Canon PowerShot A2400 Digital Camera Review

Automatic Features

The Canon A2400 features a standard automatic mode, accessible by pressing the green "auto" key on the rear of the camera. There is also a program automatic mode, which can be found in the camera's shooting mode menu (in the "func. set" menu). The program automatic mode has a few extra options available, such as ISO sensitivity and exposure compensation. The camera also features several scene modes, but these are also all mostly automatic, designed to better cope with specific lighting conditions.

Buttons & Dials

One of the issues we have with this current crop of A-series compact cameras is the low profile design of many of the buttons, including the zoom toggle and video record buttons. The rear control pad also has this problem, meaning the function set, menu, playback, and help buttons are all designed with minimal travel, hugging closely against the body of the camera. This makes them difficult to press, a problem compounded by a lack of haptic response or audible click when the buttons are actually activated. The worst offender is the zoom toggle on the top of the camera, which has only the smallest nub for the index finger to manipulate. We understand the desire to not have large buttons taking up the entire camera, but a little more depth would go a long way here.

Effects, Filters, and Scene Modes

The Canon A2400 IS doesn't feature much in the way of creative modes—a surprise for the A-series, given Canon's typical emphasis on them. The camera does feature a few scene modes, however, including: live view control, portrait, face self-timer, low light, fisheye effect, miniature effect, toy camera effect, monochrome, super vivid, poster effect, snow, fireworks, long shutter, discreet, and iFrame movie.

The super vivid, monochrome, and poster effect give you some creative leeway, but not the standard (and shooting mode-independent) color profiles that have been popular on previous compact Canon cameras. It may be a result of lack of built-in memory on the camera or simply a desire to eliminate as many extraneous options as possible, but the lack of creative modes really seems like a baby out with the bathwater situation.

Menu

The menu on the Canon A2400 IS is split up into two types of menu: the main menu and the function set menu. The main menu is replete with the more complicated options like autofocus method, red-eye settings, memory card formatting, and the like. The function set menu just pulls up over your image as you're framing, giving you access to shooting mode, exposure compensation, white balance, ISO sensitivity, and other shooting settings. Some of these functions are removed from view when in scene modes or the full automatic mode, as the camera takes over.

Instruction Manual

The Canon A2400 IS includes both a quick start guide in the box and a CD-ROM containing the full user's guide. The full guide is stored as .pdf on the disc, though it can also be downloaded from Canon's website. This document includes basic information before going over many of the important features in greater depth. The index is clearly labeled in the back and helps you to use the guide as a reference tool for understanding specific settings.