I bought the SX20 to take on an upcoming Alaskan vacation. I considered buying a super zoom lens for my DSLR but when I looked at the lens costs I reconsidered... I decided that buying a dedicated mega zoom point & shoot might be the better option. Here's why:
1. Cost, this entire camera set me back $400, a super zoom lens (with image stabilization) for my DSLR would have cost me at least $600.
2. Video, this thing shoots AMAZING HD video! See sample below.
3. Zoom range, the 28 - 560mm equivalent lens is simply stunning. No such lens exists for a DSLR body.
4. The video and zoom range combined in a CCD sensor based camera. None of that annoying rolling shutter that you see in the CMOS based DSLRS.
I've had it just a few days.. but so far I'm blown away. This video out of this thing is just amazing. It has a dedicated video button that let's you shoot photos and with one press go straight to HD video recording... perfect setup for trying to capture all the action.
Problems
Double A batteries, Canon.. seriously? Is this a joke? It' 2009, where is the user friendly rechargeable battery that you put in EVERY OTHER CAMERA. I don't know what Canon is thinking... AA's suck, but don't let it ruin the camera for you. It's great and some people might prefer AA's.. but it seems kind of lame to me.
Build, I'm used to cameras that are built like tanks, this is not one of them. It is probably average and no doubt solid.. but it's not going to withstand a drop like a DSLR will.