 the best gets better - perfect balance of size, speed, photo quality, capabilities |
| Review Date: March 29, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Paul Christensen, West Chester, PA United States |
Last year, after extensive research, I bought a Canon A540 to replace my trusty Olympus D40-Zoom. My goals for camera selection where (a) compact size, (b) standard AA batteries, (c) full manual controls, (d) outstanding image quality, (e) speed, (f) optical viewfinder. The A540 fit the bill almost perfectly, with a handful of limitations that I noted in my review.
This year, with Canon's release of the A570IS, I decided to upgrade, driven by the addition of optical image stabilization (IS). While the IS is impressive, I was surprised by other improvements that Canon has made. Image noise levels are significantly lower and more controlled for higher ISO captures. The Digic III processor seems to make more intelligent decisions about lighting and flash exposure, especially when its face recognition is engaged. Add a dramatically better quality LCD screen, slightly higher 7.1MP resolution, improved case, and support of high capacity SD cards, and I doubt I'll need to upgrade any time soon.
Like the A540, the A570IS is for me a perfect balance of size, speed, and photo quality. The A570IS is the same physical size as the A540. It's small enough to fit in a coat pocket or small belt case yet uses 2 AA batteries.
Like the A540, overall processing speed is very fast unless you're taking flash pictures (and then you should expect about 4-6 seconds between flashes depending on battery level and what flash strength the camera selected). Note that flash time is significantly better with high-capacity rechargeable NiMh batteries than with standard AAs. And, unlike some other cameras I have tried, the speed of the user interface (especially during playback) is very fast.
Picture quality in general is excellent, even in low light situations. Noise at higher ISO is significantly more controlled than the A540, perhaps a benefit of the new 7.1MP CCD and the Digic III image processor. According to the documentation, noise reduction is applied at slow shutter speeds of 1.3 seconds or greater, and this can slightly slow down shot-to-shot time. There is no option to disable or adjust the noise processing, but in my experience the results are very good. When noise reduction is applied, there is a slight loss of detail compared to the A540, but the results are noticeably better on the A570IS with its built-in noise reduction than post-processing noise on pictures taken with the A540.
In my own head-to-head comparisons between the A570IS and A540, the A570IS has better light metering and noticeably sharper detail on indoor shots without a flash (especially when image stabilization is engaged). The A570IS does favor slightly higher ISO in auto modes than the A540, giving generally better results without a flash. However, when taking close-up pictures with a flash, the A570IS doesn't seem to select anything lower then ISO 200, sometimes requiring a manual ISO override in Program mode.
The A570IS offers a new ISO 1600 mode, but I'm not quite sold on it. Without a tripod, under low light conditions, ISO 1600 does offer the opportunity for blur-free photographs not possible with ISO 800. But the level of noise and artifacts from the noise processing don't give a very usable picture.
The A570IS raises the bar with optical image stabilization, which only works when the camera is held horizontally. One of the biggest limitations of consumer digital cameras is the need to hold the camera steady to get a clear shot. At higher zooms and in night shots this problem can be compounded. I've taken a number of shots with and without IS, and it is useful but not a "magic bullet" for poor shots. Small details like far-away signs at night become clear when the IS is engaged. You can set the IS to run continuously during preview, only when the shutter is released (slightly lower battery drain), only on vertical movement (better for objects that are moving horizontally), or disabled (I have yet to find a reason to do so). And, unlike many cameras I've seen, the IS works in video capture mode.
Like the A540, the A570IS offers full manual controls. With the A570IS, Canon adds two more modes (Kids & Pets and Indoor) to the mode selector wheel (instead of having to find them on the Special Scene menu). The A570IS also adds a new Aquarium scene mode, while removing the useless Color Swap and Color Accent modes. Canon has also removed the "My Camera" customization menu (for changing the startup picture and various sounds) which I never used on my A540.
Although I never expected to use it, the movie mode is excellent. It's still not a replacement for a dedicated camcorder. But I have used it on a number of occasions to capture audio and video when a picture just won't do. Standard movie mode is 640x480 (VGA) quality at 30fps, but you can raise the capture to 60 fps at 320x240, or lower it to 15fps at 160x120. The A570 can now capture video up to 1 hour or 4GB whichever comes first. Video files are very large (around 1.9MB/second at 30fps) but they compress extremely well with QuickTime Pro's MPEG4 codec.
With the A570IS, Canon also addressed some of my minor complaints about the A540. Most notably, the LCD screen is much higher quality and higher resolution. The case plastics seem more solid, the small rubber door covering the USB - A/V - power ports pivots open from the side not the top, and the handle area no longer has a chrome insert which had a tendency to fall off. The ring that covers the conversion lens adapter mount has a chrome trim, making the camera more attractive but at least on my A570IS it is more difficult to remove than the A540.
Once again, I looked at the Canon A710IS which offers a 6x optical zoom, but has the same 7.1MP sensor, optical image stabilization and user interface with the older Digic II image processor. In the end, after trying both cameras in the store, I again settled on the A570IS. The A710IS is noticeably larger (about 0.25 inches wider and slightly taller), and the more complicated lens takes longer to startup and to zoom. Both cameras have a limited number of stops in their zoom range, but this is noticeable on the 6x of the A710IS where it is not noticeable in the 4x of the A570IS. For me, the larger size wasn't worth the extra zoom. And the benefits of Digic III are impressive.
In summary, Canon A570IS Pros:
- 7.1 megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom
- ISO 80 to 1600
- optical image stabilization for higher ISO or zoom, even during video capture
- optical viewfinder for shooting with the LCD off
- full manual controls (shutter priority, appeture priority, full manual)
- preset and custom white balance control
- outstanding photo quality, even in relatively low light (good color balance, very low noise at higher ISOs, almost non-existent chromatic aberation)
- Digic III processor offers face detection, makes more intelligent decisions on exposure, and flash levels
- very good results from built-in noise reduction for slow shutter speeds of 1.3 seconds or greater
- very fast startup and shot-to-shot speed (flash not withstanding)
- excellent and speedy auto-focus even in low light (although the AF assist light can slow this down)
- orientation sensor recognizes if you have rotated the camera to take a shot
- flash adjusts angle based on wide-telephoto zoom
- built-in red eye reduction during playback lets you select an area to remove red eye and save as new or overwrite the existing image
- surprisingly usable movie mode
- outstanding user interface: options are well laid out and easy to locate, very well thought-out record and playback options
- extremely fast user interface and playback performance, even zooming in on photos
- high resolution LCD screen
- well built case, very comfortable grip
- uses SD cards and supports high-capacity SDHC (takes advantage of high-speed SD)
- uses 2 AA batteries (at least 2500 mAh NiMh rechargeable recommended)
- very good battery life (approx 400 shots on 2 rechargeable NiMh AA, with the display on)
- replaceable lithium battery protects settings when changing batteries
- supports optional high-power flash, conversion lenses and underwater case
Cons (to me, all very minor):
- flash recharge time is acceptable but not great (4 - 6 seconds between shots using NiMh batteries)
- preview display blanks while flash recharges
- Auto ISO for indoor flash close-up pictures doesn't seem to select below ISO 200; you can force ISO 100 in Program or manual modes
- ISO 1600 is of questionable real-world use because of noise and artifacts from noise reduction
- noise reduction cannot be adjusted or disabled
- it is possible to insert the SD card upside down and you don't realize until you try to close the cover (would be easy to break the cover if you force this)
- the markings for the battery orientation are difficult to read
- no RAW image support, but you can select from 3 different compression ratios for image quality
- bundled 16MB card is useless - buy a 2GB card
TIPS:
1) make sure you do a low-level format before you use your SD card in this camera, even if you had formatted it for another Canon camera. It makes a significant difference in shot-to-shot speed
2) always use high-capacity (2500 mAh or greater) NiMh rechargeable batteries - the flash recharge time is much improved (though still 4-6 seconds)
3) for indoor flash close-up shots, may need to override ISO to 100 for better quality
4) for outdoor shots in bright sun, setting exposure -2/3 gives better control of bright areas
5) if you use the conversion lens adapter, don't plan on using the built-in flash which is partially obscured by the adapter. I haven't tried it, but would expect the external flash to not have this problem. |
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| Review Date: July 19, 2007 |
| Reviewer: William Kasting, Southeast Missouri |
I've had this camera for about a month now and have taken well over a hundred photos in different settings ranging from indoor birthday parties to outdoor hunting photos of dogs.
Overall, this is by far the best digital camera I've owned. Previously I've used a Sony DSC-W5 and Nikon Coolpix L3 -- all were in the $200+ range.
Shutter lag on this camera is minimal. I've missed many pictures of my dogs in the past because they've run out of frame during the time from when I pushed the shutter button to when the camera actually took the shot. I've not had that problem at all with this camera. Using the kids/pets setting, it uses a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action as well.
I also like the Shutter Priority priority mode as well. It allows me to set whatever shutter speed I think is necessary for the shot, and the camera takes care of everything else. It flashes a warning if I have the shutter set too fast for available light.
Other useful features I've noticed making a difference is the "face recognition" technology and the "Image Shake" reduction. There are lots of bells and whistles on cameras that I do not use, but with these two I have had very few bad pictures.
The flash has FAR better coverage than the Nikon. I frequently had shadows at the edge even when the subject was fairly close. While not as good as a separate hot shoe flash on a SLR, this flash is the best I've had on a compact digital.
Finally, I love the optical viewfinder! I take many photos outdoors in bright sunlight that can be difficult to frame with any LCD screen. The viewfinder is a lifesafer in those situations. It is easy to compose a photo and so far they have turned out perfectly when using the camera this way.
This camera has tons of features that I have not mentioned. I just listed those most important to me and the way I take photos. I would highly recommend this camera to potential buyers. |
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| Review Date: October 1, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Mark Baker, Santa Clarita, CA United States |
Having finally decided that digital cameras aren't just some passing fad (okay, so maybe it had more to do with other things being a higher priority), I recently bought my first digital camera. There were several things I knew I wanted, and this camera fit the bill. I'm really glad too, because I love it.
I was looking for a camera that took AA batteries and had a viewfinder. Most everything else was secondary. This camera had both of those as well as 4x optical zoom, 7.1 mega pixels, and image stabilizer. As soon as I knew about that feature, I had to have it. I am notorious for taking slightly shaky pictures. This feature automatically adjusts for some shakiness. And it has done a great job.
Basically, I just wanted to camera that I could use to snap pictures on vacations or while out with friends. I didn't need anything fancy. And this camera does a wonderful job of capturing those moments. The pictures are mostly clear, and I'm willing to take the blame for the bad ones. The camera could be a little smaller, but there seems to be a trade off - bigger camera if you want AA batteries. It's super easy to download all or just the pictures you want onto your computer as well.
Considering I probably won't upgrade my camera for quite a few years, I wanted to make a wise choice. And it looks like I have. I'm quite pleased with this purchase. |
My 5th Canon - 4th Powershot - and the BEST!
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| Review Date: June 1, 2007 |
| Reviewer: D. Reinstein, Fairfax, CA USA |
| Does one feature warrant an upgrade. In this instance, yes! I went from the A540, which I liked a lot, to this model to get the IS feature. It is FANTASTIC! It actually negates the need for flash much of the time and makes moving objects clear and sharp. A wonderful advacne for just a few dollars more. The additional megappixels don't matter too much unless you are taking really BIG photos. I use a 4GB SCHC card and get over 4,000 shots on the next to highest (M1) setting! How can you go wrong? |
Best combination of performance versus size
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| Review Date: July 17, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Gadgeteer, Pacific Palisades, CA USA |
After an exhaustive Internet and camera store search I finally decided to buy this Canon camera. The only superior cameras I could find were all relatively large and heavy SLR's. This PoserShot model has most of the features and perfornance of any of the best digital cameras, including an unexcelled image processor, an optional optical viewfinder, face detection, 4X optical zoom, and image stabilization.
I have used the camera for about a month and taken hundreds of photos, mostly in the "auto" mode, although there is almost no limit to the available settings. Unfortunately, many of these settings need a navigation of the menu system, which must be studied in advance of any serious shooting. I have found that the "auto" mode is uncannily capable of producing images that require a minimum, if any, Photoshop editing. This is no doubt due to the latest Canon image processor which, among other capabilities, usually produces an "auto levels" image with great automatic white balance, and excellent colors. Perhaps the most stringest test I gave the camera was to take several hand held photos using 4X optical plus 4X digital zoom of the home plate action at a major league baseball game from a seat at the top level of the stands. These 16X images were quite usable, even showing the baseball leaving the bat.
While there are a number of competitive cameras in this size range, and even smaller, very few have an optional optical viewfinder that is essential under sunlit conditions. I also own such a camera, but was totally frustrated in my attempts to use it under these conditions, as it has no optional optical viewfinder.
You will not be disappointed if you buy this camera, and I don't have any connection with Canon! |
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