Travel Photography - Canon SX230 or?

I recently purchased the Canon SX230 for my upcoming travel. (I thought about DSLR but did not want to carry around a bigger camera and 2+ lenses, etc.)

I feel like the camera is pretty quality, but when purchasing I was having a hard time deciding on the sx230 or the Sony HX9V. Any thoughts on which one is actually better? Or is there another camera I overlooked?

I kept reading reviews that say the Canon has the better image quality so I went with it. I enjoy most of its features, but wish it had the hdr mode and panoramic mode of the Sony. (though I know I can just take multiple shots and combine them and the stitch panoramic mode will still do the job) Any thoughts on if I should take it back and exchange it? Thank you.

I recently purchased the Canon SX230 for my upcoming travel. (I thought about DSLR but did not want to carry around a bigger camera and 2+ lenses, etc.)

I feel like the camera is pretty quality, but when purchasing I was having a hard time deciding on the sx230 or the Sony HX9V. Any thoughts on which one is actually better? Or is there another camera I overlooked?

I kept reading reviews that say the Canon has the better image quality so I went with it. I enjoy most of its features, but wish it had the hdr mode and panoramic mode of the Sony. (though I know I can just take multiple shots and combine them and the stitch panoramic mode will still do the job) Any thoughts on if I should take it back and exchange it? Thank you.

I don't know if it is an option for you at this point, but I would 'test drive' both cameras. List the features that are important (hdr, panoramic). Find a good spot and take a series of pics on the Canon. Now take panoramic photos of the same scene with the Sony. Download both, stitch the Canon shots together, and compare the results.

Also..is the panoramic something you currently have or is it a new feature? I just ask, because I wonder how often you will actually use it. I used to take a fair number of panoramic shots when I still used film, but now I either use wide-angle or take a video clip, so panoramic mode is no longer of interest to me.

I don't know if it is an option for you at this point, but I would 'test drive' both cameras. List the features that are important (hdr, panoramic). Find a good spot and take a series of pics on the Canon. Now take panoramic photos of the same scene with the Sony. Download both, stitch the Canon shots together, and compare the results.

Also..is the panoramic something you currently have or is it a new feature? I just ask, because I wonder how often you will actually use it. I used to take a fair number of panoramic shots when I still used film, but now I either use wide-angle or take a video clip, so panoramic mode is no longer of interest to me.

Thanks for the response. I don't think I can demo both at this point. I fly out Tuesday and have a lot of stuff lined up for this weekend + work.

I am not sure about the different modes b/c I have never really been a picture taker. I just figured that if I am starting to travel more I SHOULD probably start to take more pics and have a decent camera to do so with. I know with the Canon it says you can do up to 26 photos in that mode so it could produce a pretty large photo. But it just seems easier with the Sony, same with the HDR mode. But again, not being a real pic taker I don't know how often I will actually use modes like that.

Thanks for the response. I don't think I can demo both at this point. I fly out Tuesday and have a lot of stuff lined up for this weekend + work.

I am not sure about the different modes b/c I have never really been a picture taker. I just figured that if I am starting to travel more I SHOULD probably start to take more pics and have a decent camera to do so with. I know with the Canon it says you can do up to 26 photos in that mode so it could produce a pretty large photo. But it just seems easier with the Sony, same with the HDR mode. But again, not being a real pic taker I don't know how often I will actually use modes like that.

Just stick with the sx230. Not so much cause it's highly recommended, which it is, but because you have it and just go ahead and start taking pictures! If you've not been a picture taker, I suggest not worrying about stuff like HDR mode or panorama. TAke a look at this If you haven' t already. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q311TravelZoomGroupTest/page17.asp

Just stick with the sx230. Not so much cause it's highly recommended, which it is, but because you have it and just go ahead and start taking pictures! If you've not been a picture taker, I suggest not worrying about stuff like HDR mode or panorama. TAke a look at this If you haven' t already. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q311TravelZoomGroupTest/page17.asp

Thanks for the link and the feedback. Much appreciated. I think I will keep it and try to use it a lot more often than my previous camera.

Hi gtrain83,

Please share with us your experience in using the Canon Powershot SX230 HS. I would love to see some photographs or some tips on whether buying this camera would be a good investment for taking photographs on holidays or developing a start into photography!

Thanks.