Canon PowerShot A40 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Other products by Canon

Product Details

Product Manual [1.49mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 4.3 x 2.8 inches ; 8.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006412G
• Item model number: A40
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,168 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 27, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Despite its entry-level designation in Canon's digital lineup, the 2-megapixel A40 is a surprisingly advanced model with excellent picture quality and more manual features than you'll find on most digital point-and-shoots.

Resolution
With resolutions of up to 5 megapixels now available in other cameras, the 2-megapixel chip in the A40 may seem wimpy, but for the camera's intended user, 2 million pixels is a great balance between performance and price. This resolution means gorgeous full-screen images on your computer (even with a 19-inch monitor) and prints that look great at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. If you're hoping for a camera that captures even detail in each photo, consider Canon's 3-megapixel S30 or 4-megapixel S40.

Optics
A 3x optical zoom lens (35-105mm equivalent) aids in photo composition, and an additional 2.5x digital zoom (7.5x total) further magnifies your image. Remember, however, that digital zoom reduces the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly. Two systems help ensure your pictures will be perfectly focused, even in challenging conditions: a multizone autofocus works even when the subject of your photo isn't in the center of the scene, and in low-light situations (a particular weakness of many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance.

More Features
Though it's primarily designed as a point-and-shoot, the A40 includes a surprising number of advanced features for photographers who want more creative control, including aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual modes, exposure compensation, low-light manual shutter speeds, manual ISO and white balance, and stitch assist, plus black-and-white, sepia, vivid, and neutral modes.

A movie mode captures video clips with sound. Depending upon resolution, these clips can last from 10 to 30 seconds. The limited length and resolution of these clips guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

The A40 is the successor to last year's A20. Physically, the two cameras are nearly identical, but the new model has substantially more manual controls and a movie mode.

Power
The A40 uses four AA batteries, and a set of alkalines is included. We don't recommend using alkaline batteries in digital cameras unless you have no alternative, since the high power demands of digital cameras drain alkaline batteries ridiculously quickly. Instead, we prefer lithium batteries for occasional users, since these last much longer and also stay fresh if your camera sits unused for months at a time. If you use the camera more than once every couple of weeks, we strongly recommend getting a set of rechargeable NiMH batteries and a charger. These can be recharged hundreds of times and hold an excellent charge, but will lose their power in as little as a month of disuse. Many people solve this problem by purchasing a charger with two sets of batteries, keeping one set in the camera and the other in the charger at all times.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on standard Type I CompactFlash cards. Consider the included 8 MB card a starter capacity, since its 12-picture limit means you'll need to return to your computer often to transfer images and free up the card for more pictures. A 128 MB card is a great size for this camera, storing around 200 images. To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your computer should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive.

Printing
Canon has introduced a series of printers designed to work directly with the A40. Using these printers, no computer is required--simply connect the camera to the printer and start printing. The CP-10 produces credit-card-sized prints, and the CP-100 makes 4-by-6-inch prints. Both use continuous-tone technology for results that are indistinguishable from traditional photos. 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.

Size
Dimensions of 4.3 by 2.8 by 1.5 inches put the A40 in the middle of the compact-camera pack. The plastic body keeps weight down to 8.8 ounces.

Contents and Recommended Accessories

The package includes the A40 camera, AV and USB cables, wrist strap, printed manual, software suite, four AA batteries, and an 8 MB memory card.

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but a few well-chosen accessories can help you get even more from your camera. We strongly recommend the addition of a larger memory card (a 128 MB card holds around 200 images), a set of rechargeable batteries, and a carrying case. A broad array of additional accessories are available, including a waterproof housing, an adapter for threaded lenses, and more.

From the Manufacturer

The new PowerShot A40 offers added value to consumers with functions and features previously found only in higher-priced digital cameras. This new camera has a wealth of features designed to make digital photography easy and satisfying for all users. The PowerShot A40 has a 2.0 megapixel CCD sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens.

Exceptional Zoom and Focus

The brilliance of Canon lenses and the versatility of a 3x optical zoom let you frame the world in front of you any way you want it. Your options range from the equivalent of 35-105mm. Auto Exposure selects the optimum settings for all lighting conditions, and the Canon autofocus system gives you a selection of 3-point AiAF or 1-point Center Focus.

Advanced Shooting Functions

The way you see your world is the way your Powershot A40 shows it to everyone else. Use it like a point-and-shoot camera for casual snapshots, like a 35mm camera with full manual control mode for formal portraits or landscapes. You're not even limited to still images. You can actually shoot 30-second movies with audio with the A40.

Plug it in. Print it out

One simple connection via the USB connector lets you quickly download your images from your A40 straight into your computer. With the Canon Direct Photo Printer CP-100 or the Card Photo Printer CP-10 you don't even have to use your computer. Print out an image in sizes from postcard or wallet directly from the camera.

Superb Image Quality

The PowerShot A40 uses advanced technology that you'd expect in professional use digital cameras. The High resolution CCDs (2.0megapixels) is equipped with primary color filters for superbly natural color reproduction and improved signal processing for low noise.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

220 of 223 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Camera, March 29, 2002

By	Cal "chuck2002" (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I'm new to digital photography and was very impressed with Canon's A40. The camera has similar features to the proven A20 model, but distinguishes itself in several ways.

For example, the A40 feels solid and is very attractive. It also captures 10-30 second movie clips in AVI format which can be played on Quicktime. The movie images are a bit grainy, but movements and sounds are captured quite well. Using some software which was included with the A40, I was able to convert the AVI clips into MPEG and view them on my PocketPC. Finally, the camera is less expensive than the A20, but delivers the same quality images.

My experience with the A40 pictures is that 2Mexapixels are fine. The clarity of the images is remarkable. And making short movie clips is an added benefit to getting the A40.

For the price and photo quality, the A40 is an exceptional product and deserves everyone of its 5 stars.

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No more 35mm film for me, November 10, 2002

By	"ignatius_loyola" (Chestnut Ridge, NY United States) - See all my reviews

When I purchased this camera as my entry into the digital world, I wanted to get a camera that would serve two purposes in one. I wanted something easy enough to use that the technology of the thing was not overwhelming to a first time user and I wanted something that had enough in the way of features so that I would not feel as though I needed to get a bigger and better model in 6 months. I really feel that the Canon A-40 neatly fulfills those two needs.

You can definitely get wrapped around the axle with all the cameras on the market these days. The feature list seems to be endless. In order to choose a camera that was right for me, I broke it down into the things that were important to me.

2 Megapixel camera - That number really translates into photo quality. With this camera you will be able to take and print JPEG images up to an 8x10 size with amazing clarity and detail. I thought at first that I should go for the maximum Megapixel rating possible but I have no need for prints of any larger size (besides my printer will not print anything larger.). I am quite pleased with the images that the camera produces with perhaps only a couple of exceptions but really nothing that deals with the resolution of the photos.

3X Optical Zoom and 4X Digital Zoom - For those of you who are familiar with a 35mm film camera the 3X Optical Zoom is the equivalent of 35mm-105mm zoom lens. One small complaint is that the zoom control is touchy and it can be difficult to adjust it into the proper range. With a bit of practice this can be overcome. The 4X optical zoom is selectable and works quiet well but there is a trade off (isn't all of life?). Using the digital zoom results in a loss of resolution with the image. For images that you send via e-mail this doesn't really represent a problem, but for those images that are to be printed it can become a factor.

1.5 inch LCD display and optic viewfinder - The optic viewfinder is a bit dinky and only shows about 80% of the actual recorded image. I have to confess I don't really use this feature preferring the LCD screen more. The LCD display on the other hand is another trade off. Although you get a bright color display of the image you are going to record, the screen tends to use battery power at an alarming rate. I was able to take over 100 photos with the regular alkaline batteries that were provided with the camera and didn't really see this as a serious problem. As a side note, I did purchase NIMH (nickel metal hydride) rechargeable batteries to use with the camera and have no complaints in this area.

Compact Flash memory system - This is a great memory system in my opinion. It is small and relatively easy to use. The camera comes equipped with an 8MB-memory card. At the highest resolution this card will hold about 8 photos which I will admit is not many. I quickly relegated the 8-MB card to a reserve role and now use a 128-MB card. It is a bit intoxicating knowing I can take about 200 high quality images and not have to have them developed in the traditional sense. You can preview each image and delete the ones that you don't want or keep them all. The camera has a USB port for direct downloading to your computer or you can opt for a card reader, which does not require the camera.

Beyond these basic features the camera will take pictures in a fully automatic mode (including flash) or will allow the uses to operate the camera in manual for a multitude of effects. I find that the auto settings work very well for the most part. My only complaint would be that from time to time the camera will flash when it probably shouldn't have and wash the photo out because of overexposure. This really isn't much of a problem in my opinion for two reasons. I didn't have to pay to have the photo developed to see the problem and it doesn't happen all that often.

You can do some incredible things such as "stitching" photo after adjacent photo creating a 360-degree panoramic photo of your surroundings or recording short AVI format movies.

Weighing in at 8.8 oz with the following dimensions - Depth 1.5 in, Height 2.8, in Width 4.3 in, This is not the most compact camera on the market so if your looking for the smallest model available you need to probably look elsewhere. I like it size though. It is just big enough to feel sturdy and durable but small enough to carry most places.

I find that the camera controls are conveniently placed and are very user friendly. Most are menu driven with the LCD display providing necessary guidance to use the features.

There are a wealth of accessories for this camera including replaceable lenses and a waterproof (to 200 feet) housing I haven't had the opportunity to use these items yet but when and if I do I will update this review.

Overall I would have to say that I am very pleased with this camera and that I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the 2 megapixels - by far, November 20, 2002

By	M. Burk (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This camera has so many great features and is very easy to use. Here are my best features on why I bought over other Canon camera or Fujis (My experience: NIKON COOLPIX is best for camera buffs, but this one beats all for everyday shooting, travel shooting, family photos, and professinal looking shots within budget - (...)

(...)1. Largest resolution and largest size gives best 4x6 and 5x7 prints. I take all my photos on the CompactFlash card to Wolf Camera and they print them on their big machine. go professional for $.50 a photo - worth it everytime
2. Can take one pix in color, the next in B&W
3. Can use manual mode for faster shutter speed and/or aperature setting. Or can use AUTO like I do everytime
4. Flash red-eye works most of the time, but I do correct 2 out of 5 red-eyes b4 I take my pix to Wolf Camera with Adobe
5. Software for PC and cable lets you attach cable to camera and turn it on with automatic download to your PC of new pictures. You can also go in and download older ones saved on the media card (CompactFlash)
6. I like taking 5-7 pictures for one BEST shot. I then go through and delete the ones that did not come out well and print the one that did!
7. Video capture is about 15 seconds with high resolution and plays well on the PC. Each file can be joined with Microsft Movie Player (XP) to create one long movie (AVI file) nd burned to a CD. You can view the movie on the camera too.
8. Good depth of field. Not a wide angle, but some elements are achieved
9. Viewing screen on the back is very good and wide
10. Upgrade to a 64 MB or 128 MB card - the 8 MB included card is not enough for big photos
11. Zoom is excellent. On highest zoon, you can't be too close or too dark. The focus will not work evertime, but taking a step back works.
12. Flash can be turned off for any shot
13. you can review the pictures on the camera one by one or by a small grid (I think like 9 pictures). You can even zoom in on the pix you took on the camera and move it around.