The PowerShot A310 is equipped with a 5mm f/3.6 (33mm in 35mm format) fixed focal length lens with a 5.1x 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 sliding lens barrier.

The 5-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 2 inches to 7.9 inches. There's a built in focus assist illuminator, see the picture of the flash below.

The built in flash has modes for Auto, Auto Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow-synchro and Forced Off. The working range is 20 cm - 2.0 m (0.67 - 6.7 ft.) when the ISO sensitivity is set to Auto. You'll notice a dark circle in the upper left of the flash, this is the focus assist illuminator that shines an orange colored beam in low-light conditions.

The Inverted Galilean viewfinder shows approximately 80% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The two LEDs on the right indicate focus, flash, and image processing status.

Controls on the back: DISPlay button toggles the color LCD OFF/ON and also controls the amount of data overlayed on the screen. The FUNCtion button gives you access to options for selecting the exposure compensation, white balance, image size, quality, ISO speed and color effects. In playback mode it is the image delete button. The rocker switch controls the zoom, and in playback mode it magnifies the image up to 10x or calls up the index screen. The Playback/ON button enters and exits Playback mode. The MENU button calls up or dismisses the onscreen menu system in both record and playback modes. The 4-way selector allows you to navigate the menu options, pressing the Set button accepts selections. When you are not using the menu system, the Set button also accesses the different shooting modes (Auto, Manual and Stitch assist.)

When using the Manual exposure mode, the 4-way selector is used to change the metering, flash, drive, and focus modes.

On top of the camera is the shutter release button and the Movie / Still record mode switch. You can also see the camera's built-in mic.

The PowerShot A310 has a CompactFlash Type I card slot and is supplied with a 16MB card. There is no ejector button but they have added a 'pinch indent' around the card that makes card removal very easy.

The I/O ports include the DIGITAL (USB 1.1 compatible) port for connection to the host computer's USB port or to a PictBridge compatible printer. There is no VIDEO OUT capabilities. An optional AC adapter, Canon CA-PS800, can be connected to the DC IN port.

Power is supplied by two AA-type batteries. 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. Canon supplies a set of alkaline batteries, but I highly recommend the use of high-capacity NiMH rechargeables which are more environmentally friendly, last longer, and save you money.

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.