-
Introduction
-
01.Physical Tour
-
02.Color and Resolution
-
03.Noise and Video
-
04.Speed and Timing
-
05.Components
-
06.Design / Layout
-
07.Modes
-
08.Control Options
-
09.Image Parameters
-
10.Connectivity / Extras
-
11.Overall Impressions
-
12.Conclusion
-
13.Sample Photos
-
14.Specs / Ratings
-
15.Comments
Canon A2000 IS
Previous: Page 2
Color and ResolutionNext: Page 4
Speed and Timing
Low Light Tests
60 Lux
30 Lux
15 Lux
5 Lux
Noise
Image noise is the occurrence of visual static across areas of your image, which becomes much more noticeable at high ISOs and in areas of solid color. Cameras that have significant levels of noise can make it difficult to shoot an acceptable imgae in poor lighting conditions.
Noise – Manual ISO (4.50)
The first part of our noise test involves shooting the GretagMacbeth color chart at every full resolution ISO under bright studio lighting, then running the resulting images through Imatest to look at noise levels across these settings.

As you can see, the noise levels bumped significantly after ISO 400, skyrocketing to 4% at ISO 1600, indicating significant image degradation. This peformance compares poorly with other cameras we've tested.

The second noise test uses the camera's automatic ISO function, so we can see how well the system can judge a well-lit scenario and choose an appropriate ISO setting. Under the sunny glare of 1700 lux, the Canon A2000 shot ISO 200, which is respectable, however the overall high noise levels gave it a thoroughly mediocre score in this section as well.

Low Light (6.93)
We tread a two-fold path to test a camera's low light abilities, first with varying light levels, and secondly with long exposures. The former involves shooting the ever-popular GretagMacbeth chart at 60 lux, 30 lux, 15 lux and 5 lux, which roughly equates to the light level of standard indoor nighttime illumination down to the light of a single candle.
The A2000 handled 60 and 30 lux without breaking its stride, maintaining good color accuracy, and expected noise levels. However, at 15 and 5 lux it really struggled, massively under-saturating the image, and at the lower level producing an excessive 6.5% image noise.
The second facet of this test involves taking photographs of up to 30-second duration under low illumination. There is some manner of shutter speed control on the camera, but it's hidden inside the exposure compensation controls. Using this you can manually set up shutter speeds from 1-second to 15-seconds. Unfortunately, when you do so, you lose any sort of exposure compensation controls, and the camera doesn't give you any indication that you'll under- or over-expose the image. Regardless, we tested for color accuracy and noise levels at 1-second, 5-seconds, 10-seconds and 15-seconds, and when we managed to expose properly, we were pleasantly surprised by good color accuracy and noise levels between 1.5% and 2%.
Overall, the A2000 did well in low light. Its high noise levels and tendency to under-saturate conjoined were offset by a good result in the long exposure section to bump the score noticeably.
Canon PowerShot A2000 IS Low Light Scores

Still Life
To give you an idea of how noise levels increase with rising ISO levels, here is a series of images taken at all full resolution ISOs under fluorescent lights, using the camera's auto exposure settings. You can click on any of them to see the full-size versions, but keep in mind that these are large images so they may take some time to load.
Video Performance (7.06)
A digital still camera is no replacement for a camcorder (at least not yet), but being able to capture rudimentary video with your point-and-shoot is still useful. As part of our regular testing regimen, we test video frame grabs for the same color accuracy, image noise and resolution qualities we look for in still photography.
Under the sunny glow of 3000 lux illumination the A2000 performed admirably, capturing colors very well, with near perfect saturation. Once again, Canon shows its ability to make cameras that handle color well.

Low Light - 30 Lux
While inevitably worse than the 3000 lux setup, the A2000 still did pretty well under 30 lux illumination, especially with yellow-greens and light reds.

Resolution (1.99)
Motion (1.50)
Canon PowerShot A2000 IS Video Scores

Shop for the Canon A2000 IS
Latest News
& Reviews
-
11-Feb-2012
Olympus TG-820 First Impressions Review
The Olympus TG-820 is a waterproof camera that both looks and feels like a tough-cam should. Read More...
-
10-Feb-2012
Sigma DP2 Merrill First Impressions Review
Sigma is back with a new high-end compact camera with a 46-megapixel Foveon X3 APS-C sensor. With image quality promised to be on the level of their $6000 SD1, can the new DP2 Merrill compete with the Fuji X100? Read More...
Top Rated Point & Shoots
-

$459.991Panasonic Lumix FZ150
Excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a great design add up to the best superzoom that has ever graced our labs. That distinction seems to change hands every week, but trust us when we say that the FZ150 is a truly great camera. Read full 16-part review
$459.99TypesAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels -

$378.992Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Canon's SX30 got a CMOS makeover that resulted in the SX40 HS, an impressive ultrazoom that captures beautiful shots in almost any scenario. Read full 16-part review
$378.99TypesAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels -

$427.953Sony Cyber-shot HX100V
This professionally-geared ultrazoom offers some of the best color accuracy we've ever seen. It's a shame the other scores weren't quite so strong. Read full 16-part review
$427.95TypesUltra-ZoomAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels16.8 MP -

$314.954Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
Panasonic resists the urge to cram more megapixels and more focal length into their latest ultrazoom. The FZ47 instead focuses on image quality and features, resulting in an incredibly strong camera that we loved shooting with. Read full 16-part review
$314.95TypesAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels -

$417.005Canon PowerShot S100
Canon's PowerShot S100 improves on the popular S95 and takes its place at the top of the point-and-shoot food chain. Read full 16-part review
$417.00TypesAny Zoom3,5.13.1x to 5x Zoom5.1,105.1x to 9.9x Zoom10,10x & Larger ZoomAny Megapixels0,8< 8 Megapixels8,108 to 10 Megapixels10,> 10 Megapixels
Features
-
DigitalCameraInfo New Year's Giveaway
Check back every day for the rest of 2011 to see what we’re adding to the grand prize package. It all starts with the Sony NEX-5N and ends with over $4000 in prizes! Read More...
-
DigitalCameraInfo.com 2011 Select Awards
After a year of tireless testing and deliberation, we’ve made our selections for the very best cameras of 2011. Read More...











(add your own)