The perfect entry-level camera for digital photography newbies, the affordable Canon PowerShot A310 (updating 2003's A300) features simple operation (including one-button printing), a 3.2-megapixel sensor for prints up to 11 x 14 inches, and improved video capture. It also comes with features found on many of Canon's high-end lineup, including a fast Digic image processor and 5-point AiAF autofocus. Optics and Resolution
The PowerShot A310 has a maximum 3.2-megapixel resolution for images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels. You'll have the depth and detail you need to create beautiful prints and impressive online results. It also has 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480 resolution modes.
It's is equipped with a 33mm f/3.6 (35mm equivalent) moderate wide-angle lens, suitable for scenic views and group portraits, as well as general photography. A 5.1x digital zoom facility enhances reach, creating an effective maximum zoom length of 168mm (35mm equivalent).
Movie Mode
The movie capability has been upgraded from the A300, with the ability to capture 30 seconds of video with audio at a 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution. You can also capture up to 3 minutes of video at 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixel resolutions.
More Camera Features
- 1.5-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD (7,800 pixels)
- 2-inch macro focusing for intense close-up photography
- Histogram Display gives you a graphic view of a shot's brightness distribution right in the LCD monitor
- Photo effects: Vivid, neutral, low sharpening, sepia, and black & white
- Continuous shooting: Approximately 2.2 shots/second
- White balance control: Auto, pre-set (daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, fluorescent H), or custom white balance
Canon Technology Features
- Digic Imaging Processor: While much technical discussion of digital cameras centers around the optics and the CCD sensor, the complex task of image rendering is the job of the image processor--the "brains" of a digital camera. Canon's latest, exclusive DIGIC Imaging Processor significantly enhances digital camera performance in numerous areas. DIGIC's high-speed signal processing is combined with high-capacity buffering to give Canon digital cameras fast response and continuous shooting capability unmatched by other digital cameras. DIGIC delivers longer battery life and beautiful, rich color rendition with far fewer white saturation problems. And DIGIC's unequaled precision delivers clear, noise-free images that are demonstrably superior.
- iSAPS Technology: Canon iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology dramatically improves the performance of AF (Autofocus), AE (Auto Exposure), and AWB (Auto White Balance). By analyzing a huge volume of photography data, accumulated over 60 years and the manufacture of over 150 million cameras, Canon engineers arrived at statistical relationships among focal length, focus distance, scene brightness, and other factors. Equipped with this "fore knowledge" Canon PowerShot cameras can optimize AF/AE/AWB settings for any given scene more rapidly and more effectively.
- Multi-point AiAF: Canon's wide-area, multi-point AiAF (artificial intelligence autofocus) automatically selects one or more focusing points based on factors, such as subject position and motion. AiAF works in conjunction with iSAPS Technology to more quickly and accurately achieve autofocus under a wide variety of shooting conditions. You get fast, accurate AF whether you hold the camera horizontally or vertically, with stationary or moving subjects, with off-center subjects, and even in low-light/low-contrast lighting.
Direct Printing/Sharing
The PowerShot A310 introduces a new Print/Share button that speeds and simplifies printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge enabled printers and one-touch image transfer to Windows XP, Me, 2000, and 98 computers for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or placement in e-mail. When connected to a Canon Compact Photo printer, a Movie Print mode divides the selected clip into equal parts and prints thumbnails of a maximum 63 equally spaced frames onto a single sheet of Postcard Size Paper.
Storage and Transfer
Images and video are stored on CompactFlash memory cards (Type I only) and the included 32 MB card holds approximately 33 images at the Large/Fine setting. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.
Power and Size
The camera is powered by two AA batteries (alkalines included; rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). With the LCD on, you will get approximately 75 shots on when using alkalines, or 350 shots when using NiMH batteries. It measures 4.33 by 2.28 by 1.44 inches and weighs 6.17 ounces (without batteries).
What's in the Box
This package contains the PowerShot A310 digital camera, 32 MB CompactFlash card, wrist strap (WS-200), two AA alkaline batteries, and USB cable. The supplied software on the CD-ROM includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio and VideoImpression.
