 2 which one is better
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:15 PM, May 05, 2011)
Glad you found it useful
 
Maree (11:47 AM, May 05, 2011)
Overall a fabulous review and comparison of these and other similar cameras. Thank you so much!! :)
 
Chris (1:58 AM, January 18, 2011)
This is a totally unfair score. First of all the lens scores are not provided for Rebel XS, so not including them at all drops it quite a bit also you can buy IS lenses for the Rebel which would even that category. Movies, I couldn't care for in camera that's why you buy a handycam or something similar. In any case the 12.3 score for movie is irrelivant in my case. To put the scores on more equal footing the Rebel XS has the edge