Canon Powershot A20 Review



Features & Controls
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The three point AiAF focusing system works from 2.5 ft. to infinity in normal mode and
from 6.3 in. to 2.5 ft. in wideangle macro and 10.2 in. to 2.5 ft. in telephoto macro.
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The conversion Lens
Adapter (LA-DC52) is required for use with the wide angle adapter. In addition, the
camera's will also accept Canon's 250D close-up lens along with any 52mm filter for
special effects.
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The Wide Conversion Lens (WC-DC52) when attached to the A10 or
A20, creates a wide angle effect equivalent to 24.5mm (35mm format).
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The real image optical zoom viewfinder is large and bright with central focusing marks.
It shows approximately 85% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The
two LEDs indicate focus and flash status.
![]() The controls on the back are minimal but effective. When in record mode the SET button selects the flash mode (auto, redeye, on, off, slow-sync), the LEFT button selects the drive mode (single, continuous or selftimer), the RIGHT button selects the focus mode (normal, macro, landscape). If you're in Manual record the "+/- WB" allows you to set an EV compensation value (+/- 2.0 in 0.3EV steps) or select the desired white balance (auto, sunny, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent or B&W). The MENU button calls up the onscreen menu in record or playback (see the next two pages) and you navigate the options with the LEFT or RIGHT buttons and accept selections with the SET button. The DISPLAY button turns the color LCD on/off and also controls the amount of data overlayed on the screen.
The Mode Dial lets you select Play, Auto Record, Manual Record or Stitch Assist mode
for recording panoramas.
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The zoom control button operates the motorized zoom when in Record mode and also serves
as the Index and Zoom control when the camera is in Playback mode.
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The PowerShot A20 has a CompactFlash Type I card slot and Canon supplies an 8MB card.
There is an ejector button below the card that makes changing the card very easy but
be ready to catch the card if it's pointed downward!
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The I/O ports include the DIGITAL port for connection to the host computer's USB port or
to the Canon CP-10 Card Printer. The VIDEO OUT
port lets you connect the camera to a television set for playback, the format is user
selectable for NTSC or PAL. An optional AC adapter can be connected to the DC IN port.
![]() Unlike most of Canon's other compact cameras the A20 is powered by four AA type batteries. A set of alkaline batteries are supplied but I highly recommend the use of high-capacity NiMH rechargeables. The internal clock data and camera settings are maintained by a CR2016 lithium battery that is located next to the CF card door. |
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