Canon PowerShot A550
The Canon PowerShot A is a now discontinued series of digital cameras released by Canon. The A-series started as a budget line of cameras, although over time its feature set varied from low-end point-and-shoot cameras to high-end prosumer cameras capable of rivalling Canon's G-series.
Models
The series began with the A5 series, which was a very basic point-and-shoot camera line. The Axx series that followed offered full manual control (on most models) in a fairly bulky body. The A100/200/3xx/4xx series cameras are stripped-down with very little manual controls. The Axx series has branched off into the A5xx (replaced by the A1xxx series), A6xx, and A7xx series (the latter replaced by the A2xxx series). A-series camera are generally powered by 2 AA batteries.
| Model | Release date |
Sensor resolution, size, type |
Video recording | Lens (35 mm equiv) zoom, aperture |
Image processor | LCD screen size, pixels |
Memory | Size W×H×D (mm) |
Weight (body, g) |
Photo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A5 series | |||||||||||
| A5 | April 1998 | 1 MP 1024 × 768 1/3" CCD |
No movie mode | 35 mm | 2" fixed | CF | 105 × 68 × 33 | 240 | [1] | ||
| A5 zoom | October 1998 | 28–70 mm (2.5×) f/2.6–4.0 |
103 × 68 × 37 | 260 | Zoom capability[2] | ||||||
| A50 | April 1999 | 1 MP 1280 × 960 1/2.7" CCD |
[3] | ||||||||
| Axx series | |||||||||||
| A10 | May 2001 | 1.3 MP 1/2.7" |
No movie mode | 35–105 mm (3×) | 1.5" fixed | CF | 110.3 × 71.0 × 37.6 | 250 | All-new body design | ||
| A20 | 2.0 MP 1/2.7" |
| |||||||||
| A30 | March 2002 | 1.3 MP 1/2.7" |
320x240 20fps | ||||||||
| A40 | 2.0 MP 1/2.7" |
|
Added microphone for movie with sound | ||||||||
| A60 | March 2003 | 320x240 15fps | DIGIC | 101.0 × 64.0 × 31.5 | 215 | 
|
Smaller and lighter. The Canon PowerShot A60 and A70 cameras were the first digital camera models in their class to feature aperture and shutter priority, and full manual modes. | ||||
| A70 | 3.2 MP 1/2.7" |
640x480 15fps | 
| ||||||||
| A80 | October 2003 | 4.0 MP 1/1.8" |
320x240 15fps | 38–114 mm (3×) | 1.5" vari-angle | 103.1 × 64.4 × 34.7 | 250 | 
|
Added vari-angle LCD | ||
| A75 | March 2004 | 3.2 MP 1/2.7" |
640x480 15fps | 35–105 mm (3×) f/2.8–4.8 | 1.8" fixed | 101.0 × 64.0 × 31.5 | 200 | 
|
Print/Share button, redesigned grip | ||
| A85 | September 2004 | 4.0 MP 1/2.7" |
640x480 10fps
|
||||||||
| A95 | 5.0 MP 1/1.8" |
38–114 mm (3×) | 1.8" vari-angle | 103.1 × 64.4 × 34.7 | 250 | 
|
Update of A80 | ||||
| Model | Release date |
Sensor resolution, size, type |
Video recording | Lens (35 mm equiv) zoom, aperture |
Image processor | LCD screen size, pixels |
Memory | Size W×H×D (mm) |
Weight (body, g) |
Photo | Notes |
| A100/200/3xx/4xx Series | |||||||||||
| A100 | April 2002 | 1.2 MP 1280 × 960 1/2.7" |
320x240 15fps | 39 mm f/2.8 |
1.5" | CF | 110 × 58 × 36.6 | 175 | New low-end series with different body shape, no optical zoom,[4] | ||
| A200 | June 2002 | 2.0 MP 1600 × 1200 1/3.2" |
320x240 20fps | 1.5" | 
|
[5] | |||||
| A300 | April 2003 | 3 2 MP 2048 × 1536 1/2.7" |
640x480 15fps | 33 mm f/3.6 |
DIGIC | 
|
New sliding lens cover,[6] | ||||
| A310 | March 2004 | 
|
Print/Share button,[7] | ||||||||
| A400 | September 2004 | 3.2 MP 1/3.2" |
640x480 10fps
|
45–100 mm (2.2×) | SD | 107.0 × 53.4 × 36.8 | 165 | 
|
Optical zoom | ||
| A410 | September 2005 | 640x480 10fps
|
41–131 mm (3.2×) | DIGIC II | 103 × 51.8 × 40.3 | 150 | First A4xx with DIGIC II | ||||
| A420 | February 2006 | 4.0 MP 1/3" |
640x480 10fps
|
39–125 mm (3.2×) | 1.8" | 
|
Mostly sold in Europe, not in the U.S. | ||||
| A430 | 38–152 mm (4.0×) | 
|
Mostly sold in the U.S.; first A4xx with microphone. | ||||||||
| A450 | February 2007 | 5.0 MP 2592 × 1944 1/3" CCD |
38–122 mm (3.2×) f/2.8–5.1 |
2.0" 86,000 |
SD, SDHC, MMC | 106 × 52 × 40 | 165 | 
|
[8] | ||
| A460 | March 2007 | 38–152 mm (4.0×) f/2.8–5.8 |
|||||||||
| A470 | January 2008 | 7.1 MP 3072 × 2304 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 20fps
|
38–132 mm (3.4×) f/3.0–5.8 |
DIGIC III | 2.5" 115,000 |
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 105 × 55 × 41 | 165 | [9] | |
| A480 | March 2009 | 10.0 MP 3648 × 2736 1/2.3" CCD |
640x480 30fps | 37–122 mm (3.3×) f/3.0–5.8 |
92 × 62 × 31 | 140 | 
|
[10] | |||
| A490 | February 2010 | 10.0 MP 3648 × 2736 1/2.3" CCD |
SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 94 × 62 × 31 | 135 | 
|
Face Detection AiAF / 5 point; Less Scene modes than in 495[11] | ||||
| A495 | 
|
Face Detection AiAF / 9 point; Additional 3 Scene modes (same as in A490 and FaceSelf-Timer, Super Vivid, Poster Effect)[11] | |||||||||
| A5xx series | |||||||||||
| A510 | March 2005 | 3.2 MP 2048 × 1536 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 10fps
|
35–140 mm (4×) f/2.6–5.5 |
DIGIC | 1.8" 115,000 |
SD | 91 × 64 × 38 | 180 | 
|
New smaller, lighter body; replaced A75[12] |
| A520 | 4.0 MP 2272 × 1704 1/2.5" CCD |
|
New smaller, lighter body; replaced A75[13] | ||||||||
| A530 | February 2006 | 5.0 MP 2592 × 1944 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 10fps
|
DIGIC II | 1.8" 77,000 |
90 × 64 × 43 | 170 | 
|
[14] Began trend of lower-end A5xx dropping conversion lenses and removal of manual modes, higher-end A5xx model still had conversion lens support and full manual modes DIGIC II | ||
| A540 | 6.0 MP 2816 × 2112 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 30fps | 2.5" 85,000 |
90 × 64 × 43 | 180 | 
|
[15] Began trend of lower-end A5xx dropping conversion lenses and reducing manual modes, higher-end A5xx model still had conversion lens support and full manual modes DIGIC II | ||||
| A550 | March 2007 | 7.1 MP 3072 × 2304 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 30fps
|
2.0" 86,000 |
SD, SDHC, MMC | 91 × 64 × 43 | 160 | Low-end model[8] | |||
| A560 | DIGIC III | 2.5" 115,000 |
91 × 64 × 43 | 165 | 
|
Mid-range model, also lacks conversion lens support and full manual modes[16] | |||||
| A570 IS | 90 × 64 × 43 | 175 | Optical Image Stabilization, full manual control and compatibility with add-on lenses added[16] | ||||||||
| A580 | January 2008 | 8.0 MP 3264 × 2448 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 20fps
|
SD,SDHC, MMC,MMC+, HC MMC+ |
94 × 65 × 41 | 175 | Low-end model, lacks conversion lens support and full manual modes[9] | ||||
| A590 IS | 
|
Added Motion Detection Technology, Automatic Red-Eye Correction, has full manual mode.[9] | |||||||||
| Model | Release date |
Sensor resolution, size, type |
Video recording | Lens (35 mm equiv) zoom, aperture |
Image processor | LCD screen size, pixels |
Memory | Size W×H×D (mm) |
Weight (body, g) |
Photo | Notes |
| A6xx series | |||||||||||
| A610 | October 2005 | 5.0 MP 2592 × 1944 1/1.8" CCD |
640x480 30fps
|
35–140 mm (4×) f/2.8–4.1 |
DIGIC II | 2.0" vari-angle 115,000 |
SD, MMC | 105 × 66 × 49 | 235 | 
|
Replaced A95[17] |
| A620 | 7.1 MP 3072 × 2304 1/1.8" CCD |
| |||||||||
| A630 | September 2006 | 8.0 MP 3264 × 2448 1/1.8" CCD |
640x480 30fps | 2.5" vari-angle 115,000 |
SD, SDHC, MMC | 109 × 66 × 49 | 245 | 
|
Silver body color[18] | ||
| A640 | 10.0 MP 3648 × 2736 1/1.8" CCD |
|
Black body color[18] | ||||||||
| A650 IS | August 2007 | 12.1 MP 4000 × 3000 1/1.7" CCD |
35–210 mm (6×) f/2.8–4.8 |
DIGIC III | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 112 × 68 × 56 | 200 | 
|
Added Image Stabilization, increased maximum CCD sensitivity to ISO 1600 and DIGIC III.[19] | ||
| A7xx series | |||||||||||
| A700 | February 2006 | 6.0 MP 2816 × 2112 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 30fps | 35–210 mm (6×) f/2.8–4.8 |
DIGIC II | 2.5" 115,000 |
SD, MMC | 95 × 67 × 43 | 200 | 
|
[20] Smaller, lighter body; Replaced A85 |
| A710 IS | September 2006 | 7.1 MP 3072 × 2304 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 30fps
|
SD, SDHC, MMC | 98 × 67 × 41 | 210 | 
|
||||
| A720 IS | August 2007 | 8.0 MP 3264 × 2448 1/2.5" CCD |
640x480 30fps | DIGIC III | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 97 × 67 × 42 | 200 | 
|
Increased maximum CCD sensitivity to ISO 1600 and DIGIC III.[19][21] | ||
| A8xx series | |||||||||||
| A800 | 5 January 2011 | 10.0 MP 3648 x 2736 6.17 x 4.55 mm (1/2.3") CCD |
640x480 30fps | 37 – 122 mm (3.3×) f/3.0–5.8 |
DIGIC III | 6.2 cm (2.5") 115,000 |
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 94 × 61 × 31 mm | 186 g | 
|
Powered by 2 AA batteries [22] Cheapest ever Canon Powershot (initial price $89).[23] |
| A810 | 7 February 2012 | 16.0 MP 4608 x 2592 6.17 x 4.55 mm (1/2.3") CCD |
720p 25fps
|
28 – 140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
DIGIC 4 | 6.9 cm (2.7") 230,000 |
SD, SDHC, SDXC | 94.7 x 61.3 x 29.8 mm | 171 g |
|
Adds 720p HD video [24] |
| Model | Release date |
Sensor resolution, size, type |
Video recording | Lens (35 mm equiv) zoom, aperture |
Image processor | LCD screen size, pixels |
Memory | Size W×H×D (mm) |
Weight (body, g) |
Photo | Notes |
| A1xxx Series | |||||||||||
| A1000 IS | August 2008 | 10.0 MP 3648 × 2736 1/2.3" CCD |
640x480 30fps | 35–140 mm (4×) f/2.7–5.6 |
DIGIC III | 2.5" 115,000 |
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 96 × 63 × 31 | 155 | 
|
[25] Replaces A590 IS, new slimmer body design, no manual controls |
| A1100 IS | March 2009 | 12.1 MP 4000 × 3000 1/2.3" CCD |
DIGIC 4 | [26] | |||||||
| A1200 | March 2011 | 12.1 MP 4000 × 3000 1/2.3" CCD |
720p 24fps
640x480 30fps |
28–112 mm (4×) f/2.8–5.9 |
2.7” 230,000 |
97.5 x 62.5 x 30.7 | 185 | 
|
Limited PTP Control, no UV Filter, no manual controls, can not refocus while recording video | ||
| A1300 | February 2012 | 16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD |
720p 25fps
|
28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
2.7” 230,000 |
SD, SDHC, SDXC | 95 × 62 × 30 | 174 | No image stabilization, no manual focus, no aperture/shutter priority, no manual exposure mode, etc. | ||
| A1400 | 2013 | 16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD |
28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
2.7” 230,000 |
SD, SDHC, SDXC | 94.7 × 61.7 × 29.8 | 174 |
|
Adds ECO mode | ||
| A2xxx Series | |||||||||||
| A2000 IS | August 2008 | 10.0 MP 3648 × 2736 1/2.3" CCD |
640x480 30fps | 36–216 mm (6×) f/3.2–5.9 |
DIGIC III | 3.0" 230,000 |
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 102 × 64 × 32 | 185 | [25] Replaces A720 IS, new slimmer body design, no viewfinder or manual controls | |
| A2100 IS | April 2009 | 12.1 MP 4000 × 3000 1/2.3" CCD |
DIGIC 4 | [26] | |||||||
| A2200 | 2011 | 14.1 MP 4320 × 3240 1/2.3" CCD |
720p 30fps | 28–112 mm (4×) f/2.8–5.9 |
2.7” 230,000 |
SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 93.2 x 57.2 x 23.6 | 135 | 
|
No image stabilization, adds 720p HD video | |
| A2300 | 2012 | 16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD |
720p 25fps
|
28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
2.7” 230,000 |
94.4 x 54.2 x 20.1 | 125 | 
|
|||
| A2400 IS | 2012 | 28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
2.7” 230,000 |
94.4 x 56.3 x 21.3 | 141 | Adds optical image stabilization | |||||
| A2500 | 2013 | 28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
2.7” 230,000 |
97.7 x 56.0 x 20.9 | 125 | No image stabilization, adds ECO mode | |||||
| A2600 | 2013 | 28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
3.0” 230,000 |
97.7 x 56.0 x 19.8 | 135 | No image stabilization, adds ECO mode | |||||
| A3xxx Series | |||||||||||
| A3000 IS | February 2010 | 10.0 MP 3648 × 2736 1/2.3" CCD |
640x480 30fps | 35–140 mm (4×) f/2.7–5.6 |
DIGIC III | 2.7" 230,000 |
SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 97 × 58 × 28 | 125 | 
|
[27] First A series model to use Lithium-ion battery |
| A3100 IS | 12.1 MP 4000 × 3000 1/2.3" CCD |
[27] First A series model to use Lithium-ion battery | |||||||||
| A3200 IS | 2011 | 14.1 MP 4320 × 3240 1/2.3" CCD |
720p 30fps | 28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–5.9 |
DIGIC 4 | 95.1 × 56.7 × 24.3 | 149 | Adds 720p HD video | |||
| A3300 IS | 2011 | 16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD |
28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–5.9 |
3.0" 230,400 |
95.1 × 56.7 × 23.9 | 149 | Adds 720p HD video [27] Advanced Smart AUTO feature- | ||||
| A3400 IS | 2012 | 16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD |
720p 25fps
|
28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
3.0" 230,400 touch |
94.4 × 56.3 × 21.3 | 141 | Adds touchscreen | |||
| A3500 IS | 2013 | 16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD |
28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9 |
3.0" 230,400 non-touch |
94.4 × 56.3 × 21.3 | 141 | Adds WiFi and GPS via mobile | ||||
| A4xxx Series | |||||||||||
| A4000 IS | 2012 | 16.0 MP 4608 × 3456 1/2.3" CCD |
720p 25fps
|
28–224 mm (8×) f/3.0–5.9 |
DIGIC 4 | 3.0” 230,000 |
SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 95.3 x 56.3 x 24.3 | 145 | 8x optical zoom | |
Features
Software by Breezesys adds remote capture capability from a computer over the USB interface on early Canon PowerShot A models until around 2006. More recent models generally do not support remote capture.
Many models from the A450 to the A720 can run the CHDK firmware add-on adding features such as recording raw image files and remotely triggering the camera shutter using a USB cable.
Sample photographs
-
A495 -
A540 -
A540 -
A540 -
A540 -
A540 -
unknown Powershot model -
A40 -
A720 IS -
A530 -
A610 -
A630 -
A480 -
A3100 IS
See also
- Canon PowerShot
- Canon PowerShot G
- Canon PowerShot S
- Canon Digital IXUS or PowerShot Digital ELPH
- List of digital cameras with CCD sensors
References
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A5 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A5 Zoom digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A50 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A100 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A200 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on January 11, 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A300 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A310 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on November 1, 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Canon PowerShot A450, A460 & A550". Digital Photography Review. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "Canon PowerShot A470, A580 & A590 IS". Digital Photography Review. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Canon unveils PowerShot A480". Digital Photography Review. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ a b "Canon unveils A490 and A495 10MP budget compacts". Digital Photography Review. 5 January 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
- ^ Joinson, Simon (April 2005). "Canon PowerShot A510 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ Joinson, Simon (March 2005). "Canon PowerShot A520 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A530 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A540 digital camera specifications". Digital Photography Review. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ a b "Canon PowerShot A570IS and A560". Digital Photography Review. 22 February 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A610 & A620". Digital Photography Review. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ a b "Canon PowerShot A630 & A640". Digital Photography Review. 24 August 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ a b "Canon PowerShot A650 IS & A720 IS". Digital Photography Review. 20 August 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ Joinson, Simon (April 2006). "Canon PowerShot A700 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ Butler, Richard (January 2008). "Canon PowerShot A720 IS Concise Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A800 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ Four new Canon Powershots at CES 2011, Canon Powershot A800 for $89, Canon Powershot A800 price in India | DWS Gadgets Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Canon PowerShot A810". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Three new Canon Powershots". Digital Photography Review. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ a b "Canon releases PowerShot A2100 IS & A1100 IS". Digital Photography Review. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "Canon announces A3000 IS and A3100 IS". Digital Photography Review. 5 January 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
- ^ "Canon launches new Powershot A-series digital cameras". Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
External links
Media related to Canon PowerShot A at Wikimedia Commons