Just purchased an A720 IS

[sentinel1759]

Hi,

Just purchased the A720 IS a few days ago, and I couldnt be happier with it! I'm currently a college student who loves to take pictures of anything and everything. Im still very much a beginner when it comes to photography, but I certainly enjoy learning more and more about these amazing devices. I also found photo-John's point and shoot article very informative and an excellent read.

Anywho, to make a long story longer, i just had a few questions about the A720.

1. What are the benefits of buying the higher performance SD cards? (eg. 155x)

2, I take alot of concert photos, the main venue I got to is HOB-Orlando, in the pit area its usually dark with the stage lights being very bright, what settings should I use to get the best pictures in this situation?

3. In one of the video reviews I watched online (tiger direct I believe) it stated that the A720 can shoot up to 60fps, however I do not see that in the camera options or the manual. Am I missing something, or did the reviewer have the wrong information?

Thanks to any who respond, and I look forward to becoming an active member on these boards.

- Rob

[California L33]

Assuming a fast moving band try using the program mode to start. You could also try 'auto' or 'kids and pets,' and 'portrait' mode, though these may automatically turn on the flash. Experiment and make notes about which you like the best.

I'm not sure why you'd want to shoot 60fps, but http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...non_a720is.asp says it can shoot 60fps, but only at 320x240- don't know if it's right.

[mjs1973]

I believe the 60fps is for video, not for still photos.

[sentinel1759]

I have no real need to shoot 60fps, its more the fact that I am just curious how to get the camera to do so. I wasnt sure if what the reviewer on tiger direct said was correct, but now that ive seen the same info on another site, I'm interested

Right now my only options under video are

640x480 @ 30fps

640x480 @ 30fps LP

320x240 @ 30fps

[Anbesol]

The benefits to buying faster cards are for the most part exaggerated. You get faster transfer rates when transferring from the SD card to the computer, also the images go from camera buffer to memory a little quicker. What that means in practical purposes - if you shoot in continuous burst mode, after a certain number of shots your buffer will fill up (usually about 8-12 at full res), at this point the burst will work at the same speed as the buffer empties. It varies very much from camera to camera, and depends on image size and so on. Its benefit gains you seconds of speed on a drawn out burst, but this is a very niche method of photography that isn't what most people do - so it really only offers a benefit in very unique shooting situations, primarily sports. It is a perfect benefit when shooting at the race track, but shooting portraits, landscapes and the sort will have absolutely no benefit with a faster memory card. I'd go for size and reliability before speed, your camera is SDHC compatible so 4GB and 8GB SD cards will work just fine in it..

[sentinel1759]

Thanks for the great explanation, I just purchased an 4gb Kingston SDHC card and that along with the other SD cards I have should allow me to save quite a few pics.