Canon PowerShot A640 Digital Camera Review - Canon Point and Shoot and Non-DSLR

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Auto Mode (7.5)
The A640’s auto mode is simple to find with the green label on the large mode dial. All other modes are printed in black on the dial, so the auto mode is distinctive. In the auto mode, users can make a few selections in the Func./Set menu: Auto or Hi ISO, all three self-timer options, and the image size and compression options. The recording menu is also available, but it is shortened so that it doesn’t include complicated features like the AF Frame and Flash Sync. Flash and macro options can be activated with the multi-selector too. This makes the Canon A640’s auto mode sound overly complicated, but it really isn’t. Beginners and those who like to avoid hassle will appreciate the auto mode, as it does a great job most of the time anyway.

Movie Mode (7.25)
The A640 has a movie mode available straight from the mode dial, and that is helpful when it is needed on the fly. Like many of its Canon siblings, this PowerShot has good-looking video. It records at television-quality 640 x 480 pixels at a frame rate of 30 per second. That frame rate can be slowed down to 15 per second too. The same frame rates are available at a smaller resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Photographers can shoot up to an hour or 1 GB at a time. There is also a video mail option that records 160 x 120 pixels at 15 fps for up to three minutes. Previous Canon digital cameras had a “fast frame rate” setting that allowed users to shoot video at 320 x 240 pixels at 60 fps for one minute; however, the A640 does not have this mode. While it was neat to watch the smooth movements in the LCD screen, this mode was still pixilated on the television screen and so it will not be missed much on the A640.

There is a lot of flexibility within the movie mode. Users can select Standard, Compact, Color Swap, and Color Accent movie modes by pushing right and left with the multi-selector. White balance, self-timer, and My Colors settings can be chosen from the Func./Set menu. When the A640 is recording, the optical zoom freezes, but the 4x digital zoom is available. It degrades the image quality, so is not recommended for extensive use. The A640 records monaural audio, and it sounds good for the most part. However, if there is loud noise within close proximity – i.e. ripping Velcro, clapping, singing – while there is also background noise, the recorded audio sounds like it misses a few beats here and there. It does fine recording voices and even sounds, but it goes haywire when the volume changes suddenly. Movies can be played back on the camera normally or in slow motion (with a 5-step adjustment to show just how slow you want it). Movies can also be divided into two clips in the playback mode, so users can delete unwanted footage – or they can save both pieces of the clip. Overall, the Canon PowerShot A640’s movie mode is impressive and offers a lot of features for its price range.

Drive / Burst Mode (6.0)
From the Func./Set menu, self-timer and burst modes are available. There is the standard Single mode, of course, followed by the Continuous mode. The latter shoots 1.5 fps which is very slow and can hardly be called a burst mode at all. However, it still has some redeeming qualities. The files are incredibly large (10 megapixels), and the camera can snap pictures to the capacity of the memory card. Surprisingly, the flash isn’t disabled in the burst mode – unless manually disabled. The A640 still shoots with the flash at a decent clip. There are three self-timer modes: 2 and 10-second delays, and a custom self-timer that lets users select a delay of 0-30 seconds with a burst of 1-10 shots at the end. This is handy for group portraits where you want several copies of the same shot just to make sure everyone’s eyes are open.

Playback Mode (7.0)
The playback mode is accessed by a small switch on the back of the camera. The switch has grooves which make it easier to push, but the grooves aren’t deep and are very small. This means to access the playback mode, you might have to sacrifice a fingernail or two. Once there, however, there are plenty of things to do: view, organize, and edit.

Viewing can be done file by file or by index screens with 9 pictures on them at a time via the wide end of the zoom lever. Pushing the zoom lever toward the telephoto side zooms in on individual pictures from 2-10x. Viewing is made simple with the automatic rotation function; this is especially great for slide shows. There is an on-camera button for erasing photos, but if users want to delete more than one at a time they will have to enter the playback menu.

Auto Play	(begins slide show)
My Colors	Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red
Voice Memo	Record, Stop, Play, Delete
Protect	OK, Cancel
Rotate	OK, Cancel
Erase All	OK, Cancel
Transfer Order	Order, Mark All, Reset

Design / Layout	Page 6 of 13		Control Options
Canon PowerShot A640 Digital Camera Review Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance	Physical Tour	Components
Design / Layout	Modes	Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions	Conclusion	Specs / Ratings
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