Canon Powershot A560 Review

Click to take a QTVR tour of the A560

The 7.1 megapixel PowerShot A560 includes nearly all of the imaging advances of the PowerShot A570 IS digital camera. Like its image stabilized A-series sibling, the A560 digital camera features a smooth 4x (35mm-140mm equivalent) zoom lens and a bright 2.5-inch LCD screen. Its comfortable construction and large handgrip secure the camera firmly into the user's hand, while its automatic, intuitive features make it a snap to use under virtually any shooting conditions. Users can also capture great photos in often difficult low- light circumstances, due in large part to the pairing of the camera's fast (f/2.6 - f/5.5) lens, it's top-end high sensitivity settings (as high as ISO 1600) and of course, the high-performance DIGIC III image processor.

Formidable yet user-friendly, the PowerShot A560 maintains the high quality and high affordability factors that PowerShot A-Series cameras have come to represent. The A560 accommodates MultiMedia MMC memory cards as well as standard SD memory cards and the new, high capacity SDHC memory cards.

Like all PowerShot digital cameras, these newest additions to the A-series work seamlessly with Canon's petite compact photo printers to deliver stunning high quality borderless prints. Consumers simply connect their PowerShot digital camera to a Canon compact photo printer -- such as the SELPHY CP730 or PIXMA mini260 models. Press the bright blue Print/Share button, and within moments2, a brilliant, borderless 4x6-inch print begins to emerge. It is that simple. Canon's compact Photo Printers are PictBridge compatible, so they work with PictBridge enabled digital cameras to provide users with excellent image quality and ease-of-use, especially when paired with a Canon digital camera.

As one of Microsoft's Premier Launch Partners, Canon is proud to announce that all PowerShot cameras announced in 2007 are Certified for Windows Vista according to Microsoft standards, without any extra downloads or upgrades. Additionally, all current models are fully compatible with other operating systems including Windows XP and Mac OS X (Versions 10.2 - 10.4).

Powershot A560 Features:

• 7.1 Megapixel CCD imager for up to poster size prints
• 4x optical 35-140mm f/2.6-5.5 zoom, 4x digital zoom
• 2.5" color LCD with up to 10x playback zoom
• Advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system
• Canon's new Face Detection AF/AE/FE technology
• Auto, Manual, and 11 Pre-programmed creative scene modes for beginners
• Movie mode w/sound, 640x480 / 320x240 up to 4GB, 160x120 up to 3 minutes
• 1.7fps Continuous burst capture of Large/Fine images
• Evaluative metering on focus point, Center-weighted or Spot options
• Stitch Assist mode for perfect panoramas
• Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
• White Balance: Auto, 5 presets or Custom
• Orientation sensor that automatically detects vertical or horizontal shooting
• Low-light focus assist illuminator
• Light-guide zoom flash, angle changes with focal length
• Optional High-Power Flash HF-DC1
• Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/2000 second
• Selectable ISO settings from 80 to 1600
• Voice memo (up to 60 secs) can be attached to images
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Powered by two standard AA type batteries
• Direct print and PictBridge Compatible
• USB 2.0 high speed connectivity for PC and Mac
• Secure Digital/SDHC memory cards, 16MB supplied

In stores now, the camera includes two standard AA alkaline batteries, a 16MB MMC memory card, a USB interface cable, an AV cable, a wrist strap, and Canon's software suite at an estimated selling price of US$229.99 -