Canon PowerShot A460

Auto Mode (7.0)
Those users searching for a basic auto mode will be pleased with the Canon PowerShot A460. The auto mode is engaged by rotating the mode dial to the red camera symbol. The image size and self-timer settings can be accessed in the function menu and the record menu is slightly truncated. The flash settings for auto mode are similarly limited – users may only turn the flash on and off. The macro mode is also available to auto shooters. Overall, the auto mode performed well. The limited number of controls and menu systems will alleviate any confusion on the user’s part. Users should expect consistent results without hassle when using the Canon PowerShot A460’s auto mode.

Movie Mode (3.0)
Photographers wishing to shoot low-quality video clips with their digital camera will get a reasonable amount of effects options on the A460 but not too much in the way of recording modes. While in movie mode, the menu systems and options are greatly truncated. Users may adjust auto focus, digital zoom and display overlay in the record menu. In the function menu the controls are reduced to white balance, self-timer, My Color mode, image size and shooting mode. Video quality settings for this camera provide users with a couple of different options but none of the options provide full 30 fps or 640 x 480 resolution at the same time. Thus users will either need to compromise on the resolution or frame rate when shooting video with this camera. As noted previously the image settings for movie mode are listed in the function menu and once highlighted, the photographer can select between 640 x 480 at a miserable and stuttering 10 fps, or 320 x240 reduced resolution at a full 30 fps or the entirely avoidable 160 x 120 compact mode with a 15 fps rate.

The PowerShot 460 records monaural audio via a small microphone positioned near the lens ring of the camera. The position of the microphone eliminates a large amount of handling noise but unfortunately records the mechanical adjustments made by the camera during shooting.

Drive/Burst Mode (4.75)
The Canon PowerShot A460 has a continuous shooting mode that can be engaged and altered via the function menu. Canon quotes the burst mode at 1.5 frames per second, but we clocked it at under a frame per second. The burst mode is only available in manual mode - that's unfortunate since novice users may find this control especially helpful when shooting action photos at sporting events or a children’s birthday party, for example. The burst mode setting will capture pairs of photos at a time with a two second delay before the next two photos are captured. This will continue as long as the shutter button is pressed and until the memory card is full. The ability to shoot continuously until capacity is reached is standard for more expensive digital cameras but in the budget market, this is less often the case.

Playback Mode (6.5)
In the playback mode, users can view recorded images either individually, in a slideshow format, or as a multi-up display. Unfortunately the multi-up display activation is anything but obvious and it will take reviewing the user manual to discover that pressing the function/set button for an extended period will result in a nine-image thumbnail. Figuring this out intuitively is quite simply, impossible. Why Canon couldn’t just have the thumbnails open immediately is beyond us.

The Canon PowerShot A460 is light on in-camera editing options and features. The My Colors mode that is found in the playback mode on more expensive Canon point-and-shoot digital cameras is not realized on this lower priced model. There are only options to rotate images, attach sound memos to still images, protect, erase and transfer order.

Deleting images is accomplished by pressing the down arrow on the four-way control. The up arrow allows users to zoom in on a photo. Unfortunately, the playback zoom can only zoom into the center point and the frame cannot be shifted to the left or right like other similar digital cameras. Movie files can be reviewed by first selecting the appropriate clip and then pressing the function/set button which will then open a VCR display along the bottom of the LCD screen. Video files can be reviewed at regular playback speed, slow motion, first frame, previous frame, next frame and last frame.

Sound memos of up to one minute in length can be recorded and saved with selected images.

Custom Image Presets (7.0)
The Canon PowerShot A460 has eight preset scene modes, accessible through the scene mode setting (SCN) on the mode dial. Once the scene mode is engaged, the photographer can select different scene modes by pressing the function/set button on the back of the camera body. The scene modes are displayed as the first option in the upper left corner of the LCD screen. The scene mode options for this camera are portrait, night snapshot, kids and pets, indoor, foliage, snow, beach and fireworks. It takes several seconds before some of the scene modes engage fully, so whipping through these settings isn’t so feasible.

While other manufacturers have been climbing the scene mode ladder to over 30 options, the A460’s 10 settings (8 preset options) will more than suffice for the standard point-and-shooter. By keeping the list short and sweet, Canon assures easy engagement without confusion and the need to consult the manual.

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