Canon Powershot A75 Review

By: Steve's Digicams

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Canon PowerShot A75

Review posted 3/21/04



Click to take a QTVR tour of the A75


The 3.2 megapixel PowerShot A75 can capture images at resolutions of 2048x1536, 1600x1200, 1024x768, 640x480, and Postcard(1600x1200) which is a special 3:2 ratio mode for making 4x6 in. prints. Both the PowerShot A75 and the PowerShot A70 incorporate numerous high-end features including a 3x optical zoom lens, the A75 has a 9-point AiAF autofocus system instead of the 5-point AiAF found on the A70, close focus to 2-inches, and a full range of exposure modes including Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual and several pre-programmed Scene modes.

New for the A75 is an additional Special Scene mode that optimizes image quality for six common shooting conditions: Indoors, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, and Underwater. The camera is also equipped with an orientation sensor that automatically detects vertical or horizontal shooting and correctly positions the image when playing back on the camera's monitor or using Canon software. The A75 is compatible with the optional WP-DC30 Waterproof Housing good to depths of 130 feet, as well as supplementary wide- angle, telephoto and macro converters for added flexibility (all of the conversion Lens require the Adapter LA-DC52C for mounting to the camera).

Canon's proprietary DIGIC (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) chip processor, introduced in 2003, combines the roles of image processing and camera function control into one chip resulting in faster display, write times for each image, and lower power consumption. It handles nearly every digital camera function including JPEG compression/expansion; memory card control; LCD/Video control and processing; gain control (control of CCD signal amplification); Auto Exposure; Auto Focus; Auto White Balance control and most other functions of the camera. This allows the A75 to record movies with sound for up to 30 seconds at 640x480 or up to 3 minutes at 320x240.

Canon has also upgraded a number of features over their predecessor models, including the new Print/Share button that speeds and simplifies printing to Direct Print and PictBridge compatible printers and one-touch image transfer to Windows XP, Me, 2000, and 98 computers. When the camera is connected to a printer or computer, the Print/Share button illuminates to let the user know to press the Print/Share button to begin the printing/transferring process. Canon's new Direct Transfer function offers users five options to download images to Windows computers covering everything from all images, all new images, user-selected images, images selected for batch printing, and even a create Windows Wallpaper setting.

Over the past 68 years, Canon has accumulated a vast amount of photographic data and know-how and used it to create some of the most innovative camera products in the marketplace. Now, using that same data and know-how, Canon has developed an exclusive technology called iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) that can predict certain camera settings such as focusing distance, exposure and optimum white balance based on zoom focal length, overall light level and tonal distribution data. Canon refers to this collective data as "Photographic Space." By incorporating iSAPS technology into its PowerShot line, the cameras can analyze a scene just before the image is made and in doing so, increase the speed and precision of the camera's autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance.


PowerShot A75 Features:

  • 3.2 Megapixel CCD imager for up to 2048x1536 pixel images
  • New Postcard(1600x1200) mode with 3:2 ratio for making 4x6" prints
  • 3x optical 35-105mm f/2.8-4.8 zoom, 3.2x digital zoom
  • 1.8" color LCD with up to 10x playback zoom
  • Compact and durable body with an aluminum clad front
  • Advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system
  • Program AE, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority and Manual modes
  • Movie mode w/sound, 640x480 for up to 30secs, 320x240 up to 3 minutes
  • 2.2fps Continuous exposure mode
  • Evaluative metering on focus point, Center-weighted or Spot
  • Stitch Assist mode for perfect panoramas
  • Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
  • White Balance: Auto, 5 presets or Custom
  • Photo Effects: Low Sharpening, Vivid Color, Neutral, Sepia and B&W
  • New Special Scene mode for shooting six common shooting conditions
  • Orientation sensor that automatically detects vertical or horizontal shooting
  • Low-light focus assist illuminator
  • Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/2000 second
  • Selectable ISO settings from 50 to 400
  • Voice memo (up to 60 secs) can be attached to images
  • Built-in microphone and speaker
  • Powered by standard AA type batteries
  • Direct print and PictBridge Compatible
  • USB connectivity for PC and Mac
  • Optional WP-DC30 Waterproof Case




Physical Views



Canon PowerShot A75

Canon PowerShot A75

Canon PowerShot A75Canon PowerShot A75

Canon PowerShot A75

Canon PowerShot A75





Canon PowerShot A75

The A75 compared to an average CD disc.





Canon PowerShot A75

The PowerShot A75 and SD110 Digital ELPH for size comparison.





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PowerShot A75 Specifications

Camera Effective Pixels Approx. 3.2 million
Image Sensor 1/2.7-inch CCD (Total number of pixels: Approx. 3.3 million)
Lens

5.4 (W) - 16.2 (T) mm (35 mm film equivalent: 35 - 105 mm)
f/2.8 (W) - f/4.8 (T)

Digital Zoom Approx. 3.2x (Up to approx. 10x in combination with the optical zoom)
Optical Viewfinder Real-image zoom viewfinder
LCD Monitor 1.8-inch TFT color LCD, approx. 118,000 pixels
AF System TTL autofocus
Focus lock available
Focusing frame: 9-point AiAF/1-point AF (Fixed to center)
Shooting Distance (from the front of the lens)
Normal AF: 46 cm (18.1 in.) - infinity
Macro AF: 5 - 46 cm (2.0 in. - 1.5 ft.) (W)/
26 - 46 cm (10 in. - 1.5 ft.) (T)
Manual focus: 5 cm (2.0 in.) - infinity (W)/
26 cm (10 in.) - infinity (T)
Shutter Mechanical shutter + electronic shutter
Shutter Speeds
15 - 1/2000 sec.
15 - 1.3 sec. or slower shutter speeds are available in Shutter-speed priority mode or Manual mode.
Slow shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. or slower operate with noise reduction.
Light Metering System Evaluative, Center-weighted average or Spot
Exposure Control System Program AE/Shutter-speed priority AE/Aperture-priority AE/Manual exposure control
Exposure Compensation ± 2 stops in 1/3-stop increments
Sensitivity Auto, ISO 50/100/200/400 equivalent
White Balance Auto, pre-set (available settings: Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H) or custom
Built-in Flash Auto*, on*, off, Slow synchro
* Red-eye reduction is available.
Flash Range
Normal: 46 cm - 4.2 m (18 in. - 14 ft.) (W)
46 cm - 2.5 m (18 in. - 8.2 ft.) (T)
Macro: 26 - 46cm (10 in. - 1.5 ft.) (W/T)
(ISO speed set to Auto)
Shooting Modes
Auto
Creative zone: Program, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, Manual
Image zone: Portrait, Landscape, Night scene, Fast shutter, Slow shutter, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater and Indoor), Stitch assist and Movie
Continuous Shooting
Approx. 2.2 shots/sec.
(Large/Fine mode, LCD monitor off)
Self-timer Activates shutter after an approx. 2-sec./approx. 10-sec. delay
PC-controlled Shooting Available (USB connection only. Exclusive software program is included in the camera kit.)
Recording Media CompactFlashTM (CF) card (Type I)
File Format Design rule for camera file system and DPOF compliant
Image Recording Format
Still images: JPEG (Exif 2.2)*1
Movies: AVI (Image data: Motion JPEG; Audio data: WAVE (monaural))
Compression Superfine, Fine, Normal
Number of Recording Pixels
Still images:
Large: 2048 x 1536 pixels
Medium 1: 1600 x 1200 pixels
Medium 2: 1024 x 768 pixels
Small: 640 x 480 pixels
Movies:
640 x 480 pixels (Approx. 30 sec.)*2
320 x 240 pixels (approx. 3 min.)
160 x 120 pixels (approx. 3 min.)
Approx. 15 frames/second
The data in parentheses refer to the maximum movie length per shooting.
Playback Modes Single (histogram displayable), Index (9 thumbnail images), Magnified (approx. 10x (max.) in LCD monitor), Auto play or Sound memos (up to 60 sec.).
Direct Print Canon Direct Print/Bubble Jet Direct/PictBridge compatible
My Camera Settings The start-up image, start-up sound, shutter sound, operation sound and self-timer sound can be customized using the following methods:
1. Using the images and sounds recorded on the camera.
2. Using downloaded data from your computer using the supplied software.
Interface USB (mini-B, PTP [Picture Transfer Protocol]) Audio/Video output (NTSC or PAL selectable, monaural audio)
Power Source
AA-size alkaline batteries (included in the camera kit)
AA-size rechargeable NiMH batteries (sold separately)
AC Adapter Kit ACK600 (sold separately)
Operating Temperature 0 - 40 degrees C (32 - 104 degrees F)
Operating Humidity 10 - 90 %
Dimensions 101.0 x 64.0 x 31.5 mm (4.0 x 2.5 x 1.2 in.) (excluding protrusions)
Weight Approx. 200 g (7.1 oz.) (camera body only)
(W): Wide-angle end, (T): Telephoto end
*1 : This digital camera supports Exif 2.2 (also called "Exif Print"). Exif Print is a standard for enhancing the communication between digital cameras and printers. By connecting to an Exif Print-compliant printer, the camera's image data at the time of shooting is used and optimized, yielding extremely high quality prints.
*2 : Recording time obtained when using the FC-32MH CF card (included with the camera) or the separately sold FC-256MH or FC-512MSH CF card (not sold in some regions).
All data is based on Canon's testing standard. Subject to change without notice.


Package Contents (U.S./N. America)

  • Digital Camera
  • Wrist Strap
  • 4-AA alkaline batteries
  • CompactFlash (CF) Card 32MB
  • Case for CompactFlash Card
  • AV Cable AVC-DC300
  • USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
  • Digital Camera Solution Disk (CD-ROM)
  • ArcSoft Camera Suite Disk (CD-ROM)
  • User Guides




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