>> My first reaction is to stick with recommending the A720 for the
>> following reasons:
>>
>> The SD950 has 12 megapixels, so it's a bit slow. Continuous shooting
>> will not be very good for those sequences you want (although, the A720
is
>> only marginally better). The only way to get something like 3 frames
per
>> second is to go to a DSLR.
>>
>> Also, this camera doesn't give you any manual control, so you're stuck
>> with whatever the programmed scene modes give you. The plus is that it
>> will fit in your pocket better than the other two, and the prints
should
>> be good as long as you avoid the top ISO speed.
>>
>> As for the S5, it's the best of the thre, for most purposes, but I
think
>> it will be a bit bulky for your intentions. It would be better to lug
it
>> around in a bag than in a pocket. However, it's going to give you the
>> most versatility. It definitely has the best lens, and it will give
you
>> slightly better action stopping ability or depth of field in most
>> situations.
>>
>> As mentioned above, the A720 gets the initial thumbs up because I think
>> it will be the best match to what you want. But, if you like, I can
>> check into the other two more thoroughly, if you've got the time.
>>
>> Take Care,
>> Dudley
>>
>>
> Thank you again,
>
> I would appreciate it if you did check into those other 2, as I'd hate
to
> go for one when i really could have gotten a better one. You know what I
> mean?
>
> I will go and look at the S5 in a shop if I can today to see if it
really
> would be a pain to carry.
>
> I know i';m used to an old Mamiya Sekor SLR I love and lugged around
since
> new in 168, and it is still a great camera, but film. The video cam is
a
> pain as well so anything smaller would be a bonus, even if it was not
> small pocket size.
>
> It is more if you have the time, not I, so please only do what you can
> with ease.
>
> I appreciate it.
>
> Regards,
>
> roc
Hey, Rock, no problem.
I should qualify my above recommendations based on your statement that you
have lugged an older SLR around. The S5 is probably a fair bit smaller
than
your old SLR, so if you wouldn't mind lugging that one around, the S5
should
be easier. It's just that it won't fit into a pocket. And, it's getting
close to the Digital Rebel sans big telephoto lens.
I really like the lens on the S5. It's a bit more than double the zoom of
the A720, and it's got a bit better aperture. It's also got more lens
elements arranged in more groups, so image quality is excellent.
In either case, you will probably like the face detect mode which will
almost ensure that you don't end up focusing on an overhead mike,
footlight,
etc.
I think you will definitely find the S5 a faster camera to use, with
nearly
2 shots per second if the LCD is turned off and you are framing shots
through the optical viewfinder. I think that is closer to what you want,
but the Digital Rebel will do 3 per second and isn't that much bulkier
(providing you don't have some huge telephoto lens mounted).
The thing I like about the S5 the most is that you can attach an external
flash to its hotshoe, which isn't a big deal during a performance, but you
mentioned earlier that you also wanted to use it for ****traits. This
camera
can use some pretty high-powered ETTL flashes -- either mounted to the
shoe
or cabled as remotes.
This camera is really a mini version of many DSLR's. I would have loved
to
shoot concerts with it back when I was lugging two SLR's with different
lens
and film combos during a concerrt.
As for image quality, any of the cameras will produce something you will
like, and which should provide professional quality appearance.
I'll check out the S5 a bit more carefully tomorrow when my dealer is
open,
but, if you don't mind the extra bulk (it's nearly double the size of the
A720) the S5 could be the better choice.
Take Care,
Dudley
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