The Canon PowerShot A720 IS ($249) is an update to the PowerShot A710, one of my favorite cameras from 2006. The A720 isn't a huge leap over its predecessor, though some of the new features are appreciated. Here are the most notable new features:

• 8.0 effective Megapixel CCD (versus 7.1 MP on the A710)
• DIGIC III image processor (the A710 had DIGIC II)
• Expanded ISO range of 80 - 1600 (versus 100 - 800)
• Face detection AF/AE
• Longer movie recording times
• Improved battery life

Everything else is about the same, and that's fine, as the A710 was already an excellent camera. That means that the A720 has a 6X optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization, a 2.5" LCD display, full manual controls, conversion lens support, and much more.