Canon PowerShot A20Canon's "value priced" 2 megapixel camera has 3x zoom, takes great pictures!(Next): Executive Overview>> Page 1:Intro and HighlightsReview First Posted: 5/10/2001 |
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2.1 megapixel CCD for 1600x1200 images |
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3x optical zoom lens |
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Excellent color! |
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Uses standard AA batteries (Use NiMH) |
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Manufacturer Overview
Canon U.S.A. has long been a strong contender in the film and digital camera markets, well-known for its high-quality optics, technical innovations, and aggressive product development. Since the beginning of this year (2001), Canon has released a full complement of new digital cameras, all designed and engineered to live up to Canon's high standards. On the high end, the PowerShot Pro90 IS incorporates a 3.34-megapixel CCD; 10X optical zoom lens with image stabilization; compatibility with CompactFlash I and II memory cards, as well as IBM's high-capacity Microdrives; and no less than 12 (!) EOS-based shooting modes, including several manual options. Just weeks after the Pro90 IS, Canon introduced its second ultra-compact and ultra-cool digicam, the 2.1-megapixel PowerShot S300 Digital ELPH -- successor to the S100, but with a new retractable 3x zoom lens. (The Canon "ELPH" design originally debuted as the "world's smallest" APS film camera in 1994. In 2000, it was redesigned for digital capture, maintaining the super-sleek, ultra-compact physique that made the original ELPH so popular.) Alongside the ELPH, Canon introduced two new digicams for the amateur market -- the PowerShot A10 and A20 -- identical except for their 1.3- and 2.1-megapixel CCDs, respectively. After spending many hours putting the A20 through its paces, we have to say that we were duly impressed with its price, performance, and image quality. This is a nice little camera, with good features, ease of use, excellent picture quality, all at a very competitive price point. It appears that Canon is continuing to hold its competitive edge in all levels of the digicam marketplace.
High Points
- 2.11-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as high as 1,600 x 1,200 pixels.
- 1.5-inch, color LCD monitor and real-image optical viewfinder.
- 3x, 5.4-16.2mm lens (equivalent to a 35-105mm lens on a 35mm camera) with a maximum aperture setting of f/2.8-f/4.8 depending on zoom.
- Automatic exposure control.
- Shutter speeds from 1/1,500 to one second, with noise reduction for speeds slower than 1/6 second.
- ISO equivalent to 100 (raised to ISO 150 in low light).
- Built-in flash with five operating modes.
- Manually adjustable white balance with five settings.
- Continuous Shooting and Stitch-Assist (panorama) modes.
- Images saved in JPEG format to CompactFlash (Type I) memory card, 8MB card included.
- USB cable for quick connection to a computer.
- Software CD included, with Canon's Digital Camera Solution Disk (Version 4.0) for Mac and PC.
- Powered by four AA batteries or AC adapter (available separately).
- NTSC video cable (PAL for European models) for viewing images on a television.
- DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compliant.
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