| The Canon PowerShot A75 is an updated version of the immensely popular PowerShot A70 from last year. The differences between the A70 and A75 aren't earthshaking, but they're still nice. The A75 adds the following new features: Like its predecessor, the A75 is a 3.2 Megapixel camera with a 3X optical zoom, full manual controls, support for conversion lenses, and more. It's now available for $299. Now, learn more about the A75 in our review! Do note that since the cameras are so similar, I will be reusing parts of the A70 review here. The PowerShot A75 has an above average bundle. Inside the box, you'll find: -
The 3.2 effective Megapixel Canon PowerShot A75 camera -
32MB CompactFlash card -
Four AA alkaline batteries -
Wrist strap -
USB cable -
A/V cable -
CD-ROM featuring Canon Digital Camera Solutions, ArcSoft Camera Suite, and drivers -
153 page camera manual + software manual (both printed) Whereas the A70 included a 16MB memory card, the A75 includes a 32MB card. And a high speed one at that. Not that it really matters, as the camera doesn't really take advantage of it. Based on my tests of other Canon high speed cards, it would probably be rated as an "8X" speed card. Anyhow, the 32MB is a good size to start with, but you'll want to get a larger card right away. I'd say that 128MB is the minimum size you should consider. The A75 uses Type I CompactFlash cards, which come in sizes of up to 2GB. |
| When it comes to batteries, Canon leaves it up to you. The A75 includes four AA non-rechargeable alkaline batteries in the box, which won't last long and end up in the trash (or better yet, the recycling bin). My recommendation is to buy two or more sets of NiMH rechargeables (2100 mAh or better), plus a charger, which will last longer and will be more economical too. Canon estimates that you can take about 850 photos (with 50% LCD use), or spend 6 hours in playback mode, per charge (using Canon's 2300 mAh batteries). That's pretty darn good. The A75 has a built-in lens cover. It's a fairly small camera -- it's not Digital ELPH-sized, though. | The PowerShot A75 has a lot of accessories considering its price. If the 35 - 105 mm lens just doesn't cover enough range for you, Canon offers three conversion lenses. The WC-DC52 ($90) brings the wide end of the lens down to 26.6 mm. If you need more telephoto power, the TC-DC52 ($99) bumps the tele end up to 252 mm. For macro shots, consider the 250D close-up lens, which lets you get even closer to your subject (especially at the tele end). All three of these lenses require you to buy the LA-DC52C conversion lens adapter ($19). This adapter also lets you attach any 52 mm filter. If you're into scuba diving, the WP-DC30 underwater case ($180) is pretty neat. With it, you can take the A75 up to 40 meters underwater. Other accessories include an AC adapter ($55), NiMH battery kit with four 2300 mAh cells and a charger ($50 -- buy elsewhere to save $$), and a soft case ($9). The A75 supports direct printing to most Canon printers, or to any PictBridge-enabled photo printer. Canon is now up to version 16.1 of their excellent Digital Camera Solutions software. Included in this package are ZoomBrowser (for Windows) or ImageBrowser (for Mac), PhotoStitch (for making panoramic photos), plus TWAIN and WIA drivers for Windows. Zoom/ImageBrowser can be used for downloading images from your camera, basic editing of your photos, and photo printing. Also built-in to the "Browser" software is RemoteCapture, which you can use to control your camera over the USB connection. Images are saved directly to your computer. Also included is version 5 of ArcSoft's PhotoImpression software, which is getting better with each version. Here you can do more photo retouching and printing. The user interface is quite good, as well. VideoImpression is also included, for editing those short movie clips the camera can record. While still better than average, I've found Canon's recent manuals to be a little more cluttered than they used to be. The information is all there -- just be prepared for lots of small print and "notes" in each section. Look and Feel
If you've seen the PowerShot A70, then you've seen the A75 -- they look identical (at least from most angles). The A75 is a compact camera that may not fit in your pocket like the Digital ELPH cameras, but it's still small and comfortable to carry around. The controls are well-placed, and it's easy to hold. The dimensions of the A75 are 4.0 x 2.5 x 1.2 inches (W x H x D), and it weighs 200 grams empty (slightly lighter than the A70). The camera is made of both metal and plastic, and it feels quite solid for a $300 camera. With that out of the way, we can begin our tour of the A75 now. The A75 has the same lens as its predecessor. That lens is an F2.8-4.8, 3X optical zoom model, with a focal range of 5.4 - 16.2 mm. That's equivalent to 35 - 105 mm. As I mentioned, the A75 supports add-on lenses. To use them, you press the button to the lower-left of the lens, and remove the plastic ring around it. You then screw in the lens adapter, and attach the conversion lens to it. To the upper-right of the lens is the built-in flash. The flash has a working range of 0.46 - 4.2 m at wide-angle, and 0.46 - 2.5 m at telephoto. You cannot attach an external flash to the A75. Below the flash is the autofocus illuminator, which is always a welcome sight. This bright orange lamp helps the camera focus when lighting is low. All cameras should have this (and they still don't). The other item of interest in the front of the camera is the microphone, which is located just above-left from the lens. One of the big upgrades on the A75 is in the LCD department. The A70 had a 1.5" LCD with a measly 78,000 pixels. Forget that! The A75 has a much nicer 1.8" screen with 118,000 pixels. It's bright, fluid, and sharp. The brightness is not adjustable, though. |
