Canon PowerShot A95 Digital Camera

Canon's "A" series digital cameras have long been popular with consumers because of their incredible durability, exceptional creative capabilities, ease of use, and reasonable prices. The A80 was a virtually unchallenged "Best in Class" digicam that skunked its competition by stuffing many of the advanced capabilities and prosumer features pioneered on Canon's upscale "G" and "S" series digicams into the "A" family's basic P&S body.

The new "A" series flagship, the Powershot A95, continues that winning tradition by retaining everything that made the A80 great, improving the already innovative camcorder style 360 degree swing-out tilt-swivel LCD screen, and replacing the A80's 4 megapixel CCD sensor with the five megapixel CCD sensor from the G5. The A95 (like the A80) ingeniously mixes innovative engineering with "on hand" components and proven technology (which radically cuts costs and shortens the R&D process) to create a genuinely improved digicam designed to meet the photographic needs of a broad spectrum of users at a price that isn't likely to break the bank.

Important Note The product image displayed above this review is not the A95 – if you want to see what the A95 looks like, just follow this link

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/app/images/d_eos/a95_586x225.jpg

What's New? How does the A95 differ from the A80?

The most striking difference is the resolution increase (from 4 to 5 megapixels). The A95's LCD screen is larger (1.8" vs. 1.5") and resolution has been almost doubled (from 67k to 118k) which should please consumers who felt it was difficult to determine precise focus with the A80 because the LCD screen was grainy and a bit coarse. Canon added their new Print Share button to provide simplified direct printing with any compatible Canon PictBridge printer or Windows PC. Canon also improved the movie mode and added more scene modes.

CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY

DIGIC Image Processor

Canon's DIGIC (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) Processor enhances auto focusing accuracy, improves battery life/power management, and increases processing speed. The DIGIC processor utilizes complex imaging algorithms to produce images that are optimized for sharp resolution, balanced contrast, low image noise, and very accurate colors.

AiAF (Advanced intelligent Auto Focus)

In all automatic exposure modes the A95 defaults to a 9 focus point AiAF system that covers virtually the entire image area. Nine focus points (spread across the image area) make it easy for the A95's auto focus system to determine and lock focus on the primary target (based on closest subject priority), even when it is not centered in the viewfinder.

iSAPS

Canon's exclusive iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology produces consistently exceptional exposures in all scene modes. The camera instantly matches the scene in front of the lens with an on board database of known scene types and then compares that information with the specific scene's subject distance, white balance, contrast range, lighting, and color (just before the image is recorded) to determine the correct exposure. The ISAPS system works hand in hand with Canon's DIGIC chip and AiAF auto focus system to quickly and consistently create exceptional images.

FUNC Button

Most of the A95's shooting functions can be easily accessed via traditional buttons, knobs, and switches --- when shooters do need to resort to the menu, pushing the FUNC button provides a simplified single menu overlay that takes photographers directly to the most commonly changed/modified camera operations/functions, without the need to navigate through several different menus.

NUTS & BOLTS

Viewfinder/LCD

The A95's tunnel style real image zooming optical viewfinder is bright and color correct. The optical viewfinder (typically) only shows about eighty per cent of the image area. There's (still) no diopter correction for eyeglasses wearers.

The most visible difference between the A80 and the A95 is the A95's larger 1.8" LCD screen. Not only is the LCD screen larger, but Canon obviously listened to consumer complaints that the A80's 67K LCD screen wasn't sharp enough for critical focus. The A95's 118K LCD screen resolution should eliminate this complaint. The A95's camcorder style LCD screen tilts/swivels 180 degrees horizontally and 270 degrees vertically. Many digital camera buyers worry about scratching or smudging the surface of the LCD screen, but this shouldn't be a concern since the screen nests into the camera body when not in use and opens out like a book when in use. Once the screen is deployed it can be tilted/swiveled through a full 360 degrees (allowing it to be used as a waist level finder, pointed toward the front of the camera for self portraits, and tilted downward for over the heads of a crowd shots) and then folded securely back into the camera when not in use.

The A95's screen images are bright, color accurate, and fluid. The LCD automatically boosts gain in dim/low light and provides a very useful live histogram display that shows the image area as a graphic representation, allowing users to spot under/over exposure areas and fine tune settings for more precise creative control.

Lens

The A95 features the same f2.8-4.9/38-114 mm (35mm equivalent) all glass 3X optical zoom as the A80. The zoom retracts fully into the body (protected by a built-in lens cover) when the camera is powered down and extends from the body when the camera is powered up. The zoom is relatively quick (it travels from wide angle to telephoto in less than two seconds) and operation is smooth and fairly quiet.

Canon's optical engineers had to specially design the A95's 3X zoom so that it could be retracted fully despite the shallower body depth caused by the tilt-swivel LCD screen (which is nested into the rear deck when not in use). The "compressed" rear focus zoom does an exceptional job, it is actually noticeably sharper than the more conventional design 3X zoom featured on the A75 and A85.

The A95's zoom displays some very minor softness in the corners of the frame, especially at f2.8 and there is also some minor barrel distortion at the 38mm end of the zoom range, but virtually no pincushion distortion at the telephoto end. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is visible in high contrast color transition areas, but it is very well controlled, especially for a digicam in this price range.

Auto Focus

The A95 uses the same 9 focus point TTL AiAF Auto Focus system as the A80. The default AF mode analyzes the scene in front of the camera and accurately calculates camera to subject distance to determine which AF point is closest to the primary subject and then automatically locks focus on that AF point even when the subject is not centered in the viewfinder. User's can also select a specific AF point or turn off the AiAF (via the menu) and default to the center focus point for portraits or traditional landscapes. In aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes, the A95 provides Flexizone AF, which permits users to select a single focusing point and manually shift that AF point around in the frame for maximum creative control.

When Spot metering is enabled, the metering spot can be set to the center of the frame or linked to the active Flexizone AF point, allowing the photographer to meter on the "spot" location that coincides with the most important element of the composition and link the camera's AF system to that same spot---a really nifty and very useful creative option. In low light the focus assist beam helps to illuminate the subject for more accurate focusing. The A95's auto focus is fast and precise with performance that is well above average.

Manual Focus

The A95's manual focusing system (distance scale focusing) is a bit cumbersome and difficult to use, but it does provide users with more control and creative input than is usually seen on digicams in this price range.

Macro Focus

The A95's macro performance is quite good with excellent close-up resolution (minimum focusing distance in macro mode is 2 inches) and fairly even flash coverage, more than sufficient for e-bay images and artistic (but not "in your face") bugs and flowers shots.

Flash

The A95's built in multi mode flash offers a fairly standard selection of flash options including; Auto (fires when the camera determines supplemental light is needed), On (fill flash mode), Red-Eye Reduction, Slow-synch (in Night Scene Mode), and off (no flash). Canon claims the maximum flash range is about 15 feet and this seems to be fairly accurate (at the high output setting). The A95 also provides (limited) flash compensation via the flash output setting (low, medium, or high). Overall, the A95's built-in flash does a slightly better than average job, but (due to flash position relative to the lens) redeye is consistent problem. The A95 has no hot shoe and does not support the use of external flash units.

Image Storage Media

CompactFlash (CF) Type I

Connectivity

USB 1.1, A/V out, and DC in

Power

The A95 pulls its juice from four AA batteries. Canon's design engineers have improved power management to the point that even Alkaline AA's from the supermarket or drugstore will power the camera for 200-250 (continuous LCD and occasional flash use) exposures. High capacity NiMH re-chargeables will power the A95 through 400-500 (continuous LCD use and occasional flash use) exposures. My friend and I used 4 Duracell Alkaline AA's which kept the A95 running for two days of fairly heavy shooting (continuous LCD, heavy fill flash, and regular image review) use.

EXPOSURE

Auto Modes

The A95 has a remarkably simple to use yet highly sophisticated auto exposure system that efficiently places image capture, basic camera operation, auto white balance, image compression, the AF system, gain, power management, and most other important camera functions under the control of the powerful high speed DIGIC processor.

The A95 provides an incredibly wide range of exposure options (21 shooting modes) for a mid priced digicam, including Auto (Point and Shoot mode), Program (Auto exposure with user input), Scene mode (Auto exposure optimized for specific types of images including Portrait, Landscape, Night scene, Fast shutter, Slow shutter, and Special Scene Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, & Night Snapshot), Aperture priority (users select the lens aperture and the camera chooses the best corresponding shutter speed), Shutter priority (users select the shutter speed and the camera chooses the best corresponding lens aperture), Movie mode, and Stitch Assist mode.

Manual Mode

Unlike most entry-level digital cameras, the A95 provides a full range of manual controls. Users can set shutter speed, lens aperture, ISO sensitivity, bias exposure (exposure compensation), manually adjust color saturation, contrast, and sharpening, and manually fine tune white balance.

Movie Mode

The A95's movie mode is lifted directly from the A70, which had better video clip capability than the A80. This is another area where Canon listened to consumer complaints and responded. The A95 can record VGA video clips (up to 30 seconds) at 640x480 @ 15 fps (with in-camera editing), however 30 fps would have been better.

The A95 also provides a voice-notation mode so users can add audio notes to their still pictures.

Metering

The A95's default metering mode is Evaluative (the image frame is broken down into segments). The A95 also provides two user selected metering modes (Center-Weighted Averaging and Spot). All three metering options produce consistently well-exposed images in all but the most difficult lighting situations. Neophyte photographers won't have to worry about metering at all (as long as they stay in Auto mode) and more experienced photographers can opt for either Spot or Center-weighted metering for more demanding/creative compositions.

In-Camera Image Adjustment

The Photo Effects mode allows shooters to make in-camera image adjustments. Users can select vivid or neutral color saturation, low sharpening, and sepia or B&W tonal effects.

White Balance

TTL Auto and pre-sets for Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, and a Custom (manual) mode.

Sensitivity

Auto, 50, 100, 200, & 400 ISO (35mm equivalent)

CONTROLS, DESIGN, ERGONOMICS & OPERATION

The A95 is an attractive and well-balanced digital camera that's virtually identical (in appearance) to the A80. With the exception of the larger LCD screen and the print share button the changes are all under the hood. The A95's relatively compact body is constructed of a durable combination of metal and polycarbonate with a comfortable grip on the right hand side of the cameras front. All controls are logically laid out and the A95's shooting functions are easily accessed.

Experienced photographers will have no problem using the camera right out of the box and beginners will be able to shoot consistently excellent images after a quick scan of the user's manual. Video camera users will have no trouble adapting to the flip out LCD, however some photographers may need a couple of minutes to adjust to looking away from the rear of the camera (the LCD screen folds out of the camera body like opening a book) when composing a shot.

Technical Specifications

Resolution: 5 Megapixels (2592x1944)
Viewfinders: 1.8" fold out camcorder style tilt-swivel TFT LCD and Real Image zooming optical viewfinder
Lens: f2.8-f4.9/38-114mm (35mm equivalent) all glass zoom
Auto Focus: 9 AF point AiAF
Manual Focus: Yes
Macro: Minimum focusing distance 2 inches
Flash: Built-in Multi-mode
Exposure: Auto, Program, Scene modes, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual mode, Movie mode, and Stitch Assist mode.
Metering: Evaluative, Center-weighted, & Spot
Exposure compensation: Yes +/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV increments
White balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, & Custom
Sensitivity: Auto, 50, 100, 200, & 400 ISO (35mm equivalent)
In-Camera Image Adjustment: Yes (Photo Effects Mode)
Noise Reduction: Yes-- automatic on exposures longer than 1 second
Image Storage Media: CompactFlash type I
Connectivity: USB 1.1, AV/out, & DC in
Power: 4 AA batteries

MSRP $499.00 Street Price $399.00--$369.00 (about the same as the A80)

Included

32MB CF card, four AA Alkaline batteries, wrist strap, USB & AV cables, software CD's, user's and software manuals.

Optional

Canon CBK100 (4 NiMH batteries and charger kit), LA-DC52C Lens adapter, Canon WC-DC52 0.7x Wide Converter lens, TC-DC52 2.4x Tele-converter lens, 250D Close-up Lens, WP-DC700 Waterproof Case, ACK600 AC adapter, and Canon soft case.

In the Field/Handling & Operation

I have an old friend who sells new and used (digital and analog) cameras. He and I both enjoy playing with new digital cameras, so as soon as he got his hands on Canon's nifty new five megapixel A95 (the A80's replacement) he swung by to see if I wanted to help him check it out. The first thing we did was shoot some color tests using a home-made macro stage and a selection of brightly colored (red, green, yellow, blue, and purple) plastic children's beach toys against a white background. This test allows us to check color accuracy and the precision of the camera's white balance system. The A95 did an absolutely outstanding job---all colors are bright, well saturated, and dead on accurate. The A95's white balance system is one of the best I've seen on any entry level/mid-level digicam.

After finishing our color tests we headed downtown to shoot the colorful cast iron storefronts along West Main Street. Louisville has one of the best-preserved nineteenth century business districts areas in the United States. The area is filled with three and four story warehouses where riverboat cargo was stored before and after being loaded/off loaded from the thousands of steamboats that used to ply the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers. Kentucky's profitable Bourbon Whiskey and Tobacco industries created hundreds of prosperous merchants who commissioned ornate and highly decorative cast iron fronts for their West Main Street buildings. Most of these cast iron building fronts were cast just up the river in Madison, Indiana.

The whole area was sort of forgotten in the rush to the suburbs after World War Two. Starting about twenty years ago the area was rediscovered and many of the old buildings beautifully restored. We finished up in front of the Louisville Science Center's shooting architectural details and close ups of the brightly painted purple and gold cast iron work.

After we ran out of cast iron building fronts to shoot, we headed for the riverfront and Louisville's first Rib America Festival (the festival started in Indianapolis and is rapidly spreading across the Midwestern USA). The festival is a celebration of ribs, barbecue, beer, and rock & roll on the river. The weather was absolutely perfect for testing a digital camera, warm with blue slightly hazy skies. Louisville's Great Lawn was packed with enthusiastic barbecue fans, the smell of grilled meat, and the raucous sounds of electric guitars and pounding drums.

We shot candid "street" style shots and environmental portraits of the crowd and the workers manning the food booths. The A95 does an excellent job outside, in good light it is up to virtually any challenge that's thrown its way. We used the camera in Auto mode, Shutter Priority mode, and tried a couple of the scene modes. Anyone looking for a general use five megapixel digicam with lots of manual exposure capabilities will love the A95. When the light started to fade we called it a day and headed home.

Sunday was another gorgeous day when we got together just after 10:00 am, so we headed for Cherokee Park. The scenic loop through the park is one of my favorite local shooting locations because it's possible to capture great "intimate landscapes" just a few yards from the road that look like as if they were shot out in the middle of nowhere, (rather than right in the middle of a large urban area). We were able to re-find an artistically decayed stump of a long dead forest giant that we've shot before. The jagged topped old stump sits right beside the creek and has a thick carpet of dark green moss on one side and a patch of Oak Shelf fungus on the other. The light was fairly dim under the trees so we decided to check out the A95's low light capabilities. We shot the old stump at the A95's ISO 400 setting and we were both disappointed to discover that the five megapixel A95 generates noticeably more image noise at ISO 400 than its 4 megapixel predecessor. In fact the noise in the darker areas of the image was heavy enough to be objectionable.

We did get a couple of nice Eliot Porter style "intimate landscape" shots of giant purple cone flowers and other prairie bloomers in the meadow along the crest of Dog Hill. The A95 does an excellent job in macro mode and should also work beautifully for shooting landscapes.

PERFORMANCE

The A95 is an excellent general-use digital camera that offers users just about all the manual exposure controls a serious amateur photographer could want. The A95 will also work great for casual photographers who want to consistently shoot high quality digital images, but don't want to have to learn basic photography skills.

Image Quality

After reviewing the images we'd shot over the weekend, both of us agreed that the A95's outdoor images and close-ups were consistently well exposed, the color was uniformly excellent, and image quality was well above average. We printed two 5x7's and one 8x10 with an Epson Stylus Photo 2200 (on Epson photo paper). Color, contrast, and the subjective "look" are comparable to any five megapixel digicam that I've used. All three enlargements displayed great highlight and shadow detail and a nice dynamic range. Resolution (while not on par with slow speed 35mm slide film) was roughly equal to ISO 100 35mm color print film. Like the A80, the A95 does a better job overall than any other digicam in its class. Images shot at ISO 50 looked best, with extremely low noise levels. At the ISO 200 setting noise levels begin to rise a bit, but not objectionably so.

Shutter Lag/Timing

The A95 (like the A80) is a very fast digital camera, equal to or faster than any other camera in its class and faster than many cameras that cost substantially more. Start up time is about two seconds, which is pretty snappy for a digicam that must extend its zoom. Shutter lag wasn't a problem for us (less than one second from scratch and almost "real time" with pre-focus) and shot-to-shot times are quicker than average due to the A95's speedy DIGIC image processor and an ample buffer. AF speed is quite impressive, typically less than one second, and almost "real time" if you pre-focus.

A Few Concerns

The A95's 3X lens exhibits some minor barrel distortion at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, but no visible pincushion distortion at the telephoto end. There is also some noticeable chromatic aberration in high contrast color transition areas, but that is pretty much par for the course with all digicam zooms. My only real complaint with the A95 is the horrible noise levels at ISO 400, noticeably worse than the noise levels of the A80 at ISO 400. My friend says he's heard that the A95 has significant redeye problems, but we didn't shoot any portraits and only used the flash in fill mode so I can't address this issue

Conclusion

Consumers loved the Canon Powershot A80, but they had a few minor complaints, (they wanted a larger higher resolution LCD, a better movie mode, and more megapixels) --- Canon listened and responded, in spades -- the A95 is a truly worthy successor to the nifty little A80. At this point in time, the A95 is an almost ideal digital camera, so if you've been searching a "does it all" general use five megapixel digital camera, the A95 is probably your best option.

Who is the A95 best suited for?

The A95 is an excellent choice as a first digital camera because casual photographers will be happy with its versatile and easy to use Auto, Program, and Scene modes. More serious shooters, especially those on a budget, will love its flexibility, manual exposure capabilities, and advanced features. The dedicated "kids & Pets" scene mode and quick operation make the A95 a very good choice for parents looking for a family camera.

A Final Note

The Holiday Season is just over the horizon and high dollar electronics are often discounted heavily during this time of year. Expect the A95 to drop to around $350.00 by Thanksgiving and maybe even a bit further (depending on the economy) as Christmas approaches.

Links

For definitive advice on How to Choose a Digital Camera please see my review:
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2E46-17B174E2-39A418E3-prod1

For information on comparable digital cameras you may find the reviews below informative:

Canon Digital Cameras

Canon Powershot S60
http://www.epinions.com/content_147368873604

Canon Powershot S500
http://www.epinions.com/content_135678955140


Olympus Digital Cameras

Olympus C765
http://www.epinions.com/content_152865181316

Olympus C60
http://www.epinions.com/content_150048509572


Konica-Minolta Digital Cameras

Konica-Minolta Dimage A1
http://www.epinions.com/content_132907372164