Camera Labs

Hi all,

I have been reading many reviews and am unable to decide between the Ixus 230 and the lumix Tz20.

This will be my first camera so a point and shoot is great. I am going to Thailand in a couple of weeks and would love to bring back some good images.

Basically i can get both these cameras for the same price and while the TZ20 seems to have more funky features, im am not sure ill use them. Taking this into account the 230 may be a better option as the reviews seem to think its image quality is excellent.

My final option is actually the ixus 220. To be honest never having a camera before i am not sure how much emphasis to put on the optical zoom advantage. The 220 is 70 dollars cheaper.

I probably haven't given much of an idea about usage but i guess my question boils down to: which would you personally choose, ixus 230 or lumix Tz20 and why?

Kind regards
Dan

If you value image quality more go for the canon, if you like the extra reach in zoom go for the panasonic.
But as a travel camera from those two, I would lean to the Panasonic, the extra zoom is a nice feature.

Have you looked at the ixus 1100 / 510, that would be my pick ?

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Hi maxjj,

Thanks for your reply

To be honest, im more particular about the image quality and my girlfriend is more particular about the features (GPS etc). Its a joint camera so we're trying to find common ground. I guess while its an incredibly hard question to answer im wondering how often the 8x zoom would actually cause a problem (i.e. how often would i realistically find myself saying i wish i had 16x during normal everyday operation). If the answer is not very often or unlikely then i think the cannon will be the go.

On the other hand, the Lumix does seem to be incredibly popular and it can't have got that way if the images are too bad, so considering they are the same price maybe i should get the extra zoom and bells and whistles.

Unfortunately Ixus 1100 is out of our price range (its around $150 more than the other two). We did see another option today in the shape of the Ixus 1000 HS. We can pick this up again for the same price as the Tz20 and Ixus 230 however, i havent yet had a chance to look at the reviews. I do like the fact it has a 16:9 screen. We decided against the Ixus 320 (also a 16:9 screen) due to the 4.4x optical zoom, we are thinking this may be somewhat limiting.

Any further comments?

Kind regards,
Dan

easy get the Panasonic then, the woman is always right.
But seriously, the zoom will be handy, the next big step up form there is going to DSLR`s and then it starts getting expensive.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Haha, yes, that is true.. i have to say im already in the bad books for taking so long to decide

I will definitely take your comments into consideration Im do have to say i thought you would recommend the cannon due to your signature.

*Off to buy a TZ20.... i think .. *

I am not particularly brand loyal. I buy what ticks all the boxes at the time. I have an older Sony video and Sony DSLR. As a generalisation I have leant to Canon for P&S, but Panasonic and Sony is also on the list these days. Never warmed up to Nikon in the P&S range.
If I look at all the P&S around the family and friends, its the other brands, none of the ones mentioned here,that have had various problems. Some issue around lenses generally and needing fixing while under warranty.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Well.. I didnt end up getting the TZ20.. I did some more research and found it also has a few issues with the quality of sound recording and also the quality of video in low light is average at best.

All in all, while i think it would be perfectly fine for the use it will get - i just cant bring myself to buy something when i know it has fundamental downfalls when used in certain circumstances. On the brighter side (depending on how many brownie points i've lost..) the girlfriend has now given me the torch to carry and wants no part in the decision process - its all me now (yes, i actually won!)

The problem, im basically back to square one. Im leaning towards the Ixus 210 because it seems great all round, but the lack of zoom and smaller screen size does bother me slightly. Im VERY tempted to get the Ixus 220 (8x zoom + 3inch screen) but then im spending the same as the TZ20 and despite being given authority to choice to myself im really not sure spending the same for something without the extra "features" would go down too well

Decisions..!

Good to know the ones mentioned here are not commonly having hardware issues, that is some weight off my mind.

I see you have a steep learning curve ahead of you, about woman that is. I have been married a while trust me on this
You didn`t win
Sometimes it pays to loose, you may then win in the long run when it really matters

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Haha yes, you are right.. I've come across this a few times so far buuuuuut i've managed to win back some points by cooking dinner All in all I think im still in the positive

Back to the camera topic... Just bought the new camera today.. Sony HX9V hmmm.. Heres hoping it lives up to the expectations!

Hi, You still there? Hows the Sony HX9V? live up to your expectations? since I'm looking one also.

Hi there,

Its fantastic! As a pocket travel zoom it just ticks all the boxes.

The zoom really is handy and the images are clear and plesent. Im in Bangkok now and making my way through Thailand so i will post up some sample images when i get back.

All in all i have no complaints. I was concerned about the gps but at least in my experience its connected reasonably fast and I've had no issues.

Bottom line, im over the moon.

Cool, I will wait for the samples you get.