The Canon PowerShot A is a discontinued series of digital cameras released by Canon. The A-series started as a budget line of cameras, although over time its feature set varied from low-end point-and-shoot cameras to high-end prosumer cameras capable of rivalling Canon's PowerShot G-series.
Models
The series began with the A5, which was a very basic point-and-shoot camera line. The Axx series that followed offered full manual control (on most models) in a fairly bulky body. The A100/200/3xx/4xx series cameras are stripped-down with very little manual controls. The Axx series later branched off into the A5xx (replaced by the A1xxx series), A6xx, and A7xx series (the latter replaced by the A2xxx series). A-series cameras are generally powered by 2 AA batteries.
ModelReleasedateSensorresolution, size, typeVideo recordingLens (35 mm equiv)zoom, apertureImage processorLCD screensize, pixelsMemorySizeW×H×D(mm)Weight(body, g)PhotoNotesA5 seriesA5April 19981 MP1024 × 7681/3" CCDNo movie mode35 mm2" fixedCF105 × 68 × 33240A5 zoomOctober 199828–70 mm (2.5×)f/2.6–4.0103 × 68 × 37260Zoom capabilityA50April 19991 MP1280 × 9601/2.7" CCDAxx seriesA10May 20011.3 MP1/2.7"No movie mode35–105 mm (3×)1.5" fixedCF110.3 × 71.0 × 37.6250All-new body designA202.0 MP1/2.7"A30March 20021.3 MP1/2.7"320×240 20 fps2.0 MP1/2.7"Added microphone for movie with soundA60March 2003320×240 15 fpsDIGIC101.0 × 64.0 × 31.5215Smaller and lighter. The Canon PowerShot A60 and A70 cameras were the first digital camera models in their class to feature aperture and shutter priority, and full manual modes.A703.2 MP1/2.7"640×480 15 fpsA80October 20034.0 MP1/1.8"320×240 15 fps38–114 mm (3×)1.5" vari-angle103.1 × 64.4 × 34.7250Added vari-angle LCDA75March 20043.2 MP1/2.7"640×480 15 fps35–105 mm (3×) f/2.8–4.81.8" fixed101.0 × 64.0 × 31.5200Print/Share button, redesigned gripA85September 20044.0 MP1/2.7"640×480 10 fps
320×240 15 fpsA955.0 MP1/1.8"38–114 mm (3×)1.8" vari-angle103.1 × 64.4 × 34.7250Update of A80ModelReleasedateSensorresolution, size, typeVideo recordingLens (35 mm equiv)zoom, apertureImage processorLCD screensize, pixelsMemorySizeW×H×D(mm)Weight(body, g)PhotoNotesA100/200/3xx/4xx SeriesA100April 20021.2 MP1280 × 9601/2.7"320×240 15 fps39 mmf/2.81.5"CF110 × 58 × 36.6175New low-end series with different body shape, no optical zoom,A200June 20022.0 MP1600 × 12001/3.2"320×240 20 fps1.5"A300April 20033 2 MP2048 × 15361/2.7"640×480 15 fps33 mmf/3.6DIGICNew sliding lens cover,A310March 2004Print/Share button,A400September 20043.2 MP1/3.2"640×480 10 fps
320×240 15 fps45–100 mm (2.2×)SD107.0 × 53.4 × 36.8165Optical zoomA410September 2005640×480 10 fps
320×240 20 fps
160×120 15 fps41–131 mm (3.2×)DIGIC II103 × 51.8 × 40.3150First A4xx with DIGIC IIA420February 20064.0 MP1/3"640×480 10 fps
320×240 30 fps
160×120 15 fps39–125 mm (3.2×)1.8"Mostly sold in Europe, not in the U.S.A43039–156 mm (4.0×)Mostly sold in the U.S.; first A4xx with microphone.A450February 20075.0 MP2592 × 19441/3" CCD38–122 mm (3.2×)f/2.8–5.12.0"86,000SD, SDHC, MMC106 × 52 × 40165A460March 200738–152 mm (4.0×)f/2.8–5.8A470January 20087.1 MP3072 × 23041/2.5" CCD640×480 20 fps
320×240 30 fps
160×120 15 fps38–132 mm (3.4×)f/3.0–5.8DIGIC III2.5"115,000SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+105 × 55 × 41165A480March 200910.0 MP3648 × 2736 1/2.3" CCD640×480 30 fps 37–122 mm (3.3×)f/3.0–5.892 × 62 × 31140A490February 2010 10.0 MP3648 × 2736 1/2.3" CCDSD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+94 × 62 × 31135Face Detection AiAF / 5 point; Less Scene modes than in 495A495Face Detection AiAF / 9 point; Additional 3 Scene modes (same as in A490 and FaceSelf-Timer, Super Vivid, Poster Effect)A5xx seriesA510March 20053.2 MP2048 × 15361/2.5" CCD640×480 10 fps
320×240 15 fps35–140 mm (4×)f/2.6–5.5DIGIC1.8"115,000SD91 × 64 × 38180New smaller, lighter body; replaced A75A5204.0 MP2272 × 17041/2.5" CCDNew smaller, lighter body; replaced A75A530February 20065.0 MP2592 × 19441/2.5" CCD640×480 10 fps
320×240 20 fps
160×120 15 fpsDIGIC II1.8"77,00090 × 64 × 43170 Began trend of lower-end A5xx dropping conversion lenses and removal of manual modes,higher-end A5xx model still had conversion lens support and full manual modesDIGIC IIA5406.0 MP2816 × 21121/2.5" CCD640×480 30 fps2.5"85,00090 × 64 × 43180 Began trend of lower-end A5xx dropping conversion lenses and reducing manual modes,higher-end A5xx model still had conversion lens support and full manual modesDIGIC IIA550March 20077.1 MP3072 × 23041/2.5" CCD640×480 30 fps
320×240 60 fps2.0"86,000SD, SDHC, MMC91 × 64 × 43160Low-end modelA560DIGIC III2.5"115,00091 × 64 × 43165Mid-range model, also lacks conversion lens support and full manual modesA570 IS90 × 64 × 43175Optical image stabilization, full manual control, and compatibility with add-on lenses addedA580January 20088.0 MP3264 × 24481/2.5" CCD640×480 20 fps
320×240 30 fps
160×120 15 fpsSD,SDHC,MMC,MMC+,HC MMC+94 × 65 × 41175Low-end model, lacks conversion lens support and full manual modesA590 ISAdded Motion Detection Technology, Automatic Red-Eye Correction, has full manual mode.ModelReleasedateSensorresolution, size, typeVideo recordingLens (35 mm equiv)zoom, apertureImage processorLCD screensize, pixelsMemorySizeW×H×D(mm)Weight(body, g)PhotoNotesA6xx seriesA610October 20055.0 MP2592 × 19441/1.8" CCD640×480 30 fps
320×240 60 fps35–140 mm (4×)f/2.8–4.1DIGIC II2.0" vari-angle115,000SD, MMC105 × 66 × 49235Replaced A95A6207.1 MP3072 × 2304 1/1.8" CCDA630September 20068.0 MP3264 × 24481/1.8" CCD640×480 30 fps2.5" vari-angle115,000SD, SDHC, MMC109 × 66 × 49245Silver body colorA64010.0 MP3648 × 27361/1.8" CCDBlack body colorA650 ISAugust 200712.1 MP4000 × 30001/1.7" CCD35–210 mm (6×)f/2.8–4.8DIGIC IIISD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+112 × 68 × 56200Added Image Stabilization, increased maximum CCD sensitivity to ISO 1600 and DIGIC III.A7xx seriesA700February 20066.0 MP2816 × 2112 1/2.5" CCD640×480 30 fps35–210 mm (6×)f/2.8–4.8DIGIC II2.5"115,000SD, MMC95 × 67 × 43200 Smaller, lighter body; Replaced A85A710 ISSeptember 20067.1 MP3072 × 23041/2.5" CCD640×480 30 fps
320×240 60 fpsSD, SDHC, MMC98 × 67 × 41210A720 ISAugust 20078.0 MP3264 × 24481/2.5" CCD640×480 30 fpsDIGIC IIISD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+97 × 67 × 42200Increased maximum CCD sensitivity to ISO 1600 and DIGIC III.A8xx seriesA800 5 January 201110.0 MP 3648 × 2736 6.17 mm × 4.55 mm (1/2.3") CCD640×480 30 fps37 – 122 mm (3.3×) f/3.0–5.8DIGIC III6.2 cm (2.5")115,000SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+94 mm × 61 mm × 31 mm186 g Powered by 2 AA batteries Cheapest ever Canon Powershot (initial price $89).Four new Canon Powershots at CES 2011, Canon Powershot A800 for $89, Canon Powershot A800 price in India | DWS Gadgets A810 7 February 201216.0 MP 4608 × 3456 6.17 mm × 4.55 mm (1/2.3") CCD720p 25 fps
640×480 30 fps28 – 140 mm (5×) f/2.8–6.9DIGIC 46.9 cm (2.7")230,000SD, SDHC, SDXC94.7 mm × 61.3 mm × 29.8 mm171 g Adds 720p HD video ModelReleasedateSensorresolution, size, typeVideo recordingLens (35 mm equiv)zoom, apertureImage processorLCD screensize, pixelsMemorySizeW×H×D(mm)Weight(body, g)PhotoNotesA1xxx SeriesA1000 ISAugust 200810.0 MP3648 × 27361/2.3" CCD640×480 30 fps35–140 mm (4×)f/2.7–5.6DIGIC III2.5"115,000SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+96 × 63 × 31155 Replaces A590 IS, new slimmer body design, no manual controlsA1100 ISMarch 200912.1 MP4000 × 30001/2.3" CCDDIGIC 4A1200March 201112.1 MP4000 × 30001/2.3" CCD720p 24 fps 640×480 30 fps28–112 mm (4×)f/2.8–5.92.7” 230,00097.5 × 62.5 × 30.7185 Limited PTP Control, no UV Filter, no manual controls, can not refocus while recording videoA1300February 201216.0 MP4608 × 34561/2.3" CCD720p 25 fps
640×480 30 fps28–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–6.92.7” 230,000SD, SDHC, SDXC95 × 62 × 30174 No image stabilization, no manual focus, no aperture/shutter priority, no manual exposure mode, etc.A1400201316.0 MP4608 × 34561/2.3" CCD28–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–6.92.7” 230,000SD, SDHC, SDXC94.7 × 61.7 × 29.8174 Adds ECO modeA2xxx SeriesA2000 ISAugust 200810.0 MP3648 × 27361/2.3" CCD640×480 30 fps36–216 mm (6×)f/3.2–5.9DIGIC III3.0"230,000SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+102 × 64 × 32185 Replaces A720 IS, new slimmer body design, no viewfinder or manual controlsA2100 ISApril 200912.1 MP4000 × 30001/2.3" CCDDIGIC 4A22002011 14.1 MP4320 × 32401/2.3" CCD720p 30 fps28–112 mm (4×)f/2.8–5.92.7” 230,000SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+93.2 × 57.2 × 23.6135 No image stabilization, adds 720p HD videoA23002012 16.0 MP4608 × 34561/2.3" CCD720p 25 fps
640×480 30 fps28–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–6.92.7” 230,00094.4 × 54.2 × 20.1125A2400 IS201228–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–6.92.7” 230,00094.4 × 56.3 × 21.3141 Adds optical image stabilizationA2500201328–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–6.92.7” 230,00097.7 × 56.0 × 20.9125 No image stabilization, adds ECO modeA2600201328–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–6.93.0” 230,00097.7 × 56.0 × 19.8135 No image stabilization, adds ECO modeA3xxx SeriesA3000 IS February 2010 10.0 MP3648 × 27361/2.3" CCD640×480 30 fps 35–140 mm (4×)f/2.7–5.6 DIGIC III 2.7"230,000 SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ 97 × 58 × 28 125 First A series model to use lithium-ion batteryA3100 IS12.1 MP4000 × 30001/2.3" CCD First A series model to use lithium-ion batteryA3200 IS 2011 14.1 MP4320 × 32401/2.3" CCD720p 30 fps 28–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–5.9 DIGIC 4 95.1 × 56.7 × 24.3 149Adds 720p HD videoA3300 IS 2011 16.0 MP4608 × 34561/2.3" CCD 28–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–5.9 3.0"230,400 95.1 × 56.7 × 23.9 149Adds 720p HD video Advanced Smart AUTO feature-A3400 IS 2012 16.0 MP4608 × 34561/2.3" CCD720p 25 fps
640×480 30 fps 28–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–6.9 3.0"230,400 touch 94.4 × 56.3 × 21.3 141 Adds touchscreenA3500 IS 2013 16.0 MP4608 × 34561/2.3" CCD 28–140 mm (5×)f/2.8–6.9 3.0"230,400 non-touch 94.4 × 56.3 × 21.3 141 Adds WiFi and GPS via mobileA4xxx SeriesA4000 IS2012 16.0 MP4608 × 34561/2.3" CCD720p 25 fps
640×480 30 fps28–224 mm (8×)f/3.0–5.9DIGIC 43.0” 230,000SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+95.3 × 56.3 × 24.3145 8x optical zoom
Sample photographs
See also Canon PowerShot Canon PowerShot G Canon PowerShot S Canon Digital IXUS or PowerShot Digital ELPH List of digital cameras with CCD sensors
References
External links