Canon A520 vs Canon SD200

[sman2626]

Hello,

I am looking to buy a digital camera for a novice user looking to spend around $200 bucks. Both the Canon A520 and SD200 are $179 on Amazon.com. Could someone please tell me what the differences are between the A and SD series are? The A520 shows 4 MP and the SD200 only 3.2 MP but I've heard you can't base everything off of the mega pixels. Maybe there is another camera you suggest for around the $200 dollar mark as well? Also you see ELPH on some of the canon cameras...is this a good thing to have?

Thank you.
sman

[David Metsky]

ELPH is Canon's ultracompact line of cameras, they are pretty tiny. I've got the SD300 and love it, but it is small and sometimes hard to get a hold on, so a beginner might like the larger, more tradional looking A520. Otherwise I'd rate them as fairly similar in ability, but the SD200 has the Digic-II chip, which means it's faster and has a better movie mode.

-dave-

[sman2626]

How about A85 vs the A520. Is one just a new model?
Thanks again.

[JTL]

How about A85 vs the A520. Is one just a new model?
Thanks again.They're both old models, with the A85 being older...the current generation models are the A610 and A620...

[David Metsky]

They're both old models, with the A85 being older...the current generation models are the A610 and A620...
I thought the 510 and 520 were intended to be lower cost, more basic models than the 610 and 620.

-dave-

[JTL]

I thought the 510 and 520 were intended to be lower cost, more basic models than the 610 and 620.

-dave-The A510 and A520 are based on "legacy" technology...they are not based on the current generation of technology...