Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Apr 20, 2005 - By James Murray
The PowerShot A510 is a rectilinear-shaped point-and-shoot digital camera crafted by Canon with a (slightly) extended 4x optical zoom lens that leads back to its 1/2.5 inch 3.3 MP CCD. Internally, the camera includes a DIGIC image processor and a 9-point AiAF focusing system to improve image quality and help speed up performance and writing times. The camera packs a surprising number of manual control features for a camera under $200, including manual focus, white balance, ISO, EV compensation, shutter speed, aperture, and metering. For users less comfortable with manual control, the PowerShot A510 also provides an overwhelming number of highly specific Scene modes, spanning nearly every photographic occasion. The versatile A510 is currently available online for under $165.00 (USD).
Advertisement

Viewfinder (4.5)
The A510 contains an uncomfortably minuscule viewfinder that is unfortunately placed directly above the center of the LCD screen. Sadly, its size and placement make this feature almost entirely useless. The circular viewfinder is a real image optical zoom viewfinder which allows the user to view the zoom levels of the camera. Focus settings are not displayed through this feature.  

LCD Screen (6.0)
The LCD on the Canon PowerShot A510 is located on the left side of the camera's back face. The LCD screen measures 1.8 inches diagonally and has a total pixel count of 115,000 pixels. The Disp. button to the lower right of the LCD screen controls the amount of information viewed on the LCD screen at one time. The LCD screen is slightly raised from the surface of the camera body and has no protective covering--a drawback for the rougher user or frequent traveler. The screen itself is adequate, but certainly nothing to brag about. The resolution is meager and the size barely compensates. For today's standards, it is certainly sub-par.  

Flash (6.5)
The internal flash that comes with the Canon PowerShot A510 is located in the upper left corner of the camera's front face. This placement allows for the user to easily obscure or entirely cover the flash with wandering fingers during shooting. The flash mode can remain in automatic mode, or the user can set the mode through the up arrow on the four-way controller. When the up arrow is pressed the flash options appear on the top edge of the LCD screen. The user can then choose between Auto with red-eye reduction, Auto, Flash on with red-eye reduction, Flash on, and Flash off. The PowerShot A510 is also capable of accepting additional external flash support when shooting situations require additional illumination.  

Zoom Lens (7.0)
The Zoom Lens for the Canon PowerShot A510 is a 4x optical, 3.2x digital zoom lens with a rating of 5.8-23.2mm. When converted to a 35mm equivalent the variable focal length available extends from 35-140mm, with aperture settings of f/2.6- f/5.5. The zoom lens extends from the camera body when in use and fully retracts into the frame when turned off. There is a converter ring surrounding the lens barrel, which can be removed to enable users to apply conversion lenses.

Physical Tour Page 4 of 12 Design / Layout Canon PowerShot A510 Digital Camera Review Navigation
Advertisement