Canon A720IS vs. Canon G9

[runway1]

I'm new to underwater photography and I want to get a digital camera that works well both above and below the water (for my trip to the Riviera Maya). And I'm trying to decide either between the Canon A720IS or the Canon G9. And I was wondering if I should go one way or the other?
Thanks

I have the same considerations and posted thread about a month ago. I threw out the G9 because RAW and the hot shoe weren't worth the money for me - I'm a beginning photographer under water.

I went with the A650 for two primary reasons;
*It shoots AP and SP and the A720 does not.
*It holds four batts and the A720 holds two. That A720 will change out batts fast as can be.

The difference between 8/12 MP isn't a factor unless you want to make posters. So, I'm going with the A650. I hear AP is very important under water

 

[diver 85]

I have the same considerations and posted thread about a month ago. I threw out the G9 because RAW and the hot shoe weren't worth the money for me - I'm a beginning photographer under water.

I went with the A650 for two primary reasons;
*It shoots AP and SP and the A720 does not.
*It holds four batts and the A720 holds two. That A720 will change out batts fast as can be.

The difference between 8/12 MP isn't a factor unless you want to make posters. So, I'm going with the A650. I hear AP is very important under water

Help me out, what does AP & SP stand for---my mind draws a blank right now..TIA....

 

[runway1]

Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority - sorry, lots of letters and I'm being lazy ;>)

Sometimes you want to fix the shutter speed (aka SP) and let the aperture float (camera controls the aperture based on the fixed shutter speed and the amount of light it reads). E.g. Shooting fast motion you may want to keep your shutter at 1/500th or above.

Other times you may want the opposite (aka AP) and let the shutter speed float. E.g. shooting slow/still macro images where depth of field is critical.

I'm a newbie under the water but shot a bunch above it. This kind of control is critical to good shooting. Many of the folks here and the photographers I dive with say they usually stay on AP but if the light is good (shallow) and there's action around (fish) they might move to SP. HTH

 

[BTravlin]

Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority - sorry, lots of letters and I'm being lazy ;>)

Sometimes you want to fix the shutter speed (aka SP) and let the aperture float (camera controls the aperture based on the fixed shutter speed and the amount of light it reads). E.g. Shooting fast motion you may want to keep your shutter at 1/500th or above.

Other times you may want the opposite (aka AP) and let the shutter speed float. E.g. shooting slow/still macro images where depth of field is critical.

I'm a newbie under the water but shot a bunch above it. This kind of control is critical to good shooting. Many of the folks here and the photographers I dive with say they usually stay on AP but if the light is good (shallow) and there's action around (fish) they might move to SP. HTH

The 720 has both of those capabilities. The two batteries in the 720 last a decent amount of time but 4 batteries would certainly be preferable.

 

[Rickg]

Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority - sorry, lots of letters and I'm being lazy ;>)

Sometimes you want to fix the shutter speed (aka SP) and let the aperture float (camera controls the aperture based on the fixed shutter speed and the amount of light it reads). E.g. Shooting fast motion you may want to keep your shutter at 1/500th or above.

Other times you may want the opposite (aka AP) and let the shutter speed float. E.g. shooting slow/still macro images where depth of field is critical.

runway1,

The A720IS most definitely does have those modes.

Quote:
Shooting Specifications
Shooting Modes
Auto, P, Av, Tv, M, Portrait, Landscape, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Night Scene, Aquarium, Underwater), Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Stitch Assist, Movie
Unquote:

Canon PowerShot A720 IS

And while 4 batteries are good I went with 2 batteries for smaller size and I have no problem making 2 dives between battery changes.

 

[diver 85]

runway1,

The A720IS most definitely does have those modes.

Quote:
Shooting Specifications
Shooting Modes
Auto, P, Av, Tv, M, Portrait, Landscape, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Night Scene, Aquarium, Underwater), Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Stitch Assist, Movie
Unquote:

Canon PowerShot A720 IS

And while 4 batteries are good I went with 2 batteries for smaller size and I have no problem making 2 dives between battery changes.

That's what I thought he was referring to & so does the A570..althought I refer to Aperture Priority as Av....Also--- a pair of charged AAs last 2 dives, perfect for my use as I shoot a maximum 2 GB card(sometimes 1 GB card) & have to change it also after 2 dives(if not sooner)..........

 

[alcina]

And it's Av for aperture priority and Tv for shutter priority, btw May have been part of the confusion.

All of the models discussed here have these modes and full manual controls plus various "scene" modes. They are extremely flexible and offer more controls than most will ever use. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[saltwater]

Hi,

I'm new and have a question. I'm not a diver but a surfer. I'm interested in buying the Canon A720IS with the Canon WP-DC16 housing. In using this combination above water in the water, are there water spots visible on the image? I'm not ready to spend the thousands on housings and ports yet and thought this might be an alternative for the time being.

Thanks.

 

[marcienko]

I recently purchase g9 and I can highly recommend. I still own a A640 and I will say that is a pretty nice also.It all depends on your budget. Here you can see pictures taken with A640 from last season.

Regards

Marcin

 

[runway1]

runway1,

The A720IS most definitely does have those modes.

Ahhhhh, I stand corrected!:10: