Quick camera questions?

blaskos

14

« on: 29 / May / 2008, 02:21:05 »

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So i have read some other posts on cameras to buy and think i may get the A570. My questions is: Is the a570is the same as the a570? For some reason i cant find jus tthe a570 so i assume its the same. Thanks

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yvesson

209
A540 SX10IS

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #1 on: 29 / May / 2008, 07:01:26 »

Hej,
Yeah there is only A570IS. A5xx serie has only 570 and 590 which are IS.

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BB

164

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #2 on: 29 / May / 2008, 10:06:48 »

And the A590is does not support CHDK--and may not for the foreseeable future (Canon made changes to prevent CHDK porting?).

-Bill

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blaskos

14

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #3 on: 29 / May / 2008, 12:26:50 »

Thanks for your responses. Ill be sure to not get the 590. I have never owned a digital camera but after reading about CHDK i think ill make a hobby out of it. Which camera would you guys recommend a570 or a720is (or any others in the 200 price range)

It also seems that companies should want third party firmware hacks. I probably would get a nikon if it werent for chdk. Therefore they just sold a camera because of this site.

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BB

164

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #4 on: 29 / May / 2008, 12:48:14 »

The A570is and A720 are both very capable cameras... I have the A720is (certainly more capable than I am)--6x vs 4x zoom. Also has ability to mount external lenses and filters with adapter ring. In general, the add-on lenses drop the IQ a lot (for telephoto--you are better off just using digital zoom instead)--plus the good Canon brand lenses probably cost as much or more than the camera itself.

Both (and all Axxx cameras except the A6xx family) take 2xAA batteries so have very slow flash recycle time. Neither has hot shoe or strong flash. A6xxx has 4xAA battery for a faster recharge time... But probably outside of your price range.

In the end, for overall picture quality and IQ for the $$$--The A720is (IMHO) is a very nice deal.

Note that the A570 and A720 use different operating systems (VxWorks vs Dry OS)... There is a little difference between them and what is known (in CHDK programing land--and VxWorks supports two methods of running CHKD, the Dry OS only supports making "bootable" process)--but for the average user--there is really not a big difference.

People complain that the A720is (and others in the family) feel light and plasticy--True--but light is better than heavy for carrying around. And a light / plastic camera is pretty rugged too against drops.

For batteries, don't use Alkaline--won't last long at all. NiMH "Hybrid" batteries (like the Sanyo Eneloop brand) are best (very low self discharge ~85% of charge left after 1 year of storage). Also, AA Lithium non-rechargeable batteries work very well, 10 year storage, and work well below freezing too.

-Bill

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blaskos

14

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #5 on: 29 / May / 2008, 15:58:20 »

BB thanks for your response. Reguarding the different OS and the a720 being a little behind in development (or atleast less support) what are the differences between the firmware hacks.

I assume for the most part i will be a average user, but who knows. One main thing i want to do is the time lapse feature and with that do both these A570 and A720 have Ok or good video function?

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blaskos

14

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #6 on: 29 / May / 2008, 15:59:26 »

oh yeah and i have looked for a page on chdk that shows all the things chdk can do, am i missing the features page or is there a link you could send me that will show the capabilities between the different versions?

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BB

164

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #7 on: 29 / May / 2008, 18:02:08 »

I am not sure there is a single page that lists the differences between VxWorks/WindRiver vs Dry OS... Other than maybe looking at the code.

Also, some of the differences are because the older cameras tend to use VxWorks with the Digic II Canon processor vs the Digi III chip with Dry OS (there probably is some crossover too)... So, for some CHDK differences also include the fact that Digi III's are not as well known as Digi II chips. So--it is not that the A720is is a little behind the development of CHDK--rather that it has new hardware/software that is not completely understood at this time.

Roughly, the differences I have seen from reading this forum:

1. Using "Update Firmware" (PS.FIR) to load CHDK is not currently supported by Dry OS (because new OS uses a different encryption code--and the key/process is not known yet for Dry OS?).

2. Since the "Bootable" process for loading CHDK requires a FAT12 or FAT16 formated SD/SDHC card (for all VxW/Dry OS cameras), the largest usable SD/SDHC partition supported is 4 GB--you can use larger cards, but they must be formated down to 4GB. (there is some on-going work where it is (may be?) possible to make 2 or more partitions on an SDHC card FAT16/FAT32--but this is an advanced subject for you to research). "Bootable" is my preferred way of loading CHDK--Automatically loads CHDK every time the camera is turned on without me doing anything else.

3. Long File name support is not possible with Dry OS... 8.3 file names is the limit.

4. There is an issue with Dry OS (does not affect VxW???) where the first RAW photo taken since power-on has date/time set to default (like 1/1/05, 00:00:00). If more pictures are taken (without turning off the camera), the rest of the files will have correct date and time stamps.

5. Video Compression options: The VxW (Digi II support only?) cameras will support something like 100 different video (& audio?) compression levels. The Digi III chip (and Dry OS) video compression functions are not as well known and not supported at this time.

6. Not a Dry OS / VxWorks issue--but different cameras also have different capabilities... One major difference is that (in general?) SD cameras do not have aperature control--but use a Neutral Density filter instead to "stop down" the camera (typically two stops?).

Those are the major differences that I am aware of--I am sure I probably missed a few.

And, I would not purchase a Canon P&S based on the assumption that it will be supported a few weeks or months from now... Canon does make other changes (like to the A590is loader software) that can stop development in it tracks.

If you need CHDK, only get one that has been, at least, partially ported so that you don't get stung with the "... can anyone ports camera Xxxx for me?..." posts.

And, once you narrow down to what camera(s) you think you want, use this forum's search for the model number and see what pops up (A720, Axxx, etc.).

Hope this helps.

-Bill

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blaskos

14

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #8 on: 30 / May / 2008, 01:37:23 »

Quote from: BB on 29 / May / 2008, 18:02:08

I am not sure there is a single page that lists the differences between VxWorks/WindRiver vs Dry OS... Other than maybe looking at the code.

Also, some of the differences are because the older cameras tend to use VxWorks with the Digic II Canon processor vs the Digi III chip with Dry OS (there probably is some crossover too)... So, for some CHDK differences also include the fact that Digi III's are not as well known as Digi II chips. So--it is not that the A720is is a little behind the development of CHDK--rather that it has new hardware/software that is not completely understood at this time.

Roughly, the differences I have seen from reading this forum:

1. Using "Update Firmware" (PS.FIR) to load CHDK is not currently supported by Dry OS (because new OS uses a different encryption code--and the key/process is not known yet for Dry OS?).

2. Since the "Bootable" process for loading CHDK requires a FAT12 or FAT16 formated SD/SDHC card (for all VxW/Dry OS cameras), the largest usable SD/SDHC partition supported is 4 GB--you can use larger cards, but they must be formated down to 4GB. (there is some on-going work where it is (may be?) possible to make 2 or more partitions on an SDHC card FAT16/FAT32--but this is an advanced subject for you to research). "Bootable" is my preferred way of loading CHDK--Automatically loads CHDK every time the camera is turned on without me doing anything else.

3. Long File name support is not possible with Dry OS... 8.3 file names is the limit.

4. There is an issue with Dry OS (does not affect VxW???) where the first RAW photo taken since power-on has date/time set to default (like 1/1/05, 00:00:00). If more pictures are taken (without turning off the camera), the rest of the files will have correct date and time stamps.

5. Video Compression options: The VxW (Digi II support only?) cameras will support something like 100 different video (& audio?) compression levels. The Digi III chip (and Dry OS) video compression functions are not as well known and not supported at this time.

6. Not a Dry OS / VxWorks issue--but different cameras also have different capabilities... One major difference is that (in general?) SD cameras do not have aperature control--but use a Neutral Density filter instead to "stop down" the camera (typically two stops?).

Those are the major differences that I am aware of--I am sure I probably missed a few.

And, I would not purchase a Canon P&S based on the assumption that it will be supported a few weeks or months from now... Canon does make other changes (like to the A590is loader software) that can stop development in it tracks.

If you need CHDK, only get one that has been, at least, partially ported so that you don't get stung with the "... can anyone ports camera Xxxx for me?..." posts.

And, once you narrow down to what camera(s) you think you want, use this forum's search for the model number and see what pops up (A720, Axxx, etc.).

Hope this helps.

-Bill

So im having a hard time deciding between the 570 or 720. The reviews seem to show the 570 is better other than the optical zoom. Do you feel the 720 is very compatible w/ chdk. I really want the timelapse feature and quicker/slower shutter speeds. Is the optical zoom that big of a difference?

Sorry for asking so many questions

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blaskos

14

Re: Quick camera questions?

« Reply #9 on: 30 / May / 2008, 15:22:04 »

BB thanks for your input. I went ahead and ordered the 720 and should get it in a few days. Im sure ill have more questions as i get my camera

- Mark

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