Digital Trends

We all know you can spend big bucks for a digital camera. We also know many folks don’t have money to burn when gas is three bucks a gallon. Fortunately there many cameras from the top companies that do a good job and don’t break the bank. And please don’t even think about going really cheap with digicams from folks like Vivitar or GE --they’re awful. Canon’s A series is aimed for buyers who don’t want to spend a lot yet want decent quality. The A series has models ranging from the hundred-dollar 5-megapixel A460 up to $399 USD for the 12MP A650 IS. The $249 USD A720 IS tested here is an 8-megapixel model with a potent 6x zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The camera also has the much preferred optical image stabilization to help eliminate blur in low-light situations. It even runs on a pair of simple everyday AA batteries as do all of Canon’s A series cameras rather than expensive proprietary lithium ion rechargeables. A quick tour of the ‘Net found this camera for less than $225 USD from reputable sites. Now lets see if it’s worth the money...