| Canon PowerShot A640 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom | ||
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by Canon  Stores images on SD cards; powered by 4 AA-size batteries 3:2 guide masks LCD to display 4 x 6-inch print size; 16:9 format option for still images ISO range up to ISO 800 for less blur in low light while hand-holding 4x optical zoom; 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD display 10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints |
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| From the Manufacturer Replacing the highly popular PowerShot A610, the PowerShot A640 features a rotating 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD, 4x optical zoom lens, and a vast array of creative shooting modes. The PowerShot A640 packs a vast array of advanced features into a remarkably compact space:
The 10.0-megapixel sensor allows for creative cropping while providing enough detail for large, high-quality prints. A new Safety Zoom takes advantage of the camera's high resolution to offer extra zoom magnification without affecting image quality--up to 16x zoom when shooting Small size images. Users can also activate the Digital Teleconverter to add extra telephoto reach on all shots, similar to adding a teleconverter lens to the camera. The 4x optical zoom lens achieves a 35-140mm focal length (35mm equivalent) while allowing the camera to maintain a compact size. The lens construction incorporates 8 elements in 7 groupings, including two aspherical elements to maximize sharpness across the whole image. With a maximum aperture range of f2.8 (wide) to f4.1 (telephoto), the lens is remarkably bright at the telephoto end. ISO 800 mode improves results when shooting in low-light settings and enables flash-free photography indoors. The camera's High ISO Auto setting prioritizes fast shutter speeds by automatically using the higher range of ISO sensitivities, reducing the risk of unwanted image blur. Improved LCD and playback Flexible shooting Filming is also possible at a high standard--VGA quality movies can be captured with sound at a smooth 30 frames per second (fps). The AV-out connection and supplied cable allows for full screen playback on a TV. Full range of accessories Technologies Explained iSAPS 9-Point AiAF FlexiZone AF/AE Digital Teleconverter and Safety Zoom Safety Zoom protects the image from interpolation at high levels of digital zoom, allowing users to extend zoom magnification without sacrificing image quality. What's in the box The only competition is the Canon A630!
First, something that shouldn't matter: it's a darn attractive camera. Yes, it's plastic, but it really does set itself apart from the 8mp A630 in beauty. Like that camera, it is too big to be a shirt-pocket camera, and while better than most compact cameras, the 4x zoom can be beat in length. Using the camera, it has a good weight and feel for average sized hands. The use of AA batteries helps keep the cost down, and has it's own advantages, although some may prefer the longer life charges of Lithium-Ion batteries (I do). General, controls are well thought out and easy to use. The zoom is nice and smooth. For those that prefer an optical viewfinder, Canon is probably the strongest supporter, and this is a better than average viewfinder, although it does not have a diopter adjustment. But you'll probably never use it with the tremendous 2.5" rotary screen. Yes, there are 3" screens on the market, but this dwarfs anything on a hinge! It is a great aid in composing photos at low, high, or other odd angles (photos you simply didn't take before). Another feature that gets high praise is the flex-focus system. Today's AF cameras do a decent job, but occassionally, they just don't hit on the right focus point. With the flex system, you can determine which point to use. This is simply great for crowded rooms or nature photos where the subject may not be the closest item within the focusing areas. Control for this price point is very good indeed. Multiple "scene" modes make it easy for the novice (ok, or sometimes lazy pro), while the semi-auto and manual modes give even experienced users all they need. Like the A630, this camera could have easily been priced $50 to $100 more. The only real competition is the A630, $100 less, 8 meg, and a bit less attractive, more plastic looking silver. Excellent photo quality
I purchased this camera the week it came out. 10Megapixels is overkill today but as with all technology overkill today is outdated tomorrow. I took this camera to a hot-air balloon festival on a sunny day. All but one photograph came out extremely sharp and clear. The only photo that came out with an issue had the sun directly in it and was overexposed (my fault). To me in that one day the camera paid for itself. Great Update!!
I had the canon A620 and I loved it, I wanted more...I got it!!! I bought the A640, its the best camera I've ever tried for a very low price. The only thing you can expect.....Great Quality Pictures!!! Best Digicam on Market Today...
I own a Canon 20d DSLR that is used mainly indoors w/ a fast 28/1.8 prime lens. I use the A640 as my "carry averywhere" camera. It lives in a small backpack w/ all my other daily items like wallet, keys, etc. IQ is nothing short of stunning. Out of camera images are better than the 20d. Really! With fairly good light this camera will not disappoint. I use the manual focus feature often, too. ISO 80 - 400 give perfectly acceptable prints. ISO 800 gets a tad noisy, but if it's exposed properly it's usable, especially when converted to B&W. 10mp allows for plenty of cropping!! I've made some really super large prints with A640 files and my Epson 2400 printer. A640 is an incredible value. If your an artistic-type, street shooter or world traveler you will love the myriad features: macro, manual focus, flip screen, etc. Build is really just great considering price point. A640 black trmped A630 silver for me. Finally, I just tested new Canon G7 today. Don't waste your money on that when you can get the A640 (same camera in many ways, better in some ways). I Love this camera!
Ordered it thru Amazon. I had purchased the Nikon P1 and was unhappy with it so I ordered this one and Whew, I'm glad I did. I love it. It's a little larger than the P1 but I love the fact I can change the batteries just by adding some AA's. After all, what Mom doesn't carry extra AA batteries around with her? No need for a separate charger to forget when going on vacation. I love the fact I can move the LCD screen to take photos and see at different angles. Every parent needs a camera like this one. I highly recommend it. BEST CAMERA IVE EVER OWNED!
THIS CAMERA I HAVE TO SAY IS PRETTY AWESOME!I JUST RECEIVED IT TODAY.IM SOO GLAD I BOUGHT IT..I WAS A LITTLE UNDECIDED BUT AFTER READING SEVERAL REVIEWS ABOUT THIS CAMERA I FIGURED WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY. THERE WAS NOT ONE NEGATIVE REVIEW ABOUT THIS CAMERA.(^_^) AND NOW I SEE WHY. I STILL HAVE TO GO OVER THE MANUAL OFCOURSE JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE YOU BUY, RIGHT?JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO I HAD BOUGHT THE HP R927 AND ILL TELL YOU I WASNT SATISFIED. I IT HAD A GLARE ACROSS THE SCREEN WHEN IT WAS TAKEN OUTSIDE.VERY VERY HAPPY NOW! =) Good camera for everyday users, not perfect
I have been a Canon camera fan for years, my first SLR was a Canon, and so I was excited about 10 MP in a consumer-grade camera from Canon. After one week of average usage, here are the highs and lows. BTW, my frame of reference is my Canon G5. Highs- *- Incredible battery life. The camera comes with four alkaline (no name) batteries. I have taken more than 220 pictures and 30 minutes of video using the original batteries. *- 10 MP captures everything! At first, the pictures looked "off" somehow. Then I realized the level of detail in the pictures is just amazing. *- The screen is excellent. It is bright, and big, tilts to every angle, and frames the entire picture, and, and, and.... Very impressive. *- Video capture 640 x 480 @ 30 fps is phenomenal. The video clips are as good as any basic camcorder. *- The camera is light yet feels well built. The lens moves smoothly, the dial clicks into each position, etc. The compartment doors do concern me (see below). *- USB 2.x picture transfer is very fast @ about 2.5 min for 1 Gig of data. *- The camera supports 4GB SD cards, maybe larger. *- A610 and A 620 accessories work with the A640. I purchased a lens adapter and a few 52mm filters to refine my pictures. The lens adapter is not the plastic one from Canon it is a metal generic from Sakar. Everything works well and fits correctly. Lows- ** This unit only, I hope, records a high pitch squeal in video mode. My replacement camera is on the way. The sound does not affect the quality of the images in the video clips. [Updated for replacement camera- There is a less noticeable noise in the background audio of movie clips taken with the new camera. The sound does not drown out the movie clip audio like it did with the first camera, but it is still there. I now suspect this has something to do with the camera's "mono" microphone.] ** The camera stops recording video at 1 Gig. In 640 x 480 @ 30 fps mode, this is just over 9 minutes. So, there is a video limit though I could not find this data before I purchased the camera. I did read about a "One hour" limit somewhere but that would have to be in 320 x 240 @ 15 fps or "Compact" video mode to stay below the 1 gig limit. Also worth noting, 640 x 480 @ 15 fps video mode looks great and can record almost 20 minutes before reaching the 1 Gig limit. ** When the camera stops video recording at 1 gig, you cannot transfer the file from the camera via the USB connection. Removing the SD card and putting it in a SD reader is the only way to get the video onto your PC. For the technically frumpy, my PC is running Win XP 2 (SP 2) so this is not a file size issue for the PC. ** The battery and USB compartment doors feel like they might break at some point. Opening the battery door requires a dual action slide lock then slide door that is not intuitive. ** The picture control functions and the camera operating menus require reading, or lots of experimentation. I had a good frame of reference since my last camera was a Canon, but I remember the learning curve and it applies to the A640 too. Overall- I am quite happy with this camera. For around 300 dollars, it would be hard to find a more versatile unit. Moreover, it has a Canon lens. Not to be obvious, but good pictures require good lenses, no matter the megapixels or other marketing goop. There are other good lenses, but when you buy a Canon, you do not have to ask who made the lens. Canon Powershot A640
Great camera, Great features, Has a nice feel to it like older SLR's ,yet not too big and bulky. Resolution is excellent and advance features are plenty. Make sure to get a least 1GB card better yet I got the 2GB. I am very happy with this product. Canon does it right. Best camera I ever owned
I bought a Cannon PowerShot A640 last week and already have taken over 100 pictures with it. It is easy to use, the Auto mode does everything. The picture quality is outstanding and the detail in Zoom mode is impresive. This camera has far exceeded my expectations as to the quality and ease of use. I like the fact that it uses AA batteries which are readily available. My first digital camera was Sony and after 2 years I discovered that the battery was propriatary and no longer available. It also has a natural feel in your hand, Not too big and not too small. Chuck Hoopes York, Pa. CANON A-640
MY LAST CAMERA WAS A CANON A-300 IT WAS A VERY GOOD, THEN I WENT AND GOT THE POWER SHOT A-640 AND I JUST LOVE IT IT IS THE BEST CAMERA FOR THE PRICE AND EVERYONE SHOULD GET ONE DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON OTHER CAMERAS UNLESS YOU ARE GOING FOR A REAL PRO CAMERA. IT IS VERY EASY TO USE. TOO ME ALL THE OTHER CAMERA'S ARE A WASTE OF MONEY WHEN YOU CAN HAVE 10 MP X4 OPTICAL ZOOM.THANK YOU JUST BUY IT YOU WILL BE HAPPY YOU DID..... Liked it until it proved defective, replacement on its way.
***THIS WAS NOT AN ISSUE OF PRESSING THE DISPLAY BUTTON*** ***The screen was ON but black*** If this review is editable. I will edit it after I get and test the replacement. I loved the camera for the three days it worked. Any issues I had with it were likely due to my inexperience. But on the third day it went black while I was using it. I never dropped it or banged it or anything. I was siting and photographing a tea ceremony. The menu still worked and I could see old pictures and the mechanical stuff seemed to work, but for new pics--nothing. I turned it off and on and it was fine for a few minutes and then went black again and stayed this way. I have no idea why. The only advise I got from canon was to hit Reset All which unfortunately didn't work. I told amazon and they apologized profusely and have a replacement speeding towards me at two day shipping. I also just had to print out a return label for the defective camera so I don't have to pay return shipping. All I really lose is three days or so of camera use and a fair amount of confidence in the product's durability. So for now two stars for the camera but five stars for Amazon, who are the nicest online retailer I've dealt with. Awesome camera
This camera is awesome. There are just so many options to play with. I love the fact that you can flip the screen out and take pictures of yourself. You can also take pictures from your computer. Hooking your camera straight to the TV and watching the picture and videos you made is awesome. I'm very statisfied, and the price was outstanding. 10 MP is overkill for me, but it's nice to have it there. The hard black plastic body is very strong and scratch resistant. Having the double A batteries is a plus for traveling. nice!
This is my first ever digital camera, but I did my research and I think I knew pretty much what I was getting into. The only reason I didn't give this camera 5 stars is it's less-than-stellar performance in low-light situations, and when the ISO was set 800. I knew about these problems before hand though so I can't complain too much. I love the pivoting lcd screen, it lets me shoot from all different angles, and also do self-portraits. If I could've found this exact camera with image-stablization, I would've paid extra, but in the end I had to make a trade-off, megapixels, and pivoting screen were more important to me. Wasnt Impressed
Every person I took a photo of had red-eye, even with the red-eye reduction on. This was completely unacceptable to me and I returned the camera. I also found the flash to be inadaquate in many situations. Outdoor shots were nice though. I have owned 4 Canon Digital Cameras and this was the most disappointing to me personally. I have replaced this with the Canon XTI and am very happy so far. The extra cost is well worth it to me. | ||