Canon PowerShot A60 review

Canon PowerShot A60 Camera Overview

With a compact body similar in design to previous Canon PowerShot "A" models, the PowerShot A60 updates previous models with a wide range of shooting options -- from fully manual operation to programmed, automatic, and several preset exposure modes. A 2.0-megapixel CCD delivers good-resolution images suitable for printing as large as 5x7 inches with good detail, or 8x10 inches with a slightly softer look. (Lower resolutions are also available, including an email-friendly size.) The A60's all-plastic, two-toned silver body is lightweight and compact, although just a bit too large for the average shirt pocket. Still, the A60 should easily fit into larger coat pockets and purses, and comes with a wrist strap for more security. Like many Canon digicams, the A60 features a shutter-like lens cover and a retracting lens that keeps the camera front fairly smooth when the camera is powered off. Without a lens cap to keep track of, the A60 is quick on the draw (you just have to wait a couple of seconds for the lens to extend forward before you can shoot).

The 2-megapixel PowerShot A60 (and the physically identical 3-megapixel Powershot A70) incorporates numerous high-end features including a 3x optical zoom lens, 5-point AiAF autofocus system, enchargeable cr-v3 battery, enhanced Movie Mode with Sound for clips up to 3-minutes, close focus to 2-inches and a full range of exposure modes including Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual and several pre-programmed Scene modes. The A70 (and A60) is compatible with the optional WP-DC700 Waterproof Housing good to depths of 130 feet, as well as supplementary wide-angle, telephoto and macro converters for added flexibility. Connect the Powershot A70 (or A60) directly to a Canon Card Photo Printer CP-100, CP-200, CP-300 or letter-size S820D, S830D, and S530D photo printers and make prints without the need of a computer. Its OEM battery code is : kodak cr-v3

Design

The A60's compact body has a solid feel, thanks to a combination of a plastic body and metal decorative panels, plus a comfortable heft. Measuring 4.0 x 2.5 x 1.2 inches (101 x 64 x 32 millimeters), the A60 probably won't fit into your shirt pocket. It will, however, find its way into larger coat pockets, purses, and hip packs, good for travel. The A60 has a modest heft, with its 11.6-ounce (327-gram) weight, with batteries and CompactFlash card, but isn't at all uncomfortable to carry. The two-toned silver body is sleek and understated, yet sophisticated enough for any age group.

The Powershot A60 battery provides a full range of exposure control, from full Manual to full Auto exposure modes, and a handful of preset scene modes as well. All exposure modes are accessed by turning the Mode dial on top of the camera. Canon divided the dial into three exposure types: Auto, Creative Zone, and Image Zone. Shooting in Auto mode puts the camera in charge of everything except the Flash and Macro modes. Exposure modes in the Creative Zone include Program AE (P), Shutter Speed-Priority AE (Tv), Aperture-Priority AE (Av), and Manual Exposure (M). Program AE lets the camera choose the aperture and shutter speed settings, but gives you control over all other exposure options. Aperture and Shutter Speed Priority modes let you set one exposure variable (aperture or shutter speed) while the camera chooses the best corresponding variable. Manual mode gives you full control over all exposure options.

Conclusion

As I mentioned at the outset, Canon's PowerShot A40 topped the charts on the IR website for popularity last year, outstripping all other camera models. And for good reason: The A40 offered a rich set of features and excellent image quality at an attractive price. This year, the PowerShot A60 and A70 appear poised to follow in the A40's footsteps. Relative to last year's model, the new models offers a slightly expanded shutter-speed range, a slightly more accurate optical viewfinder, and a significantly improved user interface. I did see a good bit more lens flare on the new cameras than on the A40, puzzling since the lenses appear to be identical. (Perhaps a change in the optical coatings?) Also, the optical viewfinder accuracy on both new models is still lower than I'd like to see. Finally, as noted above, the A60's shutter lag is rather long. These complaints aside, Canon has once again managed a nearly perfect combination of features, image quality and price for the mid-level consumer market. If you're looking for a great "all around" digicam on a budget, the A60 certainly deserves serious consideration.

Powershot A60 Features

• 2 Megapixel CCD imager for up to 1600x1200 pixel images


• 3x optical 35-105mm f/2.8-4.8 zoom, 2.5x digital zoom


• 1.5" color LCD with up to 10x playback zoom


• Compact and durable body with an aluminum clad front


• Advanced TTL AiAF five-point autofocus system
  


• Program AE, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority and Manual modes


• Movie mode w/sound, 320x240 to 3 minutes


• 2.2fps Continuous exposure mode


• Evaluative metering on focus point, Center-weighted or Spot


• Stitch Assist mode for perfect panoramas


• Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments


• White Balance: Auto, 5 presets or Custom


• Photo Effects: Low Sharpening, Vivid Color, Neutral, Sepia and B&W


• Low-light focus assist illuminator


• Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/2000 second


• Selectable ISO settings from 50 to 400


• Voice memo (up to 60 secs) can be attached to images


• Builtin microphone and speaker


• Powered by standard AA type batteries


• Direct print to Canon CP-100, S820D, S830D, and S530D photo printers


• USB connectivity for PC and Mac
  


• Optional WP-DC700 Waterproof Case
  

Low resolution : 1024 x 768, 640 x 480

Image ratio w:h : 4:3

Effective pixels : 1.9 million

Sensor photo detectors : 2.1 million

Sensor size : 1/2.7 " (5.27 x 3.96 mm)

Colour filter array : RGB

ISO rating : Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400

Zoom wide (W) : 35 mm

Zoom tele (T) : 105 mm (3 x)

Digital zoom : 2.5 x

Auto focus type : AiAF TTL 5-point

Normal focus range : 46 cm

Macro focus range : 5 cm

Min shutter : 15 sec

Max shutter : 1/2000 sec

Flash guide no. : 2.5 m (8.2 ft) 5 m

Flash modes : Auto, On, Off, Manual (Red Eye On/Off)

Movie Clips : 320 x 240, 15 fps, max 3 mins

Self-timer : 2 or 10 sec

Storage types : Compact Flash (Type I)

Storage included : 16 MB CompactFlash

Battery / Charger : cr-v3

PowerShot A60 Battery : AA (4) batteries (NiMH recommended)

Weight (inc. batteries) : 315 g (11.1 oz)

Dimensions : 101 x 64 x 32 mm (4 x 2.5 x 1.3 in)