Roundup: Compact Digital Cameras : Canon PowerShot A480
8. Canon PowerShot A480
Program mode replaces manual mode
The PowerShot A460/A470 have something more than their entry level contenders, and that is a manual mode. The A480 unfortunately does not have a dedicated manual mode.
Instead, there is a program mode (P mode) which allows you to adjust ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation,white balance and focus mode. However it is impossible to change the aperture and shutter values; the camera handles these itself.
With the new PowerShot A480 camera, Canon puts an end to the rectangular brick shape of its earlier A460 and A470 models, and offers a more traditional design. This new product has a 10 MP with better video (30 f/s), but has lost the manual mode to a P mode.
Handling
- PowerShot A480 Silver...
The PowerShot A480 has a plastic body and, despite its excellent craftsmanship, resembles a bulky toy. The rear panel has a small 2.5-inch display with only a 115 000 dot resolution. The display has a highly reflective surface and poor viewing angles. This is rather unfortunate, as it is the only way to shoot your pictures. Navigation is very traditional; the mode button allows switch from video to mode scene, auto or P.
In order to change the settings, you can use the Func/Set button. The graphic interface is well conceived and pleasant. The camera is quick and easy to use. Start up time is a bit more than one second and focus is quick: about 0.60 seconds for a wide angle and zoom. Burst mode is however disappointing with only 0.8 frames/s.
Picture quality
In low sensitivities, the pictures are rather convincing; well colored, exposure is harmonious and white balance is neutral.
When zooming on the pictures, you can see some imperfections such as purple fringing and chromatic aberrations in high-contrast areas. Image noise is similar as on other compacts by Canon.
Between ISO 80 and ISO 200 the quality is crisp and there is no image noise. However, at 100-percent on the screen, the colored pixels are quite obvious. Beyond ISO 400 you get blurry effects that become far too visible at ISO 1600. However, there is not much loss of detail. Switching to black and white can help.
The biggest disappointment is that the camera does not have optical image stabilization technology. The automatic features (face detection or reducing red eye effect) are very efficient. The video quality is decent and we finally have an entry level Canon that offers 30 f/s. Unfortunately the zoom is not available during recording. Last but not least, the PowerShot A480 works with 2 AA batteries.
| Canon PowerShot A480 | |
|---|---|
| Pluses | Minuses |
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| No wide angle, no optical stabilizer... the PowerShot A480 will please more by its speed, its efficient auto modes and its price tag. But for the same cost, we would choose the Canon A590IS or the Panasonic FS3. |  |
should have classified the cameras to at least price and/or final rating. i got discouraged to read.
should have classified the cameras to at least price and/or final rating. i got discouraged to read.
When you say classified, what do you mean? Do you mean the pages should go in order of price, or in order of rating? Such as the cheap ones at the beginning and the expensive ones at the end OR the best cameras at the top and the worst cameras at the bottom?
i meant group them by chosen price ranges/brackets or any feature you think is relevant since comparison between cameras is just difficult with the present format wherein it is only possible to compare models of a certain brand.
It would have been nice if all the cameras were given scores (yes I know this is very subjective, but so are all the comments and pro/con sections). Idealy they would be given su scores as well (i.e. a still picture score, a video score, a asthetics score, a usablity score, maybe some others) and then the cameras could be sorted by those scores with links, maybey a short blurb at each camera in the sorted list. Another thing that would be very usefull to myself and I assume other readers is a features table that allows us to compare all the cameras.