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May 03, 2007
[ REVIEW — CANON POWERSHOT A450 ]
Price: $200
Recommended
The low-down: This is Canon’s cheapest digital camera. It has a 5 megapixel sensor and a 38–122mm (film equivalent) zoom lens. It has a small (50mm) LCD screen and, surprisingly at this price, a useful optical viewfinder. The camera is chunky, a little larger than a credit card and 40mm thick so it is only for a bulky jacket pocket. The camera is well made and doesn’t look cheap. It tends to overexpose under even light but it has Canon’s wonderful Function set that makes exposure correction easy. It also puts other important controls such as ISO speed and image resolution within easy reach. You don’t have to dig in the menus. Focus is quick and accurate and white balance is good. Power is by two AA NiMH batteries which are not supplied. Canon claims 400 shots per charge
Like: This may be Canon’s least expensive camera but it comes with comprehensive, printed user manuals, one basic and the other detailed. We wish that all makers would follow the lead here instead of saving a few cents by providing the manual on disc.
Dislike: The A450 images are noisy. At ISO 200 it is bordering on unusable. ISO 80 and 100 are acceptable but we reckon that 200 ought to be usable on any camera. The images cleaned up well in a noise reduction program but we don’t think that anyone buying an entry camera is going to know about that sort of esoteric software.
Parting shot: This camera is hard to assess. 5 megapixels for $200 would have been unthinkable two years ago, so we have to take that into consideration. Used carefully the results are good but not brilliant. But if you want brilliant you buy a more expensive camera. The question to ask may be: How quickly will you grow out of the A450? If you are serious about photography then $200 could be money wasted because you will soon want to replace it. But if you are the occasional recorder of family picnics then this will do the job.
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Posted by terry at May 3, 2007 01:20 AM
Worth Checking Out
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Comments
Made 100 shots with one pair of supplied batteries. Takes a long time to recharge the blitz if battery life is too low. Also, it doesn't show a battery meter, only a warning if level is low. However I managed to take 20 or 30 pics before the camera shut off completely, by continuously turning off the screen between shots.
Completely unusable during night-time-shooting, perhaps only if a more powerful blitz is attached. However it takes sharp pictures during daytime, even in the limelight.
The software is pretty good, though it took me a bit to figure out why the computer didn't detect the device: it had to be set to browsing, not shooting. Also, DC adapter is not included, so be prepared to sell your house to buy batteries, or buy rechargeables. Good camera for its price range, makes learning easy :D
Posted by: Alex at July 28, 2007 08:34 PM