No manual settings on new Canon A series point and shoots?!?

Has anyone else noticed? or is it just me........

 

 

I was just browsing around canon's website, checking out their new Point and Shoot offerings (because as soon as I decide on a camera

Canon has a tendency to DISCONTINUE them and replace them with newer models, as is the case with the now deceased A650 IS).

 

I am a happy owner of canon products, both film and digital SLRs with a collection of lenses......but now that I live in Manhattan and

depend on my feet as my main mode of transportation and I find myself continually caught without a camera....usually left behind on those

really looooong days when I don't feel like schlepping around the heavy bag with bodies and lenses......I want a digital point and shoot for

those impromptu exploration days.

 

I noticed that under the specifications for the 2 new A series cameras (2000 and 1000) there is no manual shooting mode, when many

previous cameras in the series included it. Is this going to be a new trend? or is it simply an oversight on the website? Yes, I realize

Canon offers many other models (for a couple hundred dollars more) that have manual options......but it was nice to have a cheaper

alternative for that 'take anywhere' camera.........

This does not appear to be a website error (something Canon is rather infamous for). Indeed Canon seems to be going a different direction with the A-series.

 

Interestingly though, the new SD990 IS does have manual controls which is the first of the Digital Elph line to do so (if memory serves me correctly, which it may not).

I found myself 'between cameras" and just went out and bought a Canon SD 1100 IS which has a manual mode with some ability to change settings including ISO. There's even a button that can be dedicated to a custom function.

No it doesn't take AA batrteries and it doesn't have a very wide angle lens but at optimum settings takes acceptable pictures below 400 ISO.

shanon, there are plenty of other canon cameras that does have manual controls. surely, you'd be better off choosing one of these point and shoots if that is what you require.

 

it must be added that cameras without a manual mode are not totally junk. they can also produce stunning pictures. however, one really has to master the camera, get to know its quirks and all the modes. it is just a little more difficult and frustrating for someone to use who had a slight knowledge in aperture and shutter, followed by an interest to apply that knowledge.

Yes, I realize there are plenty of cameras with manual setting.......but of the new ones offered anything WITH a manual

setting is $299+. I just thought it was odd for canon, a company that seemed to tailor more to enthusiasts and

professionals, not just the trigger happy snap shooter.

 

When its all said and done, I hope to purchase the new SX10.........I want a flip screen, but that is a little ways down the

road. (blast the life of a starving artist......)

Canon is one of the largest camera companies in the world if not the largest. They cater to EVERY market segment including those who just want a literal "point and shoot" and don't care or know how to use manual controls.

Why I love my cellphone ... it has one button to turn on camera mode, press again to take shot ... I also have a

Canon s20 which takes excellent photos despite not having manual over-ride. But it is a challenge remembering to

forget all the worrying alarm bells which ring out in one's brain from when one usually uses a camera in manual mode

and simply trust the camera to get on with it..

 

The one most commonly used technique is to 'expose to the right' by including more highlight detail in frame while

pressing half trigger and once camera has detirmined that exposure and still holding HT re-frame for the shot I want.

Similar HT technique to capture action by telling camera to get ready and waiting for the 'critical moment' to arrive.

So it is rare that I need Manual mode in my cameras that have it, it is so much easier to trick the automatics into

giving me what I want most of the time...

Shannon, I suggest going eBay route for lightly used A650IS. For cheaper alternatives, search for A640/630/620/610. I picked up a spare A620 not too long ago and is currently going for around $100-150. It's really is too bad that this series of flip-screen, full control compact cameras are no longer available new from Canon (a G10 with flip-screen would've been nice.)

 

Meanwhile, I'll wait for the micro four-third with flip-screen reviews, especially when compared with Olympus E3 setup and A650IS in terms of "Compromises" between overall size/portability, user interface, and image quality.

What do you mean manual controls, Shannon?

Both A1000 and A2000 allow manual setting

of white balance and exposure compensation.

[[What do you mean manual controls, Shannon? Both A1000 and A2000 allow manual setting of white balance and exposure compensation.]]

 

Av, Tv, and M, of course.

ok ... so now they're polarising things even more to P&S or DSLR

<p>

I picked as A540 as a camera when I didn't have my coolpix 5000 with me on a trip to China from Korea back in 2005 <B>because</B> it had:

 

<UL>

<LI> AA batteries; </LI>

<LI> Av and M (as well P of course) </LI>

<LI> Manual Focus </LI>

</UL>

 

at the time had taken only my 35mm EOS with me and thought I needed something for

snapshots (and my girlfriend needs something too).

<P>

I liked the camera and especially for getting consistent exposures in

the same lighting situations M is very handy.

<P>

I was pretty suprised how badly the smaller sensor did (even with 1MP less

than my coolpix 5000).

 

<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

<tbody><tr>

<td>segment from 1999 camera</td>

<td>segment from 2005 camera</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td><img src="http://home.people.net.au/~cjeastwd/digital/CP950Seg.jpg" alt="segment" border="1"></td>

 

<td><img src="http://home.people.net.au/~cjeastwd/digital/A520-SegScaled.jpg" alt="segment scaled" border="1"></td>

</tr>

</tbody></table>

<p>

I know that Canon sells to a wider market than just enthusiasts, but to me there

is no chance people will learn with such confusing tools. It seems to me that

there are plenty of P&S in their range with no control over the camera,

why make another one? Push everyone to the G9?

I wonder if Canon is betting that technophiles who require a PASM dial will head over to the smaller and competitively

priced DSLRs now.

The A590IS announced January 2008 still has Av, Tv, and M.

No reason you have to buy Canon, Shannon. Currently

18 models have AA battery and manual exposure.

<A HREF="http://dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php?search=1&manSearch=0&resSearch=0&lcdSearch=0&storageSearch=0&priceSearch=0&cameraTypeSearch=1&zoomSearch=0&lcdTypeSearch=0&batterySearch=1&manCtrlSearch=Y&submit.x=30&submit.y=6">DCresource query</A>.

The A590 IS is a nice camera, (my parents have one) but the difference between 2 batteries and 4 in the A650/A640

line does make itself known when using the flash. It takes longer to take the shot with the A590 than it does

with the A650.

Chris, it is worthwhile to, at the very minimum, stick with Canon p&s models with 1/1.8" size sensor (such as those

in flip-screen A6xx and Gx series) instead of those with even smaller 1/2.5" (such as A540.)

 

In any scenario, photos from the 1/1.8" sensor compacts, while they won't compare as well against photos from 2/3"

or APS-C sensor models, especially in adverse/difficult situations, they can still be nice and clean enough (even

more so with newer image processing) if used at lowest ISO, properly exposed and focused.

 

In the end, it's a matter of choosing the right tool for your application, IMHO.

Thanks for the ebay suggestion Wilson; your portfolio is actually what motivated me to finally invest in a point and shoot digital....you have an amazing eye. I began photography as a film purist and was (at first) resistant to digital, caved and bought a digital slr a year or so ago.....but seeing how far point and shoots have come (when placed in the right hands and used as a camera should be), I know it is time to give in and expand my shooting opportunities........(especially with the economy the way it is....and my mountain of unprocessed film growing larger by the week.....) I can't resist the economic nature of digital at this point in my life-- when I actually have the chance to devote as much of my time as possible to teaching myself as much as I can absorb about this art I love.

I'm already sold on canon.....I am used to the layout of their controls....Should I be weary buying a used P&S? what is the normal lifespan of a digi point and shoot? (In a perfect world) I want either a 650IS or a SX10 (to be released in october........) the SX10 is more than I wanted to spend (but it makes me smile every time I look up the specs when I think of the fun we'll have)....but i guess it depends how much birthday money comes in from the family and how long I can hold out/save up..........

Hi Shannon, thanks for your kind words, firstly. As far as life expectancy of digital p&s, recent Consumer Reports' repair history of these type of products is very low (don't remember which issue off top of my head.) While my A80 drowned 3 years ago in an accident, couple of my friends are still using the 5-year-old A80s up until today. One of them had to send in for sensor repair under warranty. I'm still using the original 3-year-old A620 today and a backup A620 via eBay is working swimmingly as we speak. If you're not sure about eBay, go to KEH.com for used A6xx compacts. Good luck and lets hope the economy won't bo too deep in recession!

Hi Wilson

 

actually I indeed do try to pick the right tool for the job and often carry a film camera too. I still use a 2/3's sensor Nikon Coolpix 5000 which is clunky to use (compared to the Canon A540) but has better macro, bigger sensor and RAW. It serves as a great light meter for either my 4x5 or 6x9 film camera too :-)

 

Despite its age it produces an image (when used properly) to rival 35mm film scans. When the new micro 4/3's cameras come out though I'll be looking really seriously at those bigger sensors.

 

I fear though (off topic) that its not a recession but rather a correction. You can't globalise world economies without having them all brought more onto equal footing. I suspect that means that rather than dragging the living standards of 2000 million chinese fully up, it will result in dragging 250 million Americans down a little too.

 

 

:-)

Chris, good point indeed about your last paragraph above; a perspective that most folks outside US share (particuarly overseas,) but never crosses the mind of Average Joe here in the States, IMO.

 

As for micro 4/3 compacts, I just can't wait. ^_^