This Amateur Feels Like a Pro With the Canon PowerShot A630 Digital Camera
Written: Mar 06 '07 (Updated Mar 06 '07)
Product Rating:
Ease of Use:
Durability:
Photo Quality:
Shutter Lag
Pros: Good quality images and great features.
Cons: Larger in size than beginner cameras. Heavier too
The Bottom Line: I like this camera for its all round flexibility that does allow either good auto shots or custom shots changing shutter speeds and aperture openings. Good macro too.
popsrocks's Full Review: Canon PowerShot A630 Digital Camera
I started taking digital photos when I was sent a Canon A100 camera from Epinions as a holiday gift three years ago. That camera has started me in a new world of digital image taking. My wife is also very much involved in making photos of the family, our vacations and also with a photo club in school she leads. She has been looking for the perfect camera and we have gone through a number of purchases and returns the last couple of months that was to be her Christmas gift to herself and also use with her club. Of course we share our cameras whenever we vacation. She always gets the better one though. This camera, I hope, makes the grade and stays with us a while longer.
We were happy with one of this camera's predecessors the A520. Fairly recently the lens cover started failing to open completely. Aside from that we have been happy with it. I was also quite pleased with the easy set up pamphlet that camera came with. The Cannon A630 camera's instructions weren't so simplified but I note that I don't believe this a beginners camera. It's an upgrade camera to me. The camera has a "Basic" book and a "Advancer User Guide". I like that because I continue to think of myself as a novice with this cameras but I am learning and I can take the step to the advanced book one feature at a time.
The camera is also boxed with a Direct Printer User Guide and Software Starter Guide. I was happy to see I could simply use the interface cable and I was already to send pictures from camera to computer. I took care of the software installation with my previous Canon cameras. It was an easy process, even for this computer challenged dude.
First Impressions
This camera is a step up from all the other smaller and lighter in weight digital cameras we have gone through this last two years. It has much more body to it and is larger. Because it takes four AA batteries rather than the two most of the other cameras had, it is heavier. The battery configuration is set up so the camera's ergonomic shape tends to be comfortable and feels secure in my right hand. We use NIMH rechargeable Duracell batteries and always have extras ready for use when the first four go down in power. It's hard to judge how long the batteries last because we are always looking through the images and erasing those we don't like. I can say we don't have to look for new batteries at the drop of a hat. Sorry for not giving better data here.
I'll mention that the erase feature is a simple one two step. It's also set where you can't inadvertently erase everything by accident.
The coolest thing about this camera that differs from all the others we owned or tried is the variable angle LCD screen. It's folded in on itself when the camera is not being used. Actually that's an option but a logical one. The screen can also be locked into the usual position where the screen would be. I like the multi angles because it affords use for over the crowd shots. That's especially helpful to a guy that's just 5'8" tall.
I also like it for taking shots with the macro feature for close ups without having to squat down to the subject matter. My wife likes this feature for her flower photos, something she enjoys. The quality of these close-up images looks pretty good!
The 35-140mm zoom is pretty much the same as the SLR cameras I have owned in the past. I can get a slide wide angle and also move in for portrait shots. The lens moves smoothly and seems to get as good an image with the zoom as when we simply move in closer to the subject matter. Some cameras images didn't seem quite as good with the zoom.
The camera comes with a 16 MB card that really doesn't hold much. We had to go for a larger capacity card at additional expense.
The Auto focus seems pretty good but I like being able to set the speed and aperture opening for more flexibility in getting the image I want. The 8-megapixel is pretty good for when we enlarge photos. The quality is better than those we had with less pixels.
ISO vs. ASA
I'm slowly learning the terminology of digital cameras. What I once understood as ASA in a film camera where one can increase the shutter speed or change to more sensitive film, we now have ISO that does somewhat the same function but also allows what is named "noise". That might be called graininess on regular film but it manifests itself differently in digital cameras. The image has distracting marks or dots that don't add mood or a desirable affect that graininess can sometimes give a photo if artfully used. "Noise" is basically bad in all the cases I have encountered. This camera doesn't do well in the lower end speeds. The images aren't clear and sharp. In most general use though, it is exceptionally sharp as compared to images with the previous cameras we have owned including the A520 and A530 and a Sony DSC-W100 Digital camera.
In using the flash I like the ease of having the camera flash turned on in cases where the camera may be fooled by back lighting and also that I can turn off the flash when not wanted or appropriate like in some museums.
More That I Like
Though it is heavier I do like that feel. I finally have something that sits right in my hand. I did like the small feel of the other cameras but I believe more as a novelty. I'm happy with a camera with a bit more bulk. This may be a turn-off for some. It's important to "feel it" in your hand, with batteries inside, before purchase.
The tri-pod mount adapter in in the middle of the cameras bottom. I like that. Some are off-set. The strap easily slides into place. I noticed that even the strap is an upgrade in material used and size.
I'm excited about this camera because of the optional waterproof case I can get for this camera. My wife and I are avid snorkelers and look forward to getting better quality shots than what the throw away waterproof cameras give us now.
Though we haven't gotten that far yet, I do like that the ring on the front allows the adaptation of optional lenses for close-up, wide angle and tele photo work. We had all when we were still using our old SLR that went to our daughter when she was taking photography in school.
Another thing I like is the shorter lag time than some of the other cameras we had. Some were so slow I had trouble getting some of the photos I wanted. This one is very responsive.
I started having fun using the video modes of digital cameras recently. This one is easy to use and the ability to do so, even if it isn't top quality, enhances my ability to bring home memories. It's a cool feature.
Last Thoughts
The camera is much bigger and heavier than any of the other digital cameras we have owned or tried. Some may like that and some may not. On that I have mixed feelings. Sometimes I like the solid feel of the larger, heavier camera while there are times I like the camera to easy to pocket or slide out of site easily. The larger camera doesn't allow that.
That said, we are happy with this camera and will be keeping it. It's easy to use for a beginner and yet has some cool features that lets an amateur like me feel like a pro with pro results...well most of the time.
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