S45 or A70?

[mystrix]

From my point of view, the A70 is set to completely replace the A40. Being a S45 user, S45 is a relatively wonderful cam, Especially its SIZE and the features that comes with it. Pixel count doesn't really matters as long as it is 3mp and above. So I would say that the S45 will be here to stay for a while ... I would not be replaced by the S50 as the Only advantage is the Pixel... A likely replacement is the S400... and one more thing.. the S45 metal body is really nice to hold too..

If possible, go to one of the shops and play around with the cam for a while.. heh heh..

 

[Sk8te]

Hmmm well...let me go thru my entire story...I started off wanting the oly 5050 cos of the underwater case and the horse shoe for the flash....but then I saw the underwater case for the S50/S45 and thought that that might be the best bang for my buck...then came along the A70 also with the underwater casing...

Also along with all the accessories I can get along with for the A70...sigh...decisions decisions decisions...

Hows the form factor of the A70 like guys? issit really portable?

 

[Tweek]

Originally posted by Wolfgang
Tweek, you got your A70 for your other half har? :devil:

She doesn't like digicams else I'd have gotten her one long ago. She is still using her Dynax 5.

I bought it for myself, for a everyday camera when I don't lug the D30 around, and also for my younger sister to use.

You bought it for your potential other half? Or shall I remove the word "potential"?

 

[Tweek]

Originally posted by Sk8te
Hmmm well...let me go thru my entire story...I started off wanting the oly 5050 cos of the underwater case and the horse shoe for the flash....but then I saw the underwater case for the S50/S45 and thought that that might be the best bang for my buck...then came along the A70 also with the underwater casing...

Also along with all the accessories I can get along with for the A70...sigh...decisions decisions decisions...

Hows the form factor of the A70 like guys? issit really portable?

Sk8te, you can read up the specs of these cameras online, and also compare their sample pics. But I suggest that you go down to one of the camera shops and try out the cameras. Then you'll know which one feels better in your hands, and which one is more ergonomically-adapted to you.

For me, the A70 is definitely portable (which digicam is not btw, hehe), I use it as an everyday cam. It feels smaller than A40, but not small enough to slip into say your jeans/pants pocket. But it takes up little space in a bag.

 

[Wolfgang]

Originally posted by Tweek

You bought it for your potential other half? Or shall I remove the word "potential"?

:embrass:

 

[Sk8te]

yah I think I agree with all...think I will go to the shop to look/feel/touch the cams....but I think my mind is swayed more towards the A70....

Too bad phil's review of the A70 is not out yet....I quite trust his reviews man....

On a side note... do you guys read digital cam mags? I went to MPH the other day to check out some digital cam mags and all I can find is more DSLR reviews....I am more prosumer kinda guy...

 

[sabre]

Just upgraded from a40 to a70, and I have been playing with my a70 for the past 1.5 weeks. I must say that i'm very satisfied with the no. of features been offered. with the aperture selection mode, the photos taken can achieve "star effect" (6 sided) with the aperture set to F8.0 (min size) which I cannot achieve with a40.

However, the the "blur" in leaves and bushes taken with a40 still remains with a70. And a step back from a40 is that the purple fringe appearing around white object is very (very) obvious with a70 which is very irritating at times. Take a look at this link and you will know what i mean.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a70-review/IMG_9732.JPG

Dunno whether this is a lens problem or it can be solved with a firmware upgrade.

Really hope that canon can solve this purple fringe problem, as it ruins the otherwise excellent a70.

 

[kng]

Sk8te, I personally find that a digicam using 4xAA batteries is a tremendous practical advantage for u/w photography cos 4x1800mAh batteries can last up to 3 dives with preview/review inbetween dives, whereas the S45 lithium battery typically can only last 1-1.5 dive. The latter means that you have to keep re-opening the u/w casing in-between each dive to swap the lithium battery and you know how careful one has to be when doing so (cos otherwise FLOOD!).

On a recent dive trip, my A40 managed to capture tons of nice manta footage when my companions' S45 and sony p9 had already run out of juice.

 

[Wolfgang]

Originally posted by kng

On a recent dive trip, my A40 managed to capture tons of nice manta footage when my companions' S45 and sony p9 had already run out of juice.

Hi Kng, why don't you share a few of those shots with us?

I'm very sure there will be quite a few divers here who would be quite appreciative.

 

[fruitybix]

yes, please post some of the pictures, am quite keen to see how digital camera fare against "See & Sea" underwater cameras.

 

[kng]

Originally posted by Wolfgang
Hi Kng, why don't you share a few of those shots with us?

I'm very sure there will be quite a few divers here who would be quite appreciative.

Originally posted by fruitybix
yes, please post some of the pictures, am quite keen to see how digital camera fare against "See & Sea" underwater cameras.

No problem! Being a newbie, i'm not sure how to link the photos here (i've uploaded them to Ofoto), so maybe its easier to PM me and I'll send you the Ofoto link?

I find that digital photography is superb for u/w photography cos 1. got nice LCD screen to view, 2. autofocus, 3. unlimited & free 'film' instead of 36 exposures, 4. can 'preview' and reshoot if poor shot, and 5. can do post-processing on computer!!!

 

[Wolfgang]

Well, by all means, start a thread in the appropriate subforum (in this case, i think wildlife would be apt) and share the links.

 

[kng]

Originally posted by Wolfgang
Well, by all means, start a thread in the appropriate subforum (in this case, i think wildlife would be apt) and share the links.

Thanks guys!!! I started a new thread in the "nature" forum called "Underwater photos".

Thanks to Joywalker's well-written sticky, I managed to 'attach' some photos!!

Sk8te, another plus pt for the A70 is the relatively inexpensive price - ie. when kenah flood, less heartache.

 

[fruitybix]

thanks for the pictures!

 

[Sk8te]

yah I also say...was also thinking of that....from a 1.5K oly 5050 to a 700+ A70 with casing....not too bad I should say....

Lemme check out your mata pics...

 

[beivied]

sk8te has already gotten his a70 right? just wanna add, for other people who is wondering to choose between s45 and a70, from what i know, the s series cameras of canon cannot auto off underwater. the powershot series can, and saves a lot of power. the last thing you wanna do while diving is to go out of battery, miss good shots and worse, having to remove your casing ever so often on the dive boat in order to change batteries. you run the risk of getting salt or anything small caught on your O ring and there goes your camera. Also lithium batteries are too expensive to carry spares, whereas you can bring a dozen of aa batteries if you want. go out on the first dive with fully charged batteries. if you have more than one day, use the time in your room, all windows and doors closed, to change the batteries, no matter empty or not, and inspect your o ring.

 

[dbchoong]

I've used a Canon S30 and also the A70 - both 3.2mp.

From what I see so far, looks like the S30 pics are better than the A70. Sharpness and colour seems to be handled better on the S30. Not that the A70 is bad, but the S30 seems a bit better.

What I like about the A70 compared to S30:
1. Cheaper
2. Uses AA batteries and seemingly longer battery life
3. Menu is easier to use
4. Manual focus is shown full screen compared to S30 small window
5. Faster auto-focus, faster response (probably due to Digic)

What I like about S30 compared to A70;
1. Sleek metal body
2. Smaller (just a bit)
3. Better pictures overall (IMO)
4. Metal tripod mounting compared to A70's plastic
5. LCD display seems better than the A70 (IMO)

Which is better? Depends on what's important to you....