Canon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Digital camera Review: A Well Rounded, Compact Camera that's Suitable for Beginners and Amateur Photographers
Summary: 4 Stars
The Canon PowerShot A720IS is an interesting beast as it doesn't seem to have particularly good or bad qualities. It takes pleasant pictures with good clarity and color, and the rich feature-set will satisfy both novice and experienced photographers, but in the end, this camera feels uninspired and amorphous. It's not as small or sleek as Canon's Digital ELPH series (SD Series), nor does it have the imaging abilities of the G series or the absolute zoom capabilities of the S series. If you could take all of Canon's consumer digital cameras (minus the DSLR's) and roll them up into a single camera, it would be very similar to the A720. This camera isn't anything exceptional, but it is very functional.
With that said, this is one of the better budget cameras I've used. With various scene modes and full manual controls, it can grow with you as your skills improve, assuming you spend the time to learn how to use it. This camera works as an acceptable point-and-shoot in the program mode, but when you start playing with the manual controls, great low light and macro shots become possible. Some noteworthy elements of this camera are its excellent video mode (30fps 640x480 resolution), 6x optical zoom, and use of standard AA batteries. The flash is also pretty good and in the right mode, the camera will automatically adjust the flash's brightness.
Digital Noise has been getting better throughout the years and with the new A720, you can pretty much use up to ISO200 without having to worry about noise. Although the camera supports higher ISO settings, anything above 200 will start to become very noticeably grainy. At ISO80, the pictures are just beautifully smooth.
This camera performs exceptionally well outdoors on a sunny day, or in places where there are generous amounts of bright light - the picture quality in these situations can rival cameras costing twice as much! Unfortunately, this performance noticeably diminishes in challenging lighting situations such as those encountered on a hike in the woods. There, the overall level of light is lower but there are now very high contrast zones (such as sunlight peeking through the tree branches). Under these circumstances, the picture's colors become muted and flat with a tinge of blue. Also, under challenging lighting conditions, it's very easy to get blurry or over/underexposed shots. (You can fix the color issue by adjusting the camera's "White Balance", and you can help the over/underexposed shots by adjusting the "Metering Mode")
In my opinion, the built-in image stabilization works, but it isn't terribly effective. IS cameras can't perform miracles - they can only compensate a little bit for camera shake, so blurry pictures will remain a reality. Observing the proper shooting posture and holding your breath is much more effective - many digital camera users extend both arms to hold the camera, which is an inherently unstable position. It's much more stable to hold the camera up to your face and use the viewfinder! There are a number of things you can do to fight blur besides relying on image stabilization, including: zooming out, using a higher ISO, increasing shutter speed, and opening up the aperture (make the F number smaller). Keep in mind that to effectively use this camera's 6x zoom, you'll either need a tripod or some other stable surface to put the camera on.
The camera feels lightweight but sturdy, and is small enough to fit inside a large pocket. Although it is bulkier than the Digital ELPH series, with the A720, I can grip it firmly with both hands for steadier shooting.
I didn't have too many complaints about this camera except that it's sluggish at times (especially when the flash is turned on), but power-on to first shot times are respectable. Another problem is that the built-in viewfinder is off-center and only shows about 70% of the scene, making fine compositions a very challenging task. In the end, this is a great camera and you get a lot for the money.
Digital camera Review: A camera for everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
This camera travels everywhere with me. I have bigger and better, but they are no good if they are at home when the shot comes up. This camera uses AA batteries, is small enough to go in a purse, has a great (6x)optical zoom range, and captures wonderful quality images. Not to mention that it has been a very durable camera. It is not the smallest, but it works for me. I appreciate a camera that I can get a hold of. It also has a number of adjustments that allow artistic expression or tweeks to photographic preferences as well as a dependable fully auto point and shoot.
The A590is does just as well but has 3x optical zoom and is slightly smaller. Either one does a great job for the photographer that wants to record fun images of thier life without a lot of fuss.
Digital camera Review: A camera you can trust
Summary: 5 Stars
Amazing camera! You can really trust it! Sometimes it looks blurry or you are in movement and you think your picture is going to be bad, but it captures great pics anytime.
The functions are great and the macro function works really well!
Digital camera Review: A great camera for the money
Summary: 5 Stars
After doing a lot of research for a new digital camera, I found the A720.
It had everything I was looking for and more:
-A viewfinder (for those bright days and when trying to conserve the batteries by turning off the LCD, easily I might add)
-6x Optical zoom, with the option of turning off digital zoom
-Image stabilization
-Capability of using an SDHC card for faster picture taking and high storage capacity
-The ability to change the volumes of all the sounds of the camera. I can still have the sound on to hear video playback, but can turn down and off the sounds for start-up, button pressing, shutter click, etc.
-Fully retractable lens, without a need for a lens cap
-Quick startup time
-Capability of adding another lens to it if I so choose, though it seems most add-on lenses will block the flash
-Very small size, smaller than I thought it would be after seeing all the pictures. Easily fits in a pocket, and the quick startup time allows me to get the picture I want without having to keep the camera in my hands at all times
-Remembers my LCD settings after shutdown
-Very decent video quality
-Large LCD screen
I have noticed that some of my indoor pictures seem a little bright, I haven't fully read through the manual to see if that can be changed. Overall though it isn't really noticeable, and I got rave reviews from those I shared my holiday pictures with. Many people asked what camera I had, and even had someone go out and buy the same one after playing with mine.
A quality camera with a ton of features for a relatively low price. I would recommend this camera to anyone looking for a great pocket sized camera!
Digital camera Review: A great camera for the money
Summary: 5 Stars
I had a higher end canon before, but when I was in Vegas, some sand got into the zoom motors and well, its no longer with us.. I had a trip to NYC planned, so I bought this as a replacement..
I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. Even in Times Square at night, this did a great job. So many great modes to pick from, and great stabilization. 8MP is more than enough for me, I set it down to 5 to save memory, and the pictures are nice and crisp and clear.
As others have pointed out, the AA batteries are such a huge feature. I have friends with HP cameras that use special battery packs. I laugh as their packs go dead, while I can walk into any store and buy a pack of AA and get back to the picture taking fun :)
Its much smaller than my old camera, so I don't need a big bulky bag for it, but I get just as nice pictures out of it. I'm so glad I got this one.