Canon PowerShot SX230 HS (Black)

Pros: I was looking for one camera that would do it all and the Canon SX230 has come a lot closer than I thought possible to doing it all. Video and audio were extraordinary for this size and type of camera. The audio response was outstanding. 24 fps video i

Cons: 1. Dust. Dust accumulated on the internal lens elements. It appeared first as a fine dust on the extension tubes of the zoom lens. I don't think it was from my pocket or camera pouch because the dust didn't appear anywhere else on the camera. In hind

Summary: 1. This camera surpassed my expectations as a traveling camera. I saw many people struggling with their giant SLRs and lens cases and was quite happy and content to be carrying this camera (I've been there with SLRs and I don't intend to ever carry one again.)
2. All the talk about short battery life is apparently due to the GPS feature. If I were roving about a National Park or sailing the deep blue seas, I would turn the GPS on and use it. Otherwise, it is just a gadget to be left off. I took well over 1000 pictures in 10 days, including video, and never used even half the battery life in a day.
3. All the talk about the flash being troublesome is nonsense. It took about 10 pictures to get comfortable with holding the camera so the flash doesn't pop-up. If it does pop-up, the lightest touch closes it. It is actually a kind of clever implementation of the flash feature - and I didn't find myself "flashing" in a single cathedral or chapel.

Updated on Oct 14, 2011

Dust. Dust accumulated on the internal lens elements. It appeared first as a fine dust on the extension tubes of the zoom lens. I don't think it was from my pocket or camera pouch because the dust didn't appear anywhere else on the camera. In hindsight, I think it might be aluminum filings. It is my opinion that the operation of the zoom lens generates dust internally and on the extension tubes. It may be just something that only happens during a break-in period, but the dust remains in the internal lens structure and the quality of pictures is affected . I am sending the camera back to Canon to have the internal lens components cleaned. Hopefully, this is only a break-in period problem as the dust seems to have stopped accumulating. I suggest that owners of this camera be careful to wipe-off or blow-off any dust accumulation on the lens tubes when the camera first being used.

Updated on Oct 22, 2011

My faith in Canon is restored! I called Canon. They provided me with a pre-paid UPS shipping form and the camera was returned on the third day following. No charge for shipping or repairs. It appears that the entire lens was replaced, so my camera may have just been a manufacturing exception.
After dealing with other retailers and manufacturers in the US, I gotta say that I am amazed at the prompt and effective response by Canon. Even with the problem, I would buy this camera again, especially because I know that the manufacturer backs it up.
There has been no dust accumulation on the repaired camera.