This is really a great beginner camera. I was debating over this camera
and the powershot s30 which was more heavily recomended to me. I
bought the s230 because I figured I was not yet advanced enough to
appreciate all the s30's features and the smaller size would make me
more likely to use it. So far this has held true. I have had the camera a
short time admittedly, but I hardly feel like I am near mastering every
capability of this camera yet. The focus lock and flash lock are
wonderful and simple to use, the white balance controls are very decent
for someone new like me, there are far more options then i expected
from a camera that was advertised to be completely point and shoot
(well thats the impression I had from what I read). And on the other
hand the automatic features of this camera do a pretty decent job if you
are just trying to take an easy shot. The only complaints I have is that
the macro shots are nothing to brag about, if your looking for
something to take high detail close ups you might look elsewhere, and
of course the flash is crap, but I wasn't really able to find any
comparable cameras with very good flashes. I love the thing and I
think that it is thus far making a great camera to learn on, maybe
someday I'll decide I know enough that I need to upgrade, but I don't
forsee that day coming until this camera is long outdated.
and the powershot s30 which was more heavily recomended to me. I
bought the s230 because I figured I was not yet advanced enough to
appreciate all the s30's features and the smaller size would make me
more likely to use it. So far this has held true. I have had the camera a
short time admittedly, but I hardly feel like I am near mastering every
capability of this camera yet. The focus lock and flash lock are
wonderful and simple to use, the white balance controls are very decent
for someone new like me, there are far more options then i expected
from a camera that was advertised to be completely point and shoot
(well thats the impression I had from what I read). And on the other
hand the automatic features of this camera do a pretty decent job if you
are just trying to take an easy shot. The only complaints I have is that
the macro shots are nothing to brag about, if your looking for
something to take high detail close ups you might look elsewhere, and
of course the flash is crap, but I wasn't really able to find any
comparable cameras with very good flashes. I love the thing and I
think that it is thus far making a great camera to learn on, maybe
someday I'll decide I know enough that I need to upgrade, but I don't
forsee that day coming until this camera is long outdated.