The Canon PowerShot A is a now discontinued series of digital cameras released by Canon. The A-series started as a budget line of cameras, although over time its feature set varied from low-end point-and-shoot cameras to high-end prosumer cameras capable of rivalling Canon's G-series.

Models

The series began with the A5 series, which was a very basic point-and-shoot camera line. The Axx series that followed offered full manual control (on most models) in a fairly bulky body. The A100/200/3xx/4xx series cameras are stripped-down with very little manual controls. The Axx series has branched off into the A5xx (replaced by the A1xxx series), A6xx, and A7xx series (the latter replaced by the A2xxx series). A-series camera are generally powered by 2 AA batteries.

Model Release
date 		Sensor
resolution, size, type 		Video recording Lens (35 mm equiv)
zoom, aperture 		Image processor LCD screen
size, pixels 		Memory Size
W×H×D
(mm) 		Weight
(body, g) 		Photo Notes
A5 series
A5 April 1998 1 MP
1024 × 768
1/3" CCD 		No movie mode 35 mm 2" fixed CF 105 × 68 × 33 240 [1]
A5 zoom October 1998 28–70 mm (2.5×)
f/2.6–4.0 		103 × 68 × 37 260 Zoom capability[2]
A50 April 1999 1 MP
1280 × 960
1/2.7" CCD 		[3]
Axx series
A10 May 2001 1.3 MP
1/2.7" 		No movie mode 35–105 mm (3×) 1.5" fixed CF 110.3 × 71.0 × 37.6 250 All-new body design
A20 2.0 MP
1/2.7"
A30 March 2002 1.3 MP
1/2.7" 		320x240 20fps
A40 2.0 MP
1/2.7" 		Added microphone for movie with sound
A60 March 2003 320x240 15fps DIGIC 101.0 × 64.0 × 31.5 215 Smaller and lighter. The Canon PowerShot A60 and A70 cameras were the first digital camera models in their class to feature aperture and shutter priority, and full manual modes.
A70 3.2 MP
1/2.7" 		640x480 15fps
A80 October 2003 4.0 MP
1/1.8" 		320x240 15fps 38–114 mm (3×) 1.5" vari-angle 103.1 × 64.4 × 34.7 250 Added vari-angle LCD
A75 March 2004 3.2 MP
1/2.7" 		640x480 15fps 35–105 mm (3×) f/2.8–4.8 1.8" fixed 101.0 × 64.0 × 31.5 200 Print/Share button, redesigned grip
A85 September 2004 4.0 MP
1/2.7" 		640x480 10fps


320x240 15fps

A95 5.0 MP
1/1.8" 		38–114 mm (3×) 1.8" vari-angle 103.1 × 64.4 × 34.7 250 Update of A80
Model Release
date 		Sensor
resolution, size, type 		Video recording Lens (35 mm equiv)
zoom, aperture 		Image processor LCD screen
size, pixels 		Memory Size
W×H×D
(mm) 		Weight
(body, g) 		Photo Notes
A100/200/3xx/4xx Series
A100 April 2002 1.2 MP
1280 × 960
1/2.7" 		320x240 15fps 39 mm
f/2.8 		1.5" CF 110 × 58 × 36.6 175 New low-end series with different body shape, no optical zoom,[4]
A200 June 2002 2.0 MP
1600 × 1200
1/3.2" 		320x240 20fps 1.5" [5]
A300 April 2003 3 2 MP
2048 × 1536
1/2.7" 		640x480 15fps 33 mm
f/3.6 		DIGIC New sliding lens cover,[6]
A310 March 2004 Print/Share button,[7]
A400 September 2004 3.2 MP
1/3.2" 		640x480 10fps


320x240 15fps

45–100 mm (2.2×) SD 107.0 × 53.4 × 36.8 165 Optical zoom
A410 September 2005 640x480 10fps


320x240 20fps


160x120 15fps

41–131 mm (3.2×) DIGIC II 103 × 51.8 × 40.3 150 First A4xx with DIGIC II
A420 February 2006 4.0 MP
1/3" 		640x480 10fps


320x240 30fps


160x120 15fps

39–125 mm (3.2×) 1.8" Mostly sold in Europe, not in the U.S.
A430 39–156 mm (4.0×) Mostly sold in the U.S.; first A4xx with microphone.
A450 February 2007 5.0 MP
2592 × 1944
1/3" CCD 		38–122 mm (3.2×)
f/2.8–5.1 		2.0"
86,000 		SD, SDHC, MMC 106 × 52 × 40 165 [8]
A460 March 2007 38–152 mm (4.0×)
f/2.8–5.8
A470 January 2008 7.1 MP
3072 × 2304
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 20fps


320x240 30fps


160x120 15fps

38–132 mm (3.4×)
f/3.0–5.8 		DIGIC III 2.5"
115,000 		SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 105 × 55 × 41 165 [9]
A480 March 2009 10.0 MP
3648 × 2736
1/2.3" CCD 		640x480 30fps 37–122 mm (3.3×)
f/3.0–5.8 		92 × 62 × 31 140 [10]
A490 February 2010 10.0 MP
3648 × 2736
1/2.3" CCD 		SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 94 × 62 × 31 135 Face Detection AiAF / 5 point; Less Scene modes than in 495[11]
A495 Face Detection AiAF / 9 point; Additional 3 Scene modes (same as in A490 and FaceSelf-Timer, Super Vivid, Poster Effect)[11]
A5xx series
A510 March 2005 3.2 MP
2048 × 1536
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 10fps


320x240 15fps

35–140 mm (4×)
f/2.6–5.5 		DIGIC 1.8"
115,000 		SD 91 × 64 × 38 180 New smaller, lighter body; replaced A75[12]
A520 4.0 MP
2272 × 1704
1/2.5" CCD 		New smaller, lighter body; replaced A75[13]
A530 February 2006 5.0 MP
2592 × 1944
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 10fps


320x240 20fps


160x120 15fps

DIGIC II 1.8"
77,000 		90 × 64 × 43 170 [14] Began trend of lower-end A5xx dropping conversion lenses and removal of manual modes,
higher-end A5xx model still had conversion lens support and full manual modes
DIGIC II
A540 6.0 MP
2816 × 2112
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 30fps 2.5"
85,000 		90 × 64 × 43 180 [15] Began trend of lower-end A5xx dropping conversion lenses and reducing manual modes,
higher-end A5xx model still had conversion lens support and full manual modes
DIGIC II
A550 March 2007 7.1 MP
3072 × 2304
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 30fps


320x240 60fps

2.0"
86,000 		SD, SDHC, MMC 91 × 64 × 43 160 Low-end model[8]
A560 DIGIC III 2.5"
115,000 		91 × 64 × 43 165 Mid-range model, also lacks conversion lens support and full manual modes[16]
A570 IS 90 × 64 × 43 175 Optical Image Stabilization, full manual control and compatibility with add-on lenses added[16]
A580 January 2008 8.0 MP
3264 × 2448
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 20fps


320x240 30fps


160x120 15fps

SD,SDHC,
MMC,MMC+,
HC MMC+ 		94 × 65 × 41 175 Low-end model, lacks conversion lens support and full manual modes[9]
A590 IS Added Motion Detection Technology, Automatic Red-Eye Correction, has full manual mode.[9]
Model Release
date 		Sensor
resolution, size, type 		Video recording Lens (35 mm equiv)
zoom, aperture 		Image processor LCD screen
size, pixels 		Memory Size
W×H×D
(mm) 		Weight
(body, g) 		Photo Notes
A6xx series
A610 October 2005 5.0 MP
2592 × 1944
1/1.8" CCD 		640x480 30fps


320x240 60fps

35–140 mm (4×)
f/2.8–4.1 		DIGIC II 2.0" vari-angle
115,000 		SD, MMC 105 × 66 × 49 235 Replaced A95[17]
A620 7.1 MP
3072 × 2304
1/1.8" CCD
A630 September 2006 8.0 MP
3264 × 2448
1/1.8" CCD 		640x480 30fps 2.5" vari-angle
115,000 		SD, SDHC, MMC 109 × 66 × 49 245 Silver body color[18]
A640 10.0 MP
3648 × 2736
1/1.8" CCD 		Black body color[18]
A650 IS August 2007 12.1 MP
4000 × 3000
1/1.7" CCD 		35–210 mm (6×)
f/2.8–4.8 		DIGIC III SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 112 × 68 × 56 200 Added Image Stabilization, increased maximum CCD sensitivity to ISO 1600 and DIGIC III.[19]
A7xx series
A700 February 2006 6.0 MP
2816 × 2112
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 30fps 35–210 mm (6×)
f/2.8–4.8 		DIGIC II 2.5"
115,000 		SD, MMC 95 × 67 × 43 200 [20] Smaller, lighter body; Replaced A85
A710 IS September 2006 7.1 MP
3072 × 2304
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 30fps


320x240 60fps

SD, SDHC, MMC 98 × 67 × 41 210
A720 IS August 2007 8.0 MP
3264 × 2448
1/2.5" CCD 		640x480 30fps DIGIC III SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 97 × 67 × 42 200 Increased maximum CCD sensitivity to ISO 1600 and DIGIC III.[19][21]
A8xx series
A800 5 January 2011 10.0 MP
3648 x 2736
6.17 x 4.55 mm (1/2.3") CCD 		640x480 30fps 37 – 122 mm (3.3×) 
f/3.0–5.8 		DIGIC III 6.2 cm (2.5")
115,000 		SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 94 × 61 × 31 mm 186 g Powered by 2 AA batteries [22] Cheapest ever Canon Powershot (initial price $89).[23]
A810 7 February 2012 16.0 MP
4608 x 2592
6.17 x 4.55 mm (1/2.3") CCD 		720p 25fps


640x480 30fps

28 – 140 mm (5×) 
f/2.8–6.9 		DIGIC 4 6.9 cm (2.7")
230,000 		SD, SDHC, SDXC 94.7 x 61.3 x 29.8 mm 171 g Adds 720p HD video [24]
Model Release
date 		Sensor
resolution, size, type 		Video recording Lens (35 mm equiv)
zoom, aperture 		Image processor LCD screen
size, pixels 		Memory Size
W×H×D
(mm) 		Weight
(body, g) 		Photo Notes
A1xxx Series
A1000 IS August 2008 10.0 MP
3648 × 2736
1/2.3" CCD 		640x480 30fps 35–140 mm (4×)
f/2.7–5.6 		DIGIC III 2.5"
115,000 		SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 96 × 63 × 31 155 [25] Replaces A590 IS, new slimmer body design, no manual controls
A1100 IS March 2009 12.1 MP
4000 × 3000
1/2.3" CCD 		DIGIC 4 [26]
A1200 March 2011 12.1 MP
4000 × 3000
1/2.3" CCD 		720p 24fps

640x480 30fps

28–112 mm (4×)
f/2.8–5.9 		2.7”
230,000 		97.5 x 62.5 x 30.7 185 Limited PTP Control, no UV Filter, no manual controls, can not refocus while recording video
A1300 February 2012 16.0 MP
4608 × 3456
1/2.3" CCD 		720p 25fps


640x480 30fps

28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–6.9 		2.7”
230,000 		SD, SDHC, SDXC 95 × 62 × 30 174 No image stabilization, no manual focus, no aperture/shutter priority, no manual exposure mode, etc.
A1400 2013 16.0 MP
4608 × 3456
1/2.3" CCD 		28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–6.9 		2.7”
230,000 		SD, SDHC, SDXC 94.7 × 61.7 × 29.8 174

Adds ECO mode
A2xxx Series
A2000 IS August 2008 10.0 MP
3648 × 2736
1/2.3" CCD 		640x480 30fps 36–216 mm (6×)
f/3.2–5.9 		DIGIC III 3.0"
230,000 		SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 102 × 64 × 32 185 [25] Replaces A720 IS, new slimmer body design, no viewfinder or manual controls
A2100 IS April 2009 12.1 MP
4000 × 3000
1/2.3" CCD 		DIGIC 4 [26]
A2200 2011 14.1 MP
4320 × 3240
1/2.3" CCD 		720p 30fps 28–112 mm (4×)
f/2.8–5.9 		2.7”
230,000 		SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 93.2 x 57.2 x 23.6 135 No image stabilization, adds 720p HD video
A2300 2012 16.0 MP
4608 × 3456
1/2.3" CCD 		720p 25fps


640x480 30fps

28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–6.9 		2.7”
230,000 		94.4 x 54.2 x 20.1 125
A2400 IS 2012 28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–6.9 		2.7”
230,000 		94.4 x 56.3 x 21.3 141 Adds optical image stabilization
A2500 2013 28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–6.9 		2.7”
230,000 		97.7 x 56.0 x 20.9 125 No image stabilization, adds ECO mode
A2600 2013 28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–6.9 		3.0”
230,000 		97.7 x 56.0 x 19.8 135 No image stabilization, adds ECO mode
A3xxx Series
A3000 IS February 2010 10.0 MP
3648 × 2736
1/2.3" CCD 		640x480 30fps 35–140 mm (4×)
f/2.7–5.6 		DIGIC III 2.7"
230,000 		SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 97 × 58 × 28 125 [27] First A series model to use Lithium-ion battery
A3100 IS 12.1 MP
4000 × 3000
1/2.3" CCD 		[27] First A series model to use Lithium-ion battery
A3200 IS 2011 14.1 MP
4320 × 3240
1/2.3" CCD 		720p 30fps 28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–5.9 		DIGIC 4 95.1 × 56.7 × 24.3 149 Adds 720p HD video
A3300 IS 2011 16.0 MP
4608 × 3456
1/2.3" CCD 		28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–5.9 		3.0"
230,400 		95.1 × 56.7 × 23.9 149 Adds 720p HD video [27] Advanced Smart AUTO feature-

[28]

A3400 IS 2012 16.0 MP
4608 × 3456
1/2.3" CCD 		720p 25fps


640x480 30fps

28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–6.9 		3.0"
230,400 touch 		94.4 × 56.3 × 21.3 141 Adds touchscreen
A3500 IS 2013 16.0 MP
4608 × 3456
1/2.3" CCD 		28–140 mm (5×)
f/2.8–6.9 		3.0"
230,400 non-touch 		94.4 × 56.3 × 21.3 141 Adds WiFi and GPS via mobile
A4xxx Series
A4000 IS 2012 16.0 MP
4608 × 3456
1/2.3" CCD 		720p 25fps


640x480 30fps

28–224 mm (8×)
f/3.0–5.9 		DIGIC 4 3.0”
230,000 		SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 95.3 x 56.3 x 24.3 145 8x optical zoom

Features

Software by Breezesys adds remote capture capability from a computer over the USB interface on early Canon PowerShot A models until around 2006. More recent models generally do not support remote capture.

Many models from the A450 to the A720 can run the CHDK firmware add-on adding features such as recording raw image files and remotely triggering the camera shutter using a USB cable.

Sample photographs

See also

References

  1. ^ "Canon PowerShot A5 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  2. ^ "Canon PowerShot A5 Zoom digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Canon PowerShot A50 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  4. ^ "Canon PowerShot A100 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Canon PowerShot A200 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on January 11, 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Canon PowerShot A300 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  7. ^ "Canon PowerShot A310 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on November 1, 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Canon PowerShot A450, A460 & A550". Digital Photography Review. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  9. ^ a b c "Canon PowerShot A470, A580 & A590 IS". Digital Photography Review. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  10. ^ "Canon unveils PowerShot A480". Digital Photography Review. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  11. ^ a b "Canon unveils A490 and A495 10MP budget compacts". Digital Photography Review. 5 January 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  12. ^ Joinson, Simon (April 2005). "Canon PowerShot A510 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  13. ^ Joinson, Simon (March 2005). "Canon PowerShot A520 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  14. ^ "Canon PowerShot A530 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  15. ^ "Canon PowerShot A540 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  16. ^ a b "Canon PowerShot A570IS and A560". Digital Photography Review. 22 February 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  17. ^ "Canon PowerShot A610 & A620". Digital Photography Review. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  18. ^ a b "Canon PowerShot A630 & A640". Digital Photography Review. 24 August 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  19. ^ a b "Canon PowerShot A650 IS & A720 IS". Digital Photography Review. 20 August 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  20. ^ Joinson, Simon (April 2006). "Canon PowerShot A700 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  21. ^ Butler, Richard (January 2008). "Canon PowerShot A720 IS Concise Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  22. ^ "Canon PowerShot A800 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  23. ^ Four new Canon Powershots at CES 2011, Canon Powershot A800 for $89, Canon Powershot A800 price in India | DWS Gadgets Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Canon PowerShot A810". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  25. ^ a b "Three new Canon Powershots". Digital Photography Review. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  26. ^ a b "Canon releases PowerShot A2100 IS & A1100 IS". Digital Photography Review. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  27. ^ a b c "Canon announces A3000 IS and A3100 IS". Digital Photography Review. 5 January 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  28. ^ "Canon launches new Powershot A-series digital cameras". Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2011-05-17.

External links

Media related to Canon PowerShot A at Wikimedia Commons

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