Firstly I wasnt holding any other digital camera before possessing this one. I had bought this camera a couple of months ago and heres my experience -
The camera is no doubt a gift for amateur photographers, as it does lot of work behind the scenes to get the images right. However I see few people complaining about some conditions, where the photographs haven’t come right, where some other X camera model had got it right. Rubbish!!
I totally disagree with these opinions. Hey, one need to understand the brain behind the preset-mode shots, there is an standard algorithm which does the work for you. Yes the image processing algorithms, and the hardware do have limitations and it applies to all the models of the cameras provided by different vendors. So one algorithm may be good and bad in someways, and I think people owning cameras should expand their knowledge a little more and focus on the fundamentals of photography and then use their brains to calculate the right camera settings for the right situation. Yes!! now we are talking of cameras which allow you to program the settings, and we are talking about a different breed of camera’s which are little advanced then an average point and shoot camera’s.
So how do I know whether my camera had advanced/programmatic features - Does your camera allow you to set shutter speed priority ? aperture priority ? control over different metering modes ? ISO settings ? Good optical Zoom ? If the answer is yes, then you have a tool in your hand where the boundaries could be set by your brain, then the standard algorithm from the cameras brain. Anyways the camera Cannon A 710 IS, does have all these features with it and one easily say its an advanced point and shoot camera.
Here are the key featueres -
Shutter priority - max 15 sec
Aperture - 2.8 - 8.0
metering modes - center, spot, average
ISO - 80 - 800
optical zoom - 6x
Image stabilization
Video - 30f/s(standard resolution), 60f/s(lower resolution)
Standard preset modes
I can convingly conclude that this camera caters to both amateur and serious photographers. It has all the goodies for everyone, although I recommend not to buy this stuff, if you fancy camera looks...because there are lot other cameras which probably look better than this, but the beauty of this camera is within the heart of the equipment.
I did a lot of initial experiments, thoroughly reading the camera guide, and the shots captured are as promised by the guide itself. It took me a while to grasp all the features and know to where to use them appropriately. I could say, if you had not got this experimentation right, then you can never be a successful in getting photos right for the occasion. I really stress people to have patience going through the camera guides, and do some experimentation before concluding on the camera’s performance. As as for as me, I am still learning .... because every new situation is challenging ....
Conclusion
If you are NOT into serious photography .... go buy some other model which has just preset modes .. I could advice you sony .... atleast the models look slick and sexy
If you want to lay your hands into serious photography, and your a beginner ... then this is the ONE for you. Put some effort behind photography fundamentals, there you are .... You got a gem of a camera in your hands!!!!!!
Happy photographing!!!!