Digital Photography Blog: Digital Camera Reviews, Ratings, News, Tips and Tutorials.
February 2010
February 2009
January 2009
August 2008
July 2008
April 2008
March 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
Digital Camera Reviews and Ratings By manufacturer:
Canon | Casio | Fuji | HP | Kodak | Minolta | Nikon | Olympus | Panasonic | Pentax | Samsung | Sony | Misc. | Accessories | Lenses
The Canon PowerShot A610 is a 5 megapixel digital cameara with a 4x Optical Zoom, 2.0 inch vari-angle opening LCD, 1cm macro mode, USB 2.0 and 30 frames per second VGA movie mode.
The Canon Powershot A610 will retail for $299. Learn more about the A610 from the following news release announcing it an it's big brother - the Powershot A620.
Get the Latest Price on the Canon Powershot A610
Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces its latest high performance compact digital still cameras, the PowerShot A620 and PowerShot A610. With 7.1 and 5.0 Megapixels, respectively, the cameras incorporate a host of high-end features normally reserved for G-series PowerShots. DIGIC II processors drive a fast, responsive performance, and – in combination with the cameras’ 4x optical zoom lenses – deliver superior image quality. A wide range of manual, automatic and special scene modes offer flexibility, creative control, and simplicity when required.
The cameras also feature a 2.0“ vari-angle LCD, My Colors, and a macro mode that allows photographers to get as close as 1 cm. VGA movies at 30 fps can be created with both models. A complete range of optional accessories, including wide and tele-converters and waterproof case, extends shooting flexibility. A comprehensive software suite is provided as standard. The A620 and A610 are both equipped with a Print/Share button, PictBridge printing as well as ID Photo Print and Movie Print . USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connections provide for high-speed transfer of image data.
”We regard the PowerShot A620 and PowerShot A610 as mini-G cameras – offering G-series performance, but retaining an A-series price,“ said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. ”With an impressive range of high-end features, these cameras offer photography enthusiasts advanced control and flexibility.“
Improved resolution, zoom and image quality
Replacing the popular PowerShot A95, the new cameras have been given a serious performance boost. While the A610 features a 5.0 Megapixel CCD sensor, the A620 boasts 7.1 Megapixels – both delivering image quality suitable for detailed photo prints up to A3 size and allowing substantial cropping without loss of print quality.
Precision Canon zoom lenses in these new cameras follow the design and construction of G-series lenses, with eight elements in seven groups, and incorporating two aspherical elements. The upgrade to a 4x optical zoom provides a 35–140 mm focal length (35 mm equivalent). With a maximum aperture range of f/2.8 (W) to f/4.1 (T), the lenses are impressively bright at the telephoto end. In addition, focusing performance in low light has improved by up to 2-stops, resulting in greater freedom when shooting in dim conditions.
The lenses’ spectral characteristics have been optimised specifically for the configuration of the lens and sensor, providing accurate colours and significantly reducing the chromatic aberrations (such as purple fringing) often found with lower quality lenses.
Advanced processing and focussing
The addition of Canon’s advanced DIGIC II image processor results in faster and more responsive cameras that deliver improved image quality. Focusing time has been cut by around 60%, and shutter lag is negligible at no more than 0.1 seconds. Smooth continuous shooting is now available at approximately 1.9 fps (A620) and approximately 2.4 fps (A610). With DIGIC II’s superior assessment of white balance, colour rendition accuracy is increased.
The new PowerShots still feature Canon’s 9-point AiAF for fast, accurate focusing even when subjects are not centred. FlexiZone AF/AE allows free scrolling anywhere within the frame's auto focus area to select the desired subject, for which exposure is weighted accordingly. Manual focus selection is also available.
Increased versatility
A larger 2.0” vari-angle LCD offers users great versatility in composing shots from awkward angles, such as from ground or waist level, above the head and when shooting self portraits. The selectable grid line display helps with composition and levelling horizons.
The A620 and A610 incorporate a total of 20 shooting modes, including full Manual mode, a Custom mode for allocating preferred shooting settings, and a shutter speed priority mode, with shutter speeds ranging from 15 seconds to 1/2500 second. Eight scene modes – such as Night Snapshot, Snow and Underwater – maximise results in a variety of shooting situations. The Stitch Assist mode facilitates shooting pictures for panoramas, which can be joined together easily with the supplied PhotoStitch software. My Colors – located on the mode dial – allows the expansion of creativity in digital photography. Special effects, such as Color Swap or Custom Color, which allows users to select their preferred colour balance for any given shot, can be performed in-camera and viewed on the LCD while shooting stills and movies. These effects could previously only be achieved using PC software after shooting.
High quality movies are selectable from VGA (30/15fps), QVGA (30/15fps), Fast Frame Rate (for slow motion replays in camera), and Compact mode (for clips that are ideal for emailing).
Accessories to enhance
A complete range of optional accessories is available to extend the capabilities of the cameras. The new Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC58F, has been designed to fit these models. Both the Wide Converter Lens WC-DC58N (0.7x) and Tele-converter lens TC-DC58N (1.75x) increase framing options and extend the camera’s effective focal length range.
The dedicated Waterproof Case WP-DC90 – submersible to 40 m – is constructed with anti-fog double glass and a flash light diffusion plate. Separate Waterproof Case Weights WW-DC1 are available for controlling buoyancy. Other accessories include the AC Adapter Kit ACK600, the Battery Charger Kit CBK4-200 with four NiMH batteries, and the Soft Case DCC-300.
Advanced printing
When used in combination with Canon’s new Compact Photo Printer SELPHY CP510 and Canon’s Ink and Paper Set (KP-108IP), prints can be produced for just 30 euro cents each. Printing via SELPHY CP Compact Photo Printers also allows the user to print handy ID Photo prints and movie prints.
When connected to the latest range of PictBridge compatible PIXMA printers (also released today), image enhancement is possible with functions such as Noise Reduction and Vivid Photo, as well as the new Face Brightener feature. Also new is Captured Info print, which prints shooting data such as shutter speed, aperture and shooting mode within the photo border .
Printing images without having to connect to a PC is kept simple with the Print/Share button, which also acts as an easy upload button for Windows XP and Mac OS X.
Comprehensive software
The new cameras come bundled with a comprehensive software suite, including Canon’s browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX 5.5 (Windows) and ImageBrowser 5.5 (Mac), easy printing software PhotoRecord 2.2 and PhotoStitch 3.1 for creating stunning panoramas. Also included is the photo manipulation software, ArcSoft PhotoStudio.
Purchasers of the cameras are eligible for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY , which offers 100MB of online space for uploading and sharing images, and supports My Camera, which allows users to further customise their camera settings.
Supported operating systems are Windows 98 (SE), Me, 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1/2) and Mac OS X v10.2-v10.3. The cameras support PTP for driverless transfer to supported Windows XP or Mac OS X.
Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot A610 and recommends - 'I was very pleased with the image quality when using its Large SuperFine setting. Outdoors, it captures sharp images with good color balance. The Auto white balance setting produced accurate results in a variety of different lighting conditions. You can also choose one of the six presets (Day light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater) or use the custom "one-touch" setting. Its exposure system did an excellent job, capturing properly exposed images almost every time. Noise levels are nearly non existent in high/low contrast areas, allowing for beautiful sky and shadow detail.'
CNET reviews the Canon PowerShot A610 and gives it a rating of 'very good'. They recommend - 'At 5 megapixels, the Canon PowerShot A610 doesn't have the pixel punch of the pricier Canon PowerShot A620, but that is where the difference ends. Just like its sibling, the PowerShot A610 packs a lot of muscle into its compact body. A 4X optical zoom, full manual controls, a long list of scene modes, and above-average performance and image quality make this camera a perfect match for snapshot photographers and enthusiasts who want it all for a competitive price.'
Bob Atkins has a review of the Canon Powershot A610 digital camera and writes - 'I'd say the A610 would be ideal for at least two types of user. The first is someone who wants to get started in digital, but who wants something more than a simple "auto everything" P&S. The A610 offers both fully auto modes and fully manual modes, with everything in between! You can certainly learn using the A610. The second is someone who wants a small, pocketable, backup camera for their DSLR. They will want control over ISO, exposure, focus and everything else they are used to with their DSLR, such as white balance, exposure compensation and flash exposure compensation. The A610 will give them that. It even has a histogram to check exposure and a twist and swivel LCD for unusual angles (something even a DSLR won't give you!).'
Imaging Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot A610 and writes - 'The Canon PowerShot A610 is an very worthy addition near the top of that line, offering a 5-megapixel CCD and a very good quality 4x optical zoom lens. It offers everything from fully automatic to fully manual exposure control, with a healthy set of scene modes thrown in to make it easy to bring back great-looking photos from what might otherwise be challenging situations. In the past, we've often found that 5-megapixel cameras suffer a little in the image noise department, but were quite pleasantly surprised by the A610's high-ISO image quality. ISO 400 shots from it showed a little noise when printed as large as 8x10 inches, but would certainly be acceptable to most consumers for typical wall or tabletop display. Bottom line, this is just an excellent "all around" digital camera, and an excellent bargain.'
Lets Go Digital reviews the Canon Powershot A610 Digital Camera and gives it a rating of 78%. They recommend - 'The Canon PowerShot A610 left behind a truly positive impression. The camera does keep its promises and is a worthy successor of the previous Canon A-series of digital cameras. Canon is a successful brand in the digital camera market; they possess a large market segment and put a strikingly strong new digital camera in the market time after time in order to keep the market segment in their possession. Those who are looking for a digital all-rounder, a camera for the beginning photographer, but one that is capable of growing to higher skills with its owner, will find so with this new Canon PowerShot A610 digital camera. Excellent!'
Posted by Darren in our Canon category on August 22, 2005