Value (8.0)
The PowerShot A570IS sells for just over $200 at a variety of vendors, which is an attractive price for an entry level camera. With image stabilization and face detection, it wins the features race not only at $200, but also at $300. Canon image quality is very competitive at a variety of price points, and did well enough here.
The biggest drawback in the PowerShot A570IS's value proposition is its durability. With poor seals and a lightly-built lens assembly, it doesn't seem as tough as some of its competition.
Comparisons
FujiFilm F40fd – The FujiFilm F40fd also offers face detection that works well. It lacks image stabilization, a flaw that FujiFilm tries to compensate for with ISOs up to 2000. The F40fd and the PowerShot A570IS both have maximum apertures of f/2.8 at wide angle, but the apertures shrink at the telephoto end. The F40fd goes down to f/5.1, which seems better than the A570IS's f/5.5, but the F40fd's lens only zooms out 3x. The A570IS hits f/5.5 at 4x. The best news for the PowerShot A570IS is that the F40fd runs almost $100 more – even without stabilization.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7 – The LZ7 sells for about $30 less than the PowerShot A570IS, but it lacks face detection. With a 6x zoom, the LZ7 brings in distant subjects much better than the A570IS, and it does so with a maximum aperture range that runs from f/ 2.8 down to f/ 4.5 – about half a stop brighter even though it's 50 percent longer. Panasonic upgraded its image stabilization with the LZ7, which may be significant – it was excellent to begin with. The LZ series typically have extensive manual controls, so users who demand flexible white balance should look at the LZ7 before committing to an A570IS.
Pentax Optio W30 – Without stabilization or face detection, the Optio W30 leaves the technological edge to the PowerShot A570IS. The W30 is much more durable, however. About $30 more expensive than the A570IS, the W30 is waterproof. The seals against water also protect it from dust. The W30's lens stays flush with the face of the camera even when it’s zoomed out, so it is much more durable than the A570IS. For casual users looking for a camera to take everywhere, the W30 is a very good option. Consumers who get caught in the rain, who plan to stuff a camera into a coat pocket, or who are just plain rough on their things, might want to get a camera that won't break.
Who’s this Camera For?
Point-and-Shooters – The casual user is the obvious target market for the PowerShot A570IS. It's simple and inexpensive, and takes the kind of snapshots consumers want.
Budget Consumers – Again, the PowerShot A570IS is an attractive option for this group. At about $200, it's at the low end for cameras, in general, yet it offers both image stabilization and face detection.
Gadget Freaks – The PowerShot A570IS is a budget gadget, combining image stabilization and face detection, two cool technologies. Neither is brand new, but they're a nice combination, especially at the price.
Manual Control Freaks – The PowerShot A570IS's manual controls are not nearly convenient enough to use all the time, and the images are snapshot quality, and this segment usually wants better than that.
Pros/Serious Hobbyists – Many serious photographers like to have a simple camera to slip into a pocket for the unexpected opportunity, but the A570IS probably isn't the right choice. It's not durable enough, and the maximum aperture at telephoto is very dark. Finally, face detection is pretty much wasted on this crowd.
