Canon PowerShot A

The Canon PowerShot A is a 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 PowerShot G-series.

Models

The series began with the A5, 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 later branched off into the A5xx (replaced by the A1xxx series), A6xx, and A7xx series (the latter replaced by the A2xxx series). A-series cameras 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"	320×240 20 fps
A40		2.0 MP 1/2.7"									Added microphone for movie with sound
A60	March 2003		320×240 15 fps		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"	640×480 15 fps
A80	October 2003	4.0 MP 1/1.8"	320×240 15 fps	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"	640×480 15 fps	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"	640×480 10 fps 320×240 15 fps
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"	320×240 15 fps	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"	320×240 20 fps			1.5"					[5]
A300	April 2003	3 2 MP 2048 × 1536 1/2.7"	640×480 15 fps	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"	640×480 10 fps 320×240 15 fps	45–100 mm (2.2×)			SD	107.0 × 53.4 × 36.8	165		Optical zoom
A410	September 2005		640×480 10 fps 320×240 20 fps 160×120 15 fps	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"	640×480 10 fps 320×240 30 fps 160×120 15 fps	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	640×480 20 fps 320×240 30 fps 160×120 15 fps	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	640×480 30 fps	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	640×480 10 fps 320×240 15 fps	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	640×480 10 fps 320×240 20 fps 160×120 15 fps		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	640×480 30 fps			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	640×480 30 fps 320×240 60 fps			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	640×480 20 fps 320×240 30 fps 160×120 15 fps				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	640×480 30 fps 320×240 60 fps	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	640×480 30 fps			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	640×480 30 fps	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	640×480 30 fps 320×240 60 fps				SD, SDHC, MMC	98 × 67 × 41	210
A720 IS	August 2007	8.0 MP 3264 × 2448 1/2.5" CCD	640×480 30 fps		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 × 2736 6.17 mm × 4.55 mm (1/2.3") CCD	640×480 30 fps	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 mm × 61 mm × 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 × 2592 6.17 mm × 4.55 mm (1/2.3") CCD	720p 25 fps 640×480 30 fps	28 – 140 mm (5×)  f/2.8–6.9	DIGIC 4	6.9 cm (2.7") 230,000	SD, SDHC, SDXC	94.7 mm × 61.3 mm × 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	640×480 30 fps	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 24 fps 640×480 30 fps	28–112 mm (4×) f/2.8–5.9		2.7” 230,000		97.5 × 62.5 × 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 25 fps 640×480 30 fps	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	640×480 30 fps	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 30 fps	28–112 mm (4×) f/2.8–5.9		2.7” 230,000	SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+	93.2 × 57.2 × 23.6	135		No image stabilization, adds 720p HD video
A2300	2012	16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD	720p 25 fps 640×480 30 fps	28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9		2.7” 230,000		94.4 × 54.2 × 20.1	125
A2400 IS	2012			28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9		2.7” 230,000		94.4 × 56.3 × 21.3	141		Adds optical image stabilization
A2500	2013			28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9		2.7” 230,000		97.7 × 56.0 × 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 × 56.0 × 19.8	135		No image stabilization, adds ECO mode
A3xxx Series
A3000 IS	February 2010	10.0 MP 3648 × 2736 1/2.3" CCD	640×480 30 fps	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 30 fps	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 25 fps 640×480 30 fps	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 25 fps 640×480 30 fps	28–224 mm (8×) f/3.0–5.9	DIGIC 4	3.0” 230,000	SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+	95.3 × 56.3 × 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

• 
  A495
• 
  A540
• 
  A540
• 
  A540
• 
  A540
• 
  A540
• 
  A560
• 
  unknown Powershot model
• 
  A40
• 
  A720 IS
• 
  A530
• 
  A610
• 
  A630
• 
  A480
• 
  A3100 IS

See also

• Canon PowerShot
• Canon PowerShot G
• Canon PowerShot S
• Canon Digital IXUS or PowerShot Digital ELPH
• List of digital cameras with CCD sensors

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. "Canon PowerShot A450, A460 & A550". Digital Photography Review. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
9. "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. "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. "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. "Canon PowerShot A630 & A640". Digital Photography Review. 24 August 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
19. "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. "Three new Canon Powershots". Digital Photography Review. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
26. "Canon releases PowerShot A2100 IS & A1100 IS". Digital Photography Review. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
27. "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