The PowerShot A-Series has always stood out by offering just a tad more functionality than competing entry-level cameras. If you went through the specifications, you would rank the camera higher than its actual place; since, in addition to auto settings and a user-friendly operation, the camera also offered the luxury of manual operation for aperture and shutter priority. With these features, Canon offered more functionality, i.e. more photography, for the same price, from which the photographer certainly benefitted, whilst the enthusiast amateur could enjoy it as a nice extra.
Canon PowerShot A2000 IS - digital camera review
During the last weeks of the summer of 2009, Canon introduced several cameras. The compact camera series also contained a pair of PowerShot A models; the A1000 IS and the A2000 IS. The model we tested, the Canon PowerShot A2000, successor to the A720 IS camera, differentiates itself from the A-Series when it comes to its design, which features more obvious lines. The appearance of the camera has undergone a vast change, and the same applies to the functionality of this new PowerShot A digital camera.What has remained is the 6x optical zoom combined with an image stabilization system. And like its competitors, Canon is unable to resist equipping this newcomer with a higher amount of pixels. For the PowerShot A2000 IS, it means an increase from the 8 Megapixels offered by its predecessor (A720 IS), to 10 Megapixels. Whether the revitalization of the PowerShot works as well in practice as its predecessors.
The body of the Canon PowerShot A2000 IS has changed a lot compared to its predecessor, the IXUS 720 IS. The camera has become somewhat more traditional in design; a little more square with straight lines and slightly curved edges. Most striking is the fact that the grip has disappeared, and I can imagine the discussions that must have taken place during designer meetings. I highly appreciated the handgrip of the PowerShot A series and it gave the camera a tad more cachet. Instead, the design now has its bulkiest side on the right for a better hand-fit. Resulting in a fine hand-fit, yet offering less grip compared to its predecessor.
Canon PowerShot A2000IS - camera functionality
With the introduction of the Canon PowerShot A2000IS, the enhanced manual setting possibility seems to have disappeared. The possibility for the slow shutter speed mode, which allows you to select a slow shutter speed, is still available. By not applying the aforementioned interesting options, the Canon A2000 IS seems devaluated on paper when it comes to enhanced manual settings. What you get in return, however, are enhanced auto settings and innovative image solutions. This is a different set of possibilities.Canon PowerShot A2000 IS - camera design
Changing the design has made the Canon A2000 IS slightly flatter. The handgrip, which has now disappeared, required larger accessories, such as pouches, which seemed too large for the camera. The front of the camera keeps the same focal length of 6x zoom as its predecessor; however, it is no longer possible to equip the lens with a wide-angle or telephoto converter. I don't actually know the sales numbers of these accessories, but I can imagine that in practice not many consumers purchase these costly converters. Left of the zoom lens, three miniscule holes serve as microphone, with above it, a LED as self-timer and AF assist light. The flash is placed in the top right corner. This spot is quite prone to accidently putting your finger on it, covering the flash.
Canon PowerShot A2000 IS - 3" monitor
The back of the Canon PowerShot A2000IS is equipped with a large-sized 3 inch monitor. It is a true joy to work with a monitor this big, offering an increased resolution of 230,000 pixels. The reproduction is beautiful and without question a worthy replacement for the optical viewfinder that the Canon A2000 IS lacks. Canon held on to the optical viewfinder for a long time, however, research made it clear that an optical viewfinder hardly gets used if a high quality monitor is available.
Canon PowerShot A2000 IS - Battery & memory compartment
To the right of the monitor are several buttons, nicely grouped, offering direct access to various functions such as the flash program, menu, ISO, macro, face detection, playback etc. A tiny cover made of rubber hides the Audio/Video and USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interfaces on the right side of the camera. The cover on the rear side of the camera covers the AA battery and card slot compartment. Naturally, the Canon PowerShot A2000 IS supports SD and SDHC memory cards. This means a maximum of 32GB of storage capacity (so far!).
Canon PowerShot A2000 IS - Shutter release button & command dial
The shutter release button has a huge size and you certainly won't overlook it. It is encircled by a ring to control the 6x optical zoom. The on/off switch was given a prominent spot right in the center next to the familiar command dial containing the most important programs. Striking is the absence of the S/A/M mode. And that again makes the Canon A2000 IS a true entry-level model with emphasis on taking snapshots. Within the Canon camera product line, the PowerShot G10 and SX models are the only cameras with a full manual operation (P/S/A/M) in addition to the EOS series of DSLR cameras of course.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment