Connectivity
Software (6.75)
The Canon PowerShot A640 comes with a CD-ROM that has version 29.0 of Canon’s Solution Disk. It includes ZoomBrowser EX, PhotoStitch, and an EOS Utility window. The ZoomBrowser EX program offers basic organizational and editing functions, and PhotoStitch connects all the pictures from the camera’s Stitch Assist mode. The EOS Utility program allows users to do everything from control the camera remotely to uploading customized shutter sounds and startup images. This is fairly elaborate software for a compact digital camera.
Jacks, ports, plugs (5.0)
On the right side of the camera is a stiff rubber door. Beneath it are three separate jacks for USB, AV output, and DC input. The USB 2.0 hi-speed mini-B jack connects the camera to printers, computers, and other USB-enabled devices. The AV jack outputs mono audio in NTSC or PAL format for television slide shows and movie viewing.
Direct Print Options (7.0)
The Canon PowerShot A640 connects to all PictBridge compatible printers with its USB cable, but Canon roots for the Canon CP and Selphy printers, of course. With these branded printers, users can create passport-sized photos and “movie prints.” Print orders can be created in a sub-menu of the playback menu.
Once orders are created and the camera is connected to a printer, users need only to push the Print/Share button with the LED in the center to transfer the order.
Battery (6.5)
The camera is a decent weight on its own, but the batteries add quite a bit of heft. The A640 accepts 4 AA batteries which are convenient to find in drug stores but aren’t nearly as light as most lithium-ion batteries. The alkaline AA batteries last for 280 shots, and that is decent compared to most other AA-powered cameras. With rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, the camera can get up to 500 shots per charge (these stats are with the LCD screen on the whole time). The batteries are crammed under a door with a lock; when it opens, it springs open so users will have to beware of falling batteries.
Memory (3.5)
The Canon PowerShot A640 accepts SD, SDHC, and MMC media. The camera does not have internal memory, but it comes with a 32 MB MMC card. The card is loaded next to the batteries in the compartment below the hand grip. Consumers who purchase the camera will definitely need more memory than what is provided in the package. 32 MB is only enough for 9 pictures at full resolution, so users who also want video will have to splurge on more memory.
Other features (7.0)
Stitch Assist – With its very own position on the mode dial, the Stitch Assist lets users choose whether to shoot right to left or left to right with the exposure compensation button. When the button is pushed twice, users can tweak the exposure compensation on its regular +/- 2 scale. The live preview shrinks significantly when shooting in this mode, but it does provide an overlay so users can line up the last shot with the next shot. The camera’s Stitch Assist mode doesn’t limit how many photos can be snapped in succession, and the camera doesn’t actually stitch them up together. It is just what it says it is: an “assist.” The pictures must be loaded to a computer with the included PhotoStitch software and attached that way.
Tethered Shooting – Using the Canon A640, the included software, and the included USB cable, users can sit at their computers and snap pictures remotely with the camera. This doesn’t exactly work as a web cam. But still shots can be taken, as long as the camera is in the recording mode. Otherwise, the camera will transfer pictures to the computer in the playback mode.
