Canon SX230HS - BK Reviews

I have enjoyed my new camera from MN>ME>FL.

Very nice camera. I wouldn't be without it. It's much more then a beginners camera but not as complex as an SLR.

Review by Jart (11/10/2011 19:23).

Great Camera, lots of features

As others have stated the screen gets nearly useless in bright sunlight, and no RAW shooting. That is the only negatives I can find with this camera, so far. I would really like to see a viewfinder. The video is excellent for such a small camera, and the photos are clean and crisp. I think most people will find the camera a great little point and shoot for when they don't want to pack the DSLR. It easy to use for the beginners, and has enough features to challenge all but the most avid photo people out there, your choice. The screens are fairly easy to navigate, and did I say yet how nice the screen is? The screen is very nice for viewing and taking pictures and videos. The battery life is a little short, but extra batteries are cheap. I purchased a Lenmar DLC5L from newegg for $9.56, works as well as the original, maybe better for two times the battery life. Now I need a bigger memory card. I like the fast start-up time and it is quick to take pictures, no delay on the shutter like some small cameras I have used. All in all a nice little camera, that does a superb job. Handles very well and does what it's supposed to do. Some complained about the audio, I find the audio to be very good. It picks up low volumes very well and filters wind quite nicely. I think you will like the purchase, I am very pleased.

Review by EJack (11/01/2011 15:10).

Quality Camera with a zoom

I like the camera and it takes good pictures. My primary complaints are that it is complicated to manually adjust the flash on/off and the controls for adjusting camera settings are not intuitive. I would buy this camera again, it will just take some time to master all of the features.

Review by TandRinNC (10/26/2011 06:38).

great picture quality

Just like any digital camera there is some getting used to time with this camera. It was recommended by the store rep and I feel it was a good choice. It would have been nice if the mini-hdmi cable came with the camera as well. That's about the worst thing I can offer about this camera package.

Review by TheRealRichels (10/24/2011 07:37).

Great Camera, Average Image Quality

I like the features, the zoom lens, GPS, creative filters, etc, but the image quality isn't impressive. It's probably the best in it's class, but still not awesome. We have a SD1200 IS that's a couple years and I think it takes better photos. The video quality is good. A 16x9 display on a camera that shoot standard 4x3 is kind of a waste. In normal shooting you get black bars on the sides, so you really end up with screen size that's less than 2.5 inches. It switches to wide screen when shooting video and that looks really nice, but the video format is huge. A four minute clip was like 1 GB at 1080p. The battery is dead after around 100 pictures and a few videos if you use the GPS. Most people would probably love this camera, but I guess I've turned into an image quality snob. One of the main reasons I bought the camera is to take out hunting. I wanted something small with a good zoom lens, and I got that out of the camera, so it serves it's purpose for me. I might recommend this camera, but with some caveats on what your expectations are. As always, the Canon interface is great, very intuitive and easy to use.

Review by Kdog10K (10/20/2011 07:53).

Love this camera

I bought this camera to replace a Kodak 5MP 10X zoom camera. It took great photos but was to big and bulky to always carry around. The Canon PowerShot SX230HS is a very nice compact size, but has the features and quality of larger more expensive cameras. I absolutely love the 14x zoom. The picture quality is great and I especially love the results of taking photos in low light without a flash. My primary uses for the camera are to capture our 18 month old son and vacations. This camera is fast, never have to wait in order to get that perfect shot of our son and it takes great pictures when he is running around. Went to DC for a few days and have the best pictures ever. Outside in full sun, at dusk of the monuments, in low light in museums (without flash). Great camera

Review by dougj864 (10/20/2011 07:13).

Great Camera

Used this for a couple of months including three weeks in Italy. Took 3000 photos and am well satisfied. The GPS can take some time to kick in and cannot be used between tall buildings. Also the front moving cover bent from minor contact with something.

Review by MikeinCampbell (10/14/2011 13:08).

LOVE this camera!!!

This is an amazing camera! My favorite part: the ZOOM! Enabling the digital zoom gives you an unreal ability to dial in on that far away object that you can barely see with the naked eye. I love it! The features are awesome!! The picture quality is great! I love going to sporting events and capturing the action with the continual shutter mode. The smile detector shutter is pretty cool. I would recommend disabling the GPS to extend the battery life. Although this camera is pricey for a compact digital camera, it is well worth the extra money. BUY IT!!

Review by Kelli888 (10/06/2011 07:59).

Great features for a compact camera

I bought this for a trip to Utah and Las Vegas as a replacement for a smaller Canon Elph which is ultra-compact but not that great for quality shots. The new camera is only a bit bigger but has a LOT more features and control. I like to play with exposure and other settings but wanted something compact, and this allows for a lot of freedom. The Auto mode works pretty well for most shots if you don't want to think too much. The video quality is awesome for such a small package. It was even able to take a couple of knocks when I almost dropped it (I luckily caught the metal edge) but I wouldn't want to test it again. The only drawbacks I've found is that the buttons/dials are a bit small (not much of a problem for me) ,the GPS does take quite a while to acquire, and the battery life is a bit short (probably because of the GPS). Definitely buy a spare battery. When I got mine, the sales associate recommended a good package of a spare battery and case, both of which I needed, and it saved me some money.

Review by p3king (10/05/2011 21:00).

Great camera for zooming

Enjoying this camera so far. Wish I had a screen protector for it. A view finder would be good when the sun is bright.

Review by PictureJunkie (10/05/2011 19:35).

Great compact camera

I bought this camera as a replacement for a Nikon P500 camera I recently lost. The P500 is a great camera but I decided I wanted a more compact camera with advanced features. I compared a lot of cameras before deciding on getting the Canon SX230HS. What impressed me about this camera were the many features and DSLR settings in such a small package. I've had the camera now for about 6 weeks and I am completely satisfied with the purchase. The camera takes excellent photographs and HD video.

Review by LouieV (10/02/2011 10:53).

Love it, but still missing my old SD800IS

I have to share that from a features and specs standpoint, I love all that this camera has to offer ... it's almost a compact DSLR. Great pictures, but very sensitive, so have to be careful as a picture can be blurred if a fly comes by before the picture is snapped. The overall quality is very much aligned to my SD800IS and then some, but I'm annoyed by 2 things... 1) the location of the flash is horrible ... it's pop up, and that it usually where my hand is. if you prevent the flash light to come up, there is no way to get it up other than turning it off and then on. seriously annoying. 2) battery life ... it blows. my other camera i didn't have to worry about charging ... this one, you better fork up a spare battery (look online as you can find them for cheap). it's a inconvenience really more than anything else. I'm happy with it as the pictures are sharp and it's loaded with features and control, AND has true HD video. But you can see the cons that make my give it a good as opposed to excellent.

Review by mbeep (09/30/2011 16:34).

Easy to use; compact; dependable lithium battery

Great size for kayaking, hiking, traveling. Easy to use. Dependable - works all the time. No "lens error" readings! Instant auto focus, even while zooming. Its software won't work in our 10 yr old Power Mac G4 computer, be we are upgrading our computer asap. Canon & Mac work together well!

Review by mjha (09/29/2011 13:32).

Excellent Point and Shoot, but miss the viewfinder

This is an excellent point and shoot camera. The quality approaches that of many DSLRs. The lack of a viewfinder makes tracking fast moving subjects a little difficult, particularly if you are using the optical zoom at it's limit. My only other complaint would be the automatic lens cover that sometimes sticks partly open when the camera is powered down, and then does not open fully when the camera is next powered up! The features/modes rival many cameras at double the price. I do not leave the GPS on all of the time due to battery depletion. It is a nice feature to have on when you have the signal available though. I have had success shooting the full moon, while hand holding, a test I like to perform with each camera I own/use. Due to the large sensor size and the high zoom ratio, I can get photos that show the craters as though I were using a small telescope with a camera mount...all while hand holding! I always keep a spare battery and SD card in my pocket, as I find that I take so many snapshots with this camera that I run out of power and memory! It has become my permanent sidekick!

Review by PFMCoLLC (09/29/2011 10:12).

Great Camera

Enjoy thr ease of using this camera. It take great pictures and HD video.

Review by murraymo (09/28/2011 17:23).

Easy to learn/use. Great zoom & picture clarity.

I really like the features on the Cannon Power Shot SX230HS and all the features it offers. It was easy to use and provides quality photos. It does not disappoint.

Review by Sizzling (09/28/2011 17:02).

Great camera for a beginner

I am looking forward to taking many family pictures.

Review by QueenAnne (09/22/2011 12:34).

great quality pics and easy to use

have had this camera only a month or so but used it right away for a trip to acadia, maine and it took awesome pics including close-ups, great zoom with no blurring and also did not need flash in most dark areas...pics came out looking great and much better than with my older model powershot. My daughter loves the fisheye effect for her friends and the video is much better quality than other camera's. Also looks great when viewing on our HDTV. Good camera for the price. I was able to fit it into the side pocket of my hiking pants without it annoying me all day!

Review by momtoa (09/22/2011 07:33).

Superb HD Video

Great camera specially a pocket video camera. Plug and play video on Mac no softwares needed. Not so gr8 of a picture camera at this price. Annoying flash pop up on start up. Very delicate at handling,

Review by Appleroks (09/21/2011 21:05).

medium experience - not a beginners aim and shoot

I LOVE the camera. It is not for beginners as I have had to take the time to learn the and I haven't completely figured it out yet. I LOVE the pictures it takes and the zoom is AMAZING. It is a camera I hope to have for a VERY long time. I would absolutly get again even though it was more than I was plannng to spend but well worth every penny! If you are looking for a camera that you've had some experience with but are looking to grow in your ability advance in your picture taking this is the camera for you!

Review by Beeper08 (09/21/2011 15:51).

Very happy with purchase

This is not a simple point and shoot camera, but the picture quality is excellent. I would have liked to buy a simpler camera, but I tried a couple and they could not compare with the picture quality. It is missing some features I liked on other cameras, such as a simple stitch feature. The wide angle HD video and wide screen photos are a nice and the single button video or photo feature is very useful. As the summary says, I am very happy with the camera but there are a few things I would change, but then nothing is perfect to every person.

Review by chuck226 (09/17/2011 08:37).

This camera is pretty awesome

I bought this camera a couple months ago for the zoom and GPS features. I went on vacation to Tokyo and Yokohama and got some great pictures. Discovering the miniature/tilt shift filter for videos/stills was a nice surprise. Controls are easy to use. My only complaint is with the GPS acquisition time, which is still faster than most but I guess I had unrealistic expectations.

Review by MonkeyPunky (09/13/2011 14:29).

Takes Great Pictures and Fits in the Pocket

Picture quality is by far my top criteria for a camera, and this one continues Canon's reputation for taking wonderful pictures. In spite of its mega zoom, it easily fits in my pocket. Some have questioned the life of a battery charge, but I've found it more than enough for a non-professional photographer.

Review by CharlieG2 (09/12/2011 18:40).

Good pocket camera

The camera is very good for a pocket camera with manual controls. The Auto controls are not great - they overuse variation in ISO rather than flash (e.g. shooting indoors at ISO 1600 vs. just filling with a flash).

Review by FuzzWuzz (09/12/2011 06:20).

Great close-ups

This cameras zoom capability is fantastic. It's easy to use and takes great pictures. Only downside is the location of the pop up flash. It's in the same place I'd like my hand to be.

Review by Carbops (09/07/2011 20:04).

Auto mode makes it simple

I have only had camera for a month but just finished a vacation where I used it a lot. Auto mode takes great shots. I experimented with the program mode with great results. I tried the panoramic mode but unable to complete shots. I am sure it was my lack of knowledge but without a printed manual to refer to I was at a loss. I guess that is the only negative thing I found with the camera. There are a ton of features and it would be nice to have something to refer to "on site". I hope to learn and commit to memory the many programs and modes of operation. I haven't tried the movie mode. The battery seemed to last pretty well. I used the camera all day taking shots and the battery held up. I did buy a spare battery just in case.

Review by FerdKy (09/07/2011 12:58).

professional settings without the bulk! great pics

i bought this camera because i decided the larger SLR cameras were too complicated for my lifestyle. i don't have time to take classes and learn all about the features and techniques. this camera has advanced settings while still able to fit in my pocket. love it! i did however experience an issue with the lens door sticking open. i recommend buying a case so nothing in your pocket damages the camera. I will post pics on tanglife-com for those who want to see the quality. enjoy.

Review by tanglife (09/07/2011 08:12).

Great product from great service

the stuff from bestbuy was soooooo friendly, he just keep me feel like a real customer when I ask questions. the product is great in look, and the pictures taken from it are great. the rotate pan is a little confusing if you do not like to read the operator's book. It's a great purchase in bestbuy overall.

Review by Wenxiao (08/31/2011 18:08).

best camera ever owned

very user friendly. different setting are explained upon switching to them. awesome picture quality.

Review by The1dodge (08/31/2011 14:58).

Purchased for the Zoom

I mostly purchased this camera for the zoom and lightness. I haven't used the camera enough yet to be able to review all its features but I am very pleased with the zoom and auto face focus. It fits nicely in a pocket or purse. No complaints!

Review by slp21 (08/25/2011 11:24).

We love this camera; good starter camera

This camera was a gift to my daughter who wants to be a professional photographer. This is a great learning camera. It is more than a Point n Shoot camera but less that a professional SLR digital camera. She was able to figure out the features of this camera right away with only reviewing the User Manual. In fact, I have a Canon EOS Rebel T2i and we compared photos we both took of a spider's web and her camera produced the better picture. We both love the camera.

Review by fragrancelady (08/24/2011 22:07).

Too much noise to be great

The camera size and zoom range are strong suits for the camera, but the noise level prevents from it from getting higher marks. Camera does OK in bright light but the photos seem flat (like most point and shoots) due to too much processing. Indoors, I force the camera to ISO 400 because there is too much noise at higher ISOs. Still, there is much more noise than with my 6 year old DSLR. If you're looking for something to take snapshots, this camera will do it, but the pictures won't be great unless there is a LOT of light. Previously had an S90 that did about the same but cost even more.

Review by NEphotobug (08/24/2011 19:31).

Great picture quality!

I was looking for a compact camera that would still have great picture quality. I did a lot of research online and it seemed like this camera had the best picture quality overall. The only feature I wish worked better was the photostitch to make a panoramic. The program doesn't make a perfect stitch but I'm sure I need practice, too! There was a Sony model that had a panoramic feature built in but I had read the picture quality wasn't as great and that's what really counts! Some people complained about the location of the flash, but I found it easy to work around, I don't even notice anymore! Another thing I was really happy with was that it takes pictures really quickly and doesn't take a lot of time to "process" on most settings. There is also a "Kids & Pets" setting that makes it really easy to take pictures of moving subjects! Action shots are not really an issue with this camera. I'm definitely an amateur but these are the things that I was trying to find reviews about in the past so I hope it helped some other amateurs out there make a decision!! I love this camera!

Review by jgauthier (08/24/2011 18:50).

A lot of features

Low light photos were better than my other cameras. Someone complained about the battery life but if you turn off the GPS when not using the camera, it prolongs the life of the battery. I keep extra batteries and I do find I am switching out more often but I feel it is a minor inconvenience. Still learn more of the camera.

Review by myknjan (08/24/2011 15:18).

Great value

I've had this camera for over a month now and love it. I am very happy with the overall quality of the images and the ease of use. I previously tried the Nikon S9100 and was very disappointed with the image quality. When using a point and shoot I expect to get decent pictures by just pointing and shooting. This Canon is very good for the price range. My only complaint on this camera is that the lens cover pieces that retract and close when the camera goes on and off are very fragile and thin -- they are easily dented or bent when in in the closed position if you were to put this in your pocket with any other items in the pocket. Overall I'm very happy with it.

Review by jd91 (08/24/2011 14:50).

Good camera with program to manual operation

Pros - good pictures, large zoom range, and multiple settings. Cons - flimsy lens cover shutter and front protector. Gets bent easly and inhibits lens cover movement.

Review by ajon41 (08/24/2011 14:49).

very pleased

Great camera. Takes good quality pics. Definitely happy with my purchase.

Review by REbroker (08/22/2011 15:18).

All the features of a DSLR in a compact form

I tried other camera's and returned them because the photo quality was poor and the ease of use was a little "too technical" when your trying not to miss one of those, "Kodak Moments". I find this camera to be easy to use after exploring all its features. I really like the special effect features. Too many to mention, but love:miniature effect, color saturation, B&W, sepia,etc, vintage edges, landscape, etc. It takes great fireworks photos too! The zoom is awesome, especially at a concert. The stability is far better then others I've tried and I'm satisfied. The print quality is satisfactory and I can see the detail of my childrens freckles or a tiny bee on a plant. I'm unsure of my opinion on the resolution. I have had other camera's with better quality in the past. I find the best setting to use is Auto.The camera is a little heavier then my old Olympus point and shoot, but it has more features including the better zoom. The video setting is also very good, but the sound is not the greatest. The one downfall is the battery life is poor. They are expensive, but it is best to have a back up especially when on vacation. There should be an owner's manual, but its a disc for online use. Overall, I am pleased with my purchase.

Review by Lynn511 (08/13/2011 02:18).

HS system

Not much more to say. I really like this camera, but mostly bcz of the HS system. I've barely used the flash bcz of this, and that's awesome. Most of the time a low light subject ends up looking brighter than it is. Go check out other tech reviews for more specs, and look into this HS system a bit more. It's pretty cool.

Review by MRCAB (08/10/2011 21:29).

Perfect Camera for a Perfect Picture

I bought this camera to take with me on vacations and for pictures for special events. Unlike some of the people who write in all CAPS and some who compare the camera to professional cameras around $1,500.00, this camera is an ideal camera for the average person. It's small and compact yet it packs a big punch. When you go to the store to look at the camera, compare the zoom on it compared to other cameras. You will be totally astonished! This will come in handy when the subject you are taking a picture of is far away and you want to get that close up shot. Your pictures will come out crystal clear every time and if you have any camera experience, you can adjust some of the setting manually like the aperture and such, but honestly I don't mess with this, but it is nice to know I could.

Review by NAM1603 (08/09/2011 08:28).

I PURCHASED THE GPS CANON IN EVERETT, WA BEST BUY

THE CAMERA WAS NOT PRESENTLY PROPERLY! TO COMPLICATED TO USE EASILY AND I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THIS OR I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE CAMERA...I WAS TOLD THAT THE LOCATION WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHOW UP ON EACH PICTURE!

Review by CASAS (08/08/2011 14:43).

awesome picture quality and high zoom

If you want the best picture quality and highest zoom for the price, this camera is definitely for you. Canon quality has always been the best, so don't be fooled by other companies that have a bit higher zoom or megpixel rating. This camera offers the best features for the price. For those complaining about battery life - all cameras with big zooms and people using them with the flash will shorten the battery down to a few dozen pictures. Use these in the daylight with low zooming, and they last to 300 or more pictures. I've had sony's, olympus and several canons. The older canon has taken well over 8000 pictures and is still going strong and it is 2 years old.

Review by batman777 (08/08/2011 10:32).

Works OK in Auto, but hard to change settings.

I bought camera because it had manual settings like my EOS D7. But the D7 is easier to change settings and get to ones you need. This camera can be confused by different lighting situations and it is cumbersome to change the AF settings to spot focus. Fill flash does not do a good job if subject is too dark because of light background. The AF sometimes does not get a good reading.

Review by TYSmitty (08/07/2011 13:16).

Great camera

Bought this camera for a trip out west and was not disappointed. It has an awesome zoom and is great for action shots, took pictures while gocarting and turned out great, crystal clear. Can also take pictures while recording video, which was a great feature when videoing Old Faithful.

Review by Happyone1 (08/04/2011 16:18).

This is a great camera!!

I took this camera to a concert and I was absolutely amazed at the camera's ability to zoom in while still maintaining a great picture quality.

Review by neatfreak676 (08/04/2011 12:58).

An excellent camera for the money.

This camera has all the features needed to take great pictures and video.The HD feature is better than I expected for a camera costing far less than I thought I'd have to pay. The other features like the Zoom also provides quality pictures. This Canon is just excellent.

Review by GenBG (08/03/2011 20:07).

Great camera for a point and shoot-love the zoom

I took this with me to Europe. I loved the extra zoom and it took great pictures. It is a little heavy for a small camera but not a problem. The features were easy to use and understand for those of us who don't know much about cameras. My daughter is a "camera" person and says she may get this one as her new small camera.

Review by Zoey5305 (08/03/2011 08:10).

Good camera if you don't demand top quality images

Don't really want to rehash things already stated in previous reviews. I ended up returning the camera because the image quality wasn't meeting my standards (too much noise at anything above ISO 100). If you are a casual photographer, the image quality should be just fine. I gave this camera 4 stars because it really is the best travel zoom. My conclusion is that if you want mega zoom in a compact, image quality takes a backseat. In place of the SX230 I bought a Canon S95 and so far I am quite satisfied. The lack of big zoom, true HD video, and GPS is worth it to get a bright lens and much cleaner images.

Review by GBW1 (07/29/2011 08:27).

Awesome

I absolutely love this camera. I am a scrapbooker and litterally takes hundreds of pics a week of my kids, grandkids, pets, and all of their activities. This camera is simply amazing, easy to use, and pic quality is unbelievable. Definitely recommend!

Review by JBinT (07/28/2011 10:35).

Great camera: easy to use + great pics

Great camera! We purchased it for a trip to Australia just a week before leaving. The camera proved extremely easy to use, and everyone in our family was able to shoot effectively right from the start. The camera's wide angle lens allowed for great in-door (close-up) pictures, while the zoom allowed us to capture wildlife around us -- even at a surprising distance. The SX-230's produced great pictures in every kind of lighting we encountered.

Review by KeninPlymouth (07/28/2011 09:29).

Better than the rest.

I was looking for a camera to replace one my wife lost at the zoo. Given that our last camera lasted three years, I wasn't afraid to spend a little more $ this time around. I set my sights on three cameras: 1. Canon 230HS ($299) 2. Nikon S9100 ($280) 3. Sony HX9V ($350) - eliminated based on it being over-priced IMO All are top-of-the-line "travel zooms" and I stumbled upon a review of these three cameras at www.dpreview.com (great site). Based on their overall conclusion, I bought the Nikon S9100. After using it for a week, I was disappointed by it's lack of features and "auto everything". I also disliked the fact that it charges the battery in camera only, and the continuous shooting options weren't working out for taking action shots of my 13 month old. I returned the Nikon and exchanged it for the canon 230HS. I couldn't be happier!!! The Canon 230HS is spectacular. There are incredible options both manual and automatic, the pictures are better, the autofocus is better, and the continuous shooting mode has provided loads of great shots already. Even better, the batty has a dedicated charge unit included! All in all, the Canon 230HS is the best of the best in this class. It has the options of a DSLR in a compact body. The GPS is a nice touch, but the battery discharges quickly so you'll need a spare. Still, If you're looking for a great camera for the next 3-4 years, buy this one and enjoy!

Review by Shanearama (07/24/2011 22:41).

a bit disappointed

This camera can take great pictures, however, many times it is very slow to auto focus causing either a missed shot or blurry image. Overall its a good and easy to use camera and the good pictures are very good.

Review by travellerr (07/24/2011 19:18).

Great camera

Takes great pictures and is easy to figure out and use.

Review by stepgirl (07/24/2011 13:19).

Pretty good camera, not worth the extra $

I like the camera and it takes good quality photos. I am not an expert by any means, but I have had several digital cameras through the years including a Nikon slr. I have had nikon, canon, panasonic, fuji and kodak. I have always been impressed by canon and the quality of the pictures. That is why I chose canon again. Last year I bought the panasonic fh-20 and this year this one so both me and my wife could take pictures on vacation. We got them developed and they both look good. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I expected better quality from Canon. The zoom is much better, but other than that I am not sure it was worth $150 more.

Review by George2319 (07/24/2011 00:09).

Great second camera

I have DSLR that I use most of the time but occassionally want a smaller compact camera when traveling and this camera fits my needs. The picture quality and ease of use are excellent. It has a lot of great manual settings that allow me to get great shots every time. I would highly recommend this camera.

Review by BJC7171 (07/21/2011 21:39).

Simple to use

Camera is compact allowing easy carrying. Lens fogs up too easily when moving indoors out causing a hazy photo. Pop up flash is in a poor location making camera difficult to hold during shooting. Other features are simple to navigate for a beginner like myself.

Review by Beginner1 (07/20/2011 18:07).

Not good at all - very disappointed!

Very disappointing for a Canon. This was my fourth Canon, my first was 20D, my second an A630, my third was 7D. I purchased the SX230HS for a trip to Europe this August. My primary reason for purchasing it was the GPS tagging. I had the camera in my possession for five days in that time I had to charge the battery four times. I only managed to take about 40 exposures. The GPS proved unreliable, many photos were not tagged GPS took a long time to establish it's position, but really the complete lack of battery life is why I returned it to the store. It is a sad day when Panasonic makes a better product then Canon.

Review by ShatteredImages (07/20/2011 12:42).

The lens cap is automatic & broke/ got stuck.

The lens cap is automatic and got jammed or stuck after a few days use. I'm very disappointed in this camera and would not buy it again. It do not do well under travel conditions.

Review by apteacherga (07/15/2011 05:33).

Great for pictures, not so much for video

I had this camera for the 2 week trial period, after trying a Sony DSC-HX7V previously, and had definite mixed feelings about it. It is supposedly the best of the mega-zoom premium point and shoot for photos. It was good, although not great in that area (although some of that may be that I never learned to use all the settings correctly). But the video wasn't nearly on par with the Sony. I was looking for an all around camera that could do both well, if not perfectly. Ended up returning the Canon and getting the Sony DSC-HX9v. So far it has taken better pictures than the HX7V and almost equal with the Canon. But the video is silky smooth and I like it's features (like Panorama) more. The Canon is a very good camera and a fine choice for many. Just not me.

Review by Movielvr77 (07/13/2011 17:19).

Yes!

I got this camera for it's size and the control. This is perfect for the front pocket for those fast and easy shots and also has enough juice in it to go manual. I see some had said it was too heavy. Really?! I own a Mark-IV and that is a tank to carry around. This is like putting a library card in your front pocket. It's light and easy to use. I got this point and shoot primarily for it's size and manual settings. I like the control it allows, unlike other point and shoots. This is perfect for me and what I use it for.

Review by Tdeck (07/07/2011 19:50).

Great Camera

Love this camera - It was the smallest i could find with the largest telephoto lens and with good reviews - the photos are quite good even at the 14 X zoom - One needs to download the booklet though in order to read how to use all the features -

Review by Parkerkef (07/07/2011 13:19).

Overall pleased

The pop-up flash takes some getting used to because of it's position. When I first got the camera and was turning it on, I often accidentally held down the flash. Once I got used to it and changed how I held it, it was no problem. I like how once you turn the camera off, the flash folds down. The menus take some getting used to, but I imagine that's because there are so many effects and adjustments available. There is a favorite/easy mode and, of course, an auto mode. Some of the fun effects, probably similar to other cameras, are fish-eye effect, toy camera effect, and miniature effect. I couldn't find an aquarium setting. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right place. Let me know if you find it - or how to replicate it using other adjustments. Also, it's a bit harder to delete a single image/video, for better or worse. I think it's something like 4 button pushes through the menu. No major complaints.

Review by FredRidingHood (07/07/2011 10:34).

Good Video

I bought this for its (1) compactness and (2) video. The full-HD video is great! The quality of stills is not so great. Plus in low-light there is a lot of noise. But I have DSLR for those, so it's OK.

Review by Dreadnought (07/06/2011 17:22).

Camera for people who don't remember

This camera has a GPS feature that marks where pictures were taken. Some of us say we will rember where picture was taken now a camera that does it for you it is also easy to use and compact for all it can do.

Review by Cookie64 (07/06/2011 09:32).

Phenomenal Camera!

This should be just about the easiest review ever. Canon has really raised the bar with the SX230HS. From the easy to navigate menus, the slim camera body, shockingly great zoom, and unmatched clarity, this camera truly has it all. I would be hard pressed to believe that there is another point-and-shoot camera in it's price range that could compete. I am completely satisfied with this purchase, and I am very picky with cameras. Would I recommend this camera? Yes, 100%!

Review by ShootinAtWill (06/16/2011 08:27).

Wow! Great features and images

This is by far the best Canon camera I have owned. Great image quality and very fast. Burst shooting is smooth and even. The features in manual mode are far more than I was expecting. The low light setting is also equally exciting. I need a small, handy, camera for taking photos of live music events. This one is just what I needed. The pop up flash really helps to reduce red eye and is easy to access. I used to have a SD3500 from Canon and I liked it a lot but the features on the SX230 are far more usable and accurate. Pick one up and enjoy.

Review by zahmbee (06/11/2011 15:38).

Great camera

I've only had this camera for less than a month and I absolutely love it. The photo quality is great! Since I've only had it for less than a month, I can't provide a more detailed review as I need to play around with more of it's features. I'm sure anyone who loves Canon cameras will love this one too!

Review by Monij (06/02/2011 07:52).

A great general purpose camera!!

I've had this camera for about a month now and it's great. Takes awesome pics even when zoomed in to 14X. I bought a high end 4GB memory card when I bought this and it seems to take great 1080 hd video. I have had no problems using the 1080 hd video at all. I bought an inexpensive HDMI so I could play the video on my 46" flat screen and they look great. I was really surprised at the video quality! I would definitely recommend getting a bigger memory card though if your going to take a lot of video because you can only get about 15 min. on the 4GB card. The only complaint I have is that the wrist strap is very cheap and I would recommend getting a better quality one right away.

Review by Rouge (06/01/2011 19:18).

A very nice camera

This is a nice camera with alot of features including long exposure efects, great indoor and outdoor picture quality also the image stabilization is incredible. The flash position is not a problem cause you dont really need it that much and it is easy to put it down or up whenever you like.

Review by Nez48 (05/27/2011 12:08).

Brilliant Colored Photos!

This is my kind of camera, beautiful and easy. I love the feel, weight, and look of this camera - but more important, I like the finished product. The pictures are clean and sharp and show brilliant clarity in color. Takes good pictures in low light situations, too. See the pictures I took with my new Canon camera that I have attached. (Strawberries and Phoenix Desert Sunset) I am hoping that this camera lasts a long time. Thanks Canon!

Review by MaryMargaret (05/22/2011 17:21).

LOVE this camera

I bought this camera primarily because of the 14x zoom, I wanted something to take to concerts/sporting events when I can't take my DSLR. My old point and shoot was the Canon SD500 which only had a 3x zoom. The 14x zoom on this is amazing, the pictures were so crisp. I went up to 27x digital zoom and still had great pics. There is also a low light setting which I used at a concert and the pictures came out great. The video is also great, the sound was crystal clear and great picture. I didn't think it was choppy at all like I read in a previous review. The battery life is pretty low compared to my old camera so I will probably buy a 2nd...I had the camera on for about 2hrs straight, I took about 100 pics and about 5 min worth of video and it was fine. The battery warning started flashing while I was doing a 3 min video at the end but after I finished it went back up to 2 bars. It takes a little getting used to with the flash popping up where I would usually hold the camera but no big deal. Love the camera so far and I just wish I had something like this sooner. Also wish it was priced around $299 like similar ones out there.

Review by glfer12 (05/22/2011 11:05).

I love this camera

I love that it is easy to use. The lack of a touch screen is wonderful, the selection wheel makes it far easier to use and harder to mess up. I like the features and the different functions and picture styles make simple pictures look professional. I scrapbook a lot and so the quality of the shots means a lot to me. It fits easily in my purse so I can have it handy whenever I need it. I would definately recomend it to any and all of my friends. It was a little pricey, but I feel that it was worth the money I put into it. I would recomend getting a second battery, I took so many pictures at my friend's wedding that I had to charge up in the middle of the reception.

Review by RN22 (05/19/2011 23:20).

Not worth the money

I purchased this camera and compared to my old Kodak, the Sony WX9, Sony HX7, Sony HX9v. Of all those cameras it was the lowest in performance. My biggest problems were: low light/indoor shots definately not up to par with the sony on indoor shots, the auto mode takes way too long to focus-I missed several shots of my kids who were barely moving and when I got the shot most were soft or blurred. The lag time between shots and then add in focus time is just inexcusable in this price range. Also the red eye reduction is a joke, I do like how it automatically corrects red eye for you, cool feature, however, it does not fill in the entire pupil so you can see a ring of red around it, if you are not printing large prints you probably won't notice but I noticed on my laptop screen, and when I zoomed in on camera screen. Whenever my children sat still long enough for me to focus & take shot the picture was awesome. However, out of about 130 shots, I had only 5 that were perfect in focus, perfect white balance, and perfect color, and sharp. I feel that for a the name of canon and the price they command there is not excuse for these shortfalls, even though they have nice in camera features and this one surprisingly for canon is quite user friendly. Bottom Line, don't waist your money. After 5 cameras I finally found the one that was as close to good as I am going to get which was the Sony HX9v.

Review by picfreaks (05/19/2011 10:10).

Two Week Review - Canon SX230 HS

I've owned this Canon SX230 HS camera for just over two weeks now. During this time I've done about everything this camera offers - auto and manual. Overall, I gave it top ratings since the picture quality is fantastic and has nice features - especially the 14x zoom and that's what I wanted. GOOD Fantastic colors Many good features Auto and manual controls Good menu and easy navigation of controls Zoom is outstanding (optical at 14x) Zoom has variable speed when taking photos Low light shots are very good BAD 1080/24 video is VERY choppy (biggest complaint) 720/30 video is good (but its not 1080) Don't like the location of the popup flash (you can manully open or close it) Battery goes out pretty quick so buy an extra battery or two This review form only allows one area for both picture (photo) quality and video. The picture/photo quality are tops - 5 stars. However, if there was a separate video rating, at most it would be a 3. Lower resolutions are also available and no problems with them but I expect better HD videos. Overall the camera is very good and if I was buying again, I would buy this camera. The only thing I really have a serious issue with is the 1080/24 video - it really is not good for fast moving objects but ok for really slow or near still video.

Review by brillo (04/19/2011 16:14).

Great Camera in Low Light!!

I used this camera to photograph's my son's concert recital and was AMAZED at how well the pitcures came out in the low light!! I am also extemely happy with the 'compactness' of the camera even though it has a 14x optical zoom built in. This is a great compliment to my Canon 5D Mark II when I need a more portable solution.

Review by Husky25000 (04/11/2011 17:41).

Amazing camera and feature packed!

This Canon Powershot model is brand new for the Canon lineup this season, and already I could tell there are some huge improvements. First and foremost is the zoom. 14x optical is a versatile number, so your camera can go where you want to go without the bulkiness in size. I've never had to worry about snapping a picture of a farther object with this camera. Next would be all the creative features you can find in the scene mode. Some features like Color Accent and Fisheye either require an expensive lens for such an effect or a time consuming process in photo editing software. This is definately a camera for creative eyes. the manual mode on this camera is a great way to get your feet wet with taking the reins of your camera and really exposing great shots. A lot of concepts found on D-SLR cameras has been incorporated into the SX230 IS such as a light meter, exposure bracketing and shutter/aperture control. The only downside I could think of was the placement of the in-camera flash. Its located at the top left corner of the camera, where most people usually place their finger for grip. Its nothing to major in my opinion. All it requires is just a little time to adapt and then this Canon camera will perform amazingly!

Review by JeffreyL_BBYStaff88 (04/09/2011 13:31).

My new camera

Pictures look good. But the camera is hard to get use to holding it. If you hold it with both hands, and turn it on, the flash pops up where you are holding it with your left hand. I have to get use to holding it in a different fashion. There is really no comfortable way to hold this camera with out the fear of dropping it. And the strap is a very poor quailty strap and way to long. I put a different strap on it right a way. Getting back to holding the camera, either the flash is popping up on your first finger, it you hold it top to bottom, or your thumb is on the back viewscreen if you hold front to back.

Review by kirkie (03/31/2011 21:57).

Camera you WILL love!!!

I just bought this camera and I'm extremely happy with it. Very fast shutter speed, great stabilization, and it does really well in low light. Most point and shoots that I've had in the past haven't even compared to this camera. The 14x zoom is so clear. The video quality looks amazing too. The editing options it has are really fun to play around with. I also like the size. For having 14x zoom it's pretty small.

Review by Packergirl (03/27/2011 19:33).