A compact camera advice is needed (for parents)

[Olegis]

Hi all,

My parents birthdays are about two weeks ahead (January 4 and 6), I think that replacing their old and lousy film P&S with a new digital camera would be a nice idea for a present. Since there is no chance that my parents would use something other that Auto mode (or, god forbid, use post-processing software :) ), I want a camera that will deliver the best images "out-of-camera". So far I narrowed the possibilities to A710IS, SD600 or SD700IS. My points of consideration are :

A710IS
1. Has IS - very useful for shaky hands like my father's :)
2. Bigger than the SD line cameras - might be more comfortable for older people to handle and use.
3. Has 35-210mm lens - more versatile.
4. About the same price as the SD600 (where I live), plus minus 20$.
5. Use AA batteries - has its cons and pros (easy and cheap to buy everywhere, slow flash recycle times).

SD600
1. Very small - more comfortable to carry, but the small size may present a problem in handling (smaller buttons and symbols).
2. Much better LCD - all are 2.5", but the resolution of the SD displays is much higher.
3. 35-105mm lens ("only" x3 zoom) - not a problem.
4. Price is right.

SD700IS
1. Also small, stylish and very well built (much better that the A710IS).
2. IS - again, very useful.
3. 35-140mm (x4 zoom) lens - nice, but also not very important.
4. The price is a problem - about 100$ more than the SD600.

Overall I lean towards the SD cameras, but I'm afraid that they would be too small for my parents. On the other hand, the A710IS is bigger and the controls are better laid, but it lacks the build quality and the LCD resolution of the SD line.

What do you think ?


P.S. I also considered the Fuji F30 - the high ISO performance is excellent, but the outdoor pictures quality was a little worse than the Canons out of camera (for example - CA is pretty bad in some scenarios), so I gave up on it. If it was for me though - I would get the F30 in a second :)

[Olegis]

No suggestions ? Anyone ?

I pretty much narrowed the search to just two models - the A710IS and the SD700IS (both because of IS). For some reason the price of the A710IS went up in the last two days, so the difference between these two cameras is now about 30-40$.

[AccidentalArt]

I'd like to offer some advice but know nothing about either of the units :(

Sorry Bud. Maybe this bumb will help ;)

[Robukincan]

710IS is nice ... have you also considered the S3 IS? If either liked photography before they'd love the 12* optical - similar price range i think

[Olegis]

Thanks.

I think that the S3 would be too big for them. Until now they used an old film P&S with a fixed lens, so x6 zoom will be more than enough for them (I think that they would manage with x4 zoom too :) ). Also, the S3 is more expensive (where I live) than the A710IS and the SD700IS. I think that it would be an overkill.

[Kyan]

Olegis,
I can only comment on the SD 700IS, since that is the P&S that I have. I have the camera about 6 months and I am totally happy with this camera. Great build, outstanding image quality, easy to use and the IS is fantastic. I have not one single complaint, and have been really pleased with my purchase.
Kyan

[mishnogram]

I have parents who refuse to use their digital camera because its too complicated so instead they gave me their digital and took my 35mm p&s camera. From the options you mentioned, they really might be too small. I don't know how old your parents are but size would be a big issue. Have you thought of something like the A630 or A640? They delivery outstanding performance right out of camera in auto mode, feel nice, and have the swivel LCD which I can't do without. I've only owned the A610 but I know that it took extremely nice pictures without PP and it was basically turn it on and click.

These are photos taken with the A610 mostly on auto mode.
http://lee-family.smugmug.com/gallery/1147286/1/53487507

Considering who you are buying for, the low light capability should have no bearing on the purchase since they'll probably keep the camera on full auto (including flash) and just point and shoot away. Also, consider how large their current camera is. Might make sence to buy something that is similar in size since they are probably used to that size.

Hope that helps

[august23]

i come to you as an SD700IS owner and i STRONGLY STRONGLY recommend it. it is one hell of a performer. crisp clean pictures every time, fast as hell, and a gorgeous screen. HOWEVER! if you DO want to help them not risk messing pics up by cutting ppl out etc, go with the SD800, as its lens is much wider than the sd700 (28mm compared to 35mm), and they wont be able to miss a beat!

[Cat man]

Hi all,

My parents birthdays are about two weeks ahead (January 4 and 6), I think that replacing their old and lousy film P&S with a new digital camera would be a nice idea for a present. Since there is no chance that my parents would use something other that Auto mode (or, god forbid, use post-processing software :) ), I want a camera that will deliver the best images "out-of-camera". So far I narrowed the possibilities to A710IS, SD600 or SD700IS. My points of consideration are :

A710IS
1. Has IS - very useful for shaky hands like my father's :)
2. Bigger than the SD line cameras - might be more comfortable for older people to handle and use.
3. Has 35-210mm lens - more versatile.
4. About the same price as the SD600 (where I live), plus minus 20$.
5. Use AA batteries - has its cons and pros (easy and cheap to buy everywhere, slow flash recycle times).

SD600
1. Very small - more comfortable to carry, but the small size may present a problem in handling (smaller buttons and symbols).
2. Much better LCD - all are 2.5", but the resolution of the SD displays is much higher.
3. 35-105mm lens ("only" x3 zoom) - not a problem.
4. Price is right.

SD700IS
1. Also small, stylish and very well built (much better that the A710IS).
2. IS - again, very useful.
3. 35-140mm (x4 zoom) lens - nice, but also not very important.
4. The price is a problem - about 100$ more than the SD600.

Overall I lean towards the SD cameras, but I'm afraid that they would be too small for my parents. On the other hand, the A710IS is bigger and the controls are better laid, but it lacks the build quality and the LCD resolution of the SD line.

What do you think ?


P.S. I also considered the Fuji F30 - the high ISO performance is excellent, but the outdoor pictures quality was a little worse than the Canons out of camera (for example - CA is pretty bad in some scenarios), so I gave up on it. If it was for me though - I would get the F30 in a second :)


Check out the Samsung S700 7.2 MP/ Easy to use. I got this one as a spare. It work well for under 150.00

[Olegis]

Thanks for your suggestions.

mishnogram, their current P&S is really small and thin. It really doesn't have many controls - only power on/off switch and the shutter button. I think that the size of the A710IS is about right for them. The A6XX series are a little bit bigger - is might help them to use the controls and the buttons, but the LCD screen is smaller (2.0" instead of 2.5") and I know (almost) for sure that they will not use the flip /rotate feature. And, of course, there is no IS in the A6XX cameras - my father (61 years old) has quite a shaky hands, so IS might help him to get sharper pictures (especially in shooting with the LCD when the camera is not pressed against the face).

Kyan and august23 - thanks for your recommendations of the SD700IS. This camera is very nice indeed, I'm considering it as the strongest possibility.

[Gatorboy]

How about getting them a gift card at B&H Photo or something similar and letting them choose them camera they would like? Just a thought.

[Olegis]

Thanks Dave,

There is no B&H where I live :D Also, I'm afraid that the salesmen will attempt to sell them what's best for the store and not for my parents.

[Olegis]

Update - the A710IS was purchased yesterday and will be presented to my parents tomorrow :)

Many thanks to you all.