Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Oct 28, 2004 - By David Vine
The Canon PowerShot A85 rounds out a solid line of point-and-shoot digital cameras from Canon. The 4 megapixel A85 is meant to lure beginners into digital photography and help them transition to an intermediate level of shooting. The 13 shooting modes have enough automatic functions to make this camera easy for anyone to use, but enough semi-automatic and manual features to allow a learning photographer to improve their skills. With a 3x optical and 3.6x digital zoom on the 35-105mm lens, the Canon PowerShot A85 can zoom in to capture images with its 1/2.7-inch CCD and produce good prints up to an 8 x 10-inch size. The A85 has a 1.8-inch LCD screen for viewing photos and menus and a Print/Share button to make using the camera even easier. This camera was announced in August 2004 at a suggested retail price of $299.
Advertisement

Picture Quality / Size Options (7.5)
Image Size and Quality are adjusted via the Function Menu and are located in the lower corner of the LCD screen. It is possible to set the following compression ratings for images on the Canon PowerShot A85: SuperFine, Fine, and Normal. Image sizes are 2272 x 1704 (large), 1600 x 1200 (medium 1), 1024 x 768(medium 2), and 640 x 480 (small). There is also a mode for printing postcards.

 

Picture Effects Mode (8.0)
The following Picture Effect settings are available on the Canon PowerShot A85: Off, Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, and B&W. Low Sharpening is probably my favorite, as it softens the image so you can take those fuzzy, girl-with-a-rose posed shots. Digital effects can definitely be a fun accessory but when quality is at the forefront of the user’s priorities, all editing and effects should be formulated in off-camera editing software for the best quality results.

Control Options Page 8 of 12 Connectivity / Extras
Canon PowerShot A85 Digital Camera Review Navigation
Advertisement