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Canon PowerShot A20 Canon's "value priced" 2 megapixel camera has 3x zoom, takes great pictures! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PowerShot A20 Test Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on PowerShot A20 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 5/10/2001

Viewfinder
The A20 sports a real-image optical viewfinder as well as a color LCD monitor for composing images. The optical viewfinder window features a set of autofocus target marks in the center of the finder, which define the autofocus and exposure area. Though the optical viewfinder does not offer a diopter adjustment, it does have a fairly high eyepoint, which should accommodate most eyeglass wearers. Two LED lamps on the left side of the viewfinder eyepiece report a range of camera information. The bottom LED glows yellow when the camera is in the Macro focus mode and the Shutter button is halfway pressed. The top LED lamp lights green when focus and exposure are set, and flashes green when the camera is processing. If the top LED lamp glows orange, the flash is charged. A flashing orange LED lamp indicates a low-light shooting situation and the potential for image blurring from camera movement (using a flash or tripod is recommended).



The 1.5-inch, color LCD monitor features a low-temperature, polycrystalline silicon, TFT display with roughly 120,000 pixels. A Display button adjacent to the LCD monitor controls the image display, turning it on and off. An information display operates independently of the Display button. The information readout pops onto the screen whenever the LCD monitor is activated or a control button is pressed, even when the LCD image display is turned off. The information display reports the current camera settings, including Shooting mode, Exposure Compensation, White Balance, and Resolution and Compression, as well as Flash, Drive, Macro / Infinity modes, and the number of images remaining. After a few seconds, the display disappears, and is called up again with the next press of a control button.



In Playback mode, the Display button cycles through various levels of information display. The first page shows no information. The second reports the file number, date and time of exposure, quality setting, and the number of images on the card. A third page shows select exposure information, such as Shooting mode, Macro, Drive, Flash, Exposure Compensation, and White Balance. Also in Playback mode, the LCD monitor offers a nine-image index display and a playback zoom, which enlarges images for closer inspection. Once an image is enlarged, you can use the arrow keys to scroll around and check on framing or other details.