Please help me decide between two cameras.

[Varekai]

I'm looking to get a camera when my tax return hits in a couple weeks, and have decided between two camera's, but can't decide which is better, as I have no experience in the field. I chose the two because of the high zoom in them. I'm no camera expert, usually every picture I take is on my phone, but me and my girl have been wanting something for when we go to the park and zoo, so that we can zoom up and get a good picture. I don't want something I have to learn to use like a DSLR, or that I have to carry around spare lenses that are 8" long at a theme park to get a good zoom, which is why I want a point and shoot. So now that my story is out of the way, here's the two cameras I'm set on

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-Sho.../dp/B004H8FND0

Amazon.com: Canon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCD: Camera & Photo

Any help would be great deciding between the two. Thank you in advance.

[Andy Stanton]

The Sony HX100v is excellent in all respects. I wouldn't buy the Canon SX30 IS as Canon has a new model, the SX40 HS, which is cheaper and better.

As between the Sony and the Canon I personally prefer the Sony though a good case could be made for the Canon. I like the Sony's "sweep" panorama mode which makes it easy to take panorama shots. The Canon lacks this feature. Another advantage of the Sony is a very sharp, high resolution LCD screen - much better than the Canon's. The main advantage of the Canon is a very long zoom lens - 35x compared to 30x for the Sony.

[Varekai]

Thank you very much, I will go with the sony then, for the panoramic and higher megapixels over the 5x zoom from the other canon you pointed out. I just wasn't sure if sony's camera were that good since everyone always talked about canons. I appreciate it!

[piratemom]

For what it's worth, my favorite camera of all time was my Sony H10. I am a huge fan of the Sony H series.