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Top Canon Powershot A700 and A540 Camera Reviews
Steve's Digicams wrote a review of the
Canon Powershot A700
and said: "I was very pleased with the overall image quality of the
A700's 6-megapixel Large SuperFine mode. Our outdoor samples were
beautiful, showing good exposure and color saturation. Thanks in
part to the Canon 6x optical zoom lens, just about every single shot
I took was nice and sharp from edge to edge. In fact i saw almost no
signs of edge blurring or softness; a common trait of consumer
models. Noise is nonexistent at the lower ISO settings (80 or 100),
but does become more noticeable as the sensitivity is increased."
Lets Go Digital wrote a review of the
Canon Powershot A700 and said: "These remarks do not mean,
however, that the Canon PowerShot A700 lacks in quality. On the
contrary even, the images are sharp and rich in detail. The
user-friendly operation, the large optical range, and of course the
colour rendition make the Canon A700 an extremely attractive digital
camera. The camera features an extensive array of options that leave
the creative photographer plenty of choice. In addition, the camera
offers possibilities to expand, in the form of converters that
enable you to enhance the zoom range, which is unprecedented for a
camera in this class."
DC Resource wrote a review of the
Canon Powershot A540 and said: "The A540 is a midsize camera
that's too big for your jeans pocket, but it'll fit fine in a camera
bag or in your jacket. While the body is made of plastic, it feels
quite solid in the hand. The controls are well placed, and "button
clutter" is kept to a minimum. The A540 features a 4X optical zoom
lens, which is more than what you'll find on most cameras in this
class. While the camera has a large 2.5" LCD display, the resolution
is poor. On a more positive note, the screen was quite visible in
low light situations. When you're ready to "add on" to the A540,
Canon offers conversion lenses, an external slave flash, and an
underwater case."
Canon Powershot A700 and
A540 News Release Summary:
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 21, 2006—Canon's newest quartet of
A-Series digital cameras—the six-megapixel PowerShot A700 and
the PowerShot A540 models, the five-megapixel PowerShot A530
model, and the four-megapixel PowerShot A430 digital camera—add
an array of advanced, enhanced, yet easy-to-use features into
compact and eminently affordable packages. These four new models
expand upon Canon's success as A-series models have captured the
number one digital camera position for three years
consecutively1.
Among the featured enhancements on the PowerShot A540 and A700
digital cameras is a newly designed six-megapixel image sensor
that together with Canon's proprietary DIGIC II image processor
helps to dramatically reduce "noise" for better image quality
and achieves ISO equivalent speed ratings ranging from 80 to
800. This increased sensitivity allows the use of faster shutter
speeds, thereby reducing the effects of camera shake and subject
blur during hand-held photography in low light.
This formidable photographic foursome can brilliantly capture
fleeting images in the blink of an eye. What's more, a quick
review of the shot on any of these cameras' big and bright LCD
monitor reveals whether that image comprises the perfect moment
captured forever or whether it should be condemned to death by
deletion (in time to take another photo worth keeping).
From close-ups capturing the unabashed joy of a baby's face, all
wide-eyed innocence, chubby cheeks and gummy grin; or powerful
panoramas, vast vistas and once-in-a-lifetime looks at nature's
wonders, to the family functions and memorable milestones that
punctuate life's journey, these new pocket- or purse-sized
PowerShot digital cameras easily create enduring images that
depict and define special moments in time.
"While 'the one that got away' has always made for good fish
stories worthy of perhaps a thousand words or more, the perfect
picture is the one that is captured for all to see and not the
one almost captured if only.... These new A-series PowerShot
digital cameras reaffirm Canon's commitment to creating
affordable, simple-to-use digital cameras that produce
extraordinary quality images for the everyday picture-taker, the
special occasion-shooter and the newcomer alike," stated Yukiaki
Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the
Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Indeed, it is that
very commitment to affordable imaging excellence that has made
our A-series PowerShot digital cameras America's number one
choice for the past three years1 and it is a tradition we intend
to continue for many years to come."
The PowerShot A700 Digital Camera
A new addition to the line-up of PowerShot A-Series digital
cameras, the PowerShot A700 model features six-megapixel
resolution together with a retractable 6x 35-210mm optical zoom
lens (35mm equivalent). The A700 model incorporates 22 shooting
modes from fully automatic to fully manual to achieve optimum
results for any photographic application. The new camera is also
compatible with optional wide angle and telephoto lens
converters, as well as a close-up lens and a wireless flash
unit.
The A700 model offers ISO equivalent speed ratings ranging from
80 to 800 with dramatically less noise at ISO 400 than previous
PowerShot models. The camera also features a large 2.5-inch
115,000-pixel LCD color monitor, making it easier than ever to
review captured images and even to do limited in-camera image
editing and retouching such as a new Face Brightener function to
help compensate for backlit images. The PowerShot A700 digital
camera will be available in March for an estimated selling price
of $349.992.
The PowerShot A540 Digital Camera
Except for its retractable 4x optical zoom lens with a focal
length of 35-140mm (35mm equivalent); the PowerShot A540 digital
camera is virtually identical to the PowerShot A700 model. Like
the PowerShot A700 digital camera, the PowerShot A540 model
features six-megapixel resolution and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. It
also accepts Canon’s optional wide and tele converter lenses
as well as a close-up lens and wireless flash. An optional
waterproof housing system (with a depth rating of 40m/130 feet)
is available expressly for the PowerShot A540 camera, making
this model a natural for underwater photo enthusiasts, SCUBA
divers and even snorkelers. Replacing 2005's top-selling
PowerShot A520 model1, the PowerShot A540 digital camera will be
available in March for an estimated selling price of $299.99.
DIGIC II Image Processing Technology—Hi-Speed USB 2.0
True to the PowerShot tradition, the A-series cameras have many
of the latest advances in Canon technology including the
proprietary DIGIC II imaging processor. The processor enhances
picture definition, vibrancy, and quality, while helping
increase the speed of the cameras' startup, autofocus, shutter
response, playback, and image processing speed while reducing
power consumption by 35 percent compared to the original DIGIC
chip. Consumers benefit from accelerated image transfer speed
(when used with a USB 2.0 compatible computer, printer, or other
peripheral), thanks to the inclusion of a Hi-Speed USB 2.0
port3. The USB 2.0 port is backwards compatible (at no increased
speed) with computers featuring standard USB 1.1 connections.
New Features and Special Effects
All of the new models offer a new widescreen 16:9 ratio
resolution setting that facilitates creating panoramic-style
prints. Additionally, all PowerShot models support 23 languages
(now including Thai and Arabic). The new cameras have an
improved direct printing function that permits greater
flexibility in print settings, including a face brightener
setting for backlit photos.
Canon also enhanced the "My Colors" mode found in the new
PowerShot line. Where previously, users could only enable "My
Colors" while shooting, the current iteration permits captured
images to be retouched as well, without the need for special
software applications or tools. Available "My Color" playback
modes include Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red; lighter
and darker skin tones, as well as options for creating black and
white, sepia, neutral and positive film effects. A color accent
setting turns all colors but the one selected by the user to
monochrome and the color swap mode enables users to alter
specific colors in an image by sampling another color from the
same image or any other image on the camera's memory card. So,
"My Colors" provides PowerShot users with an incredible range of
creative photo effects that can be accessed directly in the
camera with no need for post-processing in a computer.
Direct Print
Like all PowerShot digital cameras, these newest additions to
the A-series work seamlessly with Canon's petite SELPHY Compact
Photo Printers—an essential PowerShot accessory. Consumers
simply connect their PowerShot digital camera to a SELPHY
printer—such as the SELPHY CP510 and CP710 models. Press the
lighted Print/Share button, and within seconds4, images emerge.
Presto! It is that simple. Canon's SELPHY Compact Photo Printers
are PictBridge compatible. They work with PictBridge enabled
digital cameras and offer excellent image quality and
ease-of-use, especially when paired with a Canon digital camera.
At 28 cents per print5, printing photos directly from a digital
camera is both easy and affordable.
Canon will debut it latest PowerShot A-series digital cameras in
its booth (#3509) during the Photo Marketers Association (PMA)
exhibit in Orlando, Fla., from February 26-March 1, 2006.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and
industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of
Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on
the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company
Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology,
ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues
of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit
www.usa.canon.com.
Canon
Powershot A700 and A540 Best Price:
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