Canon PowerShot A640 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom + 2GB Deluxe Accessory Kit

by Canon

Product Details

• ASIN: B000IJ9SYC
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,953 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 19, 2006

Product Description

Canon's popular A Series cameras have always stood out from the competition, but PowerShot A640 takes that concept to a whole new level. Experience breathtaking 10.0 megapixel resolution-a first for an A-Series camera - and the power of a 4x optical zoom lens. You'll have more fun shooting, and make your finished images even more rewarding, with the camera's exciting array of easy-to-use, high-performance features including 21 shooting modes and ISO800/High ISO Auto settings for much greater ability to shoot in low light. Light Metering Method - Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Metering Exposure Control - Program Auto Exposure (AE), Shutter Speed-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual Shutter Speed Range - 15 seconds to 1/2500 second (settable in Tv and M) Automatic, multi-mode electronic-flash Storage Media - SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard (MMC) - We recommend purchasing an Optional 1GB SD or MMC memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more Video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera's high Resolution abilities Shooting Modes - Auto; Creative - P, Av, Tv, M, C; Image - Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap), Stitch Assist, Movie Print/Share Button for direct connection to PictBridge-compatible printers via camera's USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cable Unit Dimensions (WxHxD) - 4.31 x 2.60 x 1.93 ". +PLUS+ 2GB DELUXE ACCESSORY KIT: Filled with lots of vital accessories. 2 GB Secure Digital Card - Secure Digital Card Reader - 4 Hhigh Capacity AA Nimh Rechargeable Batteries - Compact AA Nimh Battery Charger - Well Padded Digital Camera Case With Front Pocket & Strap - Lens Cleaning Kit - Flexible Mini Tripod - LCD Screen Protectors - PHOTO/VIDEO TRIPOD 42" W/Case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Canon Powershot A640 - a long wait, but well worth it, January 10, 2007

By 

Datafixer "Hank" (Mtn. View , California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon PowerShot A640 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom + 2GB Deluxe Accessory Kit (Electronics)

The last camera I purchased was an Olympus 1.2 megapixel back in May 2000, and it certainly gave me a LOT of great pictures. Unfortunately, the low pixel count began to rear its ugly head whenever I tried to enlarge any beyond 4x6 inches. It was also SLOOOOWWWWW as molasses in the Arctic, taking more than 5 seconds between shots just to save an image; even more when using flash.

So I waited... and waited... (over 6 years total) while the camera makers beat themselves silly in a megapixel-and-features race. Watching on the sidelines, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted in my "ideal" camera: a balanced compromise between form and function that would satisfy more than 80% of my needs and wants (the old 80-20 principle in action). And I found it in the Canon A640.

Here are the main reasons I chose this model:

1. "Big" camera capability in a modest-size package - neither too big nor small; a good grip to get my large-size hand around.

2. An "articulating" 2.5" LCD display that allows me to accurately compose and shoot at rediculous angles... like over a crowd of people, around a corner, etc.

3. Uses STANDARD AA "penlite" batteries (4 total, of any type), so I'm never left in a lurch without power (I always carry 3 sets!)

4. Better than the typical 3x optical zoom in most models; this one has 4x

5. At least 5 megapixel capability -- the A640 is severe overkill at 10mp for my needs, but hey... why not?

6. An excellent history of this Canon model series that evolved over several years and just got better with each version.

In the Real World, nothing is perfect, so here's my list of downers:

1. No image-stabilization feature like on other Canon models. This would be a real plus in low-light motion-shot situations, but I've lived without it for 6 years and have learned how to compensate.

2. I REALLY want 6x, or even 10x optical zoom, like on the Panasonic DMC-TZ1 (which also has image stabilization); but I can live with 4x, because the 10mp resolution compensates when using the extra digital zoom feature. Actually, a 6x optical zoom would be just perfect.

3. I want a damn LOCK feature on the little mode-selection wheel on top the camera, because it always seems to move when least desired; a big pain-in-the-a** when you realize the shot you just took is no good because the darn wheel is in the wrong position! It happens all to frequently.

I'm willing to bet that Canon will have "fixed" these negatives with a revised model later this year, but I just couldn't wait any longer. My old Olympus was severely grating on the nerves and I literally stopped using it. The holidays were looming ahead and I didn't want to be devoid of family photos, so I bit the bullet and bought the A640. Am I happy? Absolutely YES, but.... (that last 20 percent issue).

So why didn't I get the Panasonic DMC-TZ1? Two main reasons: the notorious digital NOISE problem and proprietary, non-replaceable batteries; otherwise, it would have (almost) been my 4.5 STAR machine (sans articulating LCD). However, I'll wait for Canon to introduce their future (hypothetical) Model A740 with 6x optical zoom, image-stabilization and a MODE SELECTION WHEEL THAT CAN BE LOCKED! (Hear me, Canon Engineers?) Now THAT would be my 6-star machine!

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use, great pix!, June 26, 2007

By 

K. Ruger "ubiquitous_love" (Bradenton, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon PowerShot A640 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom + 2GB Deluxe Accessory Kit (Electronics)

I love this camera! I have always bought Nikon cameras in the past, but after a friend showed me his Powershot, I decided that my next camera was going to be a canon. This camera has cool functions like "color accent" which allows you to take a picture that is all black and white except a color that you choose, even in movies! The quality of the pictures it takes is great, and the camera is so easy to use. I would tell everyone looking for a great camera to check out this one.