My first Digital Camera Review

Canon A430



I am not a great photgrapher, but I have always wanted to have a camera to capture precious moments. With two kids around, to capture their pranks and moments of joy, we just got this Canon A430 on a festive season two years back. Since then, we have taken loads and loads of precious moments. Where ever we go that is the first item that we pack. Be it to the local park or to the Marina Beach; be it to the school annual day function or to the apartment's New Year celebration, I am the official photographer for my kids. Even recently, when we celebrated our parent's 60th birthday, I have captured all those precious moments, which comes once in life time for any son/daughter.

This camera is simply great for any entry level photographer. The camera is a 4MP one and it comes with 4X digital zoom. The viewfinder at the back of the camera which is 1.8 inches wide gives a clear view of the image to be shot. The camera comes with 8 photographic effects - Portrait, Night, Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Foliage, Snow, Beach and Fireworks. The quality of the picture is great in all the 8 different effects. The photos can be taken either in Large, Medium, Small, Post card, Imprint and Widescreen mode. Depending upon this the total number of photos varies.

The camera also supports video recording. One can use 2GB miniSD cards to store the photos taken. The camera comes with 16MB card by default.

Though the price of the camera have come down to around Rs. 6000.00, when we got this one we paid Rs. 8999.00 for it. But it is worth the investment we have made.

Click here for Canon A430 details and Reviews

Specifications:

Brand
Canon
Model
PowerShot A430

Display & Graphics

Total Resolution
Large : 2272 x 1704Medium 1: 1600 x 1200Medium 2: 1024 x 768Small : 640 x 480Postcard Date Imprint Mode: 1600 x 1200Widescreen : 2272 x 1280

Display & Graphics

Video Resolution
Movies:Standard, Color Accent, Colour Swap:640 x 480 pixels (10fps)320 x 240 pixels (30fps)Compact: QQVGA (160 x 120 pixels) (15 fps)
Effective Resolution
Camera Effective Pixels:Approx. 4.0 megapixels , 1 /3:inch type
Viewfinder
Real:image optical zoom viewfinder
Display Type/LCD
LCD Monitor:1.8 :inch, low temperature polycrystalline siliconTFT color LCD (Effective pixels: Approx. 77,000 pixels)Brightness adjustments (15 levels), Display Languages:23 languages

Lens

Focal Length
39 (W) 156 (T) mm
Optical Zoom
4x
Digital Zoom
Still images: A430 : Approx. 3.6x ( up to approx.14x zoom in combination with optical zoom)Movies*¹: Approx. 2.0x *¹ Standard only
Lens Aperture
Type:Circular aperture, f/number:f/2.8/ f/4.5 (W), f/5.8/ f/8.0 (T)

Storage

Storage Media
Recording Media:SD memory card, MultiMedia card, File Format:Design rule for Camera File system and DPOF (Version1.1) compliant

Battery Information

Batteries
Power Source:2 AA Alkaline batteries, 2 AA rechargeable NiMHbatteries (NB4:300)AC Adapter Kit ACK800

Physical Characteristics

Dimensions
103.0 x 51.8 x 40.2mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight
Approx. 160g (camera body only)

Standard

Optical Sensor
Sensitivity:Auto, ISO 64/100/200/400 equivalent
Shutter Speed
Type: Mechanical shutter and electronic shutter, Speeds:1 : 1/2000 sec
Exposure
2 stops in 1/3 stop increments
Image
Data Type:Still Images: Exif 2.2 (JPEG Type), Movies: AVIType (Image data: Motion JPEG Type/Audio data: WAVE (Monaural) ) Soundmemos: WAVE (monaural), Still Images:Single, Index (9 thumbnail images), Magnified*,Jump, Auto Rotate, Rotate, Histogram, Sound memos (up to 60 sec.), autoplay possible *advance or reversethrough magnified images is available
Video
Movies:Normal Playback, Special Playback*, Editing, Built:inmicrophone & speaker *Slowmotion available

Flash

Flash Modes
Operation Modes:Auto, Auto with red:eye reduction, Flash on withred:eye reduction, Flash on, Flash off, slow synchro
Flash Range
Flash Range:Normal: 47cm 3.0m (W), 47cm 2.0m (T)Macro: 30 47cm

Miscellaneous

Compatibility
AF System:9:point AiAF or 1:point AF (fixed tocenter) (Intelligent Orientation Sensor)AF:assist beam on/off, Direct Print:Canon Direct Print, Bubble Jet Direct, PictBridge

Expansion / Connectivity

Expansion slots
Interface:USB (mini:B, PTP) Audio/Video output (NTSC/PAL)

Technology

Colors
Primary color filters (Bayer type)
Shots
Shooting Modes: Auto, Camera M (Manual), Super Macro, Color Accent,Color Swap, Stitch Assist, Special Scene Modes*¹, Movie* *¹ Night Snapshot,Kids & Pets, Indoor, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Portrait*² Standard, Compact, Color Accent, Color Swap, Continuous Shooting:Approx. 2.3 shots/sec (Large and Fine mode)

Convenience

White balance
White Balance:Auto, pre:set (available settings:Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H), Custom

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