Canon Powershot A2000 IS Review

The A2000 IS features a 6X (36-216mm in the 35mm format) f/3.2-5.9 all-glass aspherical zoom lens. When the camera is powered down the lens is retracted inside of the body and a built in cover closes to completely protect the glass of the lens.

With Canon's Optical Image Stabilization technology (OIS), users have the flexibility of actually shooting at shutter speeds 2-3 stops lower than would otherwise be possible. This camera features multi-mode Image Stabilization - users can choose between Continuous IS (always active), Panning IS (active when vertical camera shake is detected) and a "Shoot Only" IS mode (active when the shutter is pressed all the way.)

An advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system permits the camera to automatically select the primary subject even when off-center. The focusing range is:

• Normal: 1.6 ft./50cm-infinity
• Macro: 0.39 in.-1.6 ft./1-50cm (W)
  

In low light conditions the focus-assist lamp helps to illuminate the subject for accurate focusing.

The built in flash offers Auto, Forced On, Forced Off, and Red-Eye Reduction. Flash range is 12. in. (30cm) - 11 ft. (3.5m) in wide angle, 12 in. (30cm) - 7.0 ft. (2.0m) in telephoto (using ISO Auto).

On the top you'll find the On/Off button, the shutter release with the zoom lens control lever mounted around it, and the Mode Dial. In playback mode the zoom lever functions as the index and magnified image control. The Mode Dial with positions for: Program, Auto, Easy, Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Special Scene (Night Scene, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, ISO 3200), and Movie.

See the next page for more information about the various Record modes.

The Powershot A2000 IS features a large 3-inch LCD with 230,000 pixels of resolution. It is used for framing shots, reviewing stored images as well as menu operations.

Controls on the back: At the top right is the Play / Record switch and the built-in speaker. The Print/Share button speeds and simplifies printing to Direct Print and PictBridge compliant printers, as well as transferring images to your PC. It can also be programmed to control one of many features that does not already have a shortcut. The 4-way controller seen here is used to navigate menus and select images during playback, the FUNC./SET button accepts menu selections. In record mode you press "Up" to change ISO settings, "Down" select burst mode or the timer, "Left" selects the macro focus and "Right" changes the flash settings. The FUNCtion/SET button also calls up the Function shortcut menu. This gives access to many settings such as: exposure compensation, white balance, My Colors, image quality, and image size. The DISPlay button turns the color LCD on/off and controls the amount of data displayed on it. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu screens.

The I/O ports: AV Out handles monaural audio and video to connect to a TV set with the supplied cable.

The DIGITAL port connects USB 2.0 (high-speed) to the computer for download and camera control with the RemoteCapture software. It also allows for Direct printing to any PictBridge compatible printer, Canon Card Photo Printer or Bubblejet Direct photo printers.

DC INput jack for an optional AC power supply.

The Powershot A2000 IS is equipped with a card slot that supports use of SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC+, and HC MMC+ memory cards. Canon supplies a 32MB SD card with the camera. Shown here with an OCZ 4GB SDHC card - see the tables below for the approximate storage capacity.

Approx. Storage Capacities

Number of Recordable Images

Large (L) Medium 1 (M1) Medium 2 (M2) SF F N SF F N SF F N File Size (KB) 4,332 2,565 1,226 2,720 1,620 780 2,002 1,116 556 32MB 6 11 23 10 17 37 14 26 52 2GB 448 749 1,536 714 1,181 2,363 960 1,707 3,235 8GB 1,792 2,994 6,140 2,855 4,723 9,446 3,837 6,822 12,927   Medium 3 (M3) Small (S) Widescreen (W) SF F N SF F N SF F N File Size (KB) 1,002 558 278 249 150 84 3,243 1,920 918 32MB 29 52 99 111 171 270 8 15 31 2GB 1,862 3,235 6,146 6,830 10,245 15,368 596 1,007 2,048 8GB 7,442 12,927 24,562 27,291 40,937 61,406 2,384 4,026 8,187

Time of Recordable Movies

Standard, Color Accent, Color Swap Compact 640 x 480 320 x 240 160 x 120 30 fps 30 fps LP 30 fps 15 fps 32MB 15 sec. 30 sec. 43 sec. 3 min. 30 sec. 2GB 16 min. 47 sec. 33 min. 02 sec. 46 min. 33 sec. 3 hr. 24 min. 54 sec. 8GB 1 hr. 07 min. 06 sec. 2 hr. 12 min. 03 sec. 3 hr. 06 min. 04 sec. 13 hr. 38 min. 45 sec.

The camera may be powered by two standard AA-type batteries, alkaline or NiMH (nickel metal hydride). Canon claims with AA Alkaline batteries you can capture approx. 240 shots (LCD On), and 540 minutes of continuous playback time. With NiMH cells Canon claims approx. 500 shots (LCD on), and 660 minutes of continuous playback time. Check out our NiMH rechargeable battery page for more info on NiMH battery types.

Canon also offers a battery and charger kit CBK4-300 (about $58) which includes both a charger unit and four rechargeable AA-size NiMH batteries. The A2000 IS can also be powered by the AC Adapter Kit ACK800 (about $49) for unlimited runtime from your wall outlet.