Front (8.0)
The front of the Canon PowerShot A510 features a prominent 4x optical zoom lens, slightly left of center. The zoom lens is retractable and is covered by an automatic lens cover when not in use. There is a removable ring surrounding the lens, which detaches to allow for the application of additional conversion lenses. A small button is located to the right and slightly beneath the ring, enabling the lens ring to be removed. To the upper left of the lens, running horizontally along the top edge of the camera, is the internal flash. To the right of the flash is the camera's viewfinder window. Further to the right is the AF-assist beam / Red-eye Reduction lamp. Beneath the Red-eye Reduction lamp and beside the lens ring is the microphone for audio input into the camera. An extended right hand grip is located on the camera's right side just below the shutter to provide some additional control when shooting with one hand.
Back (8.0)
The back of the Canon PowerShot A510 features a 1.8 inch LCD screen in a glossy frame which is nearly flush with the surface of the camera body. The screen is weighted to the left side of the camera's back face, mirroring the placement of the lens ion the camera's front façade. Above the LCD screen is the incredibly undersized real image optical viewfinder, too painfully small for continuous use. The small circle has shooting indicators located to the left. Beneath the LCD screen on the screen's frame are the labels for three control buttons; they are, from left to right: Print/Share, Menu, and Func. buttons. Next to the lower right corner of the LCD screen is the Disp. button for viewing on the LCD screen. Above the Disp. button is the camera's essential control element: the four-way controller. The four-way controller allows the user to navigate through menus and toggle through control options projected on the LCD screen. These controls also have secondary control features which offer immediate accessibility without having to enter into a menu. The up arrow controls the flash settings, while the down arrow controls the camera's Macro mode and Manual Focus options. In the center of the camera's four-way controller is a set button which renders selections. The four-way controller does not use individual buttons for each of the directions, but relies on a continuous ring surrounding the set button. This makes for less accurate use and may lead to accidental setting engagement.
Above and to the left of the four-way controller is the Mode switch which allows the user to move between playback and standard shooting modes. Beneath the four-way controller on the bottom edge of the camera body is a door which may be flipped open to access the memory card slot.
Left Side (8.0)
The Canon PowerShot A510 has a terminal cover on the left side of the camera body. When this port cover is opened the user is able to access the A/V out, USB, and the DC in terminals. The USB terminal connects the external flash component of the camera to the body of the A510. Other than that, the left side of the camera body supplies structural support and additional surface for gripping.
Right Side (8.0)
The right side of the camera body has even fewer features than the left; there is a strap mount located halfway up the camera body. Beneath the right side the user will find the overly complex battery door cover for the camera, leading to the AA battery ports.
Top (8.0)
The top of the Canon PowerShot A510 features a mode dial (crowded with options) which allows the user to switch between Image Zone modes and Creative Zone modes. More specifically, the mode dial provides immediate access to preset modes, movie modes, and manual modes, including full Manual, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and full Auto mode). To the right of the mode dial is an internal speaker for playback of audio recording. In front of the camera speaker the user will find the camera's shutter button. Surrounding the shutter button is the zoom ring, which enables users to smoothly adjust the focal length for the shot. In playback mode the wide angle and telephoto settings adjust magnification levels and switch between playback zoom and multi-up format.
