2. Controls And Display

Each of the "A" series cameras is equipped with a 7.3-29.3mm f/2.8-4.1 (35-104mm 35mm equivalent) lens. It is not as wide an angle as we would like, but is fairly typical among compact digital cameras. The lens telescopes in three sections and features a 4.0X optical zoom. There’s also a 4X digital zoom. As you zoom in, an indicator shows the amount of zoom on the LCD screen in white. The camera pauses at 4X, which is the limit of optical zoom. If you zoom farther, the zoom factor is displayed in blue.

The rear of the camera has conveniently located and labeled controls. Near the top is a mode switch that changes between playback and capture. Some buttons have multiple functions depending on either the shooting mode or playback/record mode. Whether in capture or playback mode, the Menu button brings up menus appropriate for the current mode. Similarly, the Function/Set button, in the center of the four directional buttons, brings up configuration options appropriate to the current mode.

The PowerShot A630 and A640 feature an articulated, fold-out LCD screen. When extended, it can rotate through a full 270 degrees, giving you the flexibility to hold the camera above your head to shoot over crowds and still compose your image, or to properly frame self portraits. You can also rotate the LCD and fold it flat against the camera body to use it as a conventional LCD viewfinder. When in this position, the camera automatically flips the image so that you still have the correct view of your subject.

The camera also features a view finder that will give you an approximate image of what you’re shooting, but for most instances, you’ll want to use the LCD. Unlike the viewfinders in DLSRs, the viewfinder doesn’t display any exposure or configuration information.