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My camera experience goes back.ummmm. It's light enough to carry on a strap around my neck. I decided I should join the user group for digital cameras last yr. The only choice was the Canon A720.
It's a shame that Canon stopped making this camera although you can find them at a price. It uses 2 AA batteries. A tripod socket on the underside rounds out the features I was looking for. They upped the megapixel count to 10 but cut the zoom to 4x on a current model that could be it's younger brother. A couple downsides I can live with- such as; no hot shoe for a (better) flash, and a viewfinder that doesn't show all that will appear in the actual shot. a lot of years- all with 35mm film cameras.
I've shot 300 pictures on a set without having them go dead on me. This is a very well featured camera for the price and should be considered a step up from the point and shoot pocket digitals a lot of people have now. I done my homework between the features I wanted in a camera, what was available and what I could afford. It features 8 MP on to a SD card, a 6x zoom (a lot of others topped out at 3x), a 2½" LCD, a Viewfinder- so you don't have to stretch out your arms to see the display while taking a picture, it has image stabilization to allow shake free photos, an optional filter adapter to allow the use of a filter on the end of the lens, and in general a good fit/feel while in use.
The SX110 (evident immediate successor to the A-series control) has no viewfinder. It looks like something you would give to children. I have also tested in hand the Fuji s1000fd which faired very poorly in image quality next to the A720is. You cannot see LCDs of any digicam in full sun.
The FZ28 is a very nice camera but with the FZ models having an annual sales life I've decided to wait for the FZ38 or whatever the FZ28 successor is. Gone is Aperature and Shutter Priority let alone full manual adjustment. The size and outer ergonomics of that style are spot on. In my testing I have viewed hundreds of samples online from Digital Elph and Panasonic minis to all the major superzooms. The Nikon P90 is too big and image quality flat.
So when I boil down why I am still using the A720is it is a combination of size and image quality. In general I am most impressed with Panasonic as a camera line. But having an A720 for a year and a half the thing that is really starting to bug me in general about Canon is the lack of innovation most evident in the menu system. Having some kind of viewfinder is not an antiquated hack like a film advance lever, it is necessary. On my recent vacation I was out in direct sun alot. So beyond the slow flash recycle time of the A720is I am very pleased with this camera. I have owned various models of the A-series starting with the A520 in 2005. The menu system on Canon camera at the low end is virtually identical and it lacks panache.
And the SX1 is has not lived up to the previous S models and has the weight and bulk from 4 AA batteries. Going smaller in any camera line I know of will not get you the image quality the A720is has to offer. But one of the most important things I realized from having used this controllable A-series for these years is how important a compact body AND a viewfinder is. The A720 is the best one I've owned thanks to a trusted design, great image processing, and the 6x zoom lens. When you look at the menu system of Nikons you have something slightly better and the Panasonic menu systems like in the FX37 is much easier to navigate than Canon. They still have the best overall image sensor quality, but the packaging in the camera body, and the menu system, have been very much hit and miss. But my searching has led me to realize that a successor to the A720is is not to be found within the Canon stable.You see Canon has largely crippled the latest in the A series (after the 720 and 590) by removing control, manual and otherwise, from the line. Pentax having surprised with K10d and K20d, and micro 4:3 also looking like a potential player.
The small grip is pretty good. After a recent trip with my Nikon D60 and A720is I started looking for a bridge camera (aka superzoom) to lighten my load (mostly to leave the D60 at home next time). The SD1200is and siblings are cute minicams but they do not feel like a solid camera like FX37. The newer A series is blending the grip away which is a mistake. Nikon have edged them out of the low-end DSLR space, taken bites out of their higher end DSLRs, and Panasonic have bitten into their P&S end. All cameras are compromises and the A720 hit a very usable sweet spot in design that I do not see Canon aiming at again.
I don't see Canon doing anything revolutionary to get an edge and their groove back. The SX1 is too big.
But image quality is not good overall. And that is aspects of the design.
The A720 has few if any worthy siblings in the current low-end Canon line up.Oh, and for my bridge camera search, I really wanted to like the Fuji s1000fd/s1500fd. I also have tested in hand a Panasonic FX-37 and the image quality of the A720is is superior.
The overall impression I have is that Canon has lost their edge. Canon is having problems getting the 'grip' right on their low end digicams (Digital Rebels and SX1 being examples of inadquate grips) but the A720 grip is ok for A720 size.
The newer S/SX series is taking over this space. So the A720, unless replaced by another controllable 'A' appears to be the end of the line for this great series.Looping the A720 back into this discussion there is something that bothers me about it besides the flash recycle time.
My real gripe is that it went dead the other day and it will cost me at minimum a third what I paid for it to even be diagnosed. I found its modes and settings to be more complicated than the 'regular' cameras settings it seems to be trying to shield you from, but in most cases it functions best to just point and shoot anyway. In searching for a solution(of which I tried all available to me), I found that this is hardly an isolated case with the midpriced Powershot cameras and to be honest I will be looking elsewhere for a replacement. I purchased this camera about a year and a half ago after much research, and by and large I've been satisfied with it. It takes decent photos with little help or instruction.
It arrived quickly and in great shape. Excellent service. I have looked for this camera for a year.
I use the underwater mode for the fall season and the colors just came out awesome. The various modes give a lot of flexibility. I selected this camera because it gives some kind of manual control. The flash takes about 3-4 seconds to reactivate so this camera is not good for taking quick shots at nighttime. I would definitely recommend the camera for its price. I havnt been able to take the blurred background shots with this one because the settings are not that high. Other than that it works great.
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