Canon A570 IS?

[bikehikeskifish]

Manual mode questions:

SD800IS:
* Exposure Modes
* Manual, Program, Automatic

A570IS:
* Exposure Modes
* Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority

The A70 has the same set. I do enjoy being able to set the aperture (well, I want to set the DoF) on the A70, as well as wishing to create motion blur for waterfalls and such.

It appears the SD800IS can do this, albeit in full manual mode (set both). Tim Seaver--you have one (Dave you do too, right?) -- what's the real scoop on the modes? I'm not familiar with Program mode.

I am going to make a trip to the store and compare them side-by-side at some point.

Thanks again for all the input...
Tim

(Maybe I will be able to use that small mountainsmith case with the new camera after all... although I suspect I'll be asked to take the old one hiking )

 

[Tim Seaver]

It appears the SD800IS can do this, albeit in full manual mode (set both). Tim Seaver--you have one (Dave you do too, right?) -- what's the real scoop on the modes? I'm not familiar with Program mode.

Canon calling the controls on the SD800 "manual" is a real stretch.
You CANNOT specify either aperture or shutter speed ( except in the "Long Shutter" speed mode, where you can set the shutter from 1 to 15 sec.) What's even more annoying is that you have no idea what the camera is choosing for an aperture/shutter combo. The display only tells you what the shutter speed is when camera shake is an issue ( I can't remember the threshold, I think around 1/2 sec.)

But it is STILL a great camera! The self-timer has more options than any of my "pro" cameras, allowing you to set a delay up to 30 seconds and up to 10 shot sequences, which is a great feature for setting up staged action shots.

I can only hope as more pros (when they can't justify a larger SLR) and knowledgeable amateurs start using this type of camera will eventually force the manufacturers to get with the program and make a small digicam that has a more full feature set, that shoots RAW, etc.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I think I will try the "stash some silica gel in the case" for a while and see if that fixes the humidity-induced CCD problems. I hate buying a replacement item on-the-spot... At least now I know what I want - 28mm, manual modes, 7+/- MP. I'm not a PhotoShop/RAW kinda guy, yet...

It worked no problem this morning, on the first day of second grade...

Tim

 

[DougPaul]

I'm not familiar with Program mode.

Program mode is similar to auto, includes auto-focus, auto-aperture, auto-shutter speed, but allows you to set flash, ISO, and maybe a few other things manually. It is my most frequent mode, both on my P&S and my DSLR.

I personally like to set the flash manually and can go either way on ISO depending on the pic.

Doug

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I just looked at the specs for the A70, and realized that it only goes to 35mm. I had assumed 28mm. I guess therefore the A570 isn't going to 'cost' me anything. I've had generally positive results with using the panorama mode and the photo stitching software.

Tim

 

[Quietman]

I wonder if something like this is worth anything.

Canon A570 Tele and wide angle lenses

I love my my A540 that I picked up for $120 on clearance. The full manual mode is a must have for me.

 

[David Metsky]

I wonder if something like this is worth anything.

Canon A570 Tele and wide angle lenses

The concept is good, these implementations are somewhat questionable. I'd stick with the Canon or Raynox brands until I see evidence that these are good. There are a lot of really lousy add-on lenses out there.

I bought mine for the S3 through http://www.lensmateonline.com but they don't have anything for the A5xx yet.

-dave-

 

[David Metsky]

It appears the SD800IS can do this, albeit in full manual mode (set both). Tim Seaver--you have one (Dave you do too, right?) -- what's the real scoop on the modes? I'm not familiar with Program mode.

I missed this until now. No, the SD-series is P&S. There is no way to set aperture or shutter speed directly except for the slow shutter speed mode. If you want manual controls, this is not the camera for you.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I ordered the A570 IS on Friday from Circuit City for $162.99 including free shipping (UPS Ground - 10-14 days). It came today (USPS Priority Mail), my wife just IM'd me. I'll report back in a few weeks how it works. Meanwhile, the A70 is completely useless and going back to Canon for the 2nd time under the recall.

Perfect timing... today is my son's 5th birthday and we were, until mail time, camera-less.

Tim

 

[bikehikeskifish]

A570 IS report

I've had the camera now for a week, and taken a representative sample of my main usage - family birthdays, and outdoor scenery.

Overall, I am quite pleased with the form and function. It's smaller and lighter than my A70, although the controls are completely comfortable to the A-series owner. My favorite new feature is the 10-second, three consecutive shot self-timer. Very nice for setting up that summit shot and running to get in position.

I have found the smaller size not a problem for hand-holding but it is a bit more challenging to prop it on a rock, as it is both smaller and lighter and more prone to tipping over. I use this for summit shots, and motion blur via the self-timer.

I ran about 75 images on a set of alkaline batteries. I haven't tested the utilization of the Li-ion ones (Energizer Titanium) yet. Given it uses only 2, I expect less life... bring 2 spares instead of 4, half the total battery weight

It appears, although I can't confirm it and haven't experimented, that the number of wasted shots from camera motion is reduced by the IS feature. I.e., I can hold it stiller. When the A70 comes back, I want to shoot them side by side to see at what shutter speed the shake warning comes on. I have shot 1/15 and 1/20 hand-held successfully with the 570 IS.

I have not used the movie mode extensively, but you can zoom while operating in that mode, a feature which was sorely missed on the A70.

I will say that I might have found the 28mm useful while shooting the Great Gulf. It's not available on the Axxx line at this time (with IS anyway...) I haven't found the lower resolution LCD a problem. One other reviewer-published "con" was the mode dial was difficult to turn. I like this "feature" because shoving it into and removing it from the backpack pocket / pouch doesn't change the setting like it used to on the A70.

Here are some photos (if you read my Washington/Monroe/Clay report you've seen them already)



Tim

 

[David Metsky]

When you zoom during filming it is only using digital zoom, not optical. I have this feature on my SD800 as well, and while it has some noticeable impact on video image quality it's still a plus in my book.

Switch to NiMH rechargeables. You'll get 100's of shots per set. There's no reason to use non-rechargeables in this camera except in very cold temps where Lithium (not Li-Ion) would be useful.

Handheld at below 1/60 is pretty difficult without IS. Even with IS, if your subject is moving your picture will be blurry. It only helps when the subject isn't moving unless you are looking for that affect.

Glad you're happy with the purchase.

 

[DougPaul]

I have found the smaller size not a problem for hand-holding but it is a bit more challenging to prop it on a rock, as it is both smaller and lighter and more prone to tipping over. I use this for summit shots, and motion blur via the self-timer.

I find the small size to be a problem for holding the camera steady--I think I have figured out a reasonably steady way to hold it (push the camera body all the way back to the webbing between the thumb and forefinger on the left hand). You can also get small tripods--eg http://www.rei.com/product/41106.

I ran about 75 images on a set of alkaline batteries. I haven't tested the utilization of the Li-ion ones (Energizer Titanium) yet. Given it uses only 2, I expect less life... bring 2 spares instead of 4, half the total battery weight

Alkalines of any form will perform poorly in digital cameras. As Dave suggested, NiMH rechargables work well (one review says 400 shots). Canon does not list Lithiums for the A75 or the 570. A friend and I have used lithiums in our A75s--the camera works, but gets hot, so we just take quick pics and turn it off. We save extended viewing for NiMH batts.

It appears, although I can't confirm it and haven't experimented, that the number of wasted shots from camera motion is reduced by the IS feature. I.e., I can hold it stiller. When the A70 comes back, I want to shoot them side by side to see at what shutter speed the shake warning comes on. I have shot 1/15 and 1/20 hand-held successfully with the 570 IS.

You can also turn the IS off on the 570 to compare it. FWIW, I just shot some sunsets at 1/5 sec (34mm eFL, non-IS), handheld sitting on a rock, with only a tiny bit of motion. It is doable with care and a bit of practice. You can also take several pics of the same scene and pick the best later.

I will say that I might have found the 28mm useful while shooting the Great Gulf. It's not available on the Axxx line at this time (with IS anyway...)

Didn't think it was available on any of the Axxx line even without IS. I had a 16-34mm eFL lens at the Gathering--about half my shots were with an eFL of less than 28mm. Some of us find the short FLs very handy...

Enjoy your new toy.

Doug

 

[bikehikeskifish]

One additional advantage, which I failed to mention, is that the A570 uses SD memory rather than CF. My laptop has a SD reader, so I don't need to run the camera off the batteries over a USB cable. It's not really a "feature" per se, but a convenient set of circumstances in my case.

I found a deal at Staples for 2Gb SD cards for $25 each. Now we have "his" and "hers" camera memory. That will hopefully cut down on the gripes about downloading around my "hundreds of hiking pictures"

Tim

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Thanks to DougPaul for pointing this out... if anyone lands here on a future search... Here is a very positive review of the A570IS and A720IS.

http://bobatkins.com/photography/digital/Powershot_a570is_a650is_a720is.html

Tim