Pros: Portability, 3-minute video with sound, two AA batteries, 4x zoom
Cons: Rubber AV/DC flap, no battery indicator
The Bottom Line: A solid name brand, easy to use digital camera that is loaded with useful features. Similar to the PS A80 but much lighter and without the flip-LCD.
Qiy's Full Review: Canon PowerShot A520 4.2 Megapixel Digital Camera
Last summer, my husband bought me the Canon PS A520 as a gift for a trip I was about to take. After all, I had talked about it for weeks.
Well, over 2000 digital photos later, I still love my camera. It's relatively lightweight, easy to use, small enough to fit in any purse (and all of mine are small), takes great pictures, connects easily and is recognized in a few seconds by my computer software (iPhoto), and takes 3-minute video with sound and volume control. My 4-year-old grandson's antics and shrieks are true to life on playback!
The A520's best features are: the zoom capability, and how long the two AA batteries last. Over a two week period, I took 200+ shots at two different family events without exhausting the batteries (Energizer Ultra for electronic devices). With the zoom feature, I was able to capture close-ups of people from across the room, sometimes without their knowledge. Additionally, the photos transfer to various photo software well, without losing much, if any, quality. And on the occasions when I've had other people take the photos, they've been able to work the camera with only a simple (shutter release) instruction from me. Bottom line: it makes me look and feel so much like a skilled photographer (I'm not) that my kids now call me 'mamarazzi'. =)
As with any device, there are a few disappointments too. You cannot (or at least I haven't figured out how to) delete all of the photos at once without connecting the camera to a computer. There is no battery life indicator. Like most electronic devices, the manual can be a little vague at times. And to my occasional dismay, the rubber flap covering the AV/DC ports does not always fit snugly without extra attention. That said, these detractors are more annoying than problematic and not enough to distract from the pleasure of photographing my subjects.
I admit that every once in a while, I find myself in the electronic department of some store, oohing and aahing over the newer/sleeker/smaller/lighter/faster digital cameras on the market and dream (for a moment) about trading up. But the truth is, I'm no professional, most of my pics are of family gatherings, friends, or grandkids, and I've got all the necessary bells and whistles I need, even a few I haven't tried out yet. The Canon A520 serves my purpose well. I'm happy.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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