Canon PowerShot A570 IS

Connectivity
Software (6.5)
ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser ship with the PowerShot A570IS. The programs are useful for downloading, sorting and printing images, creating email-friendly versions of large files, and stitching together panoramas. They can edit movies and extract stills from movie clips. The software is simple, and suited to the target market for the camera.

The software packages also allow the A570IS to be controlled remotely via a USB cable, by either a Windows or Macintosh computer. It's not a feature most buyers will use much, but it might make it easier to get shots of the inside of the refrigerator with the door closed, or baby hamsters without getting on the mother's nerves.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs (6.25)
The PowerShot A570IS has a USB 2.0 port, analog A/V output, and a jack for an external power supply (which is not included). These three cover the bases for the typical compact user, allowing printing, downloads, showing slide shows on a television, and powering a slide show or printing for long periods.

Direct Print Options (7.0)
The PowerShot A570IS offers DPOF, PictBridge and Canon's own Bubblejet Direct and Canon Direct Print. DPOF allows the user to create print orders that are saved on the memory card, and downloaded to a printing machine at a store. PictBridge and the Canon systems allow the PowerShot A570IS to connect directly to a compatible home printer.

The PowerShot A570IS can make individual prints or index prints. It offers the option of imprinting the date and time, and filename on the print.

The A570IS does not have an elaborate printing function, but it covers the basics, just as it does with shooting options.

Battery (4.75)
The PowerShot A570IS uses two AA batteries. In our tests, it went through batteries quickly, even high-capacity NiMH rechargable cells. The advantage of AA batteries is that they are available nearly everywhere. The disadvantage is that they hold less power than the custom Lithium-ion batteries that Canon puts in its DSLRs and other high-end cameras.  

Memory (3.25)
The PowerShot A570IS takes SD cards, including high-capacity cards. It wrote to a 4 GB card in our tests, which would hold many hundreds of images.  

SD cards are the most common memory format for cameras. They are very small, relatively durable (though their size makes them vulnerable), and less expensive than less common memory formats. They're also available just about anywhere – some supermarkets sell them.

Other Features (5.25)
Remote Control – Shooting via a laptop computer is an appealing, if unnecessary option. It ought to be fun for some users.

Accessory Lenses – Canon sells wide-angle, telephoto and macro accessory lenses. We haven't tested them, but if the wide-angle is even pretty good, it would vastly increase the A570IS's usefulness to real estate agents, contractors and others in need of quick-and-easy location shots.

Manual Flash Output – The flash can be set to full power, or two lower settings, which can be useful when auto exposure would be fooled.

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