Today Canon introduced many new compact digital cameras. I have made a short review of two of them.

Photo companies are not stalling. There is still great emphasis on presenting new technologies and providing ease of use.

Among other cameras, Canon has today released two new versions of their current models. A400 in not really a new A310 which had a fixed lens. However there are some similarities between the two. Powershot A95 will replace A80.

Canon PowerShot A95

Usability and handling with A95 is just as it was with A80, but there are at least two differences which are noticable at the first glance and are quite common these days. There is a higher pixel count, which changed from 4MP to 5MP, and there is also a larger, 1.8 inch LCD screen. While more pixels are not so important for average users, who had 4 MP more than enough for small prints, it is this larger LCD screen which is to be excited about. On A80 it really was too tiny. A standard feature, as with many new digital cameras, is Print/Share button, which enables us a direct connection to printers.

Since handling with A95, its usability and design are almost identical to that of the model A80, you can find more information here: PowerShot A80 / DIWA AWARDS test. DIWA review of A95 will follow after I spend some more time with the camera.

New DIWA AWARDS test: A75, A85, A95

http://www.e-fotografija.com/artman/publish/article_461.shtml

First photos:

The two differences on the body are labels A95 and 5.0 Mega Pixels in the lower right corner.

Left side of the camera is slightly changed. They must have strengthened part of the body where a system for opening the screen is placed. Connections are where they used to be on A80. Same goes for the cover, except it is slightly shorter now.

CF compartment door looks the same from the outside.

From the right side, we can see they have increased optical and digital zoom combination from 11x to 12x. Canon's standard label on compact digital cameras, AiAF, is replaced with Print/Share logo.

Fortunately, A95 still features nice and usefull flip-out and twist LCD monitor.

The most important new feature is probably its bigger screen. The one found on A80 was pretty small for its class. Now it is much easier to look at your subject on a new 1.8 inch screen.

There is a minor difference in the design of the removable lens ring, which is used for attaching optional lenses.

The selection button now offers only one C (custom) function. The second one hase been replaced with picture modes setting.

A95 is compatible with CF cards Type I only. You cannot use MicroDrive.

Four AA batteries add a significant amount of weight to the camera.

At the back, there are only two main differences. The first one, at the lower right corner, is the new Print/Share button, which is used for quick printing. The secod one, at the left of the SET button, there is a label marking the setting of custom focus point on the screen.

The camera is suitable for less demanding users. It is a nice camera for family or travel photography. Light metering, auto focusing and final picture are all pretty good.

At 7.8mm (38mm eq. to 35mm) Colors are vivid and look great for its class. In this test, on a nice sunny day, I didn't need to use any tonal corrections. Sharpness is fine, too. At full wide angle, there is some distortion and colors are a bit off.

At 23.4mm (114mm eq. 35mm) Nice sharpness and colors. Color shift at the edges is almost unnoticeable.

4.1x digital zoom. The photo looses its quality. But still, we have a picture and we can capture many details which would otherwise be lost.

Photographing in direct light is no problem for the camera, the metering is OK.

                   Very pleasant colors and contrast.

7.8mm (38mm eq.35mm) Here, we can also see nice blue colors of the sky and buildings are exposed correctly, too.

23.4mm (114mm eq.35mm) Crops in ratio 1:1. Need more?

4.1x digital zoom. Algorithms for digital zoom are better and better. You can capture many details even from greater distance.

Program setting has performed well in this high-contrast subject.

                   Reviewing new Canon digital cameras. Portrait made with A95 in a

                   reflection from a building.

Auto settings managed to capture detail even on white parts of the buildings under direct sun light. No blown whites. This is where a short exposure of 1/2000s and 50 ISO come handy.

The design looks the same. Except for the larger screen. So besides 5MP, the 1.8 inch screen is another nice new feature of this camera.