I decided on the Canon A495 as I wanted an inexpensive camera to carry around in my bag for unexpected shots. For those of you who want a good basic camera from a well-known camera company, this one should fit your needs well.
Are you trying to decide between the A495 and the next model lower, the A490? Here are the differences:
· The A495 has a Face Self-Timer feature. You can focus on a group of people, and before the camera takes the shot, run over and get into the picture yourself, with your face being detected, too. Of course, you would also need a tripod or a place to set the camera down.
· The A495 has two (2) additional Scene Modes: Poster Effect and Super Vivid Color. Nice to have the additional scenes, but how often will you use them? I plan on making some art for my living room walls with the Poster Effect scene, so I opted for the A495.
· The A495 will focus on up to 9 faces (or areas); whereas the A490 will focus on up to 5 faces (or areas).
PROS:
· Easy to use straight out of the box - I didn't need to read the manual to start out, but I recommend reading it to learn about all the features
· Durable, even though it's made of plastic
· Takes great photos, and also great close-up (macro) shots
· Program mode lets you change some settings like exposure compensation, ISO, continuous shooting, metering mode, etc.
· Larger than an ultra-compact camera, so it's easier to grip and avoid dropping
· Uses AA batteries, and I'm surprised I got over 300 shots from my rechargeable batteries (the alkaline AA batteries included did not last long) - I recommend Eneloop batteries Sanyo NEW 1500 eneloop 4 Pack AA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries
· Takes fairly good video with sound (not HD) and can be directly uploaded to YouTube (this is part of the included software)
· The ZoomBrowser photo editing software has always been a favorite of mine, I use it with all my cameras, no matter what brand they are. I like this more than Picasa.
CONS:
· RECHARGING TIME AFTER TAKING A PICTURE IS UNACCEPTABLY SLOW, and even worse if using the flash (approximately 5 seconds w/flash) - this is normal with a camera that uses two AA batteries. It's still better than the Nikon L20, though. Slow even if you are using a Class 6 SD card, as I was.
· No optical image stabilization - but this is rare in any camera at this price point
· No optical viewfinder - again, hard to find now in any camera
· LCD screen is large enough, BUT has low resolution, you can't go by what the photo looks like on the screen as far as quality, 99.9% of the time it will look better after downloaded to your PC
· Battery door is flimsy, I have to be careful when closing it so the hinge doesn't break, and if not careful, the batteries fall out when removing the SD card
· Slightly on the bulky side, won't fit easily in a shirt pocket, should be OK in a pants pocket (not skinny jeans)
I would have given this camera 5 stars if it wasn't so darn slow on the recycling time after taking a photo. It flashes "busy" on the LCD screen and it is frustrating when you are waiting to take another shot.
NOTE #1: This camera does not come with an SD card, so pick one up when buying the camera as you will not be able to use it right out of the box otherwise. This camera will accept SDHC cards up to/including 32 GB.
NOTE #2: The PSC-500 genuine Canon case Canon PSC-500 Deluxe Soft Case fits this camera perfectly, but there is no extra room for spare batteries. It's a snug fit, but it's well padded too.
NOTE #3: For those of you looking for a camera that can put a date stamp on your pictures, this one does. You have your choice of date only or date and time - or none at all. Canon PowerShot A495 10.0 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-Inch LCD (Blue)
The overall quality of this camera is good, however, I have had nothing but frustration since I began using this. First of all, with nearly every picture that you take using the flash, following the actual picture taking, the LCD display goes black for several seconds and gives you a message that it is charging the flash.
Second, the camera will take its time focusing in and finding the right levels of focus and clarity for the picture that you are trying to take. When it does allow you to take your photo, a review of the photo on both the LCD and later on a PC will often reveal that the picture you just took is blurry and out of focus.
In conclusion, this camera is too much high maintenance for a simple point-and-shoot camera. I have two small kids, and when I want to catch them at a particular moment to take a picture, every second is essential. Between waiting for the flash to charge and then the camera to focus, and then followed by pictures that come out with little quality, the money spent on this camera is not an investment in memories as it should be, but rather an investment in frustration.
Simple, easy to use, feels good in the hands and it does take great pictures.
A great choice for a first digital camera.
It's the perfect camera to have if you're on a budget but want to capture great quality pictures.
A 2.5 sec delay between shots with out the flash, ( with the flash on the avg is around. 3 TO 6 secs ), and start up time is 1.6 sec.
*The camera does not have optical image stabilization.
*No memory card included with this camera*.
I use a 2gig san disk sd card ultra II(you do not get one with the camera) that gives you about 750 pictures.
I use 2 AA energizer (lithium batterys)(or 2650-2900 mAH rechargables) and that gets about 500-550 pictures . You would not be happy with just standerd AA battery life.
Walmarts, Meijers stores have a 8 pack of AA energizer lithium batterys for about $16.80,they seem to last for ever. I just use these like for vacation or a hloidays, for just every day shooting I use (good) rechargeables.
The AA batterys are probably the reason the LCD screen takes so long to recharge after the flash goes off (and to take the next picture) even with the good batterys it is recharging the flash up to 8sec on a (full flash) recharge and the times that are stated above...
I set the disp overlay to grid lines to help take a straighter picture, You may use it for the 1/3 rule also).
Cons: None for this price point.
No camera is perfect
Some are having trouble with the shutter button trying to push it half way down trying to compose there picture, on this camera, you only have to touch the shutter button and the weight of your finger will do the trick, if you try to push it half way like the canon A480 or your old camera it will take the picture...
(Update)> It seems to free up the more you use it but still not like the cameras before it...
Other Thoughts:
* The A495 takes great pictures but you will not be able to tell it by the low resolution lcd screen, you will have to wait and look at them on the computer to realy see how good they are.
It is sometimes hard to compose your shot in very bright sun light also.
* I just realy like the colors in the pictures that the canon cameras produce, again thats just me thinking out loud.
I know this all sounds bad but for the price this camera does take great pictures and is easy and fun to use.
It is on par for this price point.
I have bought these for my 4 and 6 year old grand kids ( The canon A 480s) and have had no trouble for a year now.
The next step up is a canon SD 1300 that I know anything about and you can get a upgrade on this stuff if you just can't live with the A495 (I have never used a A3100)so I can not speak for it.
I am no expert and I am trying to be honest here and help out if I can, these are just my thoughts, look at some of the pictures that I and others have posted on this site if that would be helpfull and check out the other reviews on the A495 and good luck on your next camera. I have these cameras (SD 1300,A480 A 495) I really like them.
I mostly take pictures of bear in the Smokey Mountians (CADES COVE) and love chaseing the grand kids around taking their pictures. ( And this year I fell in love with the Outter Banks in NC ). - Canon - Point And Shoot Camera - Digital Camera - Powershot'
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