I see that it also has built-in text messaging... at least for trucks.
Chuck Norcutt
Moose wrote:
> In my endless peregrinations through the thickets of digicams, I ran
> across something interesting that meets several criteria endlessly
> mentioned here:
>
> - IS
> - Viewfinder
> - AA battery powered
> - RAW capability
> - Av, Tv and full manual modes
> - Manual focus with magnified center portion
> - Live histogram
> - Live flashing highlight/shadow clipping
>
> It also has:
> - A decent 6x, 35-210 mm eq. lens.
> - Relatively low noise for a small sensor camera, and with a rather nice
> balance between NR and detail retention.
> - Good macro
> - Dedicated EV button
> - Decent movie capability with IS
> - All the other stuff P&Ss have these days
> - Low price, excellent value
>
> The up-down sides:
> - Plastic body, although good quality
> - Two AA cells
> Both mean light, which I happen to like, and battery life is still
> supposed to be very good.
>
> The down sides:
> - Not Oly
> - RAW, flashing clipping warning and some other useful features are not
> native, but via add-on hacker developed firmware.
> - No dedicated iso button, although the shooting menu makes adjustment
> quick and easy.
> - Not tiny, but still pretty pocketable.
>
> So what is this paragon? Canon A710 IS.
> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona710is/
> http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/a710_pg5.html
> http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a710-review/
> http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A710/A710A.HTM
>
> And what's that about RAW, Liveview histogram, etc? Some hacker(s) have
> worked out details of operation of the Digic II processor and made
> features built in to the chip, but not activated in some camera models,
> available in many cameras using this processor.
>
> The implementation is different than the 300D hack firmware, which had
> to be installed in place of the existing firmware. This stuff is added
> on temporarily and disappears when the camera is turned off. It can also
> be made so it auto loads from the SD card whenever the camera is turned on.
>
> http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK/HDK_firmware_usage
>
> Does it work? So far. The live histogram and/or flashing high/low lights
> work great. I've had it save RAW, but done little with RAW other than to
> see that it works and can be accessed per the instructions for
> conversion to DNG and loading into PS via ACRS.
>
> As you know by now, I went out and bought one before my little vacation
> and downloaded and installed on the SD card the hack firmware. Silly,
> really, as I had the 5D with me most of the time and didn't take many
> images with the A710. So what do I think so far?
>
> - It's a capable camera and better for brightly lit daylight scenes
> without any effort than the F30.
>
> - Noise is worse than the F30, as is effective resolution.
>
> - The LCD isn't as good as the F30. Less resolution and not as easy to
> see in bright sun.
>
> - The viewfinder is about what you would expect of a 6x, inexpensive
> P&S. It shows where the camera is pointed and a small 80% view that's
> useful to me when the LCD is hard to see. No diopter adjustment. But
> hey, it's there.
>
> - IS works well.
>
> - I have lots to learn about it. Now that I've done what Mike J. says
> not to do, actually spent time selecting a P&S, it's time to do what he
> says to do, work my way through the manuals. Haven't cracked one yet,
> but soon.
>
> - I haven't done any comparison testing vs. the F30 for iso vs. IS yet.
> Tests are boring and too much like work. ;-)
>
> - I really like having a longer zoom that the F30. 35-210 is just like
> the travel zoom I have used for my OMs.
>
> - Better NR/noise solution than the Panny smear makers. I want a TZ-3
> with the imaging system from the A710.
>
> - I would likely be unhappy with a real superzoom, the A710 is right at
> the upper limit of pocketable/carry everywhere for me.
>
> - I've posted a rather eclectic set of shots that do show some IS
> country. http://moosemystic.net/Gallery/MPhotos/A710IS/
>
> Moose
>
>
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