- 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
- 3x optical zoom and 3.2x digital zoom (9.6x total)
- Up to 3 minutes of video with sound; manual, aperture and shutter priority exposure modes
- Compatible with CompactFlash Type I cards; 16 MB card included
- Powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1
Product Description
The Canon PowerShot A70 gives you all the benefits of digital photography in an easy to use package. You can shoot, review, and then share your photos far more quickly and conveniently than was ever possible with analog. The PowerShot A70 has a 3.2-million pixel sensor which lets you print with total clarity in sizes up to A4. Its zoom lens can bring objects approximately 10x closer (with combined optical and digital zoom). Canon’s DIGIC processor works ultra fast to process all the camera’s electronic functions simultaneously, from Auto White Balance to Autofocus. It also lets you shoot at a fast 2.5 frames per second, but because it works so quickly, the processor uses less power, so the battery lasts longer.With Canon’s AiAF five point auto focus system, any subject in the foreground of the scene is accurately focused even if it is not in the center of the frame. If you want to focus on something further away, you can also override this feature. Canon’s direct print function allows you to plug the camera straight into the printer, so you can print without a computer. You can also plug the PowerShot A70 straight into your TV, or import the pictures into your computer and send them via e-mail. The Canon PowerShot A70 is the ideal camera for capturing family activities or for people wishing to explore the possibilities of Digital Photography. The camera allows any enthusiastic beginner to record and share their experiences with loved ones, spontaneously and economically.Amazon.com Product Description
Featuring a high-tech design with aluminum front cover and metallic handgrip, the Canon PowerShot A70 combines a sense of both the modern and the traditional. Despite its entry-level designation in Canon’s digital lineup, the 3.2-megapixel PowerShot A70 is a surprisingly advanced model with a higher resolution than its counterpart A60 model and more manual features than you’ll find on most digital point-and-shoots.
Optics and Resolution
The PowerShot A70 features a 3.2-megapixel sensor that can capture images up to 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, producing print enlargements up to 11 by 14 inches. It’s also equipped with a 3x optical zoom lens (35-105mm, f/2.8-4.8) to cover a wide selection of photographic opportunities, as well as a 3.2x digital zoom. The PowerShot A70 also features Canon’s five-point AiAF (Artificial intelligence Auto Focus) system for focusing accuracy, shutter speeds of 15 to 1/2,000 second, and fast sequence shooting at a rate of 2.2 frames per second (fps).
Movie Mode
Shoot up to three minutes of MPEG video at resolutions up to 320 x 240 pixels with sound, editing controls, and VCR-like playback. You can also shoot video at up to VGA resolution (640 x 480) for 30 seconds. The camera can also attach voice memos or sound files of up to 60 seconds to each image.
More Features
Offering a wider scope for photographic experimentation, Canon has also included manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority exposure modes. These modes are supported by a metering system that boasts evaluative, center-weighted average and spot options. Canon’s DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor ensures excellent color rendition and white balance for every shot, as well as super-fast auto focusing, noise-free imaging, and advanced flash exposure performance.
Other features include:
- 1.5-inch TFT (transreflective) LCD monitor.
- Built-in flash with auto, on, off, manual, and red-eye reduction modes.
- Shot modes include manual, portrait, landscape, night scene, stitch assist, and more.
Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored on CompactFlash memory cards (Type I only) and the included 16 MB card holds approximately 16 images at the Large/Fine setting. Files can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.
Printing
Canon has introduced a series of printers designed to work directly with its lineup of digital cameras. Using these printers, no computer is required–simply connect the camera to the printer and start printing. Printers include Canon’s bubble jet direct printers S830D and S530D, and card photo printer CP-100. Of course, photos from your camera can also be printed on any home computer system with an inkjet printer, sent off for online processing, or simply enjoyed on your computer screen.
Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by four AA batteries (alkalines included; rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 4.0 by 2.5 by 1.3 inches and weighs 7.6 ounces (without batteries). This package includes the PowerShot A70 digital camera, 16 MB CompactFlash card, four AA batteries, USB and AV cables, wrist strap, and ArcSoft Camera Suite CD-ROM and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.
3.5
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Canon PowerShot A70 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
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After many hours of research I am happy to review the Canon A70 Powershot. My first and probably only digital camera for a long time.
Easy to use, simple to learn, and compact.
I don’t mind the 4 AA batteries. I bought “good” recharable and have taken about 100 photos and a video on the first set with no end in sight yet.
The camera has many “bells and whistles” but not that many buttons and settings to use them. Tricky.
The autofocus takes about 20 pictures to get used to, but then it is a worthy attribute.
I love the stitch command. When you’re standing in front of scenery that is 4 or 5 pictures long, the downloading software will “Stitch” them together into one long picture…very cool.
The camera is small but not too small. The camera comes with all the downloading software you need and works with all the “photoshop” software that my Dell computer already came with.
The user manuals are useful, and not totally technical geeky.
Trust me, 3.2 Mpix is just fine. The only reason to get 5.0 Mpix or higher is if you’re making posters or just want to say “it’s a 5.0 Mpix”. My opinion is don’t waste your money, just get this camera. It’ll do everything and anything that “joe-shmoe” picture taker needs.
The only bummer, is the 16bit (or whatever the measurement is) card that the camera comes with. It only holds about 25 pics or maybe 30 to 45 seconds of video. I’m checking for a 128 or 256 card that will hold more pics than I know what to do with (download them and take more). They make a 516 but again, do I need all that or do I just need to say “it’s a 516 card”.
Don’t worry, the card is like a floppy disk. It just clicks in and out. BUT BEWARE, my friends told me if you take the cards in and out constantly you run the risk of bending or tweeking the tiny connector pins in the camera that connect the card to the camera. If you do this…time to buy another camera. This goes for all digital cameras so I’m getting a bigger card for $$$ to $$$ bucks and will never take the card out again (just download them, erase them, and keep on shooting).
Which come to think of it…you know those Windows Media Player videos all your friends send you at work…this camera takes those. The software downloads it as a WMP video and then asks, “want to e-mail this?”…heck ya, this is fun.
Word to the wise…if you plan on taking action photos of fast moving/fast action sports or activities you might want to research more expensive digital cameras that can take 3 or 5 frames per second. This camera can do it but not every picture may be in focus as the “shoot” button focus’ the shot when pressed half way down, lets you know it’s in focus, and then you press all the way down and it shoots. If you just shoot away it focus’ as best it can and takes the shot.
The camera does not come with a little camera bag, but hey, most of the little bags provided with electronic stuff is lame anyway. It does come with a cord to hold it, but I didn’t put it on.
Lastly…NO LENS COVER…totally cool, it has it’s own that opens and closes when you turn it on and off. Nothing to lose and no “uh duh take the lens cap off” moments.
Hope this has been useful. A very worthy purchase. ….
Rating: 5 / 5
this camera is perfect for people who are starting off their digital camera career. it will work as a point and shoot but this is a camera you can hone your creativity on. when you’re ready to experiment, the A70 provides a high degree of manual control for a camera at this price point.
pros:
- very nice resolution
- 3x optical zoom lens
- amazing manual control for the price: manual focus, selectable ISO sensitivity, and exposure (aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual)
- good metering and good tonal balance – maintains shadow detail
- good natural light white balance, strong and balanced colours
- AF assist lamp helps auto-focus for low light situations
- nice layout of controls and easy to understand
- very nice build quality – feels more expensive than what its price would suggest
- bright, detailed LCD monitor
- good shot-to-shot times, quick start-up time too
- movie clip mode up to 3 minutes
- low noise at ISO 50 (keep in mind that ISO 50 for this camera is actually ISO 100 for everyone else; likewise, ISO 100 is in reality closer to ISO 200, etc)
- impressive battery life plus it uses non-proprietary AAs (but i’d recommend buying rechargeables)
- excellent value – no one else offers this feature set at this price level
cons:
- slight chromatic aberrations visible
- AF Assist lamp doesn’t have enough power at telephoto zoom
- moderately underexposed flash shots
- RAW format not supported
- no histogram available – useful to see if photos have correct exposure
- distracting mirror finish frame surrounds the LCD monitor
- competition is lighter and smaller, but also does not give the same amount of manual control
- the supplied 16MB CF card is not adequate – be ready to shell out more $$ for more memory
i was surprised by this camera. at its price point, it has the most features among cameras available today. this camera will work well with beginners (but who’ll want to spread their “creative” wings later) but will not disappoint more advanced photographers on a budget. definitely a camera to add to your short list.
Rating: 5 / 5
There were two things that really turned my head about this camera. The first was it’s use of Compactflash memory. This memory is highly available, available in large storage sizes (512 megs, 1gig, etc) quite affordable, and can easily be used as a usb drive on nearly any computer system with an adapter.
The second feature that intrigued me was their use of standard batteries. I’ve had camera’s before used expensive disposable lithium batteries (upwards of $15 a piece)…and if your on vacation, it can be a pain to try and find something to bring your camera back to life instead of working on a suntan. Even though I’ve been using recharchable NimH batteries in this camera since I’ve had it it is very nice to know that I should be able to find spare batteries for it almost anywhere if I’m in a pinch.
Now that I’ve had the camera, I can say that I am very impressed: It fits well in the hand, is simple to use, is feature rich, and has enough interactive feedback available on the display to help you get great shots even in tricky situations.
This is a nicely featured camera at a great price – and the standards they’ve chosen have created a low cost of ownership.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is my first digital camera purchase, so I did a lot of research to find the best camera for [the price]. I can say with certainty that this camera fits the bill! It is 3.2 Megapixels, which some may not feel is enough, but unless you are going to print out photos larger than 8×10 I don’t see any reason you would need a higher resolution. In fact, most of the pictures we take aren’t even at the highest resolution possible.
The 16MB CompactFlash card that comes with this camera is way too small. Look at getting at the very least a 128 MB card, or even a 256MB or 512MB card.
I don’t have any complaints about this camera. In dark situations, the LCD becomes very grainy, but the pictures you take look great. Red eye reduction works wonders as I have yet to see any red eyes from pictures I’ve taken. In the sun, the LCD similarly gets sun circles, but those are not apparent in the final image when you take a picture. The shiny chrome finish around the LCD is a little hard to deal with in the sun, but it’s easy enough to get used to.
I highly recommend this camera. It’s geared toward the point-and-shoot consumer, but it has settings and the ability to add attachments for the more avid photographer.
Rating: 5 / 5
This camera has features that are absolutely unheard of in its price range. It has full auto controls, full manual controls (i.e. Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, and manual focus), as well as a dozen or so photo effects. They use the same DIGIC processor and AiAF system (5-point) as higher end models, so pictures come out very crisp and clear. Night shots are great as well, thanks to the AF-assist lamp, which is not a standard in other brands. One minor problem with night pictures is the red-eye effect, even with the red-eye reduction mode. This is somewhat expected, seeing how close together the lens and the flash is. However, this can be easily corrected with the included software package.
Another deciding factor for me is their use of standard AA batteries instead of a proprietary battery pack, which can be fairly expensive. In a cram, I can just run to the store and grab batteries off a shelf, or have another set of NiMH rechargeables handy. I also love the body size. I was considering buying a Canon S230, which is one of the smallest digicams out there. However, the ELPH series do not have any manual controls, the flash is weak, has a lower power zoom (2x as oppose to 3x), and they use a proprietary battery pack. The A70 is only slightly large than the ELPH. I actually like the size and the right hand grip on the A70, which gives you better control and balance of the camera.
The A70 is a very quick camera. It takes about 2.5 seconds for the camera to power up and be ready to go. Focus takes about a second, and you only have to wait about 1.5 seconds in between pictures. In playback mode, it takes a little bit over a second to go between pictures in high res mode. There is a lot of information displayed for each picture, with the exception of a histogram. However, once the pictures are downloaded to the computer, you will have access to the histogram.
Other bonuses that I like about the A70 is the Stitch Assistant mode, which helps you make great panoramic shots. It also has a video capture mode (up to 3 min) as well as audio memos that you can add to each picture taken. This camera also supports some direct printing to some printers.
All in all, this is a great camera for a great price! The pictures turn out great, even for a novice. And for the adventurous, there are plenty of manual controls to play with. There is no other camera in this price range that has all these features, combined with the great optics known for in Canon cameras.
Rating: 5 / 5