Canon PowerShot A570 IS Full Review

October 2007 | By Lars Rehm and Simon Joinson

Review based on a production Canon A570 IS

Over the years Canon's A series of budget priced compact cameras has grown to a considerable line-up of now nine models, developing along the way from simple 'point and shoot' entry-level models into fully featured enthusiast models for the photographer wanting a decent level of photographic control at an affordable price. Back in February Canon announced another addition to the range in the shape of the Powershot A560 and A570 IS - twin replacements for the A540 (and the latest in a succession of models going back to the A75). The cameras are almost identical, with the A570 IS sporting optical image stabilization as an extra (the A570 IS is actually the lowest priced A series camera with this feature). So let's find out if the A570 IS is capable of continuing the success of its predecessors, starting, as ever, with the headline features.

7.1 Megapixels
4x optical zoom with optical Image Stabilizer (35-140mm equiv.)
Full photographic control with P, Av, Tv and M modes
DIGIC III, Face Detection, AiAF
Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom
2.5” LCD with wide viewing angle and real-image optical viewfinder
19 shooting modes

PowerShot A570 IS specifications

Street price	• US: $200 • UK: £150
Body Material	Plastic and metal
Sensor	• 1/2.5 " Type CCD • 7.1 million effective pixels
Image processor	DIGIC III
Image sizes	• 3072 x 2304 • 2592 x 1944 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480 • 3072 x 1728 (16:9) • 1600 x 1200 (Postcard Date Imprint)
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 @ 60 / 30 / 15fps • 320 x 240 @ 60 / 30 / 15fps • 160 x 120 @ 15fps
Lens	• 35-140mm (35mm equiv) • 4x optical zoom • F2.6-5.5
Optical Stabilization	Yes (shift-type)
Focus	TTL autofocus
Metering	• Evaluative • Center-weighted average • Spot (center or linked to Face Detection AF frame)
Shooting modes	• Auto • Program AE • Shutter Priority AE • Aperture Priority AE • Manual • Portrait • Landscape • Night Snapshot • Kids & Pets • Indoor • Stitch Assist • Movie • Special Scene
Scenes modes	• Night Scene • Foliage • Snow • Beach • Fireworks • Aquarium • Underwater
Shutter speeds	15-1/2000 sec
Apertures	F2.6-5.5
Exposure compensation	+/-2EV in 1/3EV stop increments
ISO Sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
White Balance	• TTL type • Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Fluorescent H • Underwater • Custom
Image parameters	My Colors: My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, B&W, Custom Color
Continuous	Approx continuous (1.7 fps) until card is full
Flash	• Auto • Manual Flash On / Off • Red-eye reduction • +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments • Face Detection FE • Manual adjustment: 3 levels with internal flash • 45cm - 3.5m (wide) 45cm - 2.2m (tele)
Storage	• SD / SDHC / MMC card compatible • 16 MB card supplied
Viewfinder	Real-image zoom, optical viewfinder
LCD monitor	• 2.5-inch Amorphous Silicon TFT • 115,000 pixels
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • AV out
Power	• 2x AA Alkaline or Ni-MH batteries • Optional AC adapter kit
In the box*	• Canon PowerShot A570 IS • 2 x AA Alkaline batteries • 16MB card • Wrist strap • AV cable • USB interface cable • Software CD-ROM
Other features	• Histogram • 2,10 sec or custom self timer • Optional Tele-converter 1.75x lens (TC-DC52A) • Optional Wide-converter 0.7x lens (WC-DC52) • Optional Close-Up Lens 250D (52mm) • Optional High Power Flash (HF-DC1) • Optional Waterproof case WP-DC12
Weight (inc batts)	225 g approx
Dimensions	89.5 x 64.3 x 42.8mm (manufacturer)

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

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