Canon PowerShot A400: Digital Photography Review

Canon today announced a new range-extending camera called the 3.2-megapixel PowerShot A400, available in four colors – Silver, Sky Blue, Spring Blue, and Sunset Gold. It has a focal length of 45-100mm that offers 2.2x optical zoom and features 9-point AiAF technology, Intelligent Orientation Sensor, DIGIC processor as well as eight scene modes. Still images and videos can be recorded and saved to SD memory. The user interface now also supports two new languages, Portuguese and Russian. Price is about $180.

Press Release:

Canon launches exciting new PowerShots – in color

Amstelveen Netherlands, August 19, 2004. Canon, a leader in imaging and imaging technology, today announces the release of its new range-extending digital camera – the digital camera.

PowerShot A400 – available in 4 attractive colors. The 3.2 Megapixel camera features 2.2x optical zoom and a DIGIC processor for outstanding image quality. High-performance 9-point AiAF autofocus, Intelligent Directional Sensor, and 12 shooting modes ensure that you can easily capture great photos, even in challenging conditions.

This entry-level model records to SD memory cards, allowing for a smaller and lighter camera body. The A400 has an Intelligent Orientation Sensor and can record movies up to 3 minutes long (new VGA quality up to 30 seconds). With a Print/Share button to simplify direct printing and uploading to a Windows PC, and a free 100MB online photo album with Canon iMAGE GATEWAY, the A400 is designed to be fun and easy to use.

Enlarge high-quality images

The A400 shares the same technology found in Canon’s professional compact digital cameras – DIGIC and iSAPS processors – so high image quality is guaranteed. The purpose-built DIGIC processor integrates all of the image processing algorithms into a single chip to deliver fast recording times, minimal shutter lag, optimal image sharpness and capability. Consistently accurate and natural color reproduction. iSAPS, the built-in photographer assistant, analyzes compositional factors such as zoom position and brightness to predict the type of photo taken. This results in faster autofocus, more accurate auto exposure, and accurate auto white balance.

The high-quality 2.2x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 45-100mm makes the A400 especially suitable for portrait photography. Close-ups are also simple with the 5cm macro function.

Easy to use function

While offering features to please experienced photographers, the A400 is designed to be easy to use for first-time digital camera users. The 9-point AiAF focuses quickly and accurately on subjects even when off-center, and can be switched to single-point (center) AF. An automatic assist beam helps focus in low light.

With 12 shooting modes, the A400 makes it easy to get the right shot every time. In addition to Auto, Manual, Stitch Assist, and Movie, 8 ‘Special Scene Modes’ optimize the camera’s white balance, exposure and other settings for specific shooting situations. These scene presets include ‘portrait’, ‘nightscape’, ‘fireworks’, ‘foliage’, ‘beach’, ‘snow’, ‘underwater’ and ‘indoor’.

The orientation sensor intelligently detects whether the camera is horizontal or vertical at the time of shooting. In addition to displaying images in the proper orientation for review, it helps to optimize Auto Focus, Auto Exposure, and Auto White Balance settings.

Designed for fun

Four colors complement the camera’s modern look – available colors include Silver, Sky Blue, Spring Green, and Sunset Gold. Because it records to SD memory cards, the A400 is about 10% lighter and 11% smaller than its predecessor (despite the addition of a zoom lens), so the compact camera is easy to take anywhere. An optional all-weather carrying case means the camera is protected while taking great photos, whether the user is skiing, surfing, snorkeling, or even diving (the case has a built-in case). waterproof up to 3m).

The A400 shoots movies up to 3 minutes long (up to 30 seconds in the new VGA mode) with audio recording and playback. Movie clips can all be cropped and edited in-camera, and the camera is easily connected to a TV to view movies or photos.

Easy direct printing

The camera has a Canon Print/Share button, which lights up when a successful connection is made between the camera’s USB port and a PictBridge compatible printer or Windows PC. Pressing the button when lit will either start printing the currently displayed image (based on the printer’s default PictBridge or Direct Print settings) or automatically transfer the image to a PC. When connected to a Canon compact photo printer, the camera/printer combination allows ‘film prints’ (sequential frames of a movie clip printed as thumbnails on a card) and Photo ID (passport-style ID photo).

Personal online photo gallery

Free membership is included with Canon’s online CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, with 100 MB of free storage space for storing and sharing albums online. Users can upload their favorite pictures and now movies to the site, and then direct friends and family to individually secured online ‘albums’.

Extension software

Supplied software includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, along with the film and photo editing software ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression.

The A400’s user interface is easy to use and comes in two new languages ​​– Portuguese and Russian – bringing the total number of languages ​​supported to 14.

Requires application software provided to be loaded on PC and camera preset to be selected.

Movie upload requires the user to download and install a movie upload task, available after registration from the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY website.

Canon PowerShot A400 . Specifications