Canon Powershot A540 adds Shutter and Aperture Priority Modes to the old Canon A530 as well as 6MP instead of 5MP, and continues featuring the 4x optical zoom. Also, it enlarges the LCD screen and a 16:9 widescreen resolution option.
Not only that I’m happy to find a compact digital camera with manual functions and controls, but Im also happy to see it has a quite good optical viewfinder that can be used when the sign low battery appears; and the possibility to attach (with an adapter ring) filters and lenses (don’t expect a large range – its still a compact camera).
An underwater case is also available as optional accessory. It has a good hand grip and its very steady on a tripod, but will only fit the bag, not the pocket.
Not only the flexibility of the options it provides, but also the vivid colors, low noise and good sharpening make this camera the best choice for low budget amatory photographers who can not yet afford a dSLR.
Canon PowerShot A540
Canon PowerShot A540
Canon PowerShot A540
Canon PowerShot A540 Digital Camera Specifications
Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Movie, Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Stitch Assist
• Scene Modes: night snapshot, kids & pets, indoor, foliage, snow, beach, fireworks, underwater
• Movie Mode: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 30/15 fps, 1GB limit; the 160 x 120 size is fixed at 15 fps (with a 3 minute recording limit); AVI format
• Effects: vivid colors, sepia, black and white, my colors menu (color accent, color swap)
• Flash Modes: Auto, On, Off, Manual (Red Eye On/Off)
• White Balance: 5 positions plus manual
• Metering: Evaluative, Center Weighted, Spot
Technical Data:
• 2.5 inch LCD
• Optical Viewfinder
• 6.0 megapixels
• 4x optical zoom + 4x digital zoom
• Focal Length: 35 mm – 140 mm
• Aperture: F2.6 – F5.5
• ISO Range: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800
• Flash Range: 3.5 m – 5 m
• Focus Range: normal 45 cm to infinity, macro closest 5 cm
• Exposure Compensation: -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
• Continuos Shooting: 2.3 fps, unlimited
• Shutter Speed: 15 – 1/2000 sec
• Self Timer: 2 or 10 sec
• File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
• SD/MMC – Secure Digital memory + internal memory
• 2x AA NiMH batteries
Again, I have to say, that “the vivid colors” look the most of the times unnatural, “canon-ish” – but definitely “nice” for an unexperienced eye.