So what can replace my A710 IS?

[UncleBadger]

Well, thanks very much, the thief who swiped my six month old A 710IS last weekend - along with the memory cards, batteries, case...

My insurance company was reasonable, but a £100 excess and their insistence on my having to buy from Jessops, means I'm going to be hard-pressed to replace all I lost without digging deeper than I really want to.

So here's the question. The A 710 wasn't my main camera. For serious work, I use an SLR and I bought it to replace an aged (but good) A series from an earlier generation, to use as a pocket camera, a role for which, if I'm being frank, it really is a bit too big. But what do I replace it with?

My must-haves include an optical viewfinder and a good lens, while AA batteries would be vastly preferable. This suggests another A series, but the 710 is on its last legs, with only a few remaining, while its replacement just seems to have had a few megapixels added for no good reason.

Am I missing something bliindingly obvious, if I rustle-up another A 170 from Jessops?

Can anyone suggest a better camera for the job that meets my criteria? I'd happily consider another brand if need be.

 

[wfjw]

How about the A650IS?
--
wfjw

 

[catkit]

Jessops have it for collect in store for £199- if you use the code JESSOPS10 you'll get 10% off that i.e. £179.10.

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s36132/0/Digital-Compact-Cameras/Canon/Powershot-A710-IS-Digital-Camera/details.aspx?&IsSearch=y&pageindex=1&comp=n

The A720 is availiable from Cameras2u (Jessops) for a little less at £172

http://www.cameras2u.com/Store/s66577/4001-4136-4236/Home/Cameras--and--Lenses/Digital-Compact-Cameras/Canon/Powershot-A720IS-Digital-Camera/details.aspx

Main difference is you can use CHDK on A710 to get RAW.

If you want to spend more you could try the A650 availiable in 5 days for £249.50

http://www.cameras2u.com/Store/s67000/0/Digital-Compact-Cameras/Canon/Powershot-A650IS-Digital-Camera/details.aspx

If want to go smaller have a look at the new Panasonic FX33 wide angle (similar to IXUS/Fuji F31fd size).

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/review/2007/08/01/6753.html

cat

 

[catkit]

No viewfinder on the FX33 so that's out.

cat

 

[Sean Nelson]

If you've already got a DSLR for serious work then you can (IMHO) afford to be a little less critical about MP and noise on the sensors in these cameras. I'd just go based on which features you want in a carry-around and what you can afford. The A650 is the most expensive, but very nice because it's got everything that the other A-series cameras have plus the flip screen. On the other end the A570 is very reasonably priced. In the middle is the A720 which (feature-wise) is essentially the same as the A710 was.

 

[UncleBadger]

Thanks for the opinions, cat and others.

Sadly (and because, I don't doubt, Jessops gives the insurance company a kickback, the vouchers don't seem to be usable in conjunction with any other offers. Nor, I believe, with Jessops' own spin-offs. I'll look into that on Monday, however.

Shame about the Panasonic range not having viewfinders - the Fujis too, come to that. It is, in my opinion, a serious omission. I've yet to encounter a rear screen that is anything like bright enough for use in full sun - indeed, the A 710's was really poor in that respect, I thought.

Looks like it will have to be a 720, unless I can think of anything else.

Oh, and as an aside, the comment about being able to tolerate a lesser camera because I have an SLR for serious work was interesting. I actually find the exact opposite. The results from my SLR are so very much better than those from my compacts that I even toyed with buying a small SLR for everyday use. It was only the size that stopped me - even a D40 is too big.

If anything (and I'm sure this is purely personal), using an SLR has made me less forgiving.

 

[catkit]

Badger, are you saying you are getting a voucher which you can only use at Jessops? I suppose in that case you may not not be able to use the 10% discount which is unfortunate. It's a pity it didn't happen last week then at least you could have got £50 cashback from Canon (on the A720 and A570)

cat

 

[UncleBadger]

That does seem to be the case, cat. I'm not sure whether the insurance company would have given in, had I put up a fight but, to be honest, I felt inclined to let it go at the time - not least because of the ease with which they accepted the claim.

I gather it is quite common now for UK insurance companies to operate this way.

And yes, I thought that about the cashback offer, too! I may even hold on, in case Canon decides to run another. The vouchers have a six month lifespan, I believe.