Canon PowerShot A700 6MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Zoom

I bought this camera recently and the performance is really good.
I will recommend to others.

My situation was a bit unusual. As a photography hobbyist I had a Canon A590 that I really liked but wanting to get into the use of scripts to do special things like automated timed shots for time lapes photography and bird photography I discovered that the A590 was not on the list for cameras that could run the scripts I wanted to use. So, I searched the list and found that the A700 was. It is also a popular camera for kite aerial photography which I also do. After receiving the A700 I found a simple to use, robust camera that does exactly what I want it to do. It has a nice large display and simple menu and other controls. I have been a long time fan of Canon point and shoot cameras due to their general toughness and ruggedness. I am perfectly happy with the A700 even though the A590 offered slightly higher resolution. It takes very nice shots and with my use of CHDK scripting can shoot in the RAW format. I bought refurbished and am quite satisfied with the product.

Pros:
(1) Amazing 6x zoom lens. All other cameras have 4x or less.

(2) Lots of different settings so it's good for beginners that don't know how to use a camera and just want to point and shoot all the way up to more advanced users.

(3) Excellent video camera abilities. Can take lots of footage with nice, loud sound.

(4) Nice big viewing screen.

(5) Viewing window in addition to viewing screen. Great for sunny days.

(6) AA batteries used means you don't have to run out of power in the middle of the trip like you would with a built in battery.

(7) There is automatic lens protection when you turn the camera off. No losing caps, forgetting to cap it, or having the lens cap fall off.

Cons:
(1) Flash recycle time is impossibly slow. I've missed out on so many pictures because the camera won't take any pictures for a period of time after you used the flash, even if you turn the flash off.

(2) There can be LOTS of noise on the picture, especially if it's dark.

(3) For some reason night pictures look great on the screen right up to when you push the button to take the picture...the picture suddenly gets dark like if you were using a disposable camera. For some reason, the camera does not have this issue if you record a video of the scene. If anyone can figure out how to make it stop doing that, please let me know.

I've had this camera for 6 months now and taken several thousand pictures. The pics have been consistently excellent - the sharpness, colours and contrast all rival much more expensive cameras, particularly in good light conditions (outdoors in daylight or indoors with flash).

It works very well as a point and shoot, but also has lots of programmable modes for more experienced users.

To another reviewer : Fill in flash can be done by switching to P mode, which allows you to force the flash to always on.

With regard to other reviewers' comments on speed, mine speeded up a lot with an Ultra II SD card. Cycle time is now sub-1s without flash, although with flash it does still slow down to about 5s due to the flash recharge time. I would strongly recommend getting a 512Mb or bigger, Ultra II-type, SD card.

The drawbacks apply to any compact camera, the lens is smaller than an SLR etc. so in conditions of low light, or with high zoom, or both, its running long exposure times with resulting restrictions on movement.

Overall, I really like my A700. I took the camera on a trip to Italy and was extremely pleased with the performance, shooting 95% on automatic. After spending considerable time researching available cameras, it replaced my Powershot S40, as I wanted to upgrade to the 6MP and the 6x zoom. I'm used to the Canon settings (having had the S40 and a Rebel), so that was a consideration. Yesterday I took some head and action shots at the Eagles game (sideline pre-game warmup)and was impressed by the ability to stop action using the Tv setting.

I do agree with some of the issues pointed out by reviewers, namely:
1. I had to return it after two weeks, as the automatic lens cover started sticking. Servicing was quick, but it seems to be an issue with this model. I'm hoping it isn't a reoccuring problem.
2. Flash recycling time IS slow. Mine runs about 6-8 seconds. Luckily, it's a minor annoyance with my shooting.
3. For all the great features they built-in, a hot shoe for an attached flash would have been a nice addition.
4. I wish they had added a remote shutter release...oh well.
5. True, the 800ISO setting is extremely grainy, but you quickly learn not to use it unless you expect and can accept the results (and a tripod isn't permitted). And, easy to pretend it's not there.

Overall, I found these to be minor items when balanced with the near-perfect blend of features.

Lastly, one of the features I thought I'd use was the ability to add telephoto and wide-angle lenses, as well as filters. At 6X, I don't think I'll have a need for it.