This camera replaces the popular PowerShot A75, is smaller and lighter, has 4X OPT instead of 3X, runs on 2xAA instead of 4 and supposedly still gives you the same # of shots, and should be a very nice overall camera with a good balance of performance, features, and image quality.
Just found out this model doesn't qualify for the rebate (sorry) but you can make it even cheaper if you go another route posted in another thread and buy GC's at 20% off and then purchase from Amazon.com or someplace for $200 shipped, then send in the $50 MIR. Total cost that way comes to about $110, but with a little work. There are some tradeoffs, so which camera is best depends on your needs.
If you value being able to power with AA batteries, want more manual options, a larger LCD (1.8" vs 1.5"), possibly more add-on options (see some pics floating around where you can add a separate flash by connecting using a gadget that screws where your tripod normally would), and want the 4X OPT instead of 3X, then the Canon A510 may be the better choice. If you want something truly pocketable in a front shirt pocket, can record video at 30FPS rather than just 15FPS and the record time limited only by the size of your SD card, could use voice recording capabilities, and want more of a point and shooter w/ many options that adjust the settings for you so you don't have to mess with it, then the Nikon may be better for you.
As for image quality, I've compared the shots of the Canon A75 and Nikon 3700 at Steve's Camera site, and to my untrained eyes they seem pretty comparable, with the Nikon perhaps a little clearer. If you compare 2 shots in particular between the two cameras ( the M&M guy one and the children's playground one), what's really noticeable is how the two cameras' pix differ in some colors. Notice that the M&M guy seems a little darker red in the Nikon 3700 pic, notice how the M&M guy's gloves are whiter in the Nikon 3700 pic, and notice how the slide in the children's playground pic is a lighter color with the Canon A75. I compared the pics with the Canon Digital Rebel pics on Steve's site and the gloves of the M&M guy with that camera match more closely the Nikon's, for whatever that's worth. Anyway, this is comparing the A75, and not the A510, but I think they should be pretty similar.
Either way, you can't go wrong with either camera, so I think this is a good deal. Yes, you can get 3.2MP cameras for $100 or less now, but I think these two cameras have features that make them exceptions that may be worth paying a little more for if they're what you need and you don't need over 3.2MP.
Sample Photos from someone who already owns it.
Link to Product at Newegg
Just found out this model doesn't qualify for the rebate (sorry) but you can make it even cheaper if you go another route posted in another thread and buy GC's at 20% off and then purchase from Amazon.com or someplace for $200 shipped, then send in the $50 MIR. Total cost that way comes to about $110, but with a little work. There are some tradeoffs, so which camera is best depends on your needs.
If you value being able to power with AA batteries, want more manual options, a larger LCD (1.8" vs 1.5"), possibly more add-on options (see some pics floating around where you can add a separate flash by connecting using a gadget that screws where your tripod normally would), and want the 4X OPT instead of 3X, then the Canon A510 may be the better choice. If you want something truly pocketable in a front shirt pocket, can record video at 30FPS rather than just 15FPS and the record time limited only by the size of your SD card, could use voice recording capabilities, and want more of a point and shooter w/ many options that adjust the settings for you so you don't have to mess with it, then the Nikon may be better for you.
As for image quality, I've compared the shots of the Canon A75 and Nikon 3700 at Steve's Camera site, and to my untrained eyes they seem pretty comparable, with the Nikon perhaps a little clearer. If you compare 2 shots in particular between the two cameras ( the M&M guy one and the children's playground one), what's really noticeable is how the two cameras' pix differ in some colors. Notice that the M&M guy seems a little darker red in the Nikon 3700 pic, notice how the M&M guy's gloves are whiter in the Nikon 3700 pic, and notice how the slide in the children's playground pic is a lighter color with the Canon A75. I compared the pics with the Canon Digital Rebel pics on Steve's site and the gloves of the M&M guy with that camera match more closely the Nikon's, for whatever that's worth. Anyway, this is comparing the A75, and not the A510, but I think they should be pretty similar.
Either way, you can't go wrong with either camera, so I think this is a good deal. Yes, you can get 3.2MP cameras for $100 or less now, but I think these two cameras have features that make them exceptions that may be worth paying a little more for if they're what you need and you don't need over 3.2MP.
Sample Photos from someone who already owns it.
Link to Product at Newegg
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