The Canon A620 on first looks is like most other compacts in its range. Nothing visually striking, just clean and basic with minimal controls. Considering the wealth of features packed inside, this turns out to be something of a box of delights. The Function menu opens up the full control list with an easy to follow menu and bright graphics.
The camera itself fits well in the hand and the weight is just enough to give that “quality build” feel. Even the pull out 2" LCD screen feels robust when flipped and rotated. The screen positions are a useful feature for those difficult-to-view shots. In fact the ergonomics of the various buttons and zoom lever are a pleasant change from many other cameras in this price range.
Image quality was impressive across a range of shots, with an intuitive auto focus system ensuring clear and crisp images. Having a 35 - 140mm zoom range also opens up the range of shots that can be achieved. If you need more range, then Canon offers optional wide and tele converter lenses. Unfortunately, the zoom dial is jerky with only limited steps across the whole zoom range, so getting the crop you need might be tricky. However the Macro feature at an eye-popping 1cm is superb, delivering crisp and well balanced close ups (no mean feat- many digital cameras tend to fudge colours at low-range).
The flash did a decent enough job with hardly any colour cast. The white balance in auto mode is equally good, but a few of the other bulb options did give a strong cast. Having a manual control gives you custom settings that are actually remembered when you turn off the camera. You won't have to reset the balance each time you turn it back on; which is ideal for those “point-and-click” moments when setting up is too much trouble- it also saves battery life.
The good news is that there is hardly any evidence of purple fringing, and only a handful of shots presented over-exposed areas. The focus can be a little soft at times but all in all the images produced are well matched across the board. For video capture you won't be let down, and the A620 gives you surprisingly smooth playback, with a range of screen resolutions up to 640 x 480, along with adequate sound capture; although you won't be the next Quentin Tarantino.
The A620 is marketed as a budget camera, but I would disagree. You get plenty of features and good overall image quality. The camera is quick and responsive, and easy to master; which will encourage newcomers to photography. It represents good value for money and can cope with most situations you're likely to encounter.
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Ease of use 
Functions 
Value for Money
Overall 
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A perfect solution for anyone wanting to learn the art of photography, beyond simple point and shoot, but to reach a more professional level you'll have to spend a good deal more, which puts the A620 near the top of the entry-level wishlist. |
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