Randall Lewis
Active member
I've wanted a compact camera for a few years now for those times I just don't want to carry the DSLR and the camera bag. I've experimented with a few models, most recently the SX230 HS direct ancestor, the SX210, but there were always, always, always just too many annoying compromises. The 210 was a particularly good example of compromises and bad design decisions.
The SX230 is a delight to use. It does what I want it to; settings are easy to get to and adjust; physical controls are well designed; menus are intuitive; image quality is the best I've experienced in a compact; video is full HD and is quite good; grip and stability are surprisingly good considering the size; the LCD is bright and vivid. These are ALL improvements over the SX210 and many of them are improvements over the other compacts I've tried. The camera has GPS which I haven't tried because to date the camera has only been used at home. I have a geotag capable Eye-Fi card in the camera, so I may not ever use it except in remote locations where the Eye-Fi card can't pick up cell tower signals.
This is a well designed, nice looking compact that takes great stills and very good video.
Problems:
The location of the pop-up flash may annoy you. It takes some getting used to.
The SX230 is a delight to use. It does what I want it to; settings are easy to get to and adjust; physical controls are well designed; menus are intuitive; image quality is the best I've experienced in a compact; video is full HD and is quite good; grip and stability are surprisingly good considering the size; the LCD is bright and vivid. These are ALL improvements over the SX210 and many of them are improvements over the other compacts I've tried. The camera has GPS which I haven't tried because to date the camera has only been used at home. I have a geotag capable Eye-Fi card in the camera, so I may not ever use it except in remote locations where the Eye-Fi card can't pick up cell tower signals.
This is a well designed, nice looking compact that takes great stills and very good video.
Problems:
The location of the pop-up flash may annoy you. It takes some getting used to.