Zoom (6x) or ultra zoom (10x), with IS... which to get?

[Jim S.]

The Canon A710 IS has better picture quality and other performance aspects than a 10x ultra zoom. And, I already have an old ultra zoom, the Olympus 2100 UZ, only 2.1 MP but workable for me. So, portability is a plus for the Canon. Jeff calls it a favorite in its category: http://www.dcresource.com/buyersguide/.

I don't see going up to an SLR, just because I don't use it enough to justify cost and increased size. Plus, movie mode is perhaps useful... a child is involved!

I like UZ for airshows, distance photography, and auto racing.

For my photo habits, see http://sonolithics.com/pics.

Any other strong contenders in either category? The Powershot 5S IS looks interesting.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=1044

[XOO]

If you like your Uzi, as I do mine, the S3 is that and more! Don't know about S5.

[Jim S.]

I might get the A710 IS, which is a good choice for most of my needs, and then the lens conversion kit for when I need more than 6x zoom. No?

From Calumet:

Product Description Item No Ship Time Quantity Item Price Total
TC-DC58N Teleconverter for G3Canon TC-DC58N Teleconverter for G3 EC2223 Same Day $99.99
LA-DC58F Conversion Lens AdapterCanon LA-DC58F Conversion Lens Adapter EC223612 Same Day $24.99
PowerShot A710 IS 7.1 Megapixel CameraCanon PowerShot A710 IS 7.1 Megapixel Camera EC2426 Overdue from Vendor $259.99

[John_Reed]

If you're used to having a camera with plenty of zoom reach, like the Oly UZ, the S5 will come closer to filling the bill than will the 710. The S5 reaches to 432 mm at full zoom, the 710 only reaches to 210 mm. Yes, you could add an extender to the 710, but that would only slow its lens down further, and it's already slower than the S5 (f4.8 at 210mm, vs. f3.5 at 432mm? No contest). And besides, who says you can't add extenders to the S5 for even more reach?

Mind you I haven't used either of these cameras, haven't even seen a review of the S5 as yet, but I'm just a guy with "zoom hunger," and I know that once you taste the benefits of long zoom, it's hard to give it up.

[reppans]

You seem to have similar priorities as I did - I opted for the 710 for it's combination of manual controls, long zoom, portability and AAs (deleted G7 for Li-ion, and deleted A640 and S3 for size, weight and too many spare batts). You might consider if the "safety zoom" feature of many cameras today will suffice for the additional zoom when you need it - in essence, it is nothing more than an in-camera cropping tool. Clearly, it will not outperform the optical zoom of an ultra-zoom, but it is sacrifice that I'm willing to live with for the portability. Afterall, I tend to carry a camera 99% of the time and actually shoot it 1% of the time and 0.1% with a zoom equiv. over 200mm.

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/psa710is/fea-2-e.html

Here's a couple of safety zoom shots from the 710 at the extreme safety zoom end (24x power):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/443088100_87f52620e7.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/419437783_96c1a0fe5d.jpg

[Jim S.]

The S3 is inexpensive and well reviewed:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s3-review/

But the S5 is getting pans for bad image quality:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey=canon_s5is&opinion=36670

Too soon for a full review from Jeff?

I don't mind an older camera that is well proven, especially at under $300 for 12x!

Thoughts? Am I going to avoid image problems of the S5 by getting an S3?

[tim11]

I'm not sure if the teleconverter of A710IS works the same way as my FZ20?
Whenever using the teleconverter I lose the wide part. I can only start shooting at 6x. Sometimes, I find that I need another camera when I go teleconverter.