Help!SX100 or 720 ? Need Suggestion.

[Neel350]

Sir,

I am looking for a point-n-shoot camera for day-to-day use which is perfectly suite my pocket(Shirt/Tshirt/Jeans), & end up the Canon IXUS series which is very stylish/Compact segment but as a camera(Lens/Zoom capability) not much worth for buying...this camera is only for stylish ppl not for me(no offense to any IXUS series user,its my personal view).

So,according to DP Review Camera Database (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon) I select 2 Powershot model i,e SX100IS (360mm Zoom) & A720IS (210mm Zoom)[I know that ain't suite shirt pocket]....My criteria is at least 8mp compact camera, ignoring S5IS simply it's size...can be near to SLR 350D...I need this piece which I can carry everywhere.

I almost setup my mind to go for the SX100 but yesterday I download both's manual and saw that A720IS have advanced auto focusing mechanism i,e called "AiAF TTL 9-point" according to DP review A720IS (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_a720is.asp),which is not available in SX100IS (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sx100is.asp) . As much knowledge I gathered about camera in respect of my 350D,I think it is a advantage for a user quickly acquire the correct focus of a desired subject which he want to shoot.Is this feature worth to consider ?

One more point about the flash guide no. according to the DP Review page A720IS have 3.5 m (11.4 ft) 5 m & SX100IS have 3.0 m (9.8 ft) 0 m.Isn't this mean the 720's flash is more powerful/coverage area than SX100's ?

Besides this I know both camera have lag a big time after flash firing due it's 2AA batteries as the one & only power source.Here is manual page shot.

SX100IS Manual

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9544/100mannw1.png

A720 Manual

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5440/720mansl8.png

So experts,Please help me to choose a right one,and also please post any other Cons of this two camera or any suggestion will be welcome.Thanks in advnce.

P.S:-Before anyone point out here I got another thread http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=415869 about the same matter but it ain't solve my query/point...So I am still looking for your suggestion.Please Help

[danpass]

A720 is nearly compact enough for a shirt pocket. The SX100 is most certainly not LOL.

I've "borrowed" my Mom's camera (A720IS) for some time now and find it to be extremely flexible in its options but not quite pocket-able enough.


Both cameras you mention do not go down to 28mm. The US SD870IS stylish, preppy cam does.


The missing wide angle is something I find to be very unfortunate in the A-series cams (as well as the G-series and the SX)



Unless you're after the level of control offered by the A720/SX100 you may want to reconsider a super-compact. The SD870 has highly advanced autofocus and face detection.











Just don't let anyone see you using it, you should be fine then. :lol:





.

[Amfamora]

I have the SX100IS... Its a great P&S but definately not pocketable.... its just a little too big...

It has good face detection and 10x Optical zoom is very helpful... Pretty nifty looking I think in black anyway... Picture Quality.. well its a Canon it is pretty decent!

Here are some pics from it:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/Amfamora/IMG_0218_filtered.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/Amfamora/SpidercloseSmall.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/Amfamora/Flyer1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/Amfamora/Szubba.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/Amfamora/Car/Burnout%20Comp/IMG_0147.jpg

[Neel350]

^^^Nice Shots,

Though only Car snap I can read the metadata.

@Amfamora,

what I want to know,did you use flash 2nd,3rd & 4th Picture ? specially the pet one.

did you feel anything wrong without a optical view finder?

[Amfamora]

If anything the lack of Optical Viewfinder is easier.... sorta think of it as the liveview equivalent....

Easier to frame shots taken at obscure angles and difficult positions....

The cam has a digital teleconvertor built in which is very handy for macros...

It is a very good Point and Shoot... In my opinion anyway :)

* I can read the Exif on all of them......

I used the flash for those 3 shots yes...... at higher Iso levels the noise is noticeable like any point and shoot, but in good light its brilliant.

[jag757]

I have narrowed it down to the same to cameras. Was wondering what you decided on.

[Neel350]

^^Still stuck on A720's 9-Point AIAF system,can't figure how useful it was & how superior than SX100's Center (only) AF system.

Waiting & Pray if some-one throw some light on it.......


Anyhow thanks for your replies guys....thanks to all of you.

[Jon]

Do you manually choose which AF point to use with your 350D? Do you let the camera choose the AF points? Do you use center point only? If you are already deciding where you want the focus to be, you'll want the Flexi-Zone. If you photograph a lot of non-people-containing subjects that aren't bang in the middle of the picture, you'll want AiAF. But if you're letting the 350D make all the decisions, or locking your AF sensor to the center point, why would you expect to handle a P&S any differently?

[Neel350]

Thank you sir for commenting. :)
Do you manually choose which AF point to use with your 350D?
Some times......

Do you let the camera choose the AF points?

Most of times

Do you use center point only ?

a little while.


If you are already deciding where you want the focus to be, you'll want the Flexi-Zone. If you photograph a lot of non-people-containing subjects that aren't bang in the middle of the picture, you'll want AiAF.

Yes....defiantly....Thanks.

But if you're letting the 350D make all the decisions, or locking your AF sensor to the center point, why would you expect to handle a P&S any differently?

So you prescribe for photo shooter flexibility i,e A720IS.
Thanks, now I quite able to figure out & reconsider my purchase decision.