[BradShort]

Sorry guys, have resisted to post this for as long as i could. I have learnt the basics using a FZ38 and have realised that I would be happy with manual options on a compact now I understand shutter and aperture focused shooting.

I think i have narrowed it down to

Canon sx 230 HS
Panasonic TZ20
Sony Hx9V

But i can't bloomin decide on which of these to get . . . .

I've looked at pros and cons but i wondered if it was your £200, what would you get and why?

[dr no]

Originally Posted by BradShort

Sorry guys, have resisted to post this for as long as i could. I have learnt the basics using a FZ38 and have realised that I would be happy with manual options on a compact now I understand shutter and aperture focused shooting.

I think i have narrowed it down to

Canon sx 230 HS
Panasonic TZ20
Sony Hx9V

But i can't bloomin decide on which of these to get . . . .

I've looked at pros and cons but i wondered if it was your £200, what would you get and why?

My brother and I were looking at cameras as these a couple of months ago.
It had to be a good video recorder as well.
We decided the Sony was best overall - esp for the video.
So he went for the that
I went for TZ20 purely because at £185 and a further £35 rebate it was a good price and and close second to the Sony.

In use now that we have had them I will say the TZ20 is poor at low light whereas the Sony is excellent.
(out of the box automatic settings)

[BradShort]

Thanks for that I like the look of the Sony as well compared to the Canon and TZ. Anyone else got any comments i could take into account?

[FallOutBoy]

Originally Posted by BradShort

Thanks for that I like the look of the Sony as well compared to the Canon and TZ. Anyone else got any comments i could take into account?

Personally I'd rule out the Panasonic unless you want to wait a month or so for the new TZ30 (although this will be expensive). The TZ20 has had very mixed user reviews and I've read a lot of bad things about image quality. The Sony HX9V and Canon SX230/220HS are about the best 2 compact zoom cameras for the money at the moment, but the canon is also being replaced by a new model soon, so may drop in price!

In the DPReview group test I read a few months ago, the Canon came out on top overall, in terms of image quality, including the low light shots. On IW alone I'd go for the Canon (it's also slightly cheaper). But taking other factors into account like the better macro mode, background blur functionality and zoom range, the Sony wins. It depends on what you want really, the Sony has great IQ too, but I'd say the Canon just pips it in that department. Also the Sony has less manual control, whereas I think the canon has the full PASM.

I have a TZ8 and it's a great little camera, you can pick one up from Argos for £110 at the moment, which is a lot of camera for the money!! I think I may sell it soon though and upgrade to the TZ30!

[BradShort]

Great reply thanks! It was so close to call, i nearly got the Sony, but TZ8 was available at Argos near me, so i bought that to ride me over. Trying to offload the FZ38 now, you can see what fun I've had with that in the classifieds.

Thanks for the advice. For the record, i would have gone canon i think mainly due to the color repro, but i like the look and features of the Sony. Getting to gross with the tz8 as we speak