Canon PowerShot A70 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Details
- Availability:
- No longer available through SilverGelatin.net
- List Price:
- $399.99
- Average Customer Rating:
- 3.5 out of 5
- Manufacturer:
- Canon
Features
- 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
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.
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.
Spotlight customer reviews
Consider this Review before Purchasing New Models
[ Posted: 2008-06-17 ]
I know this camera is old. However, it is similar to the newer models. Don't buy this camera. I bought it quit after 5 years of use with great care in handling it. The reason I bought it was because it took 4, AA batteries. This seemed like a good feature at first with not having to recharge the battery all the time, but it also made the camera have a delay while taking pictures. The delay was long enough for me to miss many great shots. The batteries just aren't strong enough for a fast flash.
My next camera will probably be a Pentax Optio M50. It is great for casual shots like when the family gets together. It is also only around $200 at the time of this review. Canon has good cameras, but this series is not one of them, and I give the A70, 2 stars for working 5 years. And all things considered 2 stars is generous.
Good, not great
[ Posted: 2008-05-01 ]
This camera takes good pictures and it's easy to operate. It is well worth it's price. However, there are some problems.
1. The CCD has known issues. It is highly susceptible to moisture and will develop problems. The images will have horizontal lines in them and the color balance will be wrong. Canon fixes this problem at no charge and even pays for shipping. However, in two years of owning this camera, I've had to return it twice for this repair.
2. The LCD display is rather small and hard to see. It is even more difficult to see in bright light.
Other than those two things, the camera works great. It's easy to operate and use the camera's functions, and the results are very good. Color balance is good for all white balance settings, especially incandescent when shooing in incandescent light. Pictures are sharp and free from image artifacts.
One minor annoyance is that the zoom is electronic. It is difficult to get the exact zoom you want, especially for normal (the human eye's perspective). Another annoyance is the camera's widest aperature. It is not wide enough to make things n the background go out of focus. However, with a little skill with Photoshop, you can mask the subject and perform blurring.
Connecting and downloading images to your computer is easy and painless. The supplied software is adequate but not stellar.
A nice featuer is that the camera uses AA sized batteries. Get yourself rechargable 2500ma batteries and an inexpensive charger and you'll get a lot of photos out of one set of batteries.
One very recommended accessory is the lens adapter, the LAH-DC20. Even f you don't attach an auxilary lens, this provides some protection for the lens in case you drop the camera while it's powered up, and it provides a means to attach 52 mm close up diopters, filters, and any lens hood.
For it's price, the camera is exceptional.
Great Camera and would get it now for a kid in grade school.
[ Posted: 2008-01-14 ]
I've had this camera for 6 years and it still works perfectly! However, I gave it to a cousin of mine who is in grade school, because I wanted something with more pixels.
Had this camera since 2003
[ Posted: 2008-01-06 ]
I bought this camera in 2003 and it worked GREAT. I have changed the batteries a total of 3 times since I've had it and have taken hundreds of pix. I have just purchased the Canon Powershot A570IS, because my A70 has just 'broken' down as of October 31, 2007 (no Halloween pix). I won't bother to repair it, since its not worth it, however it did a great job for the past 4 years, and I hope the new one does a better job, if that's possible. I would recommend Cannon to my friends. Its a great product and does what its made to do.
broke after 2 years
[ Posted: 2007-11-03 ]
work okay for a little less than 2 years. it was always slow when you pushed the button but other than that it was fine. then all of sudden all the pics had white lines. I'm assuming the CCD needs replacing (at what cost??). My recommendation - look elsewhere.