Camera recommendation --- Canon PowerShot A640

[Rick O]

My wife wants a camera for Christmas. But she's left it up to me to pick it. So far I'm leaning towards the Canon PowerShot A640. I would like to get one that will slip into a pocket but she said the slim design was secondary. I know this one is too big for a shirt pocket. Primary concern was zoom and being able to freeze action shots. Does anyone have any experience with this camera?

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...&modelid=14109

I'm also thinking about the Canon PIXMA Mini 260 printer. There's a $100 rebate if they're purchased at the same time.

[dobejazz]

That looks like a cool camera Rick I have a canon SD630 I really like. It's pocket sized and has a 3" LCD screen

[Rick O]

I like the 3" screen but how well does it work in bright sunlight? I have to use the viewfinder on my camera in sunlight and the cameras I looked at with 3" screens didn't have a viewfinder.

[notatallhappygolucky]

I like the rotating lcd panel in the canon A95, it helps protect it & it's easier to deal with glare. I also have a few sets of AA batteries that can be replaced without having to plug the cam into a wall. The A95 has been replaced by the A620. The A640, A630, & A620 all have the rotating screen.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powersho...&s=electronics

I think you're headed in the right direction. It's not tiny but the smaller cameras I handled were more prone to shake. I'd still like to have a credit card camera but don't think you could go wrong with one of these.

[notatallhappygolucky]

derp

[dobejazz]

Originally Posted by Rick O

I like the 3" screen but how well does it work in bright sunlight? I have to use the viewfinder on my camera in sunlight and the cameras I looked at with 3" screens didn't have a viewfinder.

I don't have a view finder I haven't noticed a problem viewing this screen in the sun Unlike my sony which is almost impossible to see the screen outside.

[FishDaddy]

Hi, Rick,

The Canon A640 is a very popular camera with good reviews.
Specs & prices for the 640: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...canon_a640.asp

You might want to consider the A710. It is a 7 mpx camera but with more zoom and importantly, true optical image stabilization. (Beware of claims of 'image stabilization' from some manufacturers that rely on some sort of voodoo internal image processing...they generally degrade the image quality. Optical stabilization which is a mechanical process is the only way to go.) For the casual photographer, shooting without a tripod, IS makes all the difference in the world. 7mpx is more than plenty and in general, gives less digital noise than a 10mpx camera with the same size sensor, not to mention the need for larger sized (more expensive) memory cards. Specs & prices: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...non_a710is.asp

Beach Camera or BuyDig are both highly reputable and generally have the lowest prices. I've bought from both of them with complete satisfaction.

You will find many discussions about both cameras here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1010 One comment in particular caught my attention: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=21102470 Frank is a fine photographer, a semi-pro, that I know from the Nikon DSLR forums, and his choice of the A710 for his wife is a meaningful recommendation to me. He knows cameras and photography far better than I.

Steve's Digicams has reviews of both cameras:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a640.html

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a710.html



I've not used either camera but have been researching and seriously looking at the A710 since its release.

I would not buy any camera without a viewfinder. It's difficult enough to hold a camera steady but holding it out with both hands is the least stable position of all. Holding it against the head, looking through the viewfinder, adds a large degree of stability. especially in low light where you are shooting at lower shutter speeds. IS makes it all the more better. Kelli takes really nice photos with hers, but she's got much more steady hands than I!

My pocket camera is an Olympus C-7000Z. It has 7mpx and 38-190 mm zoom and a viewfinder but no IS. It's no longer in production or I could recommend that one. They are only available now as factory refurbished units, which is how I got mine on eBay, directly from Olympus. The 7mpx produces superb image quality and in fact, I often set it on a lower resolution (about 3mpx) for snapshots to get more pics per memory card and use less disk space on my pc and can scarcely notice the difference.

Hope this helps,

Dick

[Rick O]

Good info Dick. I don't know why I didn't see that camera. I guess I was focusing too much on the 10MP. The IS would be an important feature and I'm sure she would like the extra zoom capabilities. I was concerned at first with the A710IS only using two batteries but after reading the reviews it seems to be plenty of battery power for a full day of shooting.

While you're at it do you have an opinon of photo printers? She didn't ask for one but I think she would like one of the small 4 X 6 printers.

[FishDaddy]

Hey, Rick,

Glad the info was useful. 10 mp is overrated unless you are into serious photography with DSLRs and such. Despite the hype, 3-5 mp is more than plenty for most purposes. It does help when cropping but with a long zoom, not that important. My Nikon D70 is 6mp and more than sufficient for me. I will eventually upgrade to the 10mp D200, more for the advanced features than the extra pixels.

I'm not up on photo printers as I don't print much. I'm using an HP Photosmart 7150 which is about 3-4 years old but has served me well.

Good luck with the camera shopping.

Dick

[Loverotties]

I also like the Nikon's for camaras and for printers,I like Canons.

[notatallhappygolucky]

The IS is electronic. I was hoping it was gyroscopic like the old camcorder Optura Pi.

Image Stabilization uses a larger chip & then attempts to lock on to the intended frame (at least in camcorders anyway).

Too bad that doesn't have the rotating screen- it's a big seller IMO.

[Rick O]

Originally Posted by happygolucky

Too bad that doesn't have the rotating screen- it's a big seller IMO.

I have the rotating screen on my Nikon and it has been a handy feature on a number of occasions. I think I'm going to have to spill the beans and let her pick. It's not like it was going to be a surprise anyway. She's not expecting the printer though.

[wharyat]

I have IS in 2 of my canon SLR lenses. I love the feature, it really helps for darker lit areas without using flash (ie casual indoor lighting).

I have a canon ip6000d for my photo printer (around 2 years old now), it does an excellent job. I'd recommend any of the mid to upper end canon printers.

[irish02bk]

I have a Cannon as well and love it. I traveled for 6 months over seas last year with 5 friends, all had our digital cameras There were two sony's tow casio's and then my cannon. needless to say mine was the only one that didn't break... Canon also came out with a new printer recently that works really well. As far as megapixles, Unless your going to be blowing up pictures really large 3-6 is fine. 10 would be nice just cause you have the option in the future.