Canon Powershot A20 Review

The PowerShot A20 is equipped with a 5.4-16.2mm f/2.8-4.8 (35-105mm in 35mm format) 3x zoom lens with a 2.5x digital zoom. The all-glass lens is designed with 9 elements in 7 groups, including one aspherical element. When powered down, the lens retracts and is protected by a builtin lens cap.

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.

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.

The Wide Conversion Lens (WC-DC52) when attached to the A10 or A20, creates a wide angle effect equivalent to 24.5mm (35mm format).

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.

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.

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!

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.