Canon Powershot A460 Review

Click to take a QTVR tour of the A460

The new PowerShot A460 digital camera features 5.0-megapixels of resolution with a 4x optical zoom lens and a 2.0-inch LCD screen, up from 4.0 megapixels and a 1.8-inch LCD screen on last year's PowerShot A430. This new model also incorporates Canon's renowned DIGIC II image processor, which delivers superb image quality, fast performance, and excellent battery life. Additional features include an optical viewfinder and compatibility with MMC, SD and SDHC memory cards.

The PowerShot A460 digital camera comes equipped with eight Special Scene modes, including Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Indoor, Kids & Pets, and Night Snapshot. The My Colors functions offers "cool" photo effect, including Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, and Black & White and Custom color modes. What's more, the PowerShot A460 is capable of recording VGA movies with sound for those times when a still picture simply can't capture the moment.

The PowerShot A460 can deliver high-resolution images without requiring users to exert additional effort. The A460 uses Canon's AiAF "Smart" autofocus system with Canon's patented iSAPS intelligent scene analysis algorithm to determine optimum settings for focusing, exposure and white balance. The user simply snaps the shot with the push of a button.

Named for their use of AA batteries, Canon's A-series digital cameras offer easy-to-use, high quality features to consumers looking to capture, save and share meaningful memories, personal milestones and family functions. The PowerShot A460 uses only two AA batteries, yet captures up to 400 shots according to CIPA standards with the LCD screen on when using rechargeable NiMH batteries.

Like all PowerShot digital cameras, the A460 works seamlessly with Canon's petite SELPHY Compact Photo Printers such as the SELPHY CP510, CP710 and CP600 models - press the lighted Print/Share button, and within 58 seconds, images emerge. At 28 cents-per-print, printing photos directly from a digital camera is both easy and affordable.

Powershot A460 Features:

• 5.0 Megapixel CCD imager and 4x optical zoom lens
• Widescreen option, create images and movies that are ideal for 16:9 viewing
• 2.0" color LCD display and optical viewfinder
• Advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system with focus-assist lamp
• Program AE automatic, 8 Scene and a Manual exposure mode
• Movie mode w/sound 640x480/320x240 (1GB max per clip)
• Continuous shooting at 1.5fps to the capacity of the memory card
• Evaluative, Center-weighted average or Spot metering
• Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
• White Balance: Auto, 5 presets or Custom
• My Colors: Vivid Color, Neutral, Sepia, B&W, and Custom color
• Shutter speeds of 15 to 1/2000 second
• Selectable ISO settings from 80 to 400
• Runs on two standard AA type batteries
• Direct print and PictBridge Compliant
• USB 2.0 connectivity for PC and Mac
• Secure Digital/MMC card storage, 16MB MMC supplied

The PowerShot A460 digital camera will be available mid-February and will carry and estimated selling price of US$149.99. The digital camera kit includes a USB cable, an audio/video cable, a wrist strap, a 16MB MultiMediaCard and AA-size alkaline batteries as well as the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 30, featuring the latest versions of Canon's powerful software.

5.4 (W) - 21.6 (T) mm (35 mm film equivalent: 38 - 152 mm)
f/2.8 (W) - f/5.8 (T)