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Good cheap camera, uses cheap AA batteries. Other than the slightly cripled Movie mode (only 640x480@20FPS), takes good pictures.

cheap camera for multipurpose.

Canon and Ikelite both have a good underwater housing for this camera as well. Price is good for a camera that might get flooded.

hey #1, it also uses expensive rechargeable AA batteries, the choice is yours. It's not one of those pocket cameras, so don't get it if that's what you're looking for...unless you have rather large pockets.

Be sure to try the CHDK hack, adds quite a few undocumented features to Canons with the Digic processor. Does not replace the firmware, only adds or unlocks features. 2GB SD cards only, does not support SDHC (yet).

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

if you have a drink can cooler that is flexible.. i find it makes a decent protective covering.

Perhaps johnnylately's CHDK'ed A590 doesn't support SDHC, but my A590IS most certainly recognizes the full capacity of my 4G SDHC card. Bought when the camera was new to the market and Newegg (or somebody) was bundling a free 2G card. Never the less, I bought the camera and a Kingston 4G SDHC Class 6 card after confirming compatibility.

What the A590 won't do is record a movie longer than 2G but suspect that has more to do with the FAT filesystem than any other limitation in the firmware.

I bought the camera because it was top rated on consumers... It does take great pictures, and has a ton of features. My only gripe is battery life and flash recharge time sucks, with standard AAs. I need to try some rechargeables.

#7: I think that the CHDK actually unlocks the movie length, so your movie length is only limited by the size of the SD card.

#8 I wouldn't bother using standard AAs in this camera. Some rechargeables are very good - check the Consumer Reports forums for specifics. In the meantime, get a multipack of lithium AAs (I've used Energizer) and you'll be happier with the battery life and you can have them as dependable spares when you get your quality rechargeables.

I have the immediate predecessor, the 570 IS, and it's a terrific camera. With the CHDK hack I can do automatic image exposure bracketing and can display an actual battery percentage level meter rather than rely on the stupid "replace batteries" icon. Tons of other tricks are possible, such as showing a black "zebra" as well as the standard white zebra.

Two AA alkaline cells are going to pushed to their limits with this camera and flash. If you want quick recharge times, go with rechargeables or lithium.

All in all, an amazing camera for the price, especially when coupled with the CHDK firmware.