Comparisons
Canon PowerShot A630 – This digital camera was released alongside the A640 and replaces the A610. The Canon PowerShot A630 has 8 megapixels and comes with all the same modes and options as the A640. They are so similar that the user manuals are the same, with only a few notes here and there on where they differ. There are a few minor adjustments to the specs including a slightly faster burst mode, better battery life, and shorter digital tele-converter on the Canon A630. Indeed, this camera snaps 1.8 fps rather than the A640’s 1.5 fps. The alkaline AA batteries last longer at 350 shots over the A640’s 280-shot lifetime. The Canon PowerShot A630 has a digital tele-converter function, but it reaches 2x instead of the A640’s 2.3x. One of the bigger differences that will perhaps go unnoticed by most point-and-shooters is that the A630 cannot shoot remotely by a computer like the A640. Both PowerShot digital cameras have the same 2.5-inch LCD, 4x lens, and flash components. The A630 can be found online easily for about $250.
Casio Exilim EX-Z1000 – This 10.1-megapixel camera is Casio’s version of the high-resolution pocket cam. It produces unrealistic colors, poor quality in low light, and disappointing detail in resolution testing. It does not have manual exposure control like the Canon, but it allows a few adjustments in its auto mode. Even those adjustments aren’t much though; for instance, the maximum manual ISO setting is 400. Like many of its Casio relatives, the Exilim EX-Z1000 has a vast number of Best Shot scene modes,38 to be exact. The 0.9-inch thick digital camera has a shorter 3x optical zoom lens and a wider 2.8-inch LCD screen with much better resolution of 230,000 pixels. It can be found online for less than $300.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 – This compact digital camera has 10 megapixels, but they come on a 1/6.5-inch 16:9-formatted image sensor. The LX2 has its luxuries and problems. It has a 2.8-inch LCD screen with 210,000 pixels that still falls short of the standard but beats the Canon A640’s screen any day. This digital camera has similar modes ranging from scenes and automatic to priority and manual. It has a movie mode that records 1280 x 720-pixel resolution at 15 fps, and it has smaller resolutions at better frame rates. Complimenting the movie mode is the optical image stabilization that keeps movies smooth and pictures free of blur. Other manual controls include exposure compensation, ISO to 3200, and white balance with custom and fine-tuning settings. The Panasonic LX2 has a rickety built-in flash and some serious shutter lag issues. Its burst mode is fast at 3 fps, but it maxes out its buffer on the third frame. The Panasonic Lumix LX2 sells for a retail of $399.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – This digital camera is created with these consumers in mind. The Canon A640 is easy to use, has an interesting and large LCD screen, and takes decent pictures.
Budget Consumers – The Canon PowerShot A640 is one of the most expensive in its lineup because of its massive 10-megapixel image sensor. Sure, the A640 is cheaper than the 10-megapixel Canon Rebel XTi, but budget consumers looking for a compact camera with lots of resolution can still find cheaper options.
Gadget Freaks – The resolution on the image sensor may sound appealing, but there really isn’t much to entice the gadget freak otherwise.
Manual Control Freaks – These consumers will appreciate the variety of levels of control with the auto, priority, and manual modes. Users can customize everything from the flash power to the white balance and contrast. The traditional exposure control of shutter speed and aperture is available too.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists – The Canon A640 has plenty of resolution, but it couldn’t satisfy a professional. Serious hobbyists might get into this model with its manual modes and options, conversion lenses, and slave flash.
Value (5.0)
The Canon PowerShot A640 has its own niche in the market that may make it priceless to some consumers. It is the only 10-megapixel compact digital camera that has manual control over shutter speed and aperture. There are a few other compact 10-megapixel cameras, but their manual controls are lacking. Consumers who are dead set on owning 10 megapixels with manual control will have to fork over the $399 retail or $350 street price. Consumers who are looking for a compact digital camera that has plenty of resolution and manual controls will probably want to look at other models though. The Canon PowerShot A630, for instance, comes with all the same modes and features as the A640, but it has 8 megapixels instead of 10. It also costs significantly less at about $250 online.
