Queries of new A720 IS user

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lastguyonthenet

Contributor
I recently bought a Canon A720IS from Alfa. I decided to buy it after reading the generally positive feedback from the members here. The camera looks quite nice and right now I am familiarizing myself with its various features.

There are a few queries regarding the camera that I would like my fellow Canon A720 IS users to help me out with:

1. The model I bought is china made, similar to the SX100 displayed in the shop.
But the A710 IS displayed there was made in Japan. Is there any difference with regards to build quality considering I bought my camera without a warranty?

2. When closed the battery compartment door doesn't feel firmly latched but wiggles slightly. Is this normal?

3. The LCD screen to me appears brighter/clearer indoor (under tube lights) (similar to what you get in Sony cybershots) compared to the A570IS that I saw in showrooms. I haven’t had time to test it outdoors yet but knowing that the LCD display is a major issue in the A570/710 Canons, could someone shed some light on it.

4. Bought a 4 GB SDHC card. Had a choice of Toshiba (Class 4 SDHC) and Kingston (Class 2 SDHC). I chose Toshiba to get faster writing speed. Has anyone faced any issues with Toshiba? Between the two should I stick with it or get a Kingston instead?

5. Thought of buying either a Sanyo or a Sony 2700 mAh batteries for the camera. Alfa had
a. Sanyo Eneloops (Charger + 2AA)
b. Sanyo 2500 mAh (Charger + 2AA)
The charging time mentioned on the packets was 13 hrs. which I found a little long. Also no rating was specified for the eneloops on the packaging.

c. Sony 2500 mAh (Charger+ 4AA) - Charging time 7 hrs, but gave it a pass because I wanted 2700 mAh.
Do you think paying a premium and getting 2700 mAh Sonys from Sony World / Croma is worth it or should I just go for the 2500 mAh Sonys. Finally how would you rate the genuineness of the batteries available at Alfa.

6. I have a couple of days to try out the camera to see if it is working fine. Are there any specific things that I need to check out?

Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Thanks
 
As far as batteries go, I personally prefer Uniross over other brands. Also you might want to go for a charger which charges batteries in ~4hours.
 
I own a 720IS and here are some answers

1. As long as it is canon, country of manufacture won't matter IMHO

2.The battery cover is flimsy and doesn't feel solid on mine or any other 720is for that matter. Its built like that

3. Any LCD will have trouble in direct sunlight (except when it is transreflective...in which case, the more light the more merrier!) indoors should be no problem at all. Or else try shielding the LCd when in day light.

4. No idea as I got a sandisk with mine

5. Get the eneloop or duracell 2650mAH cells. The longer the charging time, the better for long term battery life. Don't fall for the 'quick' chargers. They ruin your batteries.

6. Just observe the body for any defects and/or loose components (lens mounting ring, mode dial etc.)
 
^^ While I agree with everything else Kumar has mentioned, I would recommend that you get Uniross Hybro, Sanyo Eneloop or GP Recyco batteries.

They have smaller capacity (2000 - 2100 mAH) but they retain their charge for much much longer than regular rechargeable batteries.

I have been using the GP ones and I keep them as spare as I know that even months down the line they will still have 80 - 85% charge.

If you use your regular rechargeable batteries after months, they will be almost fully discharged.
 
i've read on other forums that even though eneloops are around 2100mah, they dont lose their charge like all other rechargables....so they last much longer than even 2500mah

even the gp recyclo are the same way, rated at 2050mah

i suggest to go for those
 
IMO the usage capacity of the 2100mah eneloops won't be higher than the 2700mah. Only the shelf life will be effected.

I mean, you will still get lower number of snaps on 2100mah eneloops than non-eneloop 2700mah.
 
Thanks Yogesh, Kumar, BF1983, and pappu for the inputs.

BF1983
^^ While I agree with everything else Kumar has mentioned, I would recommend that you get Uniross Hybro, Sanyo Eneloop or GP Recyco batteries.

They have smaller capacity (2000 - 2100 mAH) but they retain their charge for much much longer than regular rechargeable batteries.
Click to expand...

_pappu_
i've read on other forums that even though eneloops are around 2100mah, they dont lose their charge like all other rechargables....so they last much longer than even 2500mah

even the gp recyclo are the same way, rated at 2050mah
Click to expand...

But the numbers of snaps/clips that a single charge gives when the camera is used heavily say over a short duration is important too. Running out of charge during heavy usage could be bit of a bother than say finding depleted batteries after a period of disuse.

So the choice of batteries is a toss-up between whether you want to have sufficient juice in your batteries that they are up to the task of shorter duration heavy usage or you want the charge to hold on over a longer period of sparse usage.

To me the Sony chargers with the 2500mAh and 2700 mAh battery pack appeared the same except for different model numbers. Are they the same? Are the chargers designed to handle all ratings of batteries or are they limited to charging cells upto a specific mAh value?
From what I gather it's OK to charge the cell before they discharge fully. But is it advisable to use them before they have been fully charged?
Do the normal chargers available in the market have the ability to stop charging the cells once they are fully charged? Would the cells be damaged if kept for a couple of hours in the chargers akfter they have been charged fully?
 
To me the Sony chargers with the 2500mAh and 2700 mAh battery pack appeared the same except for different model numbers. Are they the same? Are the chargers designed to handle all ratings of batteries or are they limited to charging cells upto a specific mAh value?
From what I gather it's OK to charge the cell before they discharge fully. But is it advisable to use them before they have been fully charged?
Do the normal chargers available in the market have the ability to stop charging the cells once they are fully charged? Would the cells be damaged if kept for a couple of hours in the chargers akfter they have been charged fully?
Click to expand...

Any charger can handle any cell (see the packaging for the rating and time taken for each capacity to be charged up)

No need to fully charge them before using them (not on the first charge though).

Most probably, the cheap ones don't have that overcharge/temperature cut-off. They continue to charge the cells even if they have reached 100%. It is even for the 'quick' chargers as the cells heat up even more thereby loosing their effciency over a few months. Better get a good charger from a genuine dealer (example, a sony one from a sony world).
 
lastguyonthenet said:
Thanks Yogesh, Kumar, BF1983, and pappu for the inputs.

BF1983
_pappu_
But the numbers of snaps/clips that a single charge gives when the camera is used heavily say over a short duration is important too. Running out of charge during heavy usage could be bit of a bother than say finding depleted batteries after a period of disuse.

So the choice of batteries is a toss-up betwe to hold on over a longer period of sparse usage.en whether you want to have sufficient juice in your batteries that they are up to the task of shorter duration heavy usage or you want the charge

To me the Sony chargers with the 2500mAh and 2700 mAh battery pack appeared the same except for different model numbers. Are they the same? Are the chargers designed to handle all ratings of batteries or are they limited to charging cells upto a specific mAh value?
From what I gather it's OK to charge the cell before they discharge fully. But is it advisable to use them before they have been fully charged?
Do the normal chargers available in the market have the ability to stop charging the cells once they are fully charged? Would the cells be damaged if kept for a couple of hours in the chargers akfter they have been charged fully?
Click to expand...

good chargers(nowadays most of them) stop once the cells are full

well once the chargers stop, the cells start to discharge.... the gp recyclo charger provides a constant trickle charge so that this doesnt happen

and i dont think you are gonna take 300 shots a day whichmost cameras do nowadays on any cells (even 2100mah ones....i am talking about using 4 cells not 2)
 
lastguyonthenet said:
Is the LCD screen prone to scratches? Is there a guard/film for the LCD?
Where can I find a neck strap for the camera?
Click to expand...

not if u take care of it :)

u can get separate scratchguards for cam screens too :)

even sonyworld carries some.
 
a scratch guard is basically a sticker that u put onto the screen.... you get the for cell phones, mp3 players everything
you can check out any cell phone shop(little bit run odwn types which keeps accessories)

i get a whole sheet and cut it to the right size myself

the start applying it from one corner, by pressing it down with a hanky around your finger so as to push out all the air bubbles.... and work your way to the other end
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom