shoplmart's Full Review: Canon PowerShot A95 Digital Camera
After having a horrible experience with the reliability of my HP PhotoSmart 435 digital camera, I decided it was time to shell out a bit more cash for a camera that not only had a better reliability record, but also offered better performance. After checking out many of the offerings from HP, Canon, Olympus, and Sony, I decided on the PowerShot A95 from Canon.
What you get:
In addition to the camera, you get four AA batteries, a 32MB CF memory card, a wrist strap, AV cable/USB cables, computer software CDs, informative instruction manual(s), and warranty/registration forms. There is also a host of optional equipment available for the A95, i.e. a waterproof case ($130) for underwater use, Tele-converters, battery chargers, etc. etc. Most of these options can be purchased at any online store that features this camera.
Ergonomics/ease of use:
At 3.9" wide x 2.5" high x 1.4" deep, the PowerShot A95 may not be the smallest digicam on the market, though it is small enough to fit easily in my hands comfortably. At a mere 8.2 ounces, the A95 is also quite lightweight making continuous shooting for long periods of time easy on the arms. Though the PowerShot A95 doesn't require you to be an experienced digi-camer, one should be aware that it will probably take some time to learn how to operate this camera properly (the operation manual is a must). The Canon PowerShot A95 is loaded to the brim with different buttons and features, which may seem a little overwhelming at first. However, once you get the hang of this camera, you will find that all the switchgear is logically placed and overall very easy to use.
Some specs and features:
* 5.0 megapixel CCD.
* A color 1.8" LCD screen that snaps out and rotates to offer 100% coverage.
* 3x optical zoom - 4.1x digital zoom (12x total)
* Direct printing capabilities.
* The ability to add 60 second audio attachments to pictures, along with the ability to make short or long video clips (depending on your memory card) with sound.
* 14 shooting modes, including special scene modes.
* AiAF auto focus and a manual focus mode.
*Automatic, Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture
Shutter speed range from 1/2,000 to 15 seconds, depending on aperture.
*Built-in flash with five operating modes.
*Stitch-Assist mode for panoramic shots.
*Continuous Shooting and 10-second self-timer modes.
*White balance (color) adjustment with seven modes.
For a complete list of specifications and options, Canon.com offers more info.
Outdoor Picture Quality
Although I was expecting better picture quality from my A95 versus my old 3.1 megapixel PhotoSmart 435, I wasn't quite expecting such excellent performance from Canon's A series. The A95's ability to capture outdoor scenic shots is so impressive that I have been able to print many of my outdoor photos for forestry projects and have submitted a few of my photos for weather photography contests; I wouldn't have dared try doing anything like that with my old HP 435.
Though the PowerShot A95 has specific modes for almost all types of situations, i.e. portrait, macro, fast shutter, slow shutter, etc. I usually just leave everything in auto. Canon has done an excellent job with their auto modes, which do a great job adjusting white balance, flash, color, etc. For those who like specific modes, the A95 has a grand total of 21 shooting modes. Canon even offers a special scene mode, which offers multiple “to-the-point” specific modes for pictures taken in the snow, at the beach, of fireworks, of the kids and pets, etc.
In comparison to other cameras in the A95's sub 300-dollar price range, the PowerShot A95 produces some of the best outdoor pictures I have seen. Having used a similarly priced Olympus D-595, and a Kodak CX7530, the PowerShot A95 trumps them all in outdoor picture quality. Most digital cameras these days have a night mode, however the A95’s night mode actually works. I recently visited Colorado and came back with some wonderful photos of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains taken at dusk. These photographs would have never been possible with my HP 435.
Indoor quality:
Indoor picture quality is equally as impressive. Unlike my old HP 435 and many of those sub 200-dollar 3-5 megapixel digital cameras on the market, the A95 will take a great indoor photo even if there is only minimal ambient lighting. Uncharacteristic of some of the digital camera's I have used in the past, when using the PowerShot A95 I rarely have to fix an indoor photo using the software that is provided with the camera. Although I mostly just use my A95 for outdoor scenic shots during the day, it’s refreshing to know that I can also use my A95 camera for pictures of indoor events, i.e. birthday parties and graduations etc. if need be. For those who need a fast shutter, the A95 offers a very speedy shutter; shutter lag is minimal and start-up takes less than 3 seconds. Thanks to Canon’s relatively new Digic processor, continuous shooting is not a problem whatsoever.
The A95 comes with different resolution/compression modes; Large, medium 2, medium 1, and small. With the setting set to “large” you can take between 11-43 photographs, M1 18-67 photographs, M2 30-107 photographs, and Small 119-336 photographs with the A95’s standard 32 MB CF card. Since I haven't upgraded to additional memory, I usually leave everything in M2 mode. The default M2 mode allows for good photographs without sacrificing too many shots. If you plan on using this camera’s maximum resolution mode, I highly suggest going with a 128-512 MB memory card.
The 3x optical retracting zoom feature is one of my favorite attributes of the PowerShot A95. Not only is it fast and easy to use, but it's also extremely effective. Unlike my old HP digital camera, my Canon A95 can zoom all the way in on a subject and not turn out blurry. This optical zoom feature can be used alone or combined with the 4.1x digital zoom to create up to a 12x zoom. 12x zoom comes in most handy when taking pictures of potentially dangerous wildlife and far away scenic shots.
Another great feature of the A95 is its frugal use of battery power. One of my biggest gripes with my old HP 435 was its glutinous use of its 2 AA batteries. The A95 uses 2 more AA batteries than my HP 435, but they last nearly four times as long. I can usually take over 250 pictures (using the LCD) before the battery light comes on. The most photographs I have been able to get using the LCD display and flash combined has been as many as 300 shots with fully charged premium 2100 NiMH batteries. Without using the LCD display or flash I have been able to get between 350-400 photos before this camera will shut down due to depleted batteries.
Yet another positive feature of the A95 is its large 1.8" LCD display. I have seen many LCD displays that are virtually useless due to their inaccurate color, grainy appearance, inaccurate lighting, etc. This isn't the case with the PowerShot A95's 360-degree LCD monitor. On the contrary, this LCD is crisp, accurate, and you can even use it when there is very little ambient lighting indoors or out.
Movies:
When I buy a digital camera the last thing I think about is making movies/video clips with them. Why? Because most cameras below $300 dollars just aren't competent enough to make a movie worth viewing. The A95 unfortunately isn't much of an exception. Although the A95 has much better movie making capabilities than most sub 300 dollar digicams, the A95 still seems like its movie clips are made more for kiddy fun versus actual use. If you plan on using the A95 to shoot home videos, I highly recommend buying a CF card with more memory, as the A95's 32 MB CF card only provides between 30-180 seconds respectively of movie play.
Price:
The prices on this camera still vary widely on where you purchase it. I have seen a few online stores still feature this camera for its original MSRP of 400 dollars, yet some online stores feature this camera for as low as 230 dollars (brand new). I was able to buy my PowerShot for an impressively low cost of 243 bucks; not bad at all for a digital camera boasting this type of quality and performance. To get the best price on this camera, I highly suggest shopping around before making any final buying decisions.
Reliability:
I have had my PowerShot A95 for around 6 months now and it has had absolutely no problems when it comes to reliability. Even though I have neglected this camera many times by leaving it out in my car where summer temps tip well beyond the century mark, not one thing has gone haywire with my A95. I have also dropped this camera more than once, yet it still works exactly the same way it did when I first purchased it earlier this year. When you make an investment of 250 dollars you like to see a product last at least half a year, it’s nice to see that my Canon PowerShot is doing so well even under such neglectful conditions. If anything does go wrong with your Canon PowerShot A95, Canon provides a 12-month full coverage warranty.
Final Thoughts:
If you are looking to upgrade from that base model digital camera, the A95 is a great route to go; whether you are a novice or an experienced user. With so many advanced features i.e. 5.0 megapixels, Canon's excellent Digic processor, near professional photography, and a price that's less than most cameras of this caliber, I recommend the PowerShot A95 100%.
Thanks for reading!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 250 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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