Canon PowerShot A540 Compact Camera - Silver - Cameras - Imaging Resource

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Description:

With a full 6.0 megapixels of imaging power and a high-quality 4x optical zoom lens, the super-intuitive PowerShot A540 is ready to produce impressive results right from the start. This camera is packed with value from its high-end specs to its high-performance capabilities, yet easy enough for beginners to use.

Quick Glance

Memory Type: MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD) Card

LCD Screen Size: 2.5 in

Camera Type: Compact Camera

Megapixels: 6 Megapixel

Lens Mount: Fixed

Optical Zoom: 4

Weight: 6.35

Summary

Product Title: Canon PowerShot A540 Compact Camera - Silver

Manufacturer: Canon

Lowest Price: $359.99 from Amazon.com

Power Score: 3.9 | 30 Reviews

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Product Reviews (15)

My third "A"

Strengths: Small and light. 4X optical zoom. Needs only two AA batteries. User friendly controls. Good automatic results with manual options to suit the more experienced photographer.

Weakness: Recycling time is a bit slow and the plug-in cover is the famous Canon "Light and cheap."

I began, years back, with Canon's Powershot A20 2MP), then promoted myself up to the A70 (3.2MP) about two year ago. Three days ago, I received my newest self-indulgence: the new Powershot A540 (6MP). So far, I have used it to take 40=50 shots, indoors and out, day and night, using both the Automatic and Custom settings. In every instance, I have been more than simply pleased. The 2 1/2 inch LCD...
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By marindavid - Jun 25, 2006

Canon Powershot A540 Digital Camera

Strengths: Very lightweight with only 2 batteries, yet still takes movies. Nice

Weakness: None that weren't reflected in the price (limited focal length compared to a 10X)

This camera is great for the price. I also own a Cannon S1 and the weight difference due primarily to the 2 AA battery requirement (as opposed to 4) is very nice. This camera will also shoot video at a fairly good resolution and FPS rate. The fact that it uses AA batteries instead of a proprietary one is a must feature for me. Extra proprietary batteries are expensive and not conveniently...
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By BHaseman - May 19, 2006

Canon A540 Digital Camera

Strengths: 6 MP High resolution, glass optics, digital and optical zoom, large view screen, intuitive operation, and off-the-shelf inexpensive batteries and memory cards, very acceptable video and software.

Weakness: Undersized and useless 16MB SD Flash card included. One control that could be improved, short battery life,

Usability: A lightweight, pocket-sized camera with large view screen, but with controls still large enough to operate one-handed with your thumb. This is an example of the usability you get with products made by a real camera manufacturer. Canon and others have a century of experience in making photographic products for humans to use. Manufacturers known primarily for computers or consumer electronics do not. This also means intuitive controls, AA batteries that can be obtained inexpensively just about everywhere, and SD format memory that is the emerging standard and competitively priced.
Value: Beyond the experience, established camera manufacturers like Canon have huge patent portfolios to include these features, without having to pay patent licenses to competitors. The manufacturing cost savings can then be reflected in the pricing, without eliminating functionality. This means a reasonably priced product with quality features like Glass Optics, multiple programmed modes with sophisticated color balance and exposure compensation. Add to this: integrated mechanical and electronic zoom, large sensitive 6 million picture element image sensor, wide-screen picture mode and flawless auto-focus and exposure control. These features yield a camera that is easy to use, produces great pictures, including very acceptable video, without being pricey.

Plus and minus: You also get goodies like: voice memo, automatic file conversion for horizontal or vertical orientation, and on-camera printer (USB) and TV interface connectors to easily get your pictures before human eyes. The provided software is very easy to install and covers most of the bases for the average user. Perhaps these make up for a provided 16-megabyte SD card that is really too small to do anything except prove the camera works; where do they even buy such a tiny card? This camera should come with 128-megabyte minimum. Short alkaline battery life requires one to opt for NiMH rechargeables, or carry around a pocket full of spares. The rotation knob slips on sweaty hands and should have a knurled surface like the older A610 model.

Net: This camera is the best value in its class and produces pictures that would have required a $1000+ camera just a few years ago. It is easy enough to use that children have a blast recording their world, yet fancy enough for mom and dad to take true photographs. There probably isn't another digital camera (this year) that gives as much function and quality per dollar as the Canon A540.

By Heathkits - May 28, 2006

Great Upgrade

Strengths: Great shots esp without the flash, low-light or no light (yes I tested this also), HUGE LCD, vivid colors and much detail in pics

Weakness: some blurriness and color distortion, but without the flash, these problems can disappear. Wish the batter would last longer, but LCD is 2.5" so oh well. Can feel a little large.

Great upgrade from my HP 2.0MP camera. I like the 4x optical zoom. Nice auto-white balance feature for pics without flash. This is where the HP had problems. I just wanted a camera that could take a picture of what I saw, the way I saw it. I can see very well on the 2.5" LCD. I had a problem with other cameras and small LCDs which is why I chose this one over the a530. Can feel a little big, but...
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By choowhee1 - May 3, 2006

Powershot A540 Digital Camera

Strengths: Large LCD screen, affordable price, nice photos, nice video, easy to use controls, uses 2 regular AA batteries.

Weakness: Small 16 MG memory card included, I will need to buy a larger memory card asap, no other real weakness.

I really like this camera. I had an old Kodak 2 mp camera this is replacing and this is a huge improvement. The price is great for all the camera features. Nice pictures. The video is very nice. The camera is easy to handle. A nice list of accessories are available for this camera including lenses and waterproof case. Haven't purchased these yet but am considering it. 4x optical zoom is enough...
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By Kedro1 - May 19, 2006

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