A710 IS for travel?

Hello Everyone,
I'm going nuts trying to decide on which point and shoot to bring with me on my next trip. There are sooooooo many different kinds of cameras out there.
I'm now looking at the Canon A710 IS. I have a Canon Rebel XTi but I love the idea of putting the 710 IS in my pocket and not have to carry a SLR around my neck all day for a week while sightseeing. I can even get a small tripod or beanbag for my pocket to use with the A710 IS.
How well suited is this camera for general sightseeing use? For night shots I'll have the small tripod for it.
I've also been looking at the S3 IS, but it is only 6mp and a tad larger. I like the 7mp of the A710 IS and portability of it.
Thanks for the tips and advice!

I love to compact design of my A700. I have it in a robust little pouch from the $2 shop. Holds two extra AAs and slips in my pocket fine.

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I did a spot of sightseeing yesterday at a local beach. She handles all sorts of light conditions, long zoom and macro with excellent results.
This shot is full zoom 1/1000 sec auto. The tractors are about 200 m away. compressed to upload.

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wee macro with lens touching the shells which are about 5mm long...
auto

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banged this one off at random out car window at 50 mph
1/1250 auto

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It does widish angle rather well too
I am trying to use the viewfinder as much as the lcd for composing.
Bare in mind the A700 has 6 meg to the IS's 7

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Good Grief Transit! What wonderful pictures! Those are really great!

I'm still undecided between the A710 IS and the S3 IS. It looks like your camera sure takes great shots! Thanks for sharing them!

I just returned from a 2 week trip to Panama with the 710is as well as my 30d. I used the 710 for short trips, night shots and situations where the 30d was a bit risky to bring out. The images are great on the 710 and in many of the photo's I can't tell the difference between the 2 cameras - I have to look at the exif data to distinguish.

Well thanks guys! I was debating too on the 710 but now I know for sure!

The A710IS is a fine camera, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks everyone!
I think I'll go for the A710 IS over the S3 IS. The A710 IS has 7.1 MegaPixels and is smaller. It does have a shorter zoom though.

Hey fugate2140, You mentioned you used your A710 IS for some night shots, did you use a small tripod?

Hello Snatiep - I did not use a tripod. I was in a crazy bar in Bocas Del Toro which was swarming with students half my age (mostly from Argentina). Oddly the entire floor was pulsating up & down with the rhythm of music/dancers. I took flash photo's on an indoor scene setting which turned out OK. After I started taking pictures, about 4 or 5 groups of people started handing me their cameras to record the fun. Argentina must be a wild place.

Ok, so I cracked. But then again it was for an amazing price. I just got the S3 for $270 including tax!!! Sears had a closeout sell and I had to get!!! Actually, it was a little more the girl gave me 15% off and how could I refuse!?! I shot it in low light and I thought it turned out great! Just had to set it right under P. I'll post some pics up later, but now I have my big one, i need small pocket one. Easier to carry everywhere for everyday things.

I gotta se how small the 710 is to see. Might still get it.