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Canon has added two new compact point-and-shoot cameras to its PowerShot A series. The 12.1-megapixel A650 IS and 8-megapixel A720 IS both sport an optically stabilized f/2.8-4.8, 35mm-210mm (35mm equivalent) 6x zoom lens, an optical viewfinder, and a 2.5-inch LCD. The A720 IS’s 115,000-pixel screen is fixed, while the A650 IS’s 173,000-pixel LCD flips out from the camera body.
Both models use Canon’s latest-generation image processor, the DIGIC III, and offer three OIS modes, including an option for panning. They also provide updated face-detection functions such as a flash exposure mode optimized for photographing people and a setting that automatically corrects redeye in detected faces in playback mode.
These two new PowerShots offer manual, priority, and automatic exposure modes; a shutter-speed range of 1/2000 to 15 seconds; and AF-linked spot and center-weighted metering modes. The A650 IS offers a top ISO setting of 3200 and the A730 IS goes up to ISO 1600. Other notable features include selectable nine-point autofocus, custom white balance, flash compensation, and both first- and second-curtain flash sync. Several color modes and effects are available, as well as adjustable contrast, saturation, and sharpness. The A650 IS and A730 IS offer 1.2fps and 1.3fps continuous-shooting modes, respectively.
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Both cameras capture smooth VGA-resolution video with sound. They adjust exposure and white balance continuously during video capture to compensate for changing conditions, which is not a given in cameras that are not made primarily for video capture. The A650 IS can also autofocus while shooting video and apply color effects. A new long play mode lets the two cameras fit more video on a memory card by increasing the compression level, at the expense of image quality. They can also attach voice annotations to photos.
The A650 IS and A720 IS run on AA batteries and will be available in September 2007 for retail prices of $399.99 and $249.99, respectively. Canon makes underwater housings for both cameras that will protect them down to a 130-foot depth.
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