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Canon PowerShot A710 IS

Reviewed February 2007

Test Photos

Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion
PLEASE NOTE:

Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities of any given camera model. The images are altered only in terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to the compression required to display them here. We feel however, that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.

STILL LIFE PHOTO

This subject is photographed in a room that has a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light. The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.

The A710 IS has a small built-in flash, but it provides a sufficient amount of light to cover the area framed by the zoom at the wide angle end without any light fall-off in the corners.

At 80 ISO, the A710 IS shows little sensitivity to noise, as can be seen here, and sharpness is very reasonable across the entire frame.

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f2.8
Exposure: Program Shutter Sp: 1/60 sec.
Res: 3072 x 2304 Flash: On
Quality: Super Fine ISO: 80
File Size: 2.81 MB Focal Lgth: 35 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The Auto white balance is used for these shots of the still life, and a slight difference in hue can be seen in the cloth backdrop between the wide angle and telephoto shots, the wide shot appearing more cream-coloured than in the telephoto shot (see further below).

ZOOM PHOTO

Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent is to test the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum setting. The camera remains at the same distance as with the preceding photo.

As noted above, at the maximum telephoto setting, the image the A710 IS yields has a background that is a touch more white than the wide angle shot, and closer to what the eye perceives under this mix of lighting.

The image's sharpness is excellent, and reveals a great quantity of detail, from the printing screen on the old photographic paper envelope to the texture of the paper itself.

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f4.8
Exposure: Program Shutter Sp: 1/60 sec.
Res: 3072 x 2304 Flash: On
Quality: Super Fine ISO: 80
File Size: 3.19 MB Focal Lgth: 210 mm (35 mm Eq.)

Aperture: f8, shutter speed: 1/30 sec., 80 ISO.

MACRO PHOTO

The Canon PowerShot A710 IS is capable of capturing superb macro shots. Set to the Macro mode, its lens is able to focus on a subject that is 1 cm (0.4 inch) from the front element of the lens. This distance, with the lens is at the wide angle end, yields a field of view of 2.4 cm (0.94 inch) when measured horizontally.

At macro distances, some barrel distortion can be observed, but it is rarely distracting from the image.

BUILDING PHOTO

This image is our outdoor test. The architecture of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also often reveal the quality of the exposure.

Harsh winter light with a uniformly white and bright background is a serious challenge for any metering system. With this shot, the metering manages to capture a well-exposed shot of the building, but with some loss of detail in the highlights, as evidenced by the disappearance of the smaller branches on the bare trees into the white sky.

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f4
Exposure: Program Shutter Sp: 1/60 sec.
Res: 3072 x 2304 Flash: Off
Quality: Super Fine ISO: 80
File Size: 2.88 MB Focal Lgth: 35 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that even under adverse light conditions such as these, the image reveals only a minor chromatic aberration, and that the building — the subject of the image — is clearly imaged and contains a lot of detail.

ZOOM PHOTO

Zooming in on the entrance of the building, the shadowed entrance takes on a greater importance for the metering and can cause an overexposure of sections that are directly lit.

The inclusion of an image stabilizer — here set to "Shoot Only", which is the most effective mode — allows capturing this image at a shutter speed of 1/25 second without the use of a tripod. The magnification afforded by the 6X zoom makes it possible to frame the entrance of the building only, and the stabilization makes it possible to capture the small sign on the door clearly (see below).

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f4.8
Exposure: Program Shutter Sp: 1/25 sec.
Res: 3072 x 2304 Flash: Off
Quality: Super Fine ISO: 80
File Size: 2.84 MB Focal Lgth: 210 mm (35 mm Eq.)
This photo is a good example of why the image stabilizer in the A710 IS is a valuable feature when shooting in less than ideal light conditions.

 

NIGHT PHOTO

As this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo taken at night is included.

 

Aperture: f2.8; speed: 15 sec, 80 ISO.

Used to capture an image at night, with the camera mounted on a tripod, it is important to remember to turn off the image stabilizer as it can cause an interference over the course of the exposure.

A maximum exposure time of 15 seconds is possible with the A710 IS when the Manual mode is used, making it possible to capture bright night-time images. Moreover, although the lowest ISO setting yields images that are virtually noise free, the higher ISO setting can be used to capture even brighter images.

Up to 400 ISO noise remains minimal, but at 800 ISO noise is quite obvious, limiting its usefulness.

Noise reduction is applied to all images captured with a shutter speed longer than 1.3 seconds, doubling the time required for the exposure as the camera captures a dark frame with the same exposure time to identify noise and eliminate it from the actual exposure before saving it.

Using an aperture of f2.8 and a 15 second exposure at 80 ISO, the A710 IS captures a detailed image that clearly shows items that are invisible to the naked eye in this light, such as the old dock pilings that loom out of the darkness in the foreground (see second image section shown below).

Compare Prices for
Canon PowerShot A710IS 7MP Digital Camera
StoreSeller RatingsDescriptionPrice
RED TAG SAVINGS.comin stock$199.00
Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion



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