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The Canon PowerShot A620 is a 7.1 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 A620 will retail for $399. Learn more about the A210 from the following news release announcing it an it's little brother - the Powershot A610.
Get the Latest Price on the Canon PowerShot A620
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.
Get the Latest Price on the Canon PowerShot A620
CNET Reviews has posted a review the Canon PowerShot A620 and writes - 'Sliding easily to the head of Canon's A-series line, the 7-megapixel PowerShot A620 (and its 5-megapixel sibling, the PowerShot A610) steps comfortably into the large shoes worn by the wildly popular PowerShot A95. With a 4X optical zoom that spans a useful 35mm-to-140mm (35mm-equivalent) range, the Canon PowerShot A620 keeps up the A95's tradition of packing full manual controls and a solid list of scene modes into an easy-to-use, moderately sized camera that will meet the needs of a broad spectrum of photographers. Given the A620's improved performance, higher-quality movie clips, larger LCD, G-series lens, and high resolution, some current PowerShot A95 users may even want to consider an upgrade.'
DCRP Reivew has reviewed the Canon PowerShot A620 and writes - 'The A620 performs very well for a lower priced camera. It starts up in just 1.2 seconds, it focuses quickly, and shutter lag was not a problem. Shot-to-shot and playback speeds were also very good. In low light situations the camera focused accurately thanks to its AF-assist lamp. The PowerShot A620 shines in other areas as well. Its movie and continuous shooting modes are very good, assuming that you're using a high speed SD card. With that you can record up to 1GB of continuous VGA video with sound, or keep taking photos at 1.9 frames/second until the memory card is full. If you use high power NiMH batteries the A620 beats all of the competition in terms of battery life -- too bad Canon doesn't include any with the camera!'
Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot A620 digital camera and writes - 'Canon has struck gold with this winning combination of high-quality and low price. The A620 offers users outstanding image quality with robust performance, all in a stylish and very durable package. With its wealth of exposure modes, your entire family will love using it, and with 7-megapixels of resolution you can create endless 13x19-inch prints (just be sure you have lots of ink handy.) With an MSRP of around $399, the Canon PowerShot A620 offers an excellent value and is definitely one our pics for 2005.'
DP Review has reviewed the Canon PowerShot A620 and gives it a rating of 'Highly Recommended'. They write - 'Not only does it boast a much better sensor, but the use of the latest DIGIC II processor means it's a lot, lot faster in operation too. There is very little here to suggest a 'budget' model at all; image quality is excellent, it's very well built, it handles well and it has a real wealth of photographic features that make it suitable for everyone from the absolute beginner to the more experienced photographer wanting lots of control over the picture taking process. And like the A95 it's a great first camera for anyone wanting to learn the craft of photography, being both affordable and well-specified enough to grow with you as your knowledge and experience increases.'
Imaging Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot A620 Digital Camera and writes - 'The Canon PowerShot A620 is an estimable addition at the top of that line, sporting a 7-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.Thanks to its high-speed DIGIC-II processing chip, it's also very responsive, and its movie capability is impressive as well. We've generally found that the current crop of 7-megapixel cameras do better in terms of image noise than many of their lower-resolution cousins, and the A620 follows suit, with surprisingly good-looking images even at ISO 400. (Even 8x10" prints on our Canon i9900 studio printer made from the A620's ISO 400 shots were quite acceptable, a noticeably better than we've come to expect from consumer-level digital cameras operating at that ISO level.) '
Megapixel reviews the Canon Powershot A620 and writes - 'The PowerShot A620, the current flagship of the A-series, is an excellent example of a camera that integrates some the most recent developments in digital photography such as a 7-megapixel CCD, while remaining affordable. Although a compact camera in a mostly plastic body, the A620 is equipped with a 2-inch pivoting LCD monitor and yet still has an optical viewfinder, and provides a 4X zoom lens when most others only have 3X zooms.'
Digital Camera Review has reviewed the Canon Powershot A620 and writes - 'The Canon Powershot A620 is another excellent entry into the market from Canon. Along with its 5 megapixel brother, it makes an excellent upgrade to the model that it replaces, the A95. The DIGIC II processor makes for a much better shooting experience with quicker operation and better battery life. A larger LCD and a longer optical zoom also make this replacement attractive. The shooting modes of the camera are impressive as well, with multiple degrees of manual control and the fun My Colors mode (you can take a picture of your car in a different color).'
PhotographyBLOG reviews the Canon PowerShot A620 and writes - 'The Canon PowerShot A620 is another winner from Canon. 7 megapixels, 4x optical zoom lens, a fold-out, twisting LCD screen, the usual excellent Canon image quality and general quick responsiveness (thanks to the Digic II processor) make this a great all-round camera. Even better for the aspiring shutterbug, the A620 also offers a complete range of photographic controls, perfect for those who want to take charge. And perhaps the best news of all, the Canon PowerShot A620 costs just over �200/$300 - I can't think of another camera that offers such good value.'
Digital Camera Info has posted review of the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A620. They give it a mixed review writing - 'Despite all this, the Canon PowerShot A620 is still a good deal. It offers automatic, scene, and priority modes for beginners. It also has a manual mode where users can adjust the shutter speeds and apertures for themselves. There are live views to facilitate the transition from automatic to manual. And the camera�s heavy four battery setup gives it fantastic battery life, with 350 shots per batch. The Canon A620 retailed for $399 when it was first introduced to the market, but can be found for a hundred bucks less now � making it one of the best deals for users after a pocket camera with manual functions.'
Lets Go Digital review the Canon PowerShot A620 where they write - 'In practice the Canon PowerShot A620 is a pleasure to use. Apparently, Canon has made a good concept even better and this makes the Canon A620 an absolute first amongst amateur cameras. Canon's success seems unstoppable. The Canon PowerShot A620 is eminently suitable for both the beginner as well as the more demanding photographer. Conclusion: it's a winner!' They give it a rating of 77%.
Get the Latest Price on the Canon PowerShot A620
Posted by Darren in our Canon category on August 22, 2005