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Canon PowerShot A710 IS
Canon PowerShot A710 IS
B-
HQ Grade: B-
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 4 out of 5
"I got what I had expected."
  • 4 out of 5
"Good Point & Shoot with Extras"
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Question Answered!
Josh Pollock (Josh-Pollock) 81 pts
March 4, 2007 12:06 PM
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G7 vs A710 vs A570 vs P5000 vs TX1

Should i get the A570 (wait till it comes out), P5000 (wait till it comes out), G7, A710, or the Canon TX1 (wait till it comes out) (manual controls would be nice though) I tkink i want the P5000
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This question is also associated with Canon TX1, Nikon P5000 and Canon G7.

Answers This question has been answered!
Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10632 pts
March 5, 2007 4:48 PM
17 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi Josh,

There are several different classes of cameras involved in your question, so let's try to break it down a bit.

The A710 and A570 are the two closest matched here. The A570 is essentially a minor upgrade on the A710: it brings in the newer DIGIC III image processor, ISO 1600 shooting, and face detection autofocus. These are all nice upgrades, but the camera also has some small drawbacks compared to the A710. Its optical zoom is shorter (4x vs 6x) and there's no improvement in terms of megapixels or LCD size/resolution. Of the two, I'd stick with the A710.

The G7 and P5000 are fairly closely matched as both are 10MP semi-compacts with full manual controls. The P5000 is much smaller and lighter than the G7, but it also has a shorter zoom. It does have the ability to go up to ISO 3200 shooting, but experience with many digital cameras tells me that ISO 3200 is more of a gimmick than a usable mode for digital shooting.

The TX1 is a completely different prospect than the other four cameras you've listed. As a hybrid still/video camera, it can offer features that none of the others do (HD video shooting, for starters) and its form factor is significantly different. It's shockingly small and feature-packed, but previous hybrid cameras have suffered from subpar performance in one mode or the other, so I'd hesitate to recommend the TX1 without seeing some sample images first. It's also quite expensive.

Essentially, it comes down to what you really want in your camera. The A710, A570, and P5000 are all pretty small, full-featured cameras. The G7 is a little larger and even more feature-packed, and the TX1 is a radical new design that's as-yet untested. If you want a proven camera, go with the A710. If you are willing to take a tiny risk, the P5000 looks like a good choice.

Hope this helps!
Best Answer
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Anthony (antonne) 7 pts
March 15, 2007 9:38 AM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I'd go for the Nikon Coolpix P5000. (you c an add accessories like the hotshoe flash) I'm also waiting till it comes out....
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Nelson P 29 pts
March 21, 2007 9:36 AM
3 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have the same dilemma for my new camera choices, All models except for the A710 and A570 - as I believe the A640 is far superior but only missed with the Image stabilizer.

Ive narrowed my choice to 4 ; G7 vs P500 and TX1 vs TZ3 (Lumix).
G7 has it all covered against the P500 as far as features are concerned , the only thing holding me back is no one ever saw the end product of the P5000 yet. A lot of hands on review on P5000 can be promising but without an evidence of a real side by side comparison, one can never tell. Advice: Wait till we see the P5000 perform in test shots. On a separate note , the P5000 feels tiny and plasticky compared to the really heavy G7, but it will save you a lot of space and weight if you plan a camera that goes with you all the time.

For the TX1 vs TZ3 - The only thing I like about both is the significant stabilized 10x optical zoom despite a compact size. Both cameras have something to throw against each other; TX1 has HD recording and acceptable picture quality, while Panny's TZ3 has 28mm wide angle capability but suffers from noise...throw in the LX2 in there and it gets the more confusing. Cant anyone make the perfect camera yet? In the end It all boils down to your priorities.

Picture Quality. Compact. Zoom. You can only pick two.
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syed 2 pts
April 7, 2007 5:36 AM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 3 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I recently bought the 710IS canon, i choose to pick this over the 570ISm and let me tell u , it was a good decision
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Rich Watson (Richio) 5683 pts
April 7, 2007 11:28 AM
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I have the A520 and the A710. It seems that the photos from the 710 are clearer, as if the lens itself is better.
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Barbara C. (barbarac555) 1 pts
April 16, 2007 10:39 AM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have done a bunch of research as well on the G7, REbel XT, and 710IS and am currently stuck. I want a camer with excellent photo quality for taking pictures of young kids running around both indoors as well as outdoors and can't seem to pick between the two cameras....let me know your thoughts. In my research I saw that people weren't really satisfied with the G7's quality, saying that it was a step down from the G6 (previous model). I know nothing about camera's and am relying on your expertise to help guide me into purchasing a camera.
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Jay F. B. (jfbbfj) 53 pts
April 16, 2007 11:19 AM
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Well, I've been doing a lot of research too, and what I've found is that (in my humble opinion) any small camera you buy will take VERY noisy pictures some starting from ISO 200 and 400 and above (some more than others).
They are not capable of reproducing the quality of the DSLR's, so keeping that in mind, it's easier to pick a camera for your needs; you should think if you need a small camera that fits into your jacket, shirt or similar, or you don't mind carrying it on your belt or that it bulks in your jacket.
You should also keep in mind that you need a camera that does not take a long time between shots, specially with flash.
For all of this, I incline for the Nikon P5000, which is not as expensive as the G7, and I just made some test shots at the store with my SD card and looked at them in my PC, and they were good quality at ISO 64-200, a little noise at ISO 400.
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Barbara C. (barbarac555) 1 pts
April 16, 2007 2:05 PM
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Thanks Jay...what do you think about the Canon Rebel XT?
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Jay F. B. (jfbbfj) 53 pts
April 16, 2007 3:54 PM
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I don't know that camera, but it seems a bit bulky in comparison with the others, but personally I prefer Nikon over Canon.
Maybe if you could go to a store and you see them side to side you can decide better.
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Kcalpesh Ajugia (kcalpesh) 0 pts
June 6, 2007 5:11 AM
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So does this means one can already count the 6x Optical zoom or Canon Powershot A710is a better advantage than the Face detection due to the Digic III processor of Canon Powershot A570is . Also the the Macro Focus Range is better in the Canon powershot A710is.

However, the Only-Auto ISO option of Canon Powershot A710is to be a slight drawback?
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Jay F. B. (jfbbfj) 53 pts
June 6, 2007 11:59 AM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Well, all I can tell you is that I had the Canon A710is and I fully regret it.
The 6x zoom is awesome, size, feel too, the burst shots are incredible, but in picture quality and perfomance is deplorable. It takes forever between shots specially with flash, the pictures are SO grainy even in low ISO.
I do have the Nikon P5000 now and it does have some slight defects, such as slightly slow between shots with flash when battery is low, the batery durabliity is not as good as I would like, but it is much better than the Canon A710is, and for the pictures I've seen in internet tests about the G7, the P5000 takes better pictures, and handles really well.
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bud 0 pts
June 26, 2007 4:25 AM
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"I have the A520 and the A710. It seems that the photos from the 710 are clearer, as if the lens itself is better."

I doubt that the lens is the problem, probably too slow shutter speed and/or too shaky hand. The A710 has IS which mitigates the above problems.
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Rich Watson (Richio) 5683 pts
June 26, 2007 7:44 PM
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Hi Bud,

Your response caused me to get the two cameras out and look carefully at the lenses. Well, I found a big smudge on the A520. Wiping that off should help a lot!

Just as important though, is that there are two different lenses on these cameras. The A520 has a 5.8-23.2mm lens, while the A710 has a 5.8-34.8mm lens. The f-numbers match, but the focal lengths don't. So the diameter of the A710 lens is larger by exactly 50%
(34.8/23.2=1.5)
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bud 0 pts
June 27, 2007 3:11 AM
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Hi Richio,
I'm glad you discovered that smudge before writing the A520 off. Yes, they do have different lens with the 710 having a wider zoom range. I've read alot of reviews for both these cameras along with the rest of the A series and most reviews give them excellent IQ ratings and sharpness.
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Nelson P 29 pts
June 27, 2007 7:18 AM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Short term report:

I have posted here earlier when i was still choosing what compact i will purchase, and after a few off-country travel with the G7 , this is what i have proven to be true for me:

The G7 is a damn heavy compact.
The G7 should'nt be pocketed...lest you're a giant.
Stable hands, stable hands, IS will not make flashless shots that grand. Dont trust Auto setting too much especially on dark settings.
and finally, if you really want a pocket camera that can go with you without the extra space and hassle, go for the Nikon P5000 or Ricoh caplios. I swear there were even times that I wish that I had a tiny Exilim or Sony Tseries in my pocket for those snapshots.

This experience made me think more about in-between cameras. Sometimes one just have to make things simple; either go BIG or go small. Then never look back.
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Rich Watson (Richio) 5683 pts
June 27, 2007 7:22 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I bought a 2MP Casio Exilim some years back, when a 2-meg camera was PRETTY GOOD. Now, of course, 2MP ain't good enough. But I sure enjoyed the ease of carrying around the little thing---it slid right in a pocket.

So the super-slims are nice and quite handy. If you don't take a camera with you, you won't get the shot!
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Morris (robocat) 0 pts
October 30, 2008 1:44 AM
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I have a TX1 and it is fantastic if you need a pocketable still camera that can also take HD video.

Many cameras take great 640x480 video (that will still look great on a HD screen) so unless you really care about HD then the TX-1 is not really necessary.
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