Another "Which A-series should I buy" post...

[DSR-3]

It's time to replace my Oly C-3020/PT-010. This will be our main camera- as much for family/general use as diving. The diving use is like most amateurs, just to capture the memories, and take some quality pictures for sceen savers, wallpaper, and a few 8x10's. I've had some pretty good results with the old-Oly.

I value/use the manual controls, so that and hours of surfing have led me to the Canon A630 & A570IS.

I've been through all the searches, web sites, reviews, ebay, etc. I think I understand the differences and features, but still can't seem to choose. Here's where I'm stuck on features/benefits;
A630;
Bigger CCD
4x AA batteries = faster flash cycle, longer life?
Having never used RAW, I don't know the value of the F/W hack to shoot RAW?
Adapter lens options (land)
Slightly stronger flash?

A570IS;
IS- sounds interesting for land-use? Valuable? Part of me wants it, part says "you've done without it for years". The main reason I'm looking at the 570, is the IS.
Newer tech.
Wider aperture range
Slightly smaller size

I probably won't want to add u/w lenses, maybe a cheap strobe at some date. The simple/small approach fits me well for now. Any possible $$ difference doesn't matter, but both are in my range for this buy. I will be using a Canon housing.

Thanks for any help and advise!
-Eric

 

[diver 85]

The A570is is just out(Feb. I believe)........I was recently EXACTLY in your same shoes & pulled the trigger on the 570......To my knowledge, no one here has posted on using it UW....I do know Willar(from here) is going to Jamaica in June with his.......I'll be traveling to Little Cayman in July with mine.....

I'm kinda like you, wanting to see some shots @ depth with it..If someone has, please let me know, maybe posts some pics.....Good luck in your decision DSR, keep me posted on what you come up with......

 

[Scott Riemer]

Can I ask why you're not considering the A710IS? Although, there's not that much difference between it and the A570IS.

 

[marcienko]

I'm very happy with A630.

 

[Peter_C]

I too wonder why not the A710? It has IS and a 6X optical zoom for about $30 more. The housing should be very close in price to each other. Costco has them in stock with a 2 gig card at a good price. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11196499&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

You can read about them here
http://www.steves-digicams.com/cameras_dig6.html

FWIW Costco also has the rechargeable batteries for around $20. That is assuming you have a Costco membership, but how could on possibly go through life without Costco?

 

[UTKnox]

I too was in your shoes recently, and ended up going with the 570. So far, I'm loving the camera on land. I have yet to take it U/W yet, although I plan to at least get a few shots in this Saturday as a trial run of sorts. I'm new to U/W photography, so you'll have to bear with me as they most likely will not be anything special. I'm also headed go Grand Cayman in 9 days, and will post what I've got when I return.

That being said, the biggest drawing point for me of the 570 was the Digic III chip. This camera is blazing fast, even with the flash.

 

[DSR-3]

Thanks All. Please keep it coming.
I had skipped over the A710, as I didn't see anything other than more zoom it offered over the A570. Maybe worth considering as zoom is a good feature. The other reason was the digic III in the 570. I've read somewhere that it is good for some improved speed. "This camera is blazing fast, even with the flash." Now that sounds great.
I have to decide pretty soon, as I'm off to Coz in 2 weeks.

 

[DesertEagle]

Right now you don't feel a need for extra lenses or such. But in the future that may change. The 570 housing will be a good fit. The 710 won't. For that reason alone, I'd get the 570.

IS isn't that useful underwater. As a feature, it's mostly used on telephoto lenses.

 

[Willuw]

Is there an issue with the 710 housing? Im in similar shoes as the OP and I would find the 6x optical zoom as very beneficial (on land)..

 

[diver 85]

Is there an issue with the 710 housing? Im in similar shoes as the OP and I would find the 6x optical zoom as very beneficial (on land)..

From my understanding(land useage only for the 570 @ this time), the zoom is not useful for Macro(tulip or Manuel Focus mode, in fact, you can not focus it while in MF mode with any zoom added).............UW, you need to concentrate on something being close(I've done 35mm--S&S MMII EX since '95) so I'm thinking the extra zoom is not going to help UW...........