ifif1938's Full Review: Canon PowerShot A540 Digital Camera
My daughters decided to get me a new camera for my birthday when they noticed I was taping the bottom of my old Nikon Coolpix 885 to keep the battery from falling out. The camera still worked pretty well other than that but it was 4 years old and they decided it was time for change.
The camera they picked out for me was a Fuji, a very nice camera with a large LCD screen but it didn’t have a viewfinder, a feature I was used to and thought necessary in any camera, so I asked if they would be upset if I exchanged it…Of course being the sweeties that they are they gave me the go ahead.
So the first thing I did was read camera reviews on epinions, then decided to write an e-mail, (hoping it wouldn’t be a nuisance), to Howard Creech, the resident guru of Camera’s…He wasn’t at all hesitant in recommending a Canon but one a bit in the higher priced range than I wanted to spend…then he mentioned the Canon PowerShot A540, saying it was one of the best for my budget and had many features that were a big improvement over my Nikon..
So off to Circuit City I went. since that was where my original camera came from…I had done research on prices of this camera on line and found quite a variation. I printed a few to bring with me and was delighted when they matched the lowest price listed…The regular retail price in the store was $279 but they sold it to me for $224..Plus they gave me a 512 Sandisk media card as a bonus…. Good thing that they did since the card that came with it is only a 16M and useful for just a few picture experimentations.
I couldn’t wait to get home to play with my new digital toy.
What's in the Box
PowerShot A540 body,
2AA-size alkaline batteries
MultiMediaCard MMC-16M,
Wrist strap
WS-800, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM,
USB interface cable IFC-400PCU,
bookAV cable AVC-DC300
And that most important instruction book...actually two of them, the big book and a smaller booklet aimed at getting you started quickly.
I attached the wrist strap, loaded the camera with the two batteries and the 16M memory card…. So easy to do with the bottom loading mechanism where both the card and batteries go, just press the small button and slide the lid out..diagrams inside show which direction to insert the card…simple, even for me…I then read the instructions and followed the booklet to prepare my camera for my initial experiments.
First I set the date and time and the other essentials...so easy just by following the prompts on the camera and in the booklet.
The Powershot A540 has 6 megapixels, and a 4X optical zoom lens, both more power and versatility than I had with my Nikon. Just that extra 2 megapixals and one extra zoom capability makes a difference I can see in my finished pictures. The digital zoom is fun to use while the pictures are still in my camera. The biggest attraction is the 2.5-inch LCD screen display. What a nice feature that is…Though I have noticed when outside it might be a bit difficult to see your subjects due to the glare…but, that is the reason I wanted a viewfinder! I’m so happy with that feature. The viewfinder is clear and precise and I use it more than the screen when actually taking the pictures.
There are 21 shooting modes depending on your preference of use..I use automatic most of the time but have experimented with a few of the manual modes…These are so easy to access, with the small dial on the top, just turn to the one you want to use…easy to find since there are small icons that are easy to discern and shoot away.
But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.
A few more features I should mention:
The camera is a nice sleek silver, with a lens cover that opens and closes automatically when you turn the camera on. The lens also zooms out automatically…No hunting for a lens cap…I love that! The size of the camera, though not as small as others I’ve seen, is a good size for me, 3 ˝ inches wide and only 2 ˝ inches tall...small enough to put in my purse or carry in a large pocket. It feels lightweight and fits my hand just perfectly. I really do like the way it feels in my hand with a slightly raised grip on the right side to hold onto.
Turning on the camera is a breeze, just press the on/off button on the top of the camera. You can adjust how long you want the display to be on or, if you choose, you can shut it off to save battery power by using the easy to access controls on the back. Just press menu, and use the little toggle switch while following the prompts…Above the toggle switch are two small buttons, one for transferring photos to your printer or computer, the other to erase images you don’t want. Below the toggle are two more small buttons, one to put the display on, the other to adjust your menu…as the menus come up, they also are easy to adjust, you just, once again, have to read what each is for then press function set, the small button in the middle of the toggle switch. As you adjust the menu on the screen it really is self-explanatory just by clicking the little button as it is highlighted on the menu.
Just above the toggle is a small vertical switch that you use for setting up the camera to shoot or to display the pictures you’ve already taken...Just push it up or down for the function you want.
Also on top of the camera, is the button for taking your shot and the switch that adjusts the close up image viewing, just slightly turn the knob to the left or right to see how close you want to shoot.. Between the on/off button and the zoom control is the round switch that you use to control your shots, whether you use the auto control or manual, just turn the switch to the icon that you want to use..on this switch is also the control for shooting video. Another bonus I’m just getting to know and use.
This camera is so compact with all the needed knobs and buttons configured so easily to your hand…I’m amazed at how convenient they are and how so much can be done with this little piece of electronic wizardry. My non-techy brain just boggles at the thought
My poor cats, they were my first experimental subjects...I took pictures of them from every conceivable angle and even took pictures of my hubby sleeping…One thing I did notice immediately was the red eye reduction seemed to work pretty well…unless I shoot a picture directly into one of the cats faces. The shutter lag isn’t too bad either, but there is a lag, about a second or two, so taking rapid action pictures when the flash is on is a bit of a problem at times. Outdoors in natural light that problem seems to be almost nil. I recently took some pictures of Doves at my bird feeder...when they flew away I got some awesome in-flight shots and, just recently, a group of Ibises made a call in my front yard, poking into the grass to find food...They also were a photo op for me, even as they moved about.
The first day I had the camera I went over to a lake where I sometimes walk and took pictures of some ducks, they were so clear you could see each feather. A few days later we had a small storm blow through here, I took some shots of the blowing palm fronds waving in the wind, and took a shot of a bird who took cover under a large leaf …When I downloaded the pictures, and zoomed in on that one, I couldn’t believe the clarity of the rain drops on the leaf itself and on the bird‘s wings. So far, I must say, I was and still am very impressed.
Oh, I forgot to mention, when you set up the camera, you have to download the CD solution disc using the interface cable supplied with the camera, just click the easy installation box and follow the instructions..You have to do this before you connect the camera to the computer…I have found though I like to use my H.P.Photo Printer to upload my pictures rather then connect my camera since all I have to do is put my memory card into the printer slot and my pictures come up so easily that way…I can then download them into files I have on my desktop using a program I have already installed. But looking at the instructions in the book and on the camera, it looks easy use the other way too. The camera comes with an interface cable to connect the computers USP port to the camera’s terminal, located on the side of the camera. You just have to set the camera’s mode switch to playback and turn on the power…then the camera and computer are able to communicate. How very useful.
Erasing the images is also very easy. Just put the switch on playback, the pictures come up one at a time..This is where the digital zoom comes in. You can see each subject as up close as you like, even move them up or down and side to side...if you want to erase a picture just hit the small button above the toggle, then the screen says erase? You then hit erase or cancel, if you change your mind, and press the functions set button in the middle..If you want to erase everything on your memory card you have the ability to do that with one of the modes in the menu display…
Speaking of the menu display, it is like a small computer in and of itself..I can’t really go into each option here but, suffice to say, whether you are using manual or automatic mode there is a menu to use to access all the different choices you have…As I said I usually use the automatic picture mode but have experimented with a few manual options, like night scenes, close up portraits, landscapes and one called "color swap"…I’m still not sure about that one, but you highlight a color which appears against a black and white background. I haven’t successfully printed a picture like that so I don‘t know exactly how that would come out...There’s also "switch mode" for panoramic shots…haven’t done that one either…Another thing I like is when you do switch the mode you are using the screen tells you what mode it is and has images to help set up your picture. Though I still would like to know more about that color swap thing and how to take a picture doing that. The instruction booklet isn’t too clear on that process.
For the professional who wants to set up his own shots, that same switch has all you need to do that. You can change settings, your aperture priority, your shutter speed and the program…wish I could tell you how and what to do with them, but it seems like the controls are there to take care of those options.
Then there’s the video mode...I was astounded the first time I took video of one of my cats walking across the floor and was able to play it back..I had never learned how to do that with my Nikon...I’ve experimented a few more times with video but it uses the memory card up rather quickly so I will buy a special 1 gig memory card for that purpose, as suggested by a friend of mine, then I will have to figure out how to see the video on my computer or TV…I downloaded a short video recently but still haven‘t figured out what to do with it or how to view it.
The camera takes only 2 AA batteries and seems to use them up rather quickly, but that could be because I always leave my screen on and play around with all the controls experimenting with them…My daughter bought me a rechargeable set but I think it’s defective since they never last longer than a few minutes in my camera before the little red light starts blinking on the screen which tells me that they need changing…Regular Duracell seem to work best and last longest..I used one set all day at a party recently and took at least 100 pictures with my display screen on before that little annoying red light came on…
Oh, and you can adjust how big your pictures will be..The smallest setting will give more images, the larger, less. Though I've noticed the clarity in the finished picture is noticeable in all the modes when printing them up…So far, every picture I’ve printed, from 4 by 6 to 8 by 10 have come out beautifully…I usually leave my setting in the medium range
My Pictures
My favorite subjects are my cats and my grand kiddies…ask anyone who sees me at a birthday party and I’m all over the place taking pictures, children’s balloons, bubbles in the air, kids coming down slides and in bounce houses, what fun…Even when they are moving, I have taken some incredible pictures. Some pictures I’ve taken of them swimming are so clear you can even see the water drops on their faces and bodies. One day when they were having a party at My Gym, one of the boys was in a big box surrounded by colorful balls. An adorable little face was the only part of body showing. When I viewed that picture later I was so delighted at the colors and was surprised at just how clear and precise each one was, and that face was a joy to behold. I used my zoom to get as close as possible..It was a perfect shot. At least to me!
The other night I took a picture of my cat sitting on my lap. We were close to a lamp so the automatic flash didn’t go on…I couldn’t believe how clear her eyes looked in the picture, you could see all the shades of green in her eyeball and her whiskers were so defined.. This picture is now my computer desktop wallpaper…I enjoy so much looking at it when I enter my computer room.
Well, I guess that’s it..I hope those of you that are more adapt at cameras than I am will excuse my non-techy approach to this review. I’ve tried to put in my experiences as I’ve found them…I’m the kind of person who experiments without reading the instruction booklet as carefully as maybe I should..though the one that comes with this camera is written in a way that really is not too hard to grasp. Except for that color swap!
Basically I really love this camera and enjoy using it immensely, I found it very easy to use immediately upon removing it from the box and as I’ve progressed to other more advanced uses. I’ve also noticed the price has come down this month and have seen this PowerShot A540 selling at most stores for $199.00... What a perfect gift idea…for anyone, including yourself!
Below I have included some of the specifications taken from the website:
Lens Type Focal Length: 5.8 - 23.2mm (35mm film equivalent: 35 - 140mm)
Interfaces/Ports 1 x USB
1 x Audio/Video Output
1 x DC Power Input
Display Screen 2.5" TFT Color LCD 85 Kilopixels p-Si (PolySilicon)
Batteries 2 x AA Alkaline Included
Effective Resolution 6.0 Megapixels
Standard Warranty 1 Year(s)
Optical Zoom 4x
Viewfinder Type Optical - Real-image Zoom
LCD
Flash Modes- Auto Flash
Auto Flash - with Red-eye Reduction
Flash ON
Flash ON - with Red-eye Reduction
Flash OFF
Storage Media - 1 x 16MB MultiMediaCard (MMC) Included
1 x Secure Digital (SD) Card Supported
Digital Zoom 4x
Total Resolution 6.2 Megapixels
Aspect Ratio 16:9 Widescreen
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 224.00 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
6.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints 4x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display ISO 800 shooting; widescreen (16:...More at Amazon Marketplace
With a full 6.0 megapixels of imaging power and a high-quality 4x optical zoom lens, the super-intuitive PowerShot A540 is ready to produce impressive...More at eBay
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