Canon A590 IS is a great buy and must have camera under budget

Thank you Optiglass!And yes I found mine almost new...Just keep an eye on local market like Graiglist or something..

Cheers.

Thanks guys for the info , I would check it out .

I'm not sure if it's poor contacts in all cases.  My wife's A710IS went through alkaline AA's at an amazing rate - I barely got through the initial set up process with the first pair.  However, Energizer lithium AA's give about 550 shots.  My guess is that alkaline batteries just can't stand the current draw and die early.

I already own a  A590 IS .

I have acquired an A710IS in BGN condition for $25, and an EX condition A720IS for $45; both from KEH.  The idea was backups for my wife's A710IS which is perfect for her, unavailable new, unsupported by Canon any longer, and a terrific little camera.  The A710IS in BGN condition has a ding on the ring around the lens - strictly cosmetic, and not all that bad.  If my wife's camera dies, I'll just use the ring from her camera.  I also find myself considering using one of them for myself.

I think the A710IS/A720IS is an excellent example of what you really need to take great pictures, and a stark contrast to what we are being offered today.  7-8 MP is plenty.  You really don't need a 3", 920k dot LCD to compose your shot, review it, or read the menu.  You don't need a touch screen, you don't need smile detection, and so on.

However, the A series did have adjustments for sharpening, contrast, and saturation, exposure compensation, and flash exposure compensation.  The tools you really do need to compensate for conditions.  Assuming you know how to use them, of course.

And finally, a few notes on focal length.  None of the AA using A series go wider than 35 mm.  As it happens, I very seldom use a wider focal length for anything serious.  But I do use longer focal lengths, and experience tells me I like having 210 mm available.  My one gripe with the G15 is that it only goes to 140 mm.  OK, the G15 has 28 mm available.  Do I use it?  Sure i do - mainly for travel snaps where I can't back up enough.  Your peripheral vision extends very wide horizontally - about 160-170 degrees.  But the sharpest vision, and the best sense of color only covers 35-40 degrees.  For full apreciation of wider views, you either move your head or your eyes.  So a 35 mm lens sees pretty much the way you do.  A wider lens is harder to use well and is mostly used to "cram it all in".  I think a good point can be made for not going wider than 35mm.

I recently purchased old Nikon Coolpix P5100.Its wonderful camera which gives nice images under flash.

I compared it with canon A590 IS and I found very less difference in terms of image quality.

Surely P5100 was ahead in photos taken in flash but its very slow. A590 was faster in focusing and ready to take next image.

Although P5100 has F2.7 lens vs F2.6 that of A590,I found IQ of A590 on better side.

Both the cameras are excellent in their class but having A590 give you satisfaction of capable digicam.

If you are considering in  buying a capable digicam then A590 is one of your choice.As other members mentioned, A650, A720 are also same capable digicams.

Problems faced:

low Battery problem in A590 IS- yes,i faced low battery problem in my A590.

I tried metal contacts cleaning,bending the terminals.

I replaced small battery that powers motherboard

I installed chdk...only slight improvement

But I finally changed the batteries from envelope to envy 2500mAH , my problem was solved.Now i like A590 more than before.

There are other cameras who perform better than A590 but they are expensive in todays life.

I wish Canon launches next version of this camera with 25 or 28mm lens......iI find 35mm lens quite uncomfortable ,especially indoors where space is limited to go back.So i use fujifilm 25mm for such conditions.

Sorry to be late getting back to you.  I bought the A720IS and A710IS at KEH.com.  BGN is short for Bargain.  That grade is fully usable; but has some kind of defect.  In the A710IS it was a dent in the removeable ring around the base of the lens.  The rest of the camera is perfect.  They also sell some new gear, and I have bought used cameras, bodies, lenses, and flash from them.

I have dealt with KEH for years and years, and they are very reliable.  They grade the cameras conservatively and are very good about returns.  I have also bought used gear from B&H and Adorama in NYC.  Almost as good as KEH, and easy to deal with on returns.

When searching for used gear, you have to check the sites almost daily, as the stuff comes and goes quickly.  I just bought a used S95 in Excellent+ condition yesterday evening, and it was not shown on Tuesday.