Camera Tips Photo & Video Resource

Canon SX30 IS Quick Guide: Tips & Resources for Beginners

Canon SX30 IS Tips & Resources

Manual: Download the official Canon SX30 IS PDF manual (provided by Canon).


Approved Memory Cards & Capacity: The Canon SX30 IS is compatible with SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC and HC MMCplus memory cards.

Card Size No. of Images (Fine) Min. of HD Video (720p)
8GB 2,167 42 min
16GB 4,334 84 min
32GB 8,668 168 min

Battery Life & Charger Info:

Compatible Charger Compatible Battery Battery Life
CB-2LZ NB-7L 370 shots

Recommended Bags & Cases: The Canon SX30 IS is 4.84″ long by 3.62″ tall by 4.25″ wide. Here are the best cases and bags that fit the SX30 IS like a glove.

All Purpose Compact Stylish
Case Logic DCB-304
High Zoom Bag
Canon PSC-4100
Leather Case
Lowepro Exchange
Messenger Bag

Filter Size & Adapters: The Canon SX30 IS can accept 67mm filters with the help of the Canon FA-DC67A Filter adapter. Here are my recommended filters.

67mm UV 67mm Polarizer 67mm ND 3 Stop 67mm ND 10 Stop
B+W, Hoya, Tiffen B+W, Hoya, Tiffen B+W, Hoya, Tiffen B+W, Hoya

Compatible External Speedlites (Flashes):

Portable All Purpose Powerful Professional
Canon 270EX II Canon 320EX Canon 430EX II Canon 580EX II

Other Compatible Accessories:

Lens Hood Filter Adapter HDMI Cable
Canon LH-DC60 Canon FA-DC67A which accepts 67mm filters HDMI to Mini-HDMI cable for HDTV photo/video playback

Initial Setup:

Setting Selection Manual
Highest Image Size & Quality Select JPEG (L) Pg. 74
Highest Image Quality Compression Select FINE Pg. 74
ISO (Outdoors/Bright Light) Select an ISO of 80 Pg. 76
ISO (Indoors/Low Light) Select Auto or Manually Set between 400 to 1600 Pg. 76
White Balance Select Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash or Custom Pg. 77

Cool Effects:

Effect Selection Manual
Shoot in Black and White FUNC/SET → My Colors → B/W Pg. 79
Increase Color Saturation FUNC/SET → My Colors → V Pg. 79
Subject in Color/Background Black & White SCN Mode → FUNC/SET → Color Accent (icon: Eyedropper+A) Pg. 103
Swap Color with Another SCN Mode → FUNC/SET → Color Swap (icon: Eyedropper+S) Pg. 104
Panoramic Shots SCN mode → FUNC/SET → Stitch Assist (icon: Box w/ left or right arrow) Pg. 106

Better Control & Performance:

Setting Selection Manual
Close-ups Select Macro Mode (left arrow) Pg. 73
Quick burst of shots FUNC/SET → Drive Mode → Continuous (icon: three boxes) Pg. 78
Imprint the Time & Date MENU → Shooting tab (icon : camera) → Date Stamp Pg. 60
Include Yourself in the Photo Select the Self-Timer (down arrow) Pg. 61