Canon PowerShot A460

Value (7.5)
Currently retailing for just over $100 online, the Canon PowerShot A460 offers a 1/3.0 inch 5 MP CCD; 10 total shooting modes, including movie mode with audio capture; and an extensive manual mode that includes control over ISO, exposure compensation, metering, long shutter speeds, and custom white balance. While the A460 isn’t the slimmest or sleekest camera on the market - it might have had that designation if it had been released in 1998 - it is fairly robust and will be able to withstand some abuse.

Unfortunately, it isn’t all sunshine and peaches for this modest point-and-shoot. The problem with this camera comes from the lack of coherent design both externally and internally. The back of the camera is cluttered with labels and icons and the placement of essential controls like zoom are anything but intuitive. Adding to this, the function menu system includes hard-to-discern sub-menu layers that will most likely remain undiscovered for months. However, the A460 performed well for its price range and produced images with accurate colors, decent dynamic range (at its lowest ISO settings), and near spot-on white balance. While the design could use some modifications, the A460 is a strong value for its price. Although consumers looking for a bit more image quality at this price point should look to the Sony W35.

Comparisons
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 – This introductory model by Sony has a 1/2.5 inch Super HAD 7.2 MP CCD and a far slimmer and more-honed camera design. This model does have a smaller 3x optical zoom lens, but includes a number of preset shooting modes that include a High Sensitivity setting for capturing at up to 1000 ISO. The DSC-W35 has a 2.0-inch LCD with 85,000 pixels, similar to the Canon PowerShot A460, and far fewer manual controls when compared to the surprisingly extensive offerings with the less expensive A460. The DSC-W35 allows control over focus but there are only five different focal distances to choose from. There are two areas where the DSC-W35 beats the A460: the ability to shoot with a live histogram and add conversion lenses. The DSC-W35 has a slightly higher MSRP of $179.99.


Kodak EasyShare C703 – This point-and-shoot camera by Kodak is currently priced at $159.95 through the Kodak website. It has a cleaner and simpler external design in comparison to the A460. The 1/2.5 inch, 7.1 MP C703 comes with a 3x optical zoom lens, 32 MB of internal storage, SD/MMC compatibility and a larger 2.5-inch LCD screen and a real image optical viewfinder. The camera has a maximum aperture of f/2.7, a smaller shutter speed range, and some manual controls like exposure compensation and ISO. Other parameters such as multiple metering modes and custom white balance are not included. The movie mode included with the C703 has a far superior video and audio capture option of 640 x 480 at 30 fps.



Fujifilm FinePix A610 – The A610 drops under the A460 price tag with an initial price of $129. This camera is equipped with a 6.3 MP CCD, 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch, 115,000-pixel LCD screen that, at least on paper, makes the A610 a strong contender in the budget market. One area where Fujifilm has often fallen short is in the quality of construction in their digital cameras and although gradual improvements have been made it will be interesting to see how this year’s models hold up to daily wear and tear. The A610 also features Fujifilm’s new graphical user interface system and 10 MB of internal memory. The movie mode on this camera is similarly disappointing when compared to the A460 although this model isn’t even able to shoot at a full 640 x 480 and audio can’t be recorded.


Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 – This digital camera by Panasonic has a slightly higher price tag of $179.95 but includes features like an optical image stabilization system and an impressive 6x optical zoom lens for just a few clams more than the A460. The camera comes with a 1/2.5 inch 5 MP CCD, a 2.0-inch LCD screen with a low resolution of 85,000 pixels, 5 auto focus shooting modes, and manual control over white balance, exposure, ISO with a high sensitivity mode that goes to ISO 1600, backlight compensation, and a whole host of preset scene modes that include multiple baby modes and a soft skin option for mid-eighties-style glamour shots. The DMC-LZ3S comes with 14 MB of internal memory and is capable of recording both stills and video. Audio can be recorded simultaneously or as 10-second attachments to still images. Video can be captured at a full resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 fps, so out of all the comparative cameras, users will find the video results captured with this model to be the least compromised. With a far less cluttered external interface and well labeled controls the DMC-LZ3S is a welcome counter-point to the less intuitive A460.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – Better labels, more space, better layout and separation of controls would drastically improve the chances of this camera being an option for the point-and-shoot market. In its current incarnation though, it’s hard not to recommend this camera based on price and performance alone. 

Budget Consumers – This is certainly a camera intended for the budget market with a price tag that puts it around $100 online. And while it is inexpensive, that does mean that users should expect some big compromises. A terrible LCD screen, limited manual modes, a large bulky camera body, and a poorly designed exterior all make this a budget purchase with heaps of baggage.

Gadget Freaks – With a standard set of features and basic camera design, the Canon PowerShot A460 is unlikely to appeal to the gadget freak, even one on a budget.

Manual Control Freaks – While the A460 offers a good deal of control for its design and price point, it really doesn't have much to offer this demographic. 

Pros/Serious Hobbyists – There would be no reason for the pro or serious hobbyist to consider the Canon PowerShot A460, except perhaps as a training tool for their children.