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Canon Powershot A95 Review

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Canon Powershot A95

Review posted 8/19/2004


Click to take a QuickTime VR tour of the Canon Powershot A95
Click to take a QTVR tour of the A95


The PowerShot A95 is the 5-megapixel "big brother" of the PowerShot A80. The A95 includes many features found in Canon's higher end S and G series cameras, offering users flexibility and creative control. It incorporates Canon's advanced DIGIC and iSAPS technologies and 9-point AiAF for outstanding image quality and ease of use, as well as a 3x optical zoom with f/2.8 aperture. A complete range of accessories, including wide and tele-converters and waterproof case, enables photographic exploration. The camera also features a Print/Share button, PictBridge printing as well as ID photo and movie print. The new larger 1.8" "vari-angle" LCD covers 360 degrees of rotation, giving users the option to shoot from different positions.

The 5.0 Megapixel CCD sensor enables the A95 to provide superb image quality, suitable for high quality photo prints up to 13x19-inches. The 21 shooting modes, ranging from fully Auto to Manual, offer users total control for complete creativity, or can simplify things to ensure great looking photos in tricky situations. Along with all the fully manual, Program and Aperture/Shutter speed priority modes expected in an advanced digital camera, the A95 includes a custom mode for storing preferred camera settings. A special scene mode includes 8 settings for Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Kids & Pets and Night Snapshot. Movie clips with audio can be recorded up to 3 minutes at 320x240 or 160x120 and up to 30 seconds at 640x480, you can then playback and even edit movies all in the camera. VGA quality movies can now be recorded.

The A95 features Canon's Print/Share button, which illuminates when a successful connection is made between the camera's USB port and a PictBridge compatible printer or Windows PC. Pushing the button when lit will initiate a print of the currently displayed image (based on the default PictBridge or Direct Printer settings of the printer) or an automatic transfer of images to the PC . When connected to a Canon compact photo printer, the camera/printer combination allows for 'movie-prints' (sequential frames of a movie clip printed as thumbnails on a single card) and photo IDs (passport style ID photographs).

Software supplied includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression. Also a free membership is included to Canon's online CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, with 100 Megabytes of free storage space for online album storing and sharing. Users can upload favorite images and now movies to the site and then direct friends and family to individually secure online 'albums'.


Powershot A95 Features:

  • 5 Megapixel CCD imager for up to 2592x1944 pixel images
  • Postcard (1600x1200) mode with 3:2 ratio for making 4x6" prints
  • 3x optical 38-114mm f/2.8-4.9 zoom, 4.1x digital zoom
  • 360° "vari-angle" 1.8" color LCD with up to 10x playback zoom
  • 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 and 160x120 up to 3 minutes
  • 2.0fps Continuous burst capture up to 14 frames
  • 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
  • Photo Effects: Low Sharpening, Vivid Color, Neutral, Sepia and B&W
  • 15 pre-programmed creative scene modes
  • 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 four standard AA type batteries
  • Direct print and PictBridge Compatible
  • USB connectivity for PC and Mac
  • CompactFlash Type I memory cards, 32MB supplied
  • Optional WP-DC50 Waterproof Case




Physical Views



Canon Powershot A95

Canon Powershot A95

Canon Powershot A95

Canon Powershot A95 Canon Powershot A95

Canon Powershot A95

Canon Powershot A95





Canon Powershot A95

The A95 compared to an average CD disc.





Canon Powershot A95

The Powershot A95 and A85 for size comparison.





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Features & Controls


Powershot A95 Specifications
Camera Effective Pixels Approx. 5.0 million
Image Sensor 1/1.8-inch CCD
Lens

7.8 - 23.4 mm (35mm film equivalent: 38 - 114mm)
f/2.8 (W) - f/4.9 (T)
6 elements in 5 groups (2 aspherical element)

Digital Zoom Approx. 4x (Up to approx. 12x in combination with the optical zoom)
Optical Viewfinder Real-image zoom viewfinder
LCD Monitor Vari-angle 1.8" P-Si TFT, approx. 118,000 pixels
AF System TTL autofocus
Focus lock available
Focusing frame: 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (Any position is available or fixed center)
Shooting Distance (from the front of the lens)
Normal AF: 45 cm (1.5 ft.) - infinity
Macro AF: 5 - 45 cm (2.0 in. - 1.5 ft.) (W)/
25 - 45 cm (9.8 in. - 1.5 ft.) (T)
Manual focus: 5 cm (2.0 in.) - infinity (W)/
25 cm (9.8 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: 45 cm - 4.5 m (1.5 ft. - 14 ft.) (W)
45 cm - 2.5 m (1.5 ft. - 8.2 ft.)(T) (T)
Macro: 25 - 45cm (9.8 in. - 1.5 ft.) (W/T)
  (ISO speed set to Auto)
Shooting Modes
Auto  
Creative zone: Program, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, Manual, Custom
Image zone: Portrait, Landscape, Night scene, Fast shutter, Slow shutter, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot), Stitch assist and Movie
Continuous Shooting
High Speed at approx. 2.0 fps (speed maintained for up to 14 images)

Normal at approx. 1.5 fps (speed maintained for up to 17 images)
(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: 2592 x 1944 pixels
Medium 1: 2048 x 1536 pixels
Medium 2: 1600 x 1200 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.)
 
640x480 Approx. 10 frames/second, 320x240 and 160x120 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, and 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)


Battery Life: Alkaline approx. 140 shots (LCD monitor on)
Approx. 500 shots (LCD monitor off)
Approx. 280 min. (Playback)
NiMH (NB-2AH) approx. 500 shots (LCD monitor on)
Approx. 1000 shots (LCD monitor off)
Approx. 360 min. (Playback)

    Operating Temperature 0 - 40 degrees C (32 - 104 degrees F)
    Operating Humidity 10 - 90 %
    Dimensions 101.1 x 64.6 x 34.7 mm (4.0 x 2.5 x 1.4 in.) (excluding protrusions)
    Weight Approx. 235 g (8.3 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.
    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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