Digital Cameras : Canon PowerShot A630

See Pros and Cons.

Bottom Line: Debating mostly between S3 IS and A710 IS. Chose this as a starter camera due to the monster set of manual settings. If I get good at this, I'll justify the SLR purchase

Why choose A630? Better sensor, better quality pictures, flip out screen

Not S3 IS? Smaller sensor

Not A710? More of a point and shoot Hide Full Review

Overall Cannon makes a great product. I sell Digital cameras and know a little bit more then just the average person who just pushes a button and takes a picture. How this Camera is number 1 I honestly have NO idea. It's solid. Thats it. The design is a 50/50 shot if you like it or hate it. People say "Oh I love the grip it helps me keep a good steady hand" and others say "I can't even wrap my hand around that dang thing I hate it."



2nd the ISO @ 800 is the lens speed, and 800 is slow.



What does this mean?



You know when your infant or best buddy at the bar does something in the moment that is so perfect and you want to capture it? Well this camera's ISO will prolly cost you that split second chance beacuse the lens speed (shutter speed) is slow I.E. from the time you press the button for the picture, to when it actually takes the picture you have lost your great picture.



Another Key feature now with Digi cams is Digital Image Stabalization. Honestly I would recommend to ANYONE buying a cam, don't get one without this feature. If you move or your hands are shaking etc, and you take a picture, assuming you have this feature, your chances of having the pic come out is much higher. Without image stabalization it's probably going to be pretty bad.



Overall this camera has a slow shutter speed, and lacks the stabalization to get that quick snapped picture with quality. It does have some good qualities such as the 8 mega pixels (only good for printing and Digital zoom however), and it has a 4X optical zoom, whereas 3X is pretty standard (so slightly better). It's user friendly, but in most cases digi cams are kinda being stream-lined to the point that most are pretty user friendly. Not a bad buy, but definetly others out there that give a bigger "Bang for your buck." Hide Full Review

I bought this camera last week and it came in the mail last Thursday. For the first few days I didn't really mess with it because I had to work everyday. But when I finally got around to messing with it I found out what a great purchase I made! The photo's it takes come out clear and sharp. The 4x optical zoom along with the 4x digital zoom push the camera over the top on greatness. I bought the camera for $250 for the use at Amusement/Theme parks. I haven't been able to try it out at a park yet but I believe it will take wonderful pictures. I also bought a 2 GB card which allows me to take about 500 Large Superfine photo's. Overall I recomment the purchase of this camera! Hide Full Review