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Digital Camera Reviews and Ratings By manufacturer:
Canon | Casio | Fuji | HP | Kodak | Minolta | Nikon | Olympus | Panasonic | Pentax | Samsung | Sony | Misc. | Accessories | Lenses
The Canon PowerShot A720 IS an 8 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 6x optical zoom lens (equivalent of 35 to 210mm).
It features an ISO range of 80 - 1600 and a 2.5 inch LCD screen and optical view finder.
The Canon PowerShot A720 IS has aperture and shutter priority modes, manual mode as well as 12 scene modes.
Buy it at Amazon at Canon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced two new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras, including one with the highest resolution in the series to-date – the show-stopping 12.1-megapixel PowerShot A650 IS digital camera – and the powerful 8.0-megapixel PowerShot A720 IS digital camera. These new cameras continue the promise of the PowerShot A-Series by delivering superior image quality at a great price.
Both cameras maintain many of the features of this ultra-successful line, with improvements to better meet the needs of users who want a solid and smart point-and-shoot with user-friendly manual capabilities. So, whether it’s an experienced enthusiast looking for a full feature-set and lots of imaging benefits, or a casual, or even first-time user looking for an easy-to-master point-and-shoot, the Canon PowerShot A650 IS and A720 IS digital cameras will more than satisfy. These cameras, with a comfortable shape and design that features a grip for a natural fit and stable handling, are great for outdoor enthusiasts needing to capture that special moment when they reach the top of the mountain or trek through the rainforest.
“By enhancing the PowerShot A650 IS and A720 IS digital cameras with advanced, yet user-friendly feature-sets, at a reduced price point, the A-series will continue to stand-out from the competition,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
The PowerShot A650 IS digital camera is designed for photo enthusiasts who demand superior image quality, and are looking for a versatile camera with exceptional creative control. The PowerShot A650 IS Digital Camera has breathtaking 12.1-megapixel resolution and a generous 6x optical zoom with optical image stabilization (OIS) that ensures steady shooting every time. A variety of enhanced controls, such as 21 shooting modes including Kids & Pets, Manual, Aperture-Priority and Shutter-Priority, among others, will also give users a lot of freedom to make the camera adapt to their specific needs. All of this power is easily navigated via the intuitive mode dial, easily viewed via the 2.5-inch Vari-Angle LCD and just as easily handled, via the ergonomic grip. With these targeted features, users can spend more time actually taking photos, rather than trying to figure out how to take them.
The PowerShot A720 IS digital camera is designed to make capturing and preserving memories fast, fun and easy for Moms and Dads on-the-go with their busy, growing families. The upgraded 8.0-megapixel resolution and Canon’s Optical Image Stabilization technology ensure that images are sharp and clear in almost every situation – even those prone to image blur caused by camera shake. The PowerShot A720 IS camera is also capable of recording high-quality VGA movies, making it perfect for capturing memories in motion. The new camera has a wide array of creative shooting modes, a simple control layout for super-easy operability and an ergonomically correct grip to ensure a comfortable fit.
Both of the new A-series cameras are also built for fun in the sun and sea. Snap the PowerShot A650 IS into Waterproof Case WP-DC18 or the PowerShot A720 IS into Waterproof Case WP-DC 16 and they become both weatherproof and waterproof at depths up to 130 feet, making them great accessories for the beach, water-park or a scuba trip. Both cameras are part of Canon’s “A-Team” (powered by AA batteries), so powering up will be quick and easy.
Setting them apart from competitive models, the PowerShot A650 IS digital camera and the PowerShot A720 IS digital camera give consumers interested in the ease of a point-and-shoot camera many of the technological advancements that are the result of Canon’s 70-year heritage as an imaging innovator.
New Canon PowerShot Digital Camera Lines’ Shared Technological Advancements
DIGIC III
The "brain" of these new PowerShot cameras is DIGIC III, the gold standard on all new Canon digital cameras. The DIGIC III image processor accounts for the camera's higher performance levels, including faster start-up, faster autofocus and quicker shutter response times that leave long-lag competitors in the dust. The DIGIC III chip design improves image quality and offers more efficient power consumption, resulting in extended battery life under typical shooting conditions.
ADVANCED FACE DETECTION
With Canon’s new Genuine Face Detection technology, the camera can detect up to nine forward-looking human faces in a scene. The Face Detection algorithm automatically prioritizes and selects faces and not simply the closet object (based on Canon’s Intelligent Scene Analysis/iSAPS technology). It will then optimize the focus, exposure and flash to ensure the best possible results. Using Canon’s Face Detection, photographers can keep up to nine faces in focus at any one time no matter where they are within the image. Working in concert with Face Detection, the “Red-Eye Correction” feature helps to detect and correct red-eye during playback mode. Images can be corrected automatically or manually while viewing photos on the LCD screen. Canon’s new Face Detection Technology makes for even easier picture-taking moments, helping users ensure in-focus smiles, and assist in the elimination of over-exposed faces.
OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION
The extended zoom range of these cameras makes optical image stabilization (OIS) essential. Canon's lens shift OIS provides an effective antidote to camera shake, particularly at longer zoom lengths or during long exposures when even the slightest hand-held shake is magnified to picture-blurring proportions. Superior to electronic image stabilization systems that simply use software to mask movement, OIS actually shifts the lens proportionately to compensate for unwanted motion, making it easier to snap great images. The OIS found in Canon PowerShot digital cameras is based on technology developed for Canon’s renowned high-end professional EOS SLR cameras.
The steady effectiveness is further enhanced when paired with the new "Auto ISO Shift" feature which, at the touch of a button, can automatically increase the ISO speed setting as required to maintain fast shutter speeds when shooting in low-light conditions without a flash.
PRINTING MADE EASY
All Canon PowerShot digital cameras work seamlessly with Canon’s compact photo printers to deliver stunning high-quality borderless prints. Consumers simply connect their PowerShot digital camera to a Canon compact photo printer, press the Print/Share button, and moments later a brilliant, borderless 4” x 6” print begins to emerge; it’s that simple. Canon’s compact photo printers are PictBridge compatible, so they work with PictBridge enabled digital cameras to provide users with excellent image quality and ease-of-use, especially when paired with a Canon digital camera.
HIGH-CAPACITY MEMORY CARD CAPABILITY
As an added convenience, Canon PowerShot digital cameras also accommodate MultiMedia MMC memory cards, as well as standard SD memory cards and the new, high-capacity SDHC memory cards. This way, consumers do not have to carry around multiple memory cards in order to be able to continue to save those special moments during extended vacations or high-photo-taking adventures. Canon PowerShot owners can travel in sleek style.
The estimated selling prices of the PowerShot A650 IS digital camera and the PowerShot A720 IS digital camera models are $399.99* and $249.99*, respectively. Both models are scheduled to be available in stores in September. The Canon PowerShot A650 IS camera kit includes four AA batteries, 32MB SD memory card, USB interface cable, AV cable, wrist strap and Canon’s software suite. The Canon PowerShot A720 IS camera kit includes two AA batteries, 16MB SD memory card, USB interface cable, AV cable, wrist strap and Canon’s software suite.
CNET reviews the Canon PowerShot A720 IS and writes - "Surprisingly broad depth-of-field and solid white balance contribute to the camera's excellent picture quality. Both small text and fine textures appear crisp and full of detail, even when stretching across multiple planes. Slight fringing appeared on off-white and yellow edges, though not to the point that the photos suffered. In general, if you stick to ISO 400 or lower, the A720 IS will produce great pictures."
Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS where they write - 'Combining beginner-friendly AUTO and Scene settings, along with the full Manual mode and everything in between, makes this a terrific consumer digicam. The 6x optical zoom and Image Stabilization add to its versatility, let alone the overall fun factor. It is perfect for the home or office as it is easy enough for anyone to pick up and start shooting. With a MSRP of US$230, this is an outstanding value for a digicam that offers power, functionality, and quality all wrapped up into one compact package.'
Trusted Reviews reviews the Canon PowerShot A720 IS and writes, "The A720 IS is clearly aimed at photographers who expect a bit more from their camera than a simple point-and-shoot snapshot can provide, and this naturally includes superior image quality. 8MP is about the optimum resolution for compact camera image quality at the moment, and the A720 performs better than most. The 6x zoom lens is particularly good, providing a huge amount of fine detail with good edge sharpness and very little barrel distortion at wide angle, although there is a little pincushion distortion at the telephoto end. Dynamic range is very good considering the small 1/2.5-inch sensor, with excellent shadow and highlight detail even in very high contrast shots, and colour reproduction is typically superb. Noise control is also well above average, with very good image quality at 800 ISO, and usable results even at the maximum setting of 1600 ISO. All in all, an excellent performance from a very accomplished camera."
Digital Trends has a review of the Canon PowerShot A720 IS and writes, "For around $225 USD, this is a solid-yet-not-great camera. Christmas didn’t come early so you can’t expect a camera for this price to have the response and low-noise capability of a $1,000 D-SLR! If you can spare the extra money, I’d still go the SD870 IS but a hundred bucks is still 30 gallons of gas. The PowerShot A720 IS is a fine performer outdoors but has its faults in low light and it is a little pokey when you use the flash. It’s not a slam dunk winner but neither is it a dog—it’s a compromise. And compromises rarely make everyone jump for joy."
Imaging Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot A720 IS and writes - "From the optical viewfinder to the manual modes to the variable power flash, whenever I looked for a feature a photographer would appreciate, I found it on the Canon A720 IS. There isn't a gaudy LCD (with no room for a viewfinder) or extravagant zoom range (with big compromises in optical quality) or any of the frills (frames, in-camera presentations) of many less capable digicams. But if you want a mid-size digicam with a fairly long zoom that can take pictures like a real camera, this is it"
NeoCamera reviews the Canon A720 where they write - 'The Canon Powershot A720 IS is an excellent digital camera. Without compromising on image quality, the A720 packs a rich feature set at an affordable price. Its 6X stabilized zoom gives users more reach that most compact cameras. Although there is no area where this camera is considered the best, it performs well in all areas with remarkable consistency. Image noise is well controlled with a good balance between details and noise-reduction. This makes ISO 400 more usable than on most compact cameras. Expsoure and white-balance are among the best we have seen from a consumer-oriented camera. The A720 is a relatively fast performer too. It has a short shutter-lag, focus reasonably fast and has a good shot-to-shot speed. Battery-life is excellent at 400 shots-per-charge using 2 AA batteries.'
Buy it at Amazon at Canon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Posted by Darren in our Canon category on August 20, 2007