Canon Powershot A200 Review

The PowerShot A200 is equipped with a 5mm f/2.8 (39mm in 35mm format) fixed focal length lens with a 4x digital zoom. The all-glass lens is designed with 5 elements in 5 groups , including one aspherical element. The lens is not threaded for any accessories to screw into. When powered down, the lens is protected by a built in lens cap.

The three point AiAF focusing system (or user-selectable Center AF point) works from 7.9in. to infinity in normal mode and in Macro its focus range is 2in. to 7.9in.

The real image optical zoom viewfinder is large and bright with central focusing marks. It shows approximately 80% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The two LEDs indicate focus and flash status.

The controls on the back are plentiful but simple as soon as you use them. When in record mode the DISPlay button toggles the rear color LCD between OFF/ON and also controls the amount of data overlayed on the screen. The trash can control allows for deleting an image during playback or review. zoom rocker switch digitally zooms in and back and in play it magnifies the image up to 10x, To the top right is the play mode activating button that operates even if front power is not on. The MENU button calls up the onscreen menus 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. If not in a menu and in record the SET button accesses the shooting modes (Auto, Manual and stitch assist).

If in the Manual shooting mode the up arrow on the 4 way navigation control allows the setting of exposure compensation (+/- 2.0 in 0.3EV steps), white balance (auto, sunny, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent or B&W) or Photo Effect modes. If in Auto shooting mode the left arrow toggles the macro mode, reight arrow toggles through the flash modes and the down arrow activates self timer. In Manual mode the left arrow also activates the Landscape focus mode, the down arrow also accesses the continious mode.

The record power switch is the lever next to the lens that operates the mecanical lens cover. The second push down on the power lever changes from record still to record movie. Lifting up on the switch powers down any record mode.

The PowerShot A200 has a CompactFlash Type I card slot and Canon supplies an 8MB card. There is no ejector button but they have added a 'pinch indent' around the card that makes card removal very easy.

The batteries are housed under the same door as the CF card with a latched inner door that keeps the batteries in place when opening the outer door. Unlike most of Canon's other compact cameras the A200 is powered by two AA type batteries. A set of alkaline batteries are supplied but I highly recommend the use of high-capacity NiMH rechargeables which are more environmentally friendly.

The internal clock data and camera settings are maintained by a CR2016 lithium 'button' battery that is located to the left of the rear LCD.

The I/O ports include the DIGITAL (USB 1.1 compatible) port for connection to the host computer's USB port or to the Canon CP-10 Card Printer or the Canon CP-100 4x6 Printer. There is no VIDEO OUT port that would let you connect the camera to a television set for playback. An optional AC adapter, Canon CA-PS800, can be connected to the DC IN port.