Canon PowerShot A570 IS

The entry-level Canon PowerShot A570 IS is the first in the company's "A" line to offer image stabilization. At $279 suggested, and about $210 retail, it packs a range of other formerly high-end features, including face detection, image stabilization and a maximum ISO of 1600. It's small, though, and sports only a 4x zoom. The A-series finish and styling have an economy-line feel, so the A570 doesn't look as impressive as Canon's G series, or others.

Physical Tour
 
Front (7.5)
The Canon PowerShot A570IS looks very similar to the rest of the Powershot A series cameras. The left side of the camera bulges to form a rounded grip, and it's labeled Canon PowerShot A570IS in trademark type. The telescoping lens assembly features a removable bezel with a rounded profile. The very small optical viewfinder is nearly centered above the lens, and the small flash is in the upper right corner. Three holes form a microphone grille between the grip and the lens. There is a small, multi-purpose lamp near the viewfinder that provides focus assist, a self-timer indicator and red-eye reduction. The edges are rounded, and the body plastic has a two-tone metallic finish.

Back (7.0)
The PowerShot A570IS's viewfinder is just as small on the back as it is on the front, with a pair of status lights to its left. The top one glows green when the camera is ready to shoot, and blinks when the A570IS is writing or transferring data. It glows orange when the flash is ready, and blinks orange when the flash is recharging. The lower lamp glows yellow when the A570IS is in macro mode, and blinks yellow when it can't lock focus.

The PowerShot A570IS's 2.5-inch LCD takes up most of the back. In the upper right, there is a speaker grille, and the shooting/playback mode switch is at far right. The 4-way controller has a pair of buttons above it and a pair below. The top two are the delete button and the print button, and the bottom two change the LCD display and bring up the menu. The top of the 4-way controller controls flash mode and the bottom controls focus mode. The center button brings up the function controls on the LCD, and, when menus are up, functions as a "Set" or "OK" button. The user's thumb rests naturally on the speaker grille, but it doesn't offer much of a grip.

Top (7.5)
The PowerShot A570IS sports a small power indicator lamp on the left side of the top. The mode dial is flush with the top, and overhangs the back of the camera, so the user can turn it with her right thumb. The power switch is a small, round, inset button near the mode dial. The shutter release is on top of the grip. It's a large chrome-tone button, surrounded by the zoom ring.

Left (7.25)
A rubbery flap on the left side of the camera covers the PowerShot A570IS's analog video out port, USB port, and its external power supply jack. The cover protects the ports against dust and moisture, and is more durable than a stiff plastic door.

Right (7.5)
The right side of the PowerShot A570IS features a wrist-strap lug that sits flush with the camera body, so it won't get in the way of holding the camera. The A570IS does not have grippy textures, so the wrist strap is a vital accessory.

Bottom (3.5)
The PowerShot A570IS's tripod mount is well to the left on the camera's bottom. It is made of plastic, so a metal tripod screw could ruin it pretty easily. The battery and memory card door takes up the bottom of the grip. The earlier PowerShot A series cameras had separate compartments for batteries and memory cards, which is better; with a single door, it's possible the batteries will accidentally fall out while trying to change the memory card.