Latest – Review and Sample Test Photos at TechTree (added 09 April ‘08)
Canon Powershot A720 IS features:
- 8.0 megapixels
- 6x optical zoom
- 5.8-34.8mm f/2.8-4.8 (35mm film equivalent: 35-210mm) lens
- Optical zoom viewfinder
- Optical image stabilization
- Face detection
- 2.5 inch LCD
- ISO range from 80 to 1600
- Cameras dimensions are (W x H x D) 3.83 x 2.64 x 1.65 in. / 97.3 x 67.0 x 41.9mm and it weighs 7.05 oz. / 200g
Read More Reviews – (updated 09 April ‘08)
| TechTree |
 |
| Megapixel |
 |
| CEN |
|
| DPReview |
|
| BobAtkins |
|
| GoodGearGuide |
|
| DCResource |
|
| TrustedReviews |
|
| Imaging-Resource |
|
| ePhotozine |
 |
| DigitalTrends |
|
| DigitalCameraInfo |
|
| DigitalCameraReview |
|
| Cameras.co.uk |
|
| Steve’s Digicams |
|
| CNET |
|
 |
TechTree has reviewed the Canon Powershot A720 IS and they write -
“The Canon A720 IS is available for a reasonable price, and comes with a two-year warranty. For that price, you get a digicam that gives you good all-around performance, and which comes loaded with lots of features and functions. Also, with the PASM modes, amateurs will find this cam pretty handy.
Camera performance is very good for the most part. Just push the power button on and the A720 is eager to shoot in just about 1.5 seconds. Focus time is above average, and there is very little shutter lag. Low-light focusing is better than on most cameras we’ve tested. “
Megapixel – 14 February’08 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and thought one of the more fun features of the camera was it ability to create panoramas from a series of shots. Here’s a summary their review -
“Overall they like the camera but did write that in the menu system there were some function labeling confusion. Another frustration is if you want to erase all your pictures you have to go into the menu system to find “erase all.” Seems kind of a lame oversight on the part of Canon… The 720 IS seemed to do a lot better with outdoor shots than indoor and low light. One last point the video seemed to have above average visual noise. “
CEN – 18 January’08 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and feels this would be a great vacation camera. Here’s a summary their review -
“The camera seemed to suck up batteries so they recommend caring an extra set with you at all times. One way to conserve power was to turn off the image stabilization so that it only functions when you actually take a photo. Its 35 to 210 equivalent zoom lens definitely attracted the reviews attention. In addition considering the nice zoom range the optics produced outstanding images at most zoom settings.”
DPReview – 09 January’08 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and felt it was not the most innovative upgrade they’ve ever seen but all in all it’s a good little camera. Here’s a summary of their review -
“The A720 IS has what most digital cameras strive for, a simple to operate user interface that ends with good photos and wrapped up in an affordable price. As long as you stay away from high ISO’s (what’s new) the camera delivers consistently vibrant photos. If you’re daring it even offers manual capabilities which is actually a nice extra a lot of cameras on the market don’t offer.”
BobAtkins – 19 December’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and thought for such a small sensor the image quality was very high. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“The Powershot A720is is a remarkably capable camera with extensive manual options. There’s very little you can’t do in the way of manual control as long as you select the correct mode. You have full control over shutter speed, focus, aperture, flash power and operation, metering, AF zones, image sharpness/contrast/saturation, drive mode, image stabilization and just about every other feature the camera offers. Of course you can also operate the camera in fully automatic mode if you wish. The lens quality is good and the zoom range is useful. There can be a little purple fringing of very bright areas, but it’s not excessive and it’s something seen in just about all cameras of this type. The image stabilization system is very effective. Focus and exposure are consistently good. Extreme highlights occasionally blow out, but that’s indicated on the histogram display and is easily corrected by shooting again with a little negative exposure compensation.”
GoodGearGuide – 18 December’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and writes that while camera is not perfect it’s pretty darn close. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“Design wise Canon isn’t going out of its way to reinvent the wheel. From the second you remove it from the box there is no question this is a member of the PowerShot series. The rather chunky, plastic chassis won’t win any design awards, but its small right-hand grip makes it relatively easy to hold. Some of the controls feel a little sticky at times but the layout will be familiar to any camera aficionado.”
DCResource – 07 December’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and indicates this is the camera for people looking for all the bells and whistles, great image quality medium priced point and shoot. Here’s an excerpt from their review verdict -
“The PowerShot A720 looks identical to its predecessor, the A710. That means that it’s a midsize, plastic camera with a 6X optical zoom lens and 2.5″ LCD display. The camera is generally well put together, though I’m not a fan of the plastic tripod mount. The camera is easy to hold and operate, with the important controls in the right places. The A720 gives you more zoom power than most cameras in its class, covering a range of 35 – 210 mm. If you want to widen that range, Canon offers both wide and telephoto lenses. The A720 features Canon’s optical image stabilization system, which does a good job of reducing the risk of blurry photos due to camera shake. The LCD on the PowerShot A720 has good outdoor and low light visibility, but its 115,000 pixel resolution is lacking. One of the A720’s features that’s all too rare these days is an optical viewfinder — thank you Canon for not getting rid of it!”
TrustedReviews – 19 November’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and point out this camera is intended for photographers that want more out of their camera than a point-an-shoot can provide. Here’s an excerpt from their review verdict -
“The Canon PowerShot A720 IS is an ideal camera for anyone who wants a bit more creative control than most pocket compacts can provide, and would be an excellent choice for anyone who wants to learn more about photography. Build quality, design and performance are all first rate, image quality is superb and the range of features is hard to match at the price. Battery duration could be a problem, but the ready availability of AA batteries offsets this somewhat.”
Imaging-Resource – 15 November’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and indicates the image stabilization is so effective you’ll always want it on. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“From the optical viewfinder to the manual modes to the variable power flash, whenever I looked for a feature a photographer would appreciate, I found it on the Canon A720 IS. There isn’t a gaudy LCD (with no room for a viewfinder) or extravagant zoom range (with big compromises in optical quality) or any of the frills (frames, in-camera presentations) of many less capable digicams. But if you want a mid-size digicam with a fairly long zoom that can take pictures like a real camera, this is it”
ePhotozine – 06 November’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and writes that the camera is super slow when it tries to deal with indoor lighting. Here’s an excerpt from their review verdict -
“There is no denying that the Canon Powershot A720 IS is a capable camera and will cope with nearly every outcome that you may need it for.
The only thing that really annoyed me about the Canon Powershot A720 IS was the download time when out and about.”
DigitalTrends – 05 November’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and thinks the camera is a great outdoor camera but once inside it struggles. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“For around $225 USD, this is a solid-yet-not-great camera. Christmas didn’t come early so you can’t expect a camera for this price to have the response and low-noise capability of a $1,000 D-SLR! If you can spare the extra money, I’d still go the SD870 IS but a hundred bucks is still 30 gallons of gas. The PowerShot A720 IS is a fine performer outdoors but has its faults in low light and it is a little pokey when you use the flash. It’s not a slam dunk winner but neither is it a dog—it’s a compromise. And compromises rarely make everyone jump for joy.”
DigitalCameraInfo – 17 October’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and thinks the powerful stabilized zoom and spot on color are impressive. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“Like almost all Canon point-and-shoots released this year, the Canon A720 IS has fantastic color accuracy, and, as an added bonus, excellent white balance accuracy using either the auto or preset settings. The accurate colors coupled with the solid resolution performance make this camera a great value in terms of image quality. The image quality isn’t perfect, however, as photos will be plagued with noise at high ISO settings, as well as limited dynamic range.”
DigitalCameraReview – 15 October’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and thinks there are a lot of great features built into this camera for the money. Here’s their review conclusion -
“The Canon Powershot A720 IS provides excellent images and excellent features for an equally excellent price. Image quality is top notch as far as compact point and shoots go. The inclusion of a 6x optical zoom, with image stabilization, is a great selling point, especially for people buying their second or third digital camera who are looking for a bit more than the typical 3x optical zoom. With the exception of the flash cycle time, camera performance is good and battery life is good and even excellent if you use high-capacity rechargeable NiMH batteries. There are other cameras that will beat the A720 in particular situations, like low-light shots, but this Canon can handle a wider variety of shooting conditions, overall, than other cameras in its class. Bottom line, even with the 8 second flash cycle time, the Canon Powershot A720 IS is an excellent all-around compact digital camera and excellent value.”
Cameras.co.uk – 12 October’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and thinks there are a lot of great features built into this camera for the money. Here’s their verdict -
“The Canon Powershot A720 IS offers excellent value for money. It is hard to match the picture quality cameras in this series are capable of producing. You also have a good selection of controls and settings. The viewfinder and the longer than standard lens all make this camera worth a closer look. Recommended.”
Steve’s Digicams – 11 October’07 – reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and was impressed with the shooting performance. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“Combining beginner-friendly AUTO and Scene settings, along with the full Manual mode and everything in between, makes this a terrific consumer digicam. The 6x optical zoom and Image Stabilization add to its versatility, let alone the overall fun factor. It is perfect for the home or office as it is easy enough for anyone to pick up and start shooting.”
CNET reviews the Canon Powershot A720 IS and writes;
“It takes too long for its flash to recycle and you should only use ISO 800 as a last resort, but otherwise the Canon PowerShot A720 IS presents an excellent value for its price range. Its lower-sensitivity pictures look remarkably clean and crisp, it shoots quickly when the flash isn’t in use, and it’s filled with manual exposure controls that experienced photographers, and those learning the ropes, will appreciate. Whether you want a solid, flexible main camera, or a secondary camera to use alongside your digital SLR, the A720 IS makes a great choice.”
Sample Test Photos
Specifications
[Official Canon Specifications]
Drivers and Downloads
[Official Canon Drivers and Downloads Page]
Owners Manual
Press Release
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced two new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras, including one with the highest resolution in the series to-date – the show-stopping 12.1-megapixel PowerShot A650 IS digital camera – and the powerful 8.0-megapixel PowerShot A720 IS digital camera. These new cameras continue the promise of the PowerShot A-Series by delivering superior image quality at a great price.
Both cameras maintain many of the features of this ultra-successful line, with improvements to better meet the needs of users who want a solid and smart point-and-shoot with user-friendly manual capabilities. So, whether it’s an experienced enthusiast looking for a full feature-set and lots of imaging benefits, or a casual, or even first-time user looking for an easy-to-master point-and-shoot, the Canon PowerShot A650 IS and A720 IS digital cameras will more than satisfy. These cameras, with a comfortable shape and design that features a grip for a natural fit and stable handling, are great for outdoor enthusiasts needing to capture that special moment when they reach the top of the mountain or trek through the rainforest.
“By enhancing the PowerShot A650 IS and A720 IS digital cameras with advanced, yet user-friendly feature-sets, at a reduced price point, the A-series will continue to stand-out from the competition,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
The PowerShot A720 IS digital camera is designed to make capturing and preserving memories fast, fun and easy for Moms and Dads on-the-go with their busy, growing families. The upgraded 8.0-megapixel resolution and Canon’s Optical Image Stabilization technology ensure that images are sharp and clear in almost every situation – even those prone to image blur caused by camera shake. The PowerShot A720 IS camera is also capable of recording high-quality VGA movies, making it perfect for capturing memories in motion. The new camera has a wide array of creative shooting modes, a simple control layout for super-easy operability and an ergonomically correct grip to ensure a comfortable fit.
DIGIC III
The “brain” of these new PowerShot cameras is DIGIC III, the gold standard on all new Canon digital cameras. The DIGIC III image processor accounts for the camera’s higher performance levels, including faster start-up, faster autofocus and quicker shutter response times that leave long-lag competitors in the dust. The DIGIC III chip design improves image quality and offers more efficient power consumption, resulting in extended battery life under typical shooting conditions.
ADVANCED FACE DETECTION
With Canon’s new Genuine Face Detection technology, the camera can detect up to nine forward-looking human faces in a scene. The Face Detection algorithm automatically prioritizes and selects faces and not simply the closest object (based on Canon’s Intelligent Scene Analysis/iSAPS technology). It will then optimize the focus, exposure and flash to ensure the best possible results. Using Canon’s Face Detection, photographers can keep up to nine faces in focus at any one time no matter where they are within the image. Working in concert with Face Detection, the “Red-Eye Correction” feature helps to detect and correct red-eye during playback mode. Images can be corrected automatically or manually while viewing photos on the LCD screen. Canon’s new Face Detection Technology makes for even easier picture-taking moments, helping users ensure in-focus smiles, and assist in the elimination of over-exposed faces.
OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION
The extended zoom range of these cameras makes optical image stabilization (OIS) essential. Canon’s lens shift OIS provides an effective antidote to camera shake, particularly at longer zoom lengths or during long exposures when even the slightest hand-held shake is magnified to picture-blurring proportions. Superior to electronic image stabilization systems that simply use software to mask movement, OIS actually shifts the lens proportionately to compensate for unwanted motion, making it easier to snap great images. The OIS found in Canon PowerShot digital cameras is based on technology developed for Canon’s renowned high-end professional EOS SLR cameras.
The steady effectiveness is further enhanced when paired with the new “Auto ISO Shift” feature which, at the touch of a button, can automatically increase the ISO speed setting as required to maintain fast shutter speeds when shooting in low-light conditions without a flash.
PRINTING MADE EASY
All Canon PowerShot digital cameras work seamlessly with Canon’s compact photo printers to deliver stunning high-quality borderless prints. Consumers simply connect their PowerShot digital camera to a Canon compact photo printer, press the Print/Share button, and moments later a brilliant, borderless 4″ x 6″ print begins to emerge; it’s that simple. Canon’s compact photo printers are PictBridge compatible, so they work with PictBridge enabled digital cameras to provide users with excellent image quality and ease-of-use, especially when paired with a Canon digital camera.
HIGH-CAPACITY MEMORY CARD CAPABILITY
As an added convenience, Canon PowerShot digital cameras also accommodate MultiMedia MMC memory cards, as well as standard SD memory cards and the new, high-capacity SDHC memory cards. This way, consumers do not have to carry around multiple memory cards in order to be able to continue to save those special moments during extended vacations or high-photo-taking adventures. Canon PowerShot owners can travel in sleek style.
The estimated selling prices of the PowerShot A650 IS digital camera and the PowerShot A720 IS digital camera models are $399.99* and $249.99*, respectively. Both models are scheduled to be available in stores in September. The Canon PowerShot A650 IS camera kit includes four AA batteries, 32MB SD memory card, USB interface cable, AV cable, wrist strap and Canon’s software suite. The Canon PowerShot A720 IS camera kit includes two AA batteries, 16MB SD memory card, USB interface cable, AV cable, wrist strap and Canon’s software suite.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2006 BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), is a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2006†, with global revenues of $34.9 billion. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.
Latest Pricing at Amazon
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear concern
can you tell me is this particular model is available in India.. if so can i have the dealer address …
regards
Naveen Solomon Hembrom
INDIA
Canon A720 has 6X optical zoom not 4X as you stated.
so the software sompatibility is sucks, I’m not able to copy some photos back to my memory card what is inside the camera; is it a serial problem, or only my chinese camera has that problem?
I managed to copy back edited images to the camera (using memory card reader), although I didn’t find out how to embed EXIF thumbnail into newly created images.
Not all image editing softwares can make JPEGs compatible with the A720 camera.
- Irfanview: creates incompatible JPEG.
- Paint Shop Pro X2: A720 can read the images saved with default settings, but doesn’t support progressive JPEG and certain chroma subsamplings.
- Imagemagick: incompatible.
- Paint.NET: compatible.
You should also make sure that the width and the height of the images are the multiple of 8.
Canon Powershot A720 IS seems to be incompatible with recent Imagemagick (kubuntu 7.10). So far only digikam can recompress jpegs compatible with the A720 IS. KIPI-plugins don´t work, so no batch-processing is possible.
Fine work from you, Canon!
xnview (http://www.xnview.com/) solves the issue with the Canon A720 IS. Batch conversion for recompressing JPEGs works and results in images that can be displayed on the A720 IS.