What a great buy for the money. It is the highest rated super zoom camera!

I have been using a Canon S5is which I have used for years. This is a little larger camera with a smaller grip for your hand.
First, what do I think of the upgrade. The electronics Digic camera processor takes about the same time regardless of the size or speed of cards. The focus is very good until at max zoom - then it requires several shots to get a good one. This could be due to the long focal length of a super zoom camera. On my older model I used a all glass Sony 1.7X Teleconverter. The results were very good.
Image quality has improved with the new camera. Under ideal conditions - outdoors on a sunny day, the camera is great. Using this camera on a cloudy day, in the woods, in the shade, or indoors, requires that you hold it very still or use a tripod. You can also set ISO to 400 or 800 and try a handheld shot.
I really like the new macro feature - one button operation not 2 - regular and super macro like the old camera. Lighting conditions are the same as mentioned above for macro shooting.
Battery life is good, but bring additional ones with you.
I would still buy this camera again. It is impossible for one camera to do it all.
This camera has the highest ratings of the super zoom cameras.

Love it camera! Like New, Great Price!

Love this camera, Best one I've ever owned! My old camera quit, & I sell on eBay, so I had to get a different one. I'm still learning how to use it. Like the new rechargable battery last much longer than AA's! And a Good thing is that my close-up lenses for my old camer work on this one also, * & it fits in my old camera case also! The only thing it didn't have was a camera strap & I got one for it already!

This camera is my new bestest friend !

I bought the Canon SX 30 IS because of the Canon name. My first 35 mm camera was a Canon AE-1 Program. I loved that camera from the start. I am very happy with this digital update from Canon. An excellent camera for sure. I highly recommend it.

Great camera, I love this thing!!

I bought this to replace my aging S3 IS and this thing is great. From the crazy 35x optical zoom to the 0cm macro (which I have to have), this camera makes me look like a star. Beautiful large articulatin LCD screen, awesome digital stabilization, ready to take pictures almost instantly, and the battery holds a charge for a long time. What can I say, I love it!!

If you can get it for under 250 its a great camera.

I owned as Canon Powerdhot sx20is for the last two and half years and I absolutely loved that camera.I film alot of "Solar obliteration technique" shots and require a camera that can handle this technique.The sx20is had a feature called "Sunset" that was perfect for achieving this. Well i get my new camera SX30 is thinking it will have everything the SX20is did and MORE right? WRONG!!! They took out the "Sunset" option but left everything else. HELLO!!! CANON?? Ever heard the phrase if it aint broke don't fix it? So 75% of my photos and video are using this technique which the Canon sx30is cannot achieve. Also the zoom (although 60x greater (digital Sx30is 140x,Sx20is 80x)Does not take clear pictures at that distance.The photos are very noisy and very grainy. For video and other closer shots this camera takes outstanding quality pictures.Speed is much quicker and it has 14.1 megapixels instead of 12.1. But im wondering if 12.1 isn't much better since the sx20is took better distance shots and Canon has reverted back to the 12.1 mp for the SX40is. Hmmmm Overall if you can get this camera for under 250 dollars its an outstanding buy. Any more than that I would skip to the SX40 or revert back to the SX20is.