I have a Canon A75 and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. It is not that different from the A70, the only major difference is a larger screen. For $400, you can get cameras with higher megapixel counts but with the A70/75 you are paying for a TON of features. Manual exposure and focal lengths, iso speeds etc...
Here is an excellent review of the camera and an overall excellent site for anything related to digital cameras.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A75/A75A.HTM