Please Some Help Deciding Which Canon Powershot A570IS or A720IS

[deedee1]

Hi all I am a complete newbie, just signed on with this forum and I am hoping to get some advice, re two canon cameras in the Powershot range, the Powershot A570IS & the A720IS. After reading numerous reviews, have strongly stuck my sights on one of these. Primarily, I will be using for baby & family photos.however oudoor scenes,holiday pics and national geo type pics, lol also.

I am a complete beginner, but like the idea, of buying a camera I can grow into, with the range of manual controls both these offer. Is one of these better than the other?, or is it just that the A720IS, is an updated version, does the larger zoom, and 8MP, really make that much of a difference.

I actually went to take a look at both cameras yesterday, and they look great, with a host of features. but I am still none the wiser, as to which model to buy. Your pros and cons for these would be great, why you think one is better...Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Dee

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by deedee1

Hi all I am a complete newbie...

Hi deedee1, we all were at one point in time, so welcome to the Camel!

...I just signed on with this forum and I am hoping to get some advice, re two Canon cameras in the Powershot range, the Powershot A570IS & the A720IS. After reading numerous reviews, have strongly stuck my sights on one of these. Primarily, I will be using for baby & family photos.however outdoor scenes,holiday pics and national geo type pics, lol also.

...in that regard, both would do...

I do not own either of them, but did play with them 'extensively' at my dealer's, so I know them 'a little' and I have (re-)read and studied the reviews of the A570IS and A710IS (see below) on DPReview.

I am a complete beginner, but like the idea, of buying a camera I can grow into, with the range of manual controls both these offer. Is one of these better than the other?, or is it just that the A720IS, is an updated version, does the larger zoom, and 8MP, really make that much of a difference.

As you already discovered, the differences are minimal: most important (and where the extra money goes) is the better lens on the 720IS: not only has it more reach (6x zoom, 35mm-210mm as opposed to 4x, 35mm-135mm) but the lens is also a little faster on the long(er) end: the 570IS has a F2.6-F5.5 lens, the 720IS has a F2.8-F4.8 lens.

That means that the 720IS can catch a little more light, so that AutoFocus is a little easier to achieve for the camera.

Both cameras are updated versions of their 'predecessors', the A720IS is the follow-up of the A710IS and A700 before that, the 570IS was preceded by the A560, A550, A540...

Basically the A570IS is the top 'beginners model' with 4x zoom *and* IS, next to the A560, and the A720IS is the 'beginners model' with a larger, 6x, zoom *and* IS.

As you yourself concluded, the difference between 7.1MP and 8MP is neglectable, chances are the 7.1MP A570IS delivers a slightly higher ImageQuality ( has a little less noise).

I actually went to take a look at both cameras yesterday, and they look great, with a host of features. but I am still none the wiser, as to which model to buy. Your pros and cons for these would be great, why you think one is better...Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Going to the store and holding both actually in-your-hands is a very good thing to do. Although both look alike, one is a fair bit larger and heavier, so you can then decide whether this is a 'problem' for your use or not: some need it 'pocketable', others can survive with a small 'belt-bag' on their hip.

So, what is *my* conclusion ??

Both will do your 'job', shooting family/outing/holiday pics. Both have the ability to use more 'manual' settings, so you can indeed 'grow' with these cameras.

One (A570IS) is a little more compact, has a little less zoom, and is (therefore) a little cheaper.

The other (A720IS) is a little bulkier, but has more and faster/better zoomrange, and is (therefore) a little bit more expensive.

I cannot look into your wallet, but IMO the extra money would be well spend on that better lens of the A720IS.

Hope this helps some, *my* modest €0.02 worth of an advise...

Kindest regards, happy YearEnd!

Max@Home

[deedee1]

Many Thanks Max

Of all the reviews that I have read, yours was the most helpful, you have broken things down in simpler terms that a novice can understand. When you are in a shop, you tend to feel as if your being sold something thats more expensive, for the benefit of the shop, not yourself, "the sales pitch" but your explanation regarding the diferences between the two models has helped tremendously.

Now all I have to do is try and find the A720IS abit cheaper online, and from a reputable site.Happy New Year
Kind Regards
Dee