The Canon PowerShot A510 digital camera combines simplicity, low price, and a nice collection of features to make it an outstanding choice for an entry-level digital camera.

The A510 offers 3.2 megapixels of resolution, which is on the low end of newer digital cameras, but it's enough resolution to make prints of 8x10 inches (optimal 4x6 inches). If you're looking to make extremely large prints, the A510 isn't going to meet your needs. But for everyday-type photos, the A510 excels.

You'll appreciate the A510's 4X optical zoom lens, which is a slight improvement over the 3X zoom lenses you'll find with most budget- and intermediate-priced digital cameras. The A510's lens provides very nice photo quality with bright, sharp results; much better than you'll typically find in other cameras in this price range.

The A510's response times are good. You can shoot your first photo about 3 seconds after pressing the power button. The camera's shutter lag can measure up to 1 second, depending on whether you use the camera's auto-focus feature. In continuous-shot mode, you can capture about 2.3 shots per second.

The A510's 1.8-inch LCD screen is sharp and easy to see in sunlight. The LCD includes a 10X magnification feature, allowing you to closely check a portion of a photo for sharpness.

Beginning digital photographers will appreciate the A510's 13 shooting modes, allowing them to automatically match the camera's settings to the exterior lighting conditions and achieve the highest-quality photos possible.

The A510 is 1.5 inches thick and doesn't quite qualify for the ultra-thin category, but it still fits comfortably in most pockets. The A510 is smaller than most of Canon's other PowerShot models.

Another handy feature of the A510 is its ability to run off two disposable AA batteries or rechargeable AA batteries. This handy feature allows you find replacement batteries in a pinch.

The A510 has a price point of around $200, which makes it a good choice for those wanting to try digital photography. Unlike many budget-priced digital cameras, though, the A510 can add features as your photography skills improve. You can purchase add-on lenses, underwater housing, and external flashes to give the A510 more flexibility and power.

Although the A510 is aimed at beginning photographers, it's a great value for anyone looking for an easy-to-use, high-quality camera for everyday photos. Very few other budget-priced digital cameras can match the A510.


Pro: Good price point, sharp photo quality, 4X optical zoom lens is better than most, add-on features are handy
Con: Maximum resolution could be a little higher, shutter lag in some situations could be better, very few manual-control features

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Canon USA Inc.
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success, N.Y., 11042
http://www.usa.canon.com
800-OK-CANON

Warranty
1 year