The Canon A720IS is a medium-range model in Canon’s highly versatile A-series of cameras. Despite fitting into a 1.6in body, the A720IS packs a hosts of features, such as an image stabilization system, and a large 35-210mm (6x) zoom range that provides the long telephoto range useful for portraits, wildlife, or far-away detail, although it’s missing the useful 28mm wide-angle needed for landscapes or large landmarks, and doesn’t quite have the long 300mm+ reach needed for close-up fast action photos.

The A720IS, with decent high ISO ability and image stabilization, is an above-average camera for low-light photos of static subjects like landscapes or buildings you might encounter on travel, but is fairly average for moving subjects such as children and pets. For high ISO-dependent fast action subjects, the A720IS will produce slightly grainy/noisy images even in daylight situations, and will be nearly unusable indoors or at night.

The A720IS can take photos continuously at 1.2 frames per second for an unlimited number of photos - about average for this class, but not really fast enough to make a difference (In between that 1.2 second, the peak action will have probably elapsed). As with all other consumer cameras, the A720IS’s autofocus system isn’t nearly capable of keeping up with fast-moving subjects in low-light, and is barely able to keep up with fast action even in bright outdoor lighting.

The A720IS lasts about 400 shots per charge, above average for this class and certainly long enough to last at least a couple of days of travel.

The Kodak Z712 IS is an entry-level ultrazoom camera which packs a large 36-432mm zoom lens, making it a versatile camera that can handle many travel situations and can zoom in close for photographs of kid/pet portraits and fast action. Like most all other cameras in this price range, the Z712 lacks the useful 28mm wide angle lens for travel photography, but is otherwise very versatile, especially at this price.

The Kodak Z712IS does have an image stabilization system, which helps for static subjects in low light situations. As with many other Kodak cameras, however, the high ISO performance is very poor, producing heavily filtered images that are devoid of much detail. Because of this, the Z712IS struggles mightily with moving subjects like pets and children in low-light, and won’t be able to produce very crisp fast action images even in daylight situations. You can pretty much forget about using it for fast action at night or indoors.

The Kodak Z712 can take photos continuously at 2.1 fps for six photos - good for a camera in this price range. As with other consumer cameras, the autofocus system on the Z712 isn’t really usable for fast action in low-light, although it’s just capable enough for most daylight fast action situations.

The Kodak Z712 uses a rechargeable Kodak battery, which will allow it to run for 275 shots - about average, and good enough for a day or so of travel.