Canon PowerShot A510 3.2MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom

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Product Details

Data Sheet [22kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.6 x 1.2 x 2.5 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007KQUP2
• Item model number: A510
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (143 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,063 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 8, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Canon's new compact 3.2-megapixel PowerShot A510 digital camera with a powerful 4x optical zoom provides you with a comfortable introduction to the fun and freedom of digital photography.

Named for their use of AA batteries, Canon's A-series digital cameras offer easy-to-use, high quality features to consumers looking to capture, save, and share meaningful memories, personal milestones and family functions.

The next generation PowerShot A510 digital camera is 13 percent smaller and 10 percent lighter than its predecessor, yet it is equipped with a longer 4.0x 35-140mm (35mm format equivalent) optical zoom lens with Canon optics for sharp images. The new lens features all-glass construction and two aspherical elements in a seven-element formula.

In order to make the camera smaller, Canon engineered the new PowerShot A510 model to accept SD media. Even with its small size, the camera sports a large 1.8-inch LCD screen for easy preview and review. It also includes Canon's exclusive DIGIC image processor for faster processing speed and excellent image quality with crisp, vibrant colors.

The PowerShot A510 digital camera requires only two AA batteries, while providing the same number of shots (300 with LCD screen on) as previous models that used four batteries, thanks to reductions in power consumption made possible by improvements in key components and circuit design.

Like its A75 predecessor, the PowerShot A510 digital camera is equipped with a nine-point AiAF "smart" autofocus system and 13 shooting modes. The standard shooting modes are Full Auto, Program, Manual, Shutter-priority, and Aperture-priority with additional modes including Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Fast Shutter, Slow Shutter, Special Scene, Stitch Assist, and Movie. The Special Scene mode, which makes it easy for beginners to achieve optimum results in many popular photo opportunities, has been enhanced with the addition of two new settings called Night Snapshot and Kids and Pets. The PowerShot A510 digital camera is also capable of recording movies with sound for up to three minutes per clip, making it perfect for capturing memories in motion.

The new camera's grip is ergonomically improved, and the control layout is even easier to use than before. Other camera functions including self-timer and review have also been enhanced for greater creative flexibility.

The DIGIC Difference
Image quality is enhanced and improved as a result of Canon's proprietary DIGIC (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor. DIGIC combines the roles of image processing and camera function control into one chip, resulting in faster display and write times for each image and lower power consumption, which extends battery life. Moreover, because DIGIC technology was designed specifically for use in digital cameras it is also capable of handling JPEG compression and expansion, memory card control, LCD/video control and processing gain control (control of CCD signal amplification), autoexposure, autofocus, auto white balance control, and most other functions.

Print/Share Button
Located on the backside of the PowerShot A510 digital camera is the Print/Share button. This button simplifies and accelerates direct printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge-enabled printers and one-touch image transfer to Windows XP, Me, 2000, and 98 computers for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or as e-mail attachments. When the camera is connected to a compatible printer or computer, the Print/Share button illuminates to let the user know to press the Print/Share button to begin the printing or downloading process.

Optional Accessories
In addition to its rich feature set, the PowerShot A510 digital camera is compatible with a wide variety of optional accessories including supplementary wide-angle (WC-DC52), telephoto (TC-DC52A) and close-up lenses (52mm Close-up Lens 250D). These accessories enhance the new camera's versatility and make it easier to use in specialized applications such as real estate and insurance photography. A waterproof case WP-DC60 is also available and can be used at depths up to 130 feet. The combination of the A510 digital camera with the WP-DC60 housing is great for family vacations at the beach, while skiing, or simply to protect the camera from the elements.

What's in the Box:
The PowerShot A510 digital camera kit includes Interface Cable IFC-400PCU, AV Cable AVC-DC300, Wrist Strap WS-200, SD MultiMediaCard MMC-16M and two AA-size Alkaline batteries as well as Canon Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 22, featuring the latest versions of Canon’s powerful software and ArcSoft PhotoStudio.

Product Description

Packed with value superior to any other camera in its class, the PowerShot A510 is brimming with that "best buy" feel. 3.2 Megapixel resolution, Canon's exclusive DIGIC Image Processor and a new, longer 4x optical zoom bring life-like detail and radiant color to all your images. This camera is exceptionally easy to use, with a new ergonomic grip and big 1.8 inch LCD screen.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

448 of 452 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slightly better than A400, February 5, 2005

By	Numm in SF (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This camera is my 3rd Canon digicam. My first Canon digicam was Canon a60 which was great but it was a bit too bulky for me. I bought this camera as a alternative option next to my canon a400 and I'm definitely satisfied.

Pros:
-4x Zoom ( Can't beat that!...many digicams only come with 3x)
-Big and bright 1.8 screen which gains light in the dark
-It's canon! Great lens and brand. Very reliable
-A bit faster shutter speed compared with Canon A400
-Very Comfortable to hold and very firm (has hand grip)
-Movie mode at 640x480 for 30sec and 320x240 for 3 mins max
-Use only 2 AA batteries. Last over 100 pics with flash and screen on at all time(I tested it with 2300mAh rechargable batteries)
-Fast start-up time(less than 3 second once you turn the camera on)
-Easy to use for anyone who familiar with canon digicam(same board which is Digic!...too bad this cam does not come with Digic2 which works faster and allows user to record longer movie clip)
-Great printing quality as usual for Canon

Cons:
-Still has slow shutter speed when taking picture at best quality with flash(up to 5 secs which isn't so bad compared to Canon A400)
-A bit bigger than other brand for the same price and pixels(but you get canon camera that uses AA battery + 4x zoom)
-The dial swich and capture/view switches are a bit hard to turn at first but it got easier after a month)

Overall, I love this camera as Canon seems to know what they are doing when they make their cameras. I'm one happy canon's customer. Buy it and you won't regret it.

Also, you can buy canon case psc60 which designed for A60-A95 models, it sure fits this canon a510 just fine. Or else, try the psc65 which designed just for Canon A510 and A520.

Hope this review will help someone who is deciding which camera to buy. Cheers!

244 of 248 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best selling digital camera!, February 16, 2005

By	superman2k3 "superman2k3" (On a sunny beach!) - See all my reviews

Canon has fully redesigned the Powershot A series to make it lighter (uses only 2 AA batteries now), smaller and with 4x optical zoom.

Pro's,
1. Very good image quality.
2. 3 MP and 4x optical zoom is the perfect combo for most people.
3. Priced right, unlike some overpriced digicams out there.
4. Works on 2 normal AA batteries (buy rechargeable ones for extra life and lower cost), unlike expensive & hard-to-find propreitary batteries.
5. The menu on the Canon cameras is light years ahead of most other manufacturer's. Lots of manual options and scene modes.
6. Battery and SD card doors seem to be of above average quality.
7. 1.8" LCD screen is bright and fluid.
8. Uses standard SD cards, unlike propretary memory cards like Memory Stick or xD card.
9. Can attach extra lenses if one buys the adaptor for it.
10. Actual LCD screen looks nicely protected below a plastic plate.

Con's,
1. The camera is still quite thick (although not bulky).
2. It uses Digic instead of Digic2 processor in other new Canons.
3. Tripod mount is on the corner and made from plastic.

I guess you gotta spend more money to buy Elph series for more pocketability. I am almost sure this will be THE best selling camera of 2005, just like A60 and A75 in past. With a price this low for a fully loaded A510 there really is no reason to buy slightly cheaper but vastly inferior cameras from HP, Kodak, Olympus, Fuji or Samsung.

68 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent Camera at an Amazing Price!, April 18, 2005

By	diljs - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This camera is an incredible value for the price.

Let me begin by saying that Canon makes exceptional digital cameras; the best in the market right now. This is because they have always used high quality components since they began manufacturing digital cameras. This one is no exception.

The Axxx series is the successor to the excellent Axx series, with a few very useful upgrades, such as the switch from 4AA to 2AA batteries (with no decrease in camera life!), and the 4x optical zoom.

A510 vs A520 vs SDxxx

First off, the A510 and A520 are identical except for the 3.2 megapixel sensor in the A510 and 4mp on the A520. Today, megapixel ratings are similar to Ghz ratings in the computer world: They used to mean a lot, but with today's cameras, it doesn't mean that much anymore. More megapixels do NOT mean a better image. They mean a larger printable image. In this case, the A510 has a maximum resolution of 2048x1536 pixels, or an 8.5x11 picture. The A520 has a max resolution of 2272x1704 pixels, or a picture slightly larger than 8.5x11.

Unless you need a slightly bigger picture, the A510 is a better buy.

When it comes to the Axxx or an SDxxx, it depends on what you need. The Axxx series will give you a better picture quality, manual controls, and standard AA batteries which actually last twice as long as the SDxxx series' proprietary batteries. The SDxxx series will give you better movies, the new Dig!c 2 processor, and a compact, cool looking camera, at a higher cost and with a very fragile exposed LCD screen.

Features:

Pros:
-Beautiful image quality, better than any other camera at this price range (no purple fringing like on the SDxxx)
-4x optical zoom! It's very hard to find another camera in this class. This alone makes the camera superior to most of the competition
-Excellent, intuitive manual controls
-Easy to hold naturally - no fingers in the way of the lens
-Beautiful 1.8 inch lcd that looks great under various lighting conditions
-The lcd is protected by a plastic layer, unlike the exposed and easily broken SDxxx lcds.
-Uses AA batteries, which are cheap and easy to find instead of expensive proprietary batteries
-Uses widely available and cheap SD or MMC cards (SD are faster)

Cons (most of these are minor quirks):
-Movie mode isn't as good as the SDxxx series
-Only USB 1.1 transfer speed (SDxxx have usb 2.0)
-Uses the still good, but outdated Dig!c processor, instead of the Dig!c 2 in the SDxxx series and some newer Canons
-A historical problem for Canons still shows in this camera in the flimsy battery/Memory card covers

If you do choose this product, the first thing you should buy is a larger SD memory card. The camera comes with a 16mb MMC card, which is pretty much useless. MMC cards are slower than SD, and 16mb will fill up very quickly.

You should also consider a case, such as the very affordable and custom fit PC-65.

Also, as with any camera, rechargeable NIMH batteries are a must. You don't need to pay for the expensive Canon set however, similar offerings from Energizer, Rayovac, etc. will work fine.