The Canon PowerShot A710IS point-and-shoot digital camera offers an interesting mix of features aimed to make the camera easy to use while remaining a versatile option for photographers with varying experience levels. It's an impressive model that has earned our Budget Buy designation.

The PowerShot A710IS carries a lot of high-end features for a camera that you probably can find for close to $275 or even $250. Its 7.1 megapixels of resolution are above average for models in this price range, and you can create high-quality prints of about 11x14 inches at the maximum resolution.

This model's 6X optical zoom lens is above average as well. Canon has included optical image stabilization technology with the PowerShot A710IS -- hence the "IS" tacked onto the end of this model's name. The optical IS allows you to shoot sharp photos throughout the range of the zoom lens. The image stabilization basically eliminates camera shake and blurry photos, which often are a problem with digital camera zoom lenses longer than 3X. We were particularly impressed with the PowerShot A710IS's configuration that allows lens converters for wide-angle and telephoto capabilities. Very few digital cameras in this price range offer the ability to add capabilities to the camera's lens. Very few digital cameras with a 3X or larger zoom lens offer an optical viewfinder, either, but this model does, which is very handy. The viewfinder only shows about 80 percent of the final image, though, which may cause a few problems in framing photos.

Image quality is very good with the PowerShot A710IS, both indoors and outdoors. The camera adjusts the strength of its built-in flash, depending on the distance from the subject, which avoids problems with washed-out photos.

The PowerShot A710IS has a nice mixture of manual and automatic features, too. You can use this model as a complete point-and-shoot model, or you can shoot in a manual mode.

The response times for this model range from average to slightly above average for a camera in this price range. You can shoot your first photo less than two seconds after pressing the power button. Shutter lag is not noticeable most of the time, but when using the PowerShot A710IS's autofocus in low light, you may experience about a one-half second shutter lag. Shot-to-shot delays are about 1.5 seconds without the flash, but the delays can climb to almost 10 seconds when using the flash over distance.

The PowerShot A710IS is a little larger than some other popular models, measuring about 1.6 inches in thickness. Some people will find it easier to hold and use than some ultra-thin models, though, thanks to its rounded right-handed handgrip.

Although the 2.5-inch LCD is a good size, it could be a little sharper and a little easier to see in bright sunlight. Those are minor problems, though, and there just isn't much else to dislike about the PowerShot A710IS. It's a very solid digital camera that provides beginners with plenty of automatic features and that can grow with you as you gain experience as a photographer.


Pros: Great value, above average zoom lens with image stabilization, high resolution, great image quality, nice mix of features
Cons: Response times -- especially shot-to-shot delays -- could be better

Warranty
1 year, limited