The A620 features a 4X optical (35-140mm in the 35mm format) f/2.8-4.1 all-glass aspherical zoom lens. When powered down the lens is retracted inside of the body and a built-in shutter closes to completely protect the lens.

An advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system permits the camera to automatically select the primary subject even when off-center. The focusing range is:

• Normal AF - 1.5 ft. (45cm) to infinity
• Macro - 0.4 - 18 in. (1-45cm) in wide angle and 9.8 - 18 in. (25-45cm) in telephoto.
• Manual - 0.4 in. (1cm) to infinity in wide angle and 9.8 in. (25cm) to infinity in telephoto.

In low light conditions the focus-assist lamp helps to illuminate the subject for accurate focusing.

To attach auxiliary Canon lenses just press the button and remove the dress ring, attach the optional LA-DC58F Conversion Lens Adapter and then the Canon WC-DC58N 0.7x Wide Converter lens or TC-DC58N 1.75x Tele-converter lens.

The LA-DC58F adapter also allows the use of 58mm filters or lenses.

This is the Lensmate A610/A620 lens adapter, it is available in either a 52mm or 58mm filter thread size and finished in silver or black color. Other than color, the silver and black adapters are identical and both have an anti-reflective coating on the inside.

In addition to allowing the use of filters and conversion lenses, the adapter protects the delicate zoom mechanism and lens from the inevitable bonks of everyday usage, as well as allowing the camera to be left on with a lens cap in place. It also allows the use of a conventional clip-in lens cap, which stays in place until removed. Having a metal thread, it will never strip or cross thread like a plastic adapter can.

The built in flash offers Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Reduction On or Auto. Flash range at ISO Auto is 1.5 ft. (45cm) - 14 ft. (4.2m) in wide angle, 1.5 ft. - 10 ft. (45cm - 3.0m) in telephoto or 9.8 in. (25cm) - 1.5 (45cm) ft. in macro mode.

This is a new Light-guide zoom flash that changes its angle according to the lens' focal length. The AF-assist lamp also serves as a red-eye reduction lamp.

Compact and elegantly designed, the optional High-Power Flash HF-DC1 complements your PowerShot perfectly and requires no accessory shoe. With a strong light output (guide number 59 ft.) and wide angular field (28mm), it delivers proper illumination up to approximately 30 feet and in all zoom positions. The flash fires in synchronization with the main flash, and output is adjusted accurately and automatically. A "Manual" mode prevents others from firing your flash.

You can frame your pictures with the color LCD or to save precious battery power you can use the optical finder. This is a coupled viewfinder with approx. 80% to 85% coverage. It has no dioptric adjustment. Next to the finder are two LEDs that indicate the flash and focus status.

On the back is a 115,000 pixel 2.0-inch color TFT LCD monitor that can be put in just about any position you need to frame your shot. It can even be turned to face forward for self-portraits and closed with the face inward to protect the screen when it's not being used.

Controls on top: the On/Off power button, the shutter release with the zoom lens control mounted around it. In playback mode the zoom lever functions as the index and magnified image control. The Mode Dial with positions for: Custom, Manual, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Program AE, Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Special Scene, MyColors, Stitch Assist and Movie. Next to the mode dial is the speaker.

See the next page for more information about the various Record modes.

Controls on the back: in the upper left is the Play / Record switch. The Exposure Compensation button (Delete image in playback). The Print/Share button speeds and simplifies printing to Direct Print and PictBridge compliant printers, as well as transferring images. The 4-way controller lets you navigate menus and select images during playback, the SET button accepts menu selections, In record mode you press "Up" to change flash modes and press "Down" to change the focus mode. The FUNCtion/SET button gives you access to many settings (white balance, ISO, Color effects, image quality and image size), it's also used to accept menu settings. The DISPlay button turns the color LCD on/off and controls the amount of data displayed on it. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu screens.

The I/O ports:
DC INput jack for an optional AC power supply.

The DIGITAL port connects USB 2.0 (high-speed) to the computer for download and camera control with the RemoteCapture software. It also allows for Direct printing to any PictBridge compatible printer, Canon Card Photo Printer or Bubblejet Direct photo printers.

AV Out handles monaural audio and video to connect to a TV set with the supplied cable.

The Powershot A620 is equipped with a Secure Digital / MultiMediaCard slot and comes with a Canon 32MB MMC card. It can handle any capacity SD or MMC card up to 2GB.

The A620 is powered by four standard AA-type batteries, alkaline, NiMH (nickel metal hydride), or lithium cells. Canon claims with AA Alkaline batteries you can capture approx. 350 shots (LCD on), 1200 shots (LCD off), and 16 hours of continuous playback time. With NiMH cells Canon clams approx. 500 shots (LCD on), 1500 shots (LCD off), and 16 hours of continuous playback time.

Check out our NiMH rechargeable battery page for more info on NiMH battery types.

Canon offers an optional battery and charger kit CBK4-200 that includes a charger and four rechargeable AA-size NiMH batteries. The A620 can also be powered by the AC Adapter Kit ACK600 for unlimited runtime from your wall outlet.

For all-weather protection and use underwater to depths up to 130 feet, the WP-DC90 Waterproof Case is just the ticket for the Powershot A620.