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Canon PowerShot A520 Review
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Review
Date: June 25, 2005 |
Category:
Beginner
to Serious Amateur
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Executive Summary
This
Canon PowerShot A520 Review is based on a production
model. All sample images are unretouched, except
where specified.
Store
Display
5.8mm, Program AE, Evaluative, 1/25sec., F2.6
and ISO 50
The Canon PowerShot A520 is an attractive,
compact and affordable digital camera perfect
for an aspiring photographer. It improves upon
the hugely popular PowerShot A85 with 4 megapixel
resolution and 4x optical zoom. It has the image
quality Canon is famous for, its 4.0 megapixels
resolution allows 11x14 in. prints, and, more
importantly, it provides the features and exposure
flexibility that allow a beginner amateur photographer
to start with point-and-shoot simplicity and then
switch to the other exposure control modes to
experiment, learn and grow in digital photography.
The Canon PowerShot A520 can be used as a point-and-shoot
camera in Auto or Program AE mode, but it's attractiveness
lies in the flexible exposure control it allows:
Shutter-Priority, Aperture-Priority, full Manual,
plus easy to use scene (Image Zone) modes. Operation
is fast and control is intuitive.
The Canon A520 is just slightly smaller and lighter
than the A85 it replaces, and you can carry it
in a coat or large pants pocket. The LCD at 1.8
in. is average and could do with a bit more resolution.
Battery life is excellent, with the use of only
2 AA batteries.
There are many things to like about the A520:
4x optical zoom, F2.6 maximum aperture, 15-1/2,000
sec. shutter speed range. Canon also has one of
the best panorama feature: Stitch Assist helps
the positioning of overlapping images on the LCD
monitor (though the images are not transparent
anymore) and PhotoStitch software allows you to
finetune the points to line up your panorama shots
perfectly.
As far as optional accessories go, the A520 has
wide-angle, telephoto and close-up lenses, an
external High-Power Flash, and there is even an
underwater marine case for those who fancy underwater
photography.
With its ease of use, advanced features in an
entry-level camera, Canon quality optics, DIGIC
image processor, and extremely affordable price,
the Canon PowerShot A520 continues the
A85 tradition of being one of the best value for
money.
See if you fit the Canon PowerShot A520 User
Profile below:
Canon
PowerShot A520
User Profile |
| • |
Desire a quality 4 MP
resolution point-and-shoot digital camera
capable of producing prints of up to
11x14 in. |
| • |
Want more exposure flexibility
than provided by a point-and-shoot digital
camera. |
| • |
Have a desire to learn
about photography. |
| • |
Just starting out into
digital photography. |
| • |
Want one of the best value
for money in the entry-level Beginner
to Serious Amateur category. |
| • |
Want a well-rounded digital
camera for general family use. |
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