Canon A650 vs A720 Suggetions Please...

[BWVNUT]

Hi photog gurus...I've been enjoying searching your threads the last few days and have gotten some awesome information! So, thank you!

Hope you can help and comment on the a650 vs the a720. I've narrowed my search down to these two cameras because of the features and the basic size of the camera.

I would really love to join the s3/s5 family, but I could do without the bulk of the camera - and not to mention all the buttons and dials frighten me! (I need to really take a photog course)

I've done the comparison at dpreview:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...de&cameras=canon_a650is,canon_a720is&show=all

While I get there are some differences in the two, I'm not sure if the differences are "worth" the $100 price difference. What do you all think?

I'm a novice for sure (been using my trusty old Kodak P&S which has done me quite well. I have taken some really great shots with it over the years. I'll miss that little guy!) I just want to graduate a little to a better camera and begin to experiment with some more features.

Thank you all so much for any help!

 

[campinggal]

In addition to my Nikon Digital SLR- I've owned Canon point-and-shoots like the ones you are comparing.

Although they are 'chunkier' than some of point-and-shoots out there- I like how they feel and I like the variety of features. So either are great choices.

As to if the $100 difference is worth it- that is really your call. I LOVE the swivel screen on my Canon (I have the older A620)- the a650 has that but the a720 doesn't. Between the higher pixels and the swivel screen in the 650- I would find it easy to justify the $100 more. But that is just my opinion.

Some say that if you aren't planning on blowing up your photos really huge- anything larger than 6MP is fine in a camera.

I hope that helps a bit!

Happy shopping and have fun with your new camera.

 

[hercamore]

We purchased the 720 for my DD and her DH this Christmas.

She likes it a lot.



herc.

 

[ukcatfan]

One of the problems with more MPs is usually increased noise in the image. It had been typically accepted that the turning point of benefit vs. increased noise was around 6-7 MP, but that is based on impressions of cameras a couple years old now. Technology is constantly changing. I do believe that 12MP is still way too much for a small p&s sensor to handle considering that some of the top of the line DSLRs are only 10-11 MP. One thing to consider in your situation though is that the A650 has the larger 1/1.7" sensor compared to the run of the mill 1/2.5" in the A720. That should help control noise, but you will probably need to view some side by side comparison shots to see which controls noise better. Look at the low light shots for this b/c in good lighting the noise can hide. Basically, what I am saying is not to make your decision on MPs, but instead on how well each handles image noise. A rotating screen is a nice feature though. I used it a lot on my S1 IS.

Kevin

 

[BWVNUT]

Thanks to the three of you for your excellent input! I appreciate it very much!