Canon A720 IS

[Willuw]

Google is your friend...

Raw image format - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Hoosier]

Good review: A570is, A650is and A720is.

 

[bobgads]

Has anyone utilized the Canon 950 IS or 870 IS. How do these cameras compare to the A series cameras for diving purposes? I know they are somewhat smaller. Will they loose clarity? Can/should I get a red filter. I am purchasing the Canon underwater housing for the camera. I would appreciate a quick answer as I want to purchase ASAP and get ready for my trip to Cozumel on 12/13!!!!

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Has anyone utilized the Canon 950 IS or 870 IS. How do these cameras compare to the A series cameras for diving purposes? I know they are somewhat smaller. Will they loose clarity? Can/should I get a red filter. I am purchasing the Canon underwater housing for the camera. I would appreciate a quick answer as I want to purchase ASAP and get ready for my trip to Cozumel on 12/13!!!!

Thanks for any help you can provide.

I have the 870is and I LOVE IT. It used to be that the smaller cameras jus didn't cut it in low light etc... but that's not the case now with the Canon's. It takes photos as well as the a series but you lose control with the elph series that you have with the a series. For example, you can't bump down the flash setting and this can be a problem when shooting macro without a strobe. Also, the elph series pretty much kills almost all manual control so that could be a problem unless you want to shoot in manual or or a setting close to it.

All that said, the 870 is an awesome, tiny, camera that really matches the a series in pic quality but of course, the smaller you get, the more you have to sacrifice. Some of those things are total manual control, zoom, etc...but the elph series really does take some awesome pics.

Just a quick answer...could get much more detailed. go to Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ

I suggest if you want a cheaper but really nice camera to grow into for underwater use, look at the a720 is. under 400 bucks for the housing and camera. Can't beat it.

 

[pjm1128]

We recently purchased a A710 and we are very very impressed with it.

We bought it because you can hack the DIGIC II processor and get all kinds of crazy value added stuff:
You can shoot RAW (huge plus and a bunch of hours on the learning curve)
A live histogram
The ability to run scripts - for time lapse photography, dof "stacking", exposure bracketing, etc.
Heck, you can even use your lcd as an autoscrolling text reader and load a book and read it on vacation

I am NOT making this stuff up! It's perfectly safe too. They are starting to port the hack to the DIGIC III family but there does seem to be some problems specifically with the a720.

Not sure if any of the value added stuff is important to you but for us, the ability to shoot RAW in a sub $200 CANON camera with 7+ mpixels, 6x optical and IS? No-brainer! Add in a sub $150 CANON housing and, in our opinion, GREAT DEAL.

I specifically am not including a link but google "chdk wiki" for all the info you need.


Peace
TeerLkay

Pics from our first underwater excursion with the A710




Video from our first underwater excursion with the a710 (the very last clip on the video is with an a510-you can see the quality difference)

YouTube - Eagle Rays

I have the A710 IS and love it. I don't know anything about "hacking the Digic II processor". Can you enlighten me as to what that would do for me?

Pat

 

[TEERLKAY]

can explain everything so much better than I can.

CHDK in Brief - CHDK Wiki



You will NOT hurt your camera in anyway