Canon PowerShot A95 Digital Camera Review

Front (8.0)
The front of the Canon PowerShot A95 features its 3x optical zoom lens on the left side of the camera body, surrounded by a removable lens ring. The ring may be disengaged by pressing the tab located on the lower right side of the lens ring downward, and turning the ring, thus allowing for an adapter and conversion lens to be used. Directly above the zoom lens, the user will find the Viewfinder window, and the internal flash to the left of that. As mentioned before, the flash’s ill-conceived placement makes the fingers on the left hand often obstruct the flash while shooting images. Beneath the flash, nestled above the lens ring, the user will find the multi-featured AF assist beam / red-eye reduction and self-timer lamp, all contained within a small internal eye on the camera. Above the lens ring and to the right of the viewfinder the user will find the internal monaural microphone. The right edge of the camera is relegated to function as a well-placed right hand grip, neatly keeping that hand out of the way of necessary functions and control features on the camera body.

Back (8.5)
The flip-out 1.8-inch LCD screen consumes a large portion of the back of the Canon PowerShot A95’s frame; however, functions on this face are not cramped because of simplified button assignment and a large overall camera body. The LCD screen can be engaged on the right side, opening outwards to reveal a niche in the camera body. The user can either replace the screen facing in or out; both positions will lock in neatly. The screen fully rotates to face forward, towards the subject for self portraits. Above the screen is a real image optical viewfinder, providing an accurate window to compose the shot.

To the right of the Canon PowerShot A95’s viewfinder, the user will find two LED indicators; if the upper indicator is green, the camera is ready for recording or ready to communicate with a personal computer. If the LED blinks green, the camera is recording to the memory card card, reading data, erasing from the memory card, transmitting data, or there is a low battery. When the LED is orange, the flash is on and the camera is ready to shoot. Finally, if it is blinking orange, the camera is ready to shoot with the flash on, although a warning will appear for camera shake. The lower indicator also has multiple functions. If yellow, the camera is in macro / manual focus modes or AF lock; if blinking yellow, there are focusing difficulties.

To the right of the LCD screen is a mode switch, which allows the user to quickly transfer between playback and shooting modes. Beneath the mode switch is the four-way controller, which functions as a navigation tool within the display and onscreen menus. The up arrow also doubles as the flash control, allowing the user to scan through flash settings by pressing the arrow repeatedly. The down arrow also lets the user switch between Focus and Macro Focus modes. Beneath the four-way controller, the user will find the Function button, which controls the function menu on the LCD screen and enters into shooting controls. Underneath this button, the user will find the Display button which allows the user to turn the LCD screen on or off and control the amount of information displayed on the LCD during usage. To the right of the Display button is a Print / Share control, which allows the user to communicate between the camera and computer or printer. Underneath the LCD screen are the Menu buttons that control the camera settings. The Set button, which acts as an “enter” button, resides within the four-way controller on most cameras; however, on the A95 it has been placed separately to give the user enough room to comfortably engage. To the left of the Set button, the user will find the DC in jack.

Left Side (8.0)
The left side of the Canon PowerShot A95 has two ports located near the base of the camera body. Underneath a port cover is the USB and the A/V out port.

Right Side (8.5)
The right side of the Canon PowerShot A95 houses the CompactFlash memory card slot, which opens by sliding the cover towards the back of the camera. There's nothing else useful on the right side but an eyelet for a wrist strap, located at the top of the camera body.

Top (8.0)
The shutter button is located on the top of the right hand grip and projects outward from the Canon PowerShot A95. This large shutter button is surrounded by a zoom ring, which when turned to the right engages the telephoto, and conversely, when turned to the left engages the wide angle feature. Behind the shutter button and slightly to the left is the oversized and overladen Mode Dial, which allows the user to choose between the following settings: Auto, Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual Exposure, Custom, Portrait, Night Scene, Slow Shutter, Special Scene, and Stitch Assist. Between the mode dial and the shutter button, the user will find the built-in speaker. To the left of the mode dial is the on/off button.