i need a camera expert!, what to choose... Options

[clarissa]

Hi. So I want a new camera and I'm torn between the Canon A710 IS and the Canon Powershot SD700 IS. What leans me towards the A710 is how it uses regular alkaline batteries, takes good quality pics, and has more manual settings for me to play around with. It also has more features and stuff than the SD700 but they're still about the same. But I heard the flash takes a long time to load up. And what sways me back to the SD700 is it's pocket-size but I've been hearing of problems with streaking in the LCD as well as how its susceptible to scratches and cracks. They're both roughly the same price.

Either way, I'm cool with either one. They both have their pro's and con's but from the research I've done, they're about equal. But I just want to know if there's any camera experts here (preferably someone that has either one of these) that can help me more in my decision. Thanks!

[clarissa]

Both. I like doing both. That's why it makes my decision hard. :(

I think I decided on an SD700 'cause it's portable and I've looked up pictures by it and it's awesome. But my dad went to a couple stores and they didn't have it in stock so my only choice is to get it online. But while my dad still figures out if he wants to buy it online or not, I still have time to choose which one.