My camera is the A620, but the A610, except for lower pixel CCD, is the same. The first priority for a snapshot camera is SPEED. This one has it in spades. Very fast shot-to-shot and negligible shutter lag. The first priority for a hobbyist camera is manual control. The A6x0 has Auto, program and many preset scene modes. It also has shutter priority, aperture priority and full manual mode. Computer imaging enthusiasts will be disappointed that the A6x0 cameras do not provide RAW picture format, but it does produce excellent detail in Fine JPEG mode, and I think many in even that group would be satisfied. The lens is excellent for such a small camera. It is fast at f4.1 on the telephoto end of the zoom, very important for family photographs outdoors (fewer blurred photos of children or pets at play). Really good ISO400 results for even more speed. Color and white balance is excellent, right out of the camera. Photos are vivid and life-like. The flash is small, so if you use that a great deal I recommend something like the Sony slave flash which attaches to the tripod fitting on the camera. The zoom works fast. The controls are well laid out, and the camera is easy to handle (my hands are fairly long, I'm 6-2). The menus are easy to use and quick to find. I have not needed to open the manuals, so I can't comment on those. The LCD is bright, and preview mode is fast (the swiveling LCD is fantastic). The optical viewfinder is adequate and bright enough (about 80% coverage, I think). The camera fits in my shirt pocket, but with quite a bulge. Buy a larger SD card because the 32mb card with the camera only holds 9 photos at best quality. AA batteries are convenient. Get a good set of rechargeable batteries with a set of cheap alkaline for backup, and you are ready to go (good battery life here). I have not used movie mode and I might never do so, though I hear it is very good; there is a printer output that I do not use; the camera comes with software that I do not use, so I cannot comment on those three things.
The door for cable connections is flimsy. I opened it once and had trouble closing it. Had to force the top clip to engage. Buy a card reader ($10 or $20) and forget about the cables. Overall, great camera and great photos.

A620
I think this is the best digicam I ever had
I also have SD500, the good thing is small, but I am disappointed of it
without flash, the pics blurred; A620 does not have such problem
and A620 has flip screen, that you filp it in when not in use for protection
as a successor of A95, it employs SD/MMC card, that I just use my SD card in inventory, and all my devices have native SD support (my Dell Axim, Inspiron 6000d), then I don't have to buy additional card reader
however, this cam eats a lot of memory in video mode, even in 1/4 VGA mode, buy at least 1GB SD card is recommended, 2GB or higher is more ideal (you can use 4GB, 8GB if it's available, because the camera supports FAT32 file system, like SD500)
if you don't mind the size, A620 is a better choice over SD500/550

I've had this camera for a couple of days now and it is great. It is very fast and takes sharp pictures. The only thing that I'm concerned about is the high level of audio noise when capturing video. I'm not sure if this is normal or whether I've got a faulty camera. Otherwise, it is a great successor to my old trusty Kodak.

I bought this camera to replace my digital Olympus C-4000. So far I have not been disappointed. The camera has a lot of features for the price, with aperture priority, shutter priority, and a full manual mode, it gives you more control than most point and shoot models. It also has a 4x optical zoom based on the lens in the Powershot G6, and the macro mode can focus down to 0.4 inches. It is great that the camera runs on AA batteries, and has excellent battery life. Photo quality has been terrific, with sharp, colorful pictures. The only drawbacks are a noisy zoom, some hard to push buttons, and more red-eye than I had with my Olympus. The camera is not ultra light and compact but does have a nice grip and solid construction.

This makes my 7th Digital camera in as many years.

I've only had the camera for 3 days. Most of the other excellent reviews here have hit on the main bragging points so I won't bother repeating them.

I would like to point out a few things I LOVE about his camera.

It's fast. You hit the power button and BOOM. there's a beep, the lense pops out and it's read to take a picture within 2 or 3 seconds.

ONe thing I hated about my Kodak Easy Share was that by the time I pulled out my camera and powered it oup to capture a great shot the moment was gone.

This camera also seems to store pictures faster so you're ready for the next shot.

Video quality is pretty amazing. I compared it to my full fledged Sony DigiCam and I'm impressed.

You can't go wrong with this camera.

This is my third Canon digital and it is the best. Video is excellent and photo quality is great. The access door on the download cable is poor quality. I had trouble with the lens cover malfunctioning after 30 days and had to send it in for warranty.

This is a fabulous camera! The first thing I noticed about it was how fast it was compared to my old 3.2 mp Sony. The second thing I noticed after I snapped a few shots was how crisp, clear and beautiful the picture were. The colors are amazing, the macro is great and the zoom is impressive. I love how the LCD screen swivels out, it comes in handy. I'm a beginning photographer so the first few weeks I had the camera I mostly used the automatic settings while I read up on shutter speed and aperture etc. Now I'm starting to use the manual settings and make adjustments myself. It's a good camera to grow with. I did get a bigger memory card - the 32 MB card it comes with is pretty useless. I also bought rechargeable batteries and always carry spares in my camera bag. I highly recommend the Canon Powershot A620 - I absolutely love mine!

* see my photos above under "customer images"

This is my very first digital camera and I've only had it for about 1 month. Things I like about it so far: It seems to be VERY fast. It takes really good quality pictures. Macro function works very well. It's fairly comfortable to hold. All things considered, it's RELATIVELY user-friendly. The negatives are: It's somewhat heavy for a small camera. Parts of it seem very "flimsey" such as the door that covers the lens when not in use. The "red eye reduction" function really doesn't work very well from the results I've seen so far (athough perhaps there is a way to make it function better and I haven't figured it out yet).

After many weeks of looking for a great digital camera, I finally found the perfect one! This is an awesome camera with many great features. It zooms up to 16x - With a very clear picture. The pictures are as clear as those $1.000.00 cameras. (I know because some of my family members have one)
Anyway, if you are looking for a great digital camera, this is definitely the one to buy! Also, I did not know this when I bought it, but after reading the manual I found out that you can change/add lenses to the camera! It comes with a memory card that holds only about 5 pictures, so you need to buy an extra memory card when you make your purchase.

Haven't bought camera yet, but have decided to do so - primarily to copy my analog slides onto digital.

HOWEVER, can someone set me straight about audio/video capabilities of the A620? One reviewer says it yields 60 seconds at 30 fps. Period! Another says, "With an adequate memory, you can take unlimited video."

For the few who use audio/video on the A620, please clarify these conflicting assertions. ([...])

I own a Canon Digital Rebel XT, But I always don't want to carry that around everywhere I go. So I decided to buy the Canon A620. After using the Digital Rebel, I new I would be pleased with the other lines of Canon Cameras. This Camera is 7 Mega Pixels and Fits in your Pocket. The Flip out Screen is Great, and you can close it up so it doesn't get scratched when not in use.

For Pro Photographers who want a pocket cam, this is the one. I will not look at another camera for a long while, besides my Digital Rebel XT.

Well..I dont own this camera but i do sell it so i have seen pictures and know how to use very well. the Canon A620 is an awsome camera it has a 4x optical zoom(38-130mm) wich is more than most cameras for size but... it has an adapter that lets you put a tele-converter or wide angle converter right over the attached lens very cool. the flip out monitor is nice so it doesnt get scratched when not being used. at 7MP its gonna take awsome pictures and realisticly get a great 10x15 any bigger and you will see pixelation not much though. i have made sample prints for the store that i work at. I also worked at a professional photo lab for a year and a half and have seen tens of thousands of pictures and this camera is nearly at the top of my list. it makes a great back up camera for the pros and its great for the beginner as well as far as video with sound it depends on the size of the SD card put in, I reccomend the 1GB which will get 15 min of decent playback on a 512MB you will get 7-8min of solid video w/ no pics. this camera is very quick compared to its competitors over all its a great camera to have!!
Good Luck!
B.Pollock

I feel I'm a pretty good photographer. I started out in 2000 with a 3 mp HP digital. And a few 35 mm including a Canon SLR. So this is my second digital camera. After reading all the reviews I thought I'd give this a try. Its been the best camera I've ever owned. After 4 days of use the batteries are still strong. Easy to learn the features right out of the box. Really happy with the size. Didn't particularly like the tiny cameras they are coming out with, hard to hold on to. And the large 35 mm SLR with all the lenses are too bulky for me. I thought that was the only way to get professional looking photos, but I was pleasantly surprised that this little camera does all the things the larger more expensive cameras can do. Another plus is its fast. Powering up, taking the photos, and loading on my computer. I love the speed. I was able to keep up with my kids cute poses while at the park. I was amazed. What more can I say. The pop out viewfinder is awesome. I can take pictures of the family (me included) and see where we fit. Hold the camera below waist level or up high and still get a great shot. Its just perfect and I could go on and on. You get the picture!

I received an A620 as a Christmas present. Compared to the Olympus C-4000Z which I've used previously, the most striking difference is that the A620 is so fast and easy to control.

It takes only a few clicks of the arrow buttons on the back of the camera to set up everything from custom white balance to shutter delay. I haven't yet found controls for saturation and sharpness, but I don't think I'll need them.

The movie mode is very nice, at 640x480 and 30fps. The results look just as sharp as those from my Sony Digital-8 camcorder, though of course the A620 won't let you use the optical zoom while recording. The audio does seem to pick up a hum from the camera itself.

The camera's sensor resolution is about 7MP, and the optics must be good: 5x7" prints (from a Canon i960) show excellent detail. I haven't yet tried printing at 8x10.

I've yearned for a digital camera which would produce the levels of shadow detail one sees in an Ansel Adams print -- the kind of detail that draws the viewer in ever closer until his or her nose is almost on the paper. I'm just getting started with the A620, but for small prints and low ISO settings it looks like it could do the trick!

The A620 uses AA batteries. Pick up a set of NiMH batteries and a recharger (the camera comes with 4 Panasonic alkaline batteries) and you'll be all set.

I'm not sure how quickly the batteries drain. So far I've gotten nearly 100 photos and a couple of minutes of video from a set of 2000 mAh Radio Shack NiMH batteries, charged once.

The camera comes with a 32MB SD card. You can't get very many high-resolution photos on such a tiny card. (And I think you could fill it with less than 30 seconds of video.) I bought a 512MB SD card, which should have room for about 150 photos. I'm not sure how much Motion-JPEG video it will hold.

The included USB cable works without a hitch. The A620 supports USB 2.0, so it transfers photos and movies quickly. However, the plastic door which covers the camera's USB port is flimsy, and it interferes with the camera's wrist strap. A separate USB 2.0 SD card reader would probably be more durable.

A lens adapter and accessory telephoto and wide-angle lenses are available for the A620. I've ordered the lens adapter and a 58 mm rubber lens hood, which I hope will let me take glare-free photos through the side window of my airplane. The adapter is threaded, so it should also accept polarizing filters.

The A620 will fit in a coat or vest pocket. It will even fit in a shirt pocket, but it'll cause a significant bulge -- and a sag: it's pretty heavy :) If you want a pocket camera you might want to consider another model/brand.

This was a gift, but I think it's amazing that you can get so much camera for less than $400.

Cons: small included SD card, flimsy USB adapter cover, some audio hum in movies, may be too large for some tastes.

Pros: fast, easy to control, sharp focus, great detail, good movie quality, AA batteries, lens accessories, great price.

Either this camera does not have the capability or I am doing something wrong. I have two small children and I need a camera that is going to "catch them in the act" so far I've only been able to get the back of their heads or sides of their face because it takes what seems like forever to actually snap the photo after I press the button. Is there a way to speed this up?

My brother has the Kodak easy share that cost about 200 bucks less and can take 2.5 pictures in the amount it takes me to take 1. I'm very frustrated at this point - can someone let me know if I'm just not using the camera correctly? Thanks!

Haven't actually purchased this camera, but was thinking about it... most reviews pretty impressive, as are the camera's features. From the research I have done, I hear there is a "kids & dogs" mode that is supposed to take fast pictures. Try that.

Perhaps the camera has a broken shutter, but the pictures are blurred. I shot about 70 photos, called Canon twice and am still unhappy with the camera. Most of the pictures look as if the exposure is set wrong and that hand shake was a problem. I have taken pictures professionally and am disappointed.

I did a lot of research before purchasing the camera and I liked the features. However, the pics look like they could have been done with a cell phone. The camera definately wasn't worth the money. We are very disappointed and the camera is going back to the store.

I owned a Canon G2, 4 megapixel camera for a couple years prior to looking for a replacement. I looked at other brands, but ask any camera aficionado, and they will tell you, "Canon is the best brand." I compared many cameras, and almost bought the PowerShot S70, but am glad I did not for the following reasons:
+ I like the feel of a more professional camera like the A620
+ You don't have to use rechargable batteries!! I didn't realize how inconvenient rechargables are until you have the choice; this camera is one of the few I have seen that takes regular AA batteries! If ever you run low on power, every corner store in the world has AA's! (No more running to the re-charger).
+ Fast processor: The DigicII chip it comes with is amazing! Coming from the G2, it feels almost as fast as a camera worth 5x more! (Extremely fast start-up times too).
+ Awesome picture quality: I can't believe I waited this long to buy an upgrade; most of my G2's pictures were blurry... NOW maybe 1 in 100 pictures are a bit off-focus, but not even that bad. Just great looking, true-color & sharp resolution pictures.
+ Price! For all the features, I was prepared to spend at least twice as much.
+ Lightweight, small (but not too small), and compact + great battery-life. The lens retracts nicely too; so no lens cap needed like the old G2.

Some cons?:
- Wish the grip was rubberized like some more professional cameras, but it's still ergonomic so it's not that bad.
- Flash is good, but not "great." It is fine for 95% of the shots, but on longer dark rooms, the shot still comes out a bit dark. I didn't try tweeking the +/- settings, so it is possible that could be overcome.
- No "Bulb" setting. I liked my "B" setting on my old 35mm camera and kind of miss that feature. The longest shutter time offered on this camera is "15-seconds," which for most will be fine.

I can't think of any other "cons"... This is just a great little camera, and one I expect will last me at least another 2 years. The next camera I plan on buying to compliment this one will be the Canon Digital EOS for real professional situations, like portraits and landcapes that I like to frame... but for everything else, this camera has it all.

This is truly the master of all trades. 7.1 megapixels is really as good as it gets by todays standards. The only other camera that beats this one is the Canon S2 IS with its 12x zoom, but even that camera doesn't have 7.1 megapixels, and is quite bulky (trust me). Canon really locked it down with the swivel LCD, which was a life saver while taking photos at a concert. I used a 2GB Ultra II SD card with it for hi-res photos and movies, and the camera worked wonders.

I have one or two very minor gripes with this camera.. but you'll realize that this was the only way the camera was sub $400.
- The red-eye is an issue
- Wish it had optical instead of digital zoom in movie mode
- I wish Canon would switch to Mpeg4 instead of AVI for movie mode (Better Compression)

I think its safe to declare that Canon is the digital camera king.

I first started using this camera at my workplace, a powerplant in California. We bought it to take general pictures of things like pumps and pipes. We found that we could stand several feet from a pump and take a picture of the entire pump, but we could then review the photo on a computer and blow up the picture and read the data on the name plate. It's that clear and detailed. We use 24" flat panels to work on and we were able to blow up any photo so that about 1/6 of the picture took up the entire screen before we saw any graininess or pixels. Its so easy to use but you can still set up any type of photo you want by fixing the shutter speed or the aperture for dramatic effects as well as a stellar macro capability, right out of the box!!! It comes with a great general photography lens but conversion lenses are easy to buy, attach and use. It is such a good camera, the admin assistant bought one, the plant manager bought one and so did I. I love it!

In choosing a new digital camera I was looking for the following features: both automatic and manual settings, optical zoom, more than 5MP, optional lenses, AA batteries, and under $500. I found this all in the A620. I like simplicity and have not yet explored the advanced settings with manual controls, but I have taken advantage of the macro, beach, night and portrait settings a great deal, all with great results. The flip-out monitor is quite handy and the optical zoom visualized through the viewfinder for battery conservation. I have the optional macro lens attachment for close ups of foliage and animals and find it to be useful, but for the average user the regular macro setting is adequate. The only things I would change would be to make the dc/av door hard instead of flimsy plastic, and to include a better lens cover of some sort. When the lens is closed, two thin plastic "doors" fit together to cover the lens. Unfortunately I dropped the camera and the pieces did not go back together properly at first. Fortunately I was able to manipulate them back into place to fix it. I would advise an upgrade to a larger card as the included disk will not hold much at the higher settings - and purchasing a 7 mp camera indicates you would want to use them. I invested in a 1GB card, and it was well worth the money. I like the convenience of AA batteries as they are easy to obtain in a pinch. I bought 2500 mAH rechargeables and they lasted my entire vacation while taking over 350 photos and still have plenty of juice left. I love this camera and highly recommend it.

I love this camera!!!! The most unique feature is the swivel out LCD screen. It allows you to get different vantage points. For instance, recently I went to a presidential campaign party and was able to take pictures of the candidates above everyone's head by simply holding the camera up high and tilting the swivel display downward so I could see what was going on. I also LOVE the panorama mode. The easiest that I've worked with on any camera and the photostitch software to piece the photos together is almost seamless! Plus, with a really large storage card (like the 1gb I have) you can take what seems like hours of video.

Why settle for less, when you can get a brand new original top-of-the-line Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP camera for Free! I got mine from this web site: http://urlcut.com/rebelxt

This is a superb little camera. Excellent pictures, great feature set, fast performance - couldn't ask for more. I bought the camera to replace an "antique" digital camera that simply could not keep up with the grandkids - and caused me to go back to film - until I bought the A620. This Canon is fast to start up, almost no noticable shutter lag, and takes perfectly exposed pictures. The auto focus is fast - even in low light. Macro and "My Colors" are great features. Also,I can customize exposures, focus points, etc., about any way I choose. Excellent value for the money. I'd definately recommend this camera. Did I mention - Great Pictures?!

There are two things I don't like about this camera one is the size and the other is the high background noise during video mode (Anyone else also experienced this?). But with the features, I can live with it. Since there are so many reviews already, I'll just point out a few things that are different as compared to other cameras in the similar price range.

1. 1.3 sec start-up time, 1.9fps Continuous burst capture of Large/Fine images - FAST
2. Rotating LCD - make portrait shot easy and LCD is better protected
3. 4x optical zoom- as compared to 3x in almost every other camera
4. Macro mode can be as close as 1cm!
5. Fastest autofocus I have seem.
6. 640x480 video at 30fps- if only the noise can be reduced

Not to mention the excellent picture quality and all the facy mode and manual controls- this is a great camera, if you don't mind the size.

When I was shopping for a New Digital Camera, I initially wanted to purchase one of the new SLR Digitals. Having used a Nikon FG camera for 25 years and an Olympus Camedia C-700 Ultra Zoom for 6 years, this Canon was not even on my wish list.

When I went and handled the cameras at Fry's and Best Buy, the Digital SLR's were just too bulky. So I was looking at the new releases and the Canon A620 looked too good to be true.

I came home and researched it further, comparing it to Nikon and Olympus, which I had been very happy with. The features on it and the ease of use, as well as the manual options which compared to SLR's sold me.

This camera can be as simple or as complicated as anyone can desire. The picture quality is excellent!!! I used it on a 2 week cruise and got some awesome detail shots.

All in all, I am quite pleased with this camera. It is worth considering in a decision between point and shoot vs SLR

Ever since i bought this camera the features and amazing clear pictures continue to amaze me. It does everything one would want a camera to do and then some.

This is an all around great camera. You really notice quality difference of 7megpixels. But if your shooting the baby, or anything else that moves - this camera will make you crazy, just like every other digital camera I've-you've owned. The shutter delay, and recover time(time till you can shoot again) while somewhat better than earlier cameras is still maddening and frustrating.

John B

Upgrading from an old 4 MegaPixel Canon A80 to a 7 MP Canon A620 I didn't expect to lose sharp details in my photos. However I often did. In paired test shot after paired test shot the A620 would slightly miss focus. Viewed blown up on a computer screen images taken by the A620 were noticeably fuzzier than those same scenes shot with the old A80.

In some simple scenes the A620 did sharply focus. Then it produced excellent images. However in the normal sorts of pictures I take of family and scenes the A620 often chose to focus someplace that made everything I cared about be slightly out of focus.

The A620 takes a picture noticeably quicker than the A80. The delay from button press to finished. This is good. However I wonder if the design goal of reducing the shutter release delay removed the time it used to take to focus as competently as the old A80.

This camera was easy to use straight out of the box. It takes great pictures, even of my fast running kids. You will want to buy a bigger memory card if you don't plan to download constantly, but that's the only thing we have had to add. This is our first digital camera and we looked for months to decide. I have no regrets about buying this one.

Especially nice feature is the optical finder that lets you see the whole frame (although at considerably less than 1:1 magnification) even while wearing glasses. That's rare in amateur-grade cameras from what I've seen of them over the years.

the cannon a620 is my first camera. I took it with me to seattle and got some great shots of the city. It's a little slow taking action shots. The picture quality is great,it's easy to use. I am happy with it.

I've tried to find out to solve this problem...Window xp supports all the digital camera but canon?
Please, advise me if anyone knows the way

I've been an serious amateur (if that isn't an oxymornon) photographer since 1955. Four years ago, I went digital with an Olympus 3.2 megapixel Camedia. Love that camera, but started having problems (over-exposure in all modes, and contrast off especially in macro. After six months of study, I decided on the A620, and am moderately happy with my decision.

I should explain that, no matter how much investigating you do, you'll never know if you made the right decision. When I bought the Olympus, the choices were limited to perhaps four 3+ megapixel cameras. Now, with a hundred choices, your chances of getting the ideal camera are slim IF you know digital cameras at all. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

A620 pros: Easy to use. Menus are well laid out, though the primary button on the back of the camera could have "easier" more readable buttons. But once you get used to them, they're fine. Love the various special effects that you can add to your pictures. And even the movie mode will give a decent movie if you have a 1 gig card.

The LCD is fantastic, and revolved 180 degrees. Not that I expected to take a self-portrait, but I actually have used the easy-to-see (in most any light) LCD for all kinds of shots.

The viewfinder (a must for those of you who are looking at any digital camera) is good, and off by only a degree or two.

Pictures are sharp and the lens is as good as Olympus Zuiko, and that's going some.

Before I forget, I'd give Canon an A+ on its software. It is downright simple and though I might have to use Thumbs+ or Photoshop for minor tweaking, this software is a snap on layouts and printing. Many who have written about Canon's software call it "weak" or "for beginners only." Well, I'm no beginner, and it's a pleasure to get a composite print or contact sheet set up and printed in 5 minutes.

Portraits and landscapes are excellent. Closeups...see below.

It's fast.

It has the feel of a 35mm camera. It has some weight and it's comfortable.

The zoom is very good.

Cons: Can't turn off flash in Auto mode.

The macro is trickier than the Olympus and doesn't always produce good results. One trick is that you press the shutter button half-way before taking the picture, and you'll get better focus. Half of my pictures are macros, and I've been somewhat disappointed. I think that going to the manual mode is the solution, and that may put off most who go the digital route for more than just point and shoot.

The warning light for using a tripod seemingly comes on 80% of the time. Admittedly, we've had rain in California since I bought the camera, but I have no trouble keeping the camera steady and, in low light suituations, letting the flash do the rest.

I'd recommend the camera, but if you're looking for one that you can just tuck in your shirt pocket, this isn't for you.

I would like to say something about this Canon. I don't like the kind of camera which uses A4 batteries. I can't believe that it's 7.1MP with 4x optical zoom.
Yes, it's a great camera. I love the twisting LCD screen. I admit it took gorgeous quality of pictures. Well, all it needs is a rechargeable Lithium battery.

I spent consideable time researching the Canon A620 amoung many others. The A620 was my top pick in its class. Huge number of features for the advanced Hobbyist but also ready for the novice to point and shoot on auto settings or do video that far surpasses the quality of my 2-3 year old VHS-C camcorder. I Love it. Excellent all around. For full reviews I suggest you google "Canon A620 review". My only complaint is the I/O port cover is flimsy in comparison to how solid and well built the rest of the camera is.
Don't forget to get high speed memory for it. I'm using Corsair 2GB 133x SD and getting excellent speed and beautiful photos and video.

My husband gave me this camera recently for my birthday. I am not someone that takes many pictures. We already owned a Sony camcorder that takes digital stills, so I didn't think that I would use this camera like I do. But this camera takes phenomenal pictures. There are many settings that do functions that I didn't know existed. For example, there is a kids/pet function that allows you to take a quick picture since children and animals don't sit still long. And if they do move, the motion blur is reduced.
The only con to this product is that the batteries that are included are not rechargeable and do not last very long. It also does not include any case. Other than that-I have no complaints.

Pros:
Battery life is good. Four NiMH battery lasts for 400+ snaps.
Video clarity is excellent if you view it in TV.
Processing speed is good. It takes less than second for next preview to appear in LCD.

Cons:
Only 1600x1200 postcard size snaps can date-stamped.

I bought this camera to take photos of items I sell on EBay. With 7.1 megapixels my shots, even with extreme blowups, come out sharp. I do a lot of closeups, so I need sharpness. This camera delivers. Since it uses AA batteries I don't need to charge it. It's easy to use too, so you get a lot for your money.

If you don't know a thing about cameras, I'm writing this for you. This is the best digital camera I've ever owned. It has so many different settings it will take me a long time to figure out how to use them without having the manual handy. I can only say that it takes great pictures and that it's fun to experiment with the features. You can get a lot of creative shots with this camera. Be sure to buy rechargeable batteries and keep them with you because I brought the camera to a formal affair last night and when I took it out, it said the batteries were low and I couldn't take any pictures, but it didn't warn me in advance and I just used it two days prior! Oh, and although this camera is bigger than others, I found it easier to hold and steady.

This camera takes great quality photos. However, it doesn't offer a RAW format; this camera takes .JPG only photographs.

Also, I've noticed that the camera has a little trouble focusing when using autofocus. For example, sometimes there's a person in front of me, and the shot should be trivial. But after I take the picture, I see that everything's blurry. Other times, if there's a branch in front of me that's just barely in the picture, the camera will focus on it, and it's a hassle to get the camera to not focus on it.

The movie mode is OK. It's not super quality. Blown up, there's a bunch of artifacts, but it's good enough for the web.

The interface is similar to the other cameras in the PowerShot series. I think it's very intuitive.

This camera takes excellent photographs. It's a great choice for those who don't want to drop substantial amounts of cash for a digital SLR. If mine broke, I'd buy another.

I already have the semi-Professional level Canon EOS 20 D of which I love very much but its weight and bulkiness did not encourage me to take candid shots wherever I go.

So I researched a small portable digital camera that I could take with me. I was tossing between this A620 and the SD500 Elph.

I chose the A620 based on features and the rave review that an online camera review did (dpreview dot com).

I ordered it online and once I received it, I was surprised at its size (it would certainly help to see it in physical stores!) and it was not a shirt pocket camera that I was picturing. It could fit in my jacket pockets but I think it will rip my shirt pocket trying to stuff that thing in.

I decided to keep it because it did take great pictures. That is the main function of a camera, right? Take good pictures!!!
After getting a small camera case, the portability was not too bad after all. It is definitely much lighter than the Canon EOS 20D (and thousand dollar less to boot).

But there is no question that I had been spoiled by Canon EOS 20D. The focusing was slower, and it took me longer to take shots. But definitely much faster than my Minolta Dimage 7 (5 megapixel) that I paid one thousand dollars at the local Sam's Club several years back.

I found that the positive for this camera is that it takes great pictures with AUTO.

I found that when I used the zoom lens inside a building with medium light, I did get some blurry shots but the Camera warned with the shake symbol. It is nice that the camera warns you. That tells me that instead of zoom, I should physcally come closer to the subject and then take pictures.

I found that it is possible to turn off the flash (by changing the setting from AUTO to something else like LANDSCAPE). But invariably you will get blurry pictures in a medium light enviroment unless you take it with a tripod.

The other thing that attracted me to this camera vs the other ones was that it used AA batteries. I mean, you can get AA batteries anywhere in the world! And with the ubiquitous rechargeable batteries, you are set! I have noticed that with my 2500 mAh rechargeable batteries I was able to take quite a few pictures, show off the results to folks on the flippable LCD screen and it was couple months before the battery was totally out. Which was NOT BAD at all!

The fact that this camera uses SD chip is also a great feature. SD chip has come down in price trememdously in the past few days. I just got a 4 gig SD chip with 150 X speed for less than one hundred bucks with shipping and tax!!! One could get about 1000 pictures at the highest resolution!!! Ironically, SD chips are now cheaper than Compact Flash for slightly faster speed. I don't know how can they fit 4 gig in that small space...

The video option is a Bonus extra for me and I thought it took surprisingly good video considering the size and the lens of the camera. In a dark room, it does not come out well. It needs bright light enviroment. So for a small camera that you can take videos...that is not too bad. Of course it will not be professional looking and all that...for that I have the Canon XL1S. But for special candid moments or unexpected situations, it is great to be able to get a video of something that is viewable on computer or TV.

I do like this camera!

I have a Nikon D70 but wanted a walking around camera too. The A620 is a fantastic deal. There is a whole lot of camera in there and I've taken some fine shots easily.

I bought the A95 a year ago but the shutter lag drove me crazy so I returned it. The A620 has much improved responsiveness due to the new DIGIC II processor. You press the ON button, compose your shot, and click the shutter within a couple seconds.

Get the A620 if you want a lightweight, fast, flexible camera, that uses conventional batteries, and has most of the features camera enthusiasts want for a great price, currently less than $300. The only thing more I would like is RAW output.

I've had Olympus and Fuji lower pixel cameras but the A620 at 7 megapixels is absolutely great. As an amateur professional with lots of heavy Nikon SLR bodies, lenses and equipment, this Canon is now my choice of cameras 80% of the time.

Its color and whiteness balance are beautiful right out of the box. The controls are extremely easy to use for experienced photographers though the manual is needed if you are new to this technology. Be patient with the manual-it's not the best one but if you take your time it all comes together.

I found most pictures shot MUCH better with slight tweaking of the aperature and ISO rather than the flash which tends to make the pictures way too contrasty for my liking.

Contrary to other writeups Ive seen, the flash can be shut off. The camera is extremely comfortable and lightweight though this is not a mini camera for those looking for that kind of body. The zoom is great but too short on focal length (only 114mm).

The camera shoots and writes to memory quickly and I purchased a fast 1gb card-something you will defintely need for a trip. The cover for the USB and other electrical hookups is an absolute piece of garbage. How Canon puts that on an otherwise excellent piece of equipment is beyond anyones imagination.

The other great feature I specifically looked for is a bright LCD that is movable so you can shoot very low or very high angles. Not only does it swivel but when finished shooting, the screen can be turned INTO the camera, protecting it from those nasty scratches you get when carrying it around.

All in all- for the price-pick one up at Amazon-it was cheaper than anyone else, including my beloved B&H Photo.

"Why settle for less, when you can get a brand new original top-of-the-line Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP camera for Free! I got mine from this web site: freestuffsite.biz/camera3"

This site will rob you of your money. Every "deal" they offer is loaded with "suprises". For instance:

"EuroSlimDiet" tricks you into thinking it's $3.95 to sign up (and therefore quailfy to get a camera) until you realize they have stuck another $99.95 "Delivery" fee on top of that. I know someone who just went to this site, ordered the EuroDiet and is now out $105. Np working phone number to reach EuroMed or working email. You get an atomated response.

PLEASE PEOPLE, STAY AWAY FROM THIS SITE OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH mychoicerewards.com

YOU WILL BE BURNED.

On to the camera:

I am "almost working pro" photographer. This little gem just flat out produces great images. I don't have to Photoshop the images for half and hour! Canon A620 is a true bargain. Get the attachment which allows for filter use and add a ND filter for outdoors. You'll be blown away. I can print 8x10 images that are frameable! How's that for quality? This from a stickler for quality too!

There isn't a bad review anywhere for this camera. It get's consistant 5 out of 5 stars. The question is now:

What are you waiting for? :)

Camera has good amount of features. It very easy to use. This is especially important to me who knows virtually nothing about photography. I used it on vacation and the quality of the pictures was still excellent even when blowing up them up to 11 X 14. The camera seems to be about the same weight as my old small point-and-shoot and it fits nicely into a small camera bag. The reference book is also easy to understand. I will be using this camera happily for many years.

This camera is definitely a great buy for someone who wants a quick action camera with remarkable picture results.....For a 7mp I think the price was great.......just bought my camera last week and it is just as I thought it was....it is a bit bulky but then very comfy to hold when taking shots.......I also bought a 1gb San disk card which can take upto 515 pics on highest resolution.......which is good..........movie quality good too
so far so good i am satisfied

Probably a good camera. The one I rec'd shutter was defective. Returned it and bought the Canon A540 - very pleased so far with this camera for less $[...].

I have had a number of digital cameras over the years, and this is the best so far. It is quick to turn on and be ready for a picture (quite telling in some cameras). It takes the pictures quickly and prepares for the next one (the card doesn't seem to make a difference for me- I have a 512M SD- nothing special).

I will also say it has a weight and substance to it that makes it seem "real" rather than plastic as some cameras feel. I know some people like a light camera, and this isn't it. This is for photographers who want a good camera- not something you shove in your pocket.

Good work Canon!

I've been an serious amateur (if that isn't an oxymornon) photographer since 1955. Four years ago, I went digital with an Olympus 3.2 megapixel Camedia. Love that camera, but started having problems (over-exposure in all modes, and contrast off especially in macro. After six months of study, I decided on the A620, and am moderately happy with my decision.

I should explain that, no matter how much investigating you do, you'll never know if you made the right decision. When I bought the Olympus, the choices were limited to perhaps four 3+ megapixel cameras. Now, with a hundred choices, your chances of getting the ideal camera are slim IF you know digital cameras at all. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

A620 pros: Easy to use. Menus are well laid out, though the primary button on the back of the camera could have "easier" more readable buttons. But once you get used to them, they're fine. Love the various special effects that you can add to your pictures. And even the movie mode will give a decent movie if you have a 1 gig card.

The LCD is fantastic, and revolved 180 degrees. Not that I expected to take a self-portrait, but I actually have used the easy-to-see (in most any light) LCD for all kinds of shots.

The viewfinder (a must for those of you who are looking at any digital camera) is good, and off by only a degree or two.

Pictures are sharp and the lens is as good as Olympus Zuiko, and that's going some.

Before I forget, I'd give Canon an A+ on its software. It is downright simple and though I might have to use Thumbs+ or Photoshop for minor tweaking, this software is a snap on layouts and printing. Many who have written about Canon's software call it "weak" or "for beginners only." Well, I'm no beginner, and it's a pleasure to get a composite print or contact sheet set up and printed in 5 minutes.

Portraits and landscapes are excellent. Closeups...see below.

It's fast.

It has the feel of a 35mm camera. It has some weight and it's comfortable.

The zoom is very good.

Cons: Can't turn off flash in Auto mode.

The macro is trickier than the Olympus and doesn't always produce good results. One trick is that you press the shutter button half-way before taking the picture, and you'll get better focus. Half of my pictures are macros, and I've been somewhat disappointed. I think that going to the manual mode is the solution, and that may put off most who go the digital route for more than just point and shoot.

The warning light for using a tripod seemingly comes on 80% of the time. Admittedly, we've had rain in California since I bought the camera, but I have no trouble keeping the camera steady and, in low light suituations, letting the flash do the rest.

I'd recommend the camera, but if you're looking for one that you can just tuck in your shirt pocket, this isn't for you.

This was delivered quickly, and very securely. I had moved from an A60 to this - it is fantastic.

Canon has never let me down (after owning three already). I love this camera. So simple to use. Take it out of the box and start shooting. I had to adjust the pixelation as I used out of the box (no extra memory) and because of the outstanding quality from higher pixelation I ran out of memory. That's my only suggestion. Otherwise sit back, smile really big, and say "Cheese".

I'm impressed with the quality of the image that this camera can give. It's excellent. I compared it with the photos of other cameras, images taked in the same place, in the same hour and the difference is notable.

Then I printed some of the photos and the bright of the colors and the sharpness of the image is amazing.

I really recommend it.

I purchased this camera to take pictures of my little 2 year old. I was very happy to find that it was very simple to use. It has many functions for the more advanced person (I will probably not use them). But straight out of the package, I was taking pictures almost immediately. My only complaint is the door on the camera that houses the USB connection does not always shut very well unless you really work it to shut. All in all, I enjoy the quality of the pictures that I have taken thus far.

This is a great little camera. I may be easy to please (coming off a 1.3 pixel Vivitar) but this camera is fast and takes superb pictures. And the batteries have yet to go dead. I did a lot of research before chosing this camera and, in my opinion, it really paid off.

5 star pictures
5 star video
5 star battery life
5 star wait time (before you take a new picture)

it's more then 2 months i have been using this camera,and it is perfect..if i have the chance to go back to the time i bought this camera , i would buy the same

This camera has delivered everything promised and more! Relatively simple to use and produces great shots. I researched several cameras and decided on this one. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made! Great value and great price -- hard to beat!

I am not Camera savey but I really am pleased with this camera.
I bought the 1G memory card also with it. There is sooo much to learn & do with this product. The easy options/pictures on the camera make it easier for me to learn what it can do.I found the other reviews on this site really helped me make my decision. The video option is the coolest.I am VERY happy with my purchase..........

Having used two other digital cameras for the past 4 years, I was forced to buy a new one when the last one stopped working properly. I spent hours looking at options and features and comparing prices. I could not be happier with the Canon Powershot A620. After reading some of the reviews that talk about the large size of the camera, and the flimsy door that covers the data port, I was not getting my hopes built up too far until the camera arrived. This camera is smaller than my last one, and fits very nicely in your hands and is comfortable and easy to handle. As for the flimsy door, get over it. It serves its purpose and as long as you don't treat it like it's made of steel, it will probably be fine. Now, all that out of the way, here's what I really think. For less than $300, I bought the camera and a 1G SD Memory Card. In a resolution much higher than is necessary for 4.5x6" snap shots, I can take more than 500 photos on the card. I played with the camera for more than a week before the AA batteries started going dead. Now, we've been more than two weeks on the rechargeable batteries, without being recharged. We have stored close to 250 photos, and probably taken twice that while learning what all the camera can do. It does have some nice, fancy features, but it's also easy to use for someone who wants to just point and shoot. However, the camera does have its way of telling you where it is focusing or if it is in danger of being blurred by shaky hands. If you watch for this, you can readjust before taking a picture. One thing that I am the most pleased with is the speed of turning on the camera and shooting the first picture, and any subsequent pictures after that. FAST!!! (For a digital camera) I would say it's less than 2 seconds from the time you turn the camera on, until it has flashed the 1st picture if you can move your fingers that fast. There is a way to turn the review off so it's instantly ready for the next picture. It is taking me a little time to get used to what the camera prioritizes for aperture and shutter speed, but I am not disappointed with the camera at all. Another thing I really like is the swivel ability of the LCD screen. I hope this helps someone else make the decision easier than I did.

This is a great camera for the casual point-and-shooters ... but it has room to grow for those who increase in skill. It has enough manual control that the more experienced photographers will be satisfied, especially since you can't fit a D-SLR in your pocket ;-)

Despite it's size, this camera has lots of good stuff, such as 7.1MP, shutter and aperture control, 4x zoom, flash intensity adjustments ... but one of my favorite features of this camera is the vari-angle LCD. This allows me to compose the shot with the camera above my head or below my waist. Plus, when I flip the screen towards my favorite subjects (my 2 toddlers), it makes them smile or laugh because they love seeing themselves in the LCD. This makes it a lot easier for me to capture their happy faces. So parents, I suggest looking for this feature in any camera you are considering.

I have wanted a digital camera for a long time, but haven't bought one due to knowledge and cost. I did some research on line and this camera kept coming up as the camera of choice. I found the cheapest price on Amazon.com. I paid a few dollars extra for shipping because I wanted it right away. The camera has paid for itself already. I have taken hundreds of pictures of my kids, etc.. Very easy to download to computer (even without software). Can switch pics easily to a format that's fast to send email. The video function is very easy to use and takes great videos. With a 1gb card, I can take almost 512 pics on one card without having to download any. I haven't bought rechargeable batteries yet, but that will be my next purchase. The AA have lasted for quite some times considering how much I use the camera. Worse case scenerio, I run to any store and buy some more for a few bucks. Highly recommended!!!

I am a novice when it comes to cameras. This is only my second digital camera and I am very pleased with it . It has deliverd great photos. It is user friendly, so far, as I have not read the entire book. Would recommend it to all.!

The camera provides excellent feature,great image quality, and reasonable price. I bought the camera one month ago. The ease-of-use and fast operation make it a very competent midsized camera for beginners. I have not explored all its functions at different photographic situations,but till now everything is ok and I have nothing to complain about it. Based on those excellent features, I think it is a very successful digital camera.

This camera takes really good pictures and has several features. There are so many setting that make it easy to take shots. I only wish it was a little smaller. I really like the pop out screen and it also will shut itself down when you haven't used it a long time to save battery power. Still finding new things that it does. I would recommend this camera.

This is a good camera. It has red eye correction. Portrait and landscape modes are there which are good for photography. It is a bit bulky camera since it requires 4 AA batteries. Easy software installations. Easy to save the photos on computer.

The A620 is an excellent value for the price. This is my fourth digital camera and I strongly recommend it. The camera takes outstanding photos, sports a high resolution of 7.1 MP (great for cropping and/or printing 8X10 photos), is relatively small and lightweight and provides both fully automatic and manual modes. The A620 uses 4 AA alcaline batteries. Battery life is excellent, however, I would recommend purchasing rechargable batteries as this will save you money in the long run. Also, get ready to buy another SD memory card as the 32mb one provided with the camera will only hold about 9 pictures when camera is set to the highest resolution mode.
Great camera for the beginner and advanced user. Yes, you can buy a better more capable digital camera, but you will pay much more. This camera fills an important gap between basic entry level cameras and more advanced ones at a price that is fantastic.

We are enjoying our new digital camera. It's easy to use (camera and software), and takes a wonderful, clear picture.

I have had this camera only for a month but it has been great so far. Most of my experience has been with the automatic settings and the pictures have generally been great. The only problem have been with a few focusing issues but the great majority of the pictures have been excellent. I have not yet started working with the manual adjustments available with this camera so I can't comment on this aspect. Again, it has been well worth the purchase price.

I lost the first A620 that I purchased last year. I immediately ordered a new one to replace it. Owner of several hi-guality digital cameras, but this one is the best so far. Found picture quality with cameras that zoom more than this one to be lacking. Beware of large zooms. Would have ordered newer model with auto image stabilization, but they don't have adjustable screen... which is feature that you find yourself not being able to do without.
Great picture quality and speed is super fast. Adjustable view screen makes it unbeatable for setting camera down, framing your picture and using timer to take pictures. I set it up to take 3 pictures in rapid succession with the timer...eliminates a bad photo with someone blinking or bad expression. Screen rotates to let you see what is in frame when you hold it up high to take pictures over peoples heads. Screen also folds in to protect itself while in your pocket.
Great price with Amazon.com and fast shipping as always. AA rechargables is another great feature. Don't have to fool with special chargers or batteries. A little larger than some cameras but will still fit in purse or pocket nicely. Flash is better than with other smaller cameras. Put in a 1 GB memory card and you can take many many pictures on your longest vacations. You will love this camera!

I searched and read a lot of reviews especially on cnet.com (great site). for 7megapix it was a super value. Plus a 4x optical zoom. There were a lot of higher priced smaller camers.. but they were only 5-6 mp. For me i wanted the highest mp. We bough this for my father and I ended up buying one along with my sister. Our family now owns 3 of these. I would recommend a higher sd card. 1gb will hold about 300 pics at the highest settings.

I like Nikon cameras because they have a good name and I've never had a problem with them. I was ready to buy a Nikon Coolpix S5 when I visited my local camera store and the salesman showed me the Canon Powershot A620.

His main objection to the Nikon was there was no viewfinder. The LCD display would wash out on a sunny day. The A620 has both and the LCD display's position is adjustable in a zillion different positions. Right then and there I was sold on it.

The A620 is bigger and easier to hold. The hump for the batteries also adds extra finger grip for holding it. The shutter button is large and away from the other buttons.

The A620 uses 4 AA batteries. At first I thought this was a negative. But the saleman said it was a positive. If the batteries are dead, in a jam its easier to buy AA batteries than special photographic batteries. He sold me a $[...] AA quick battery recharger which includes NMH batteries. I can also use it for my Garmin i5 PND (personal navigation device).

The A620 is a 7 Megapixel camera, the Nikon was 6 Megapixels. The A620 has a 4x zoom optical lens, the Nikon was 3x.

I bought a one Gigabyte SD memory card for storing pictures. At 7 Megapixels per picture, it holds 320 pictures. It was only $[...]. What a bargain compared to a year ago.

The only problem I had was trying to figure out how to view the pictures I had taken. It wasn't obvious that the slide switch near the top of the back did this and the user manual just glossed over it. I had to figure it out through trial and error.

It takes great pictures and one of these days I'll finish reading the instruction manual. It was obvious how turn the flash on and off.

My total purchase price was less than the Nikon, including the $[...] SD card, $[...] recharger, and $[...] carrying case.

Camera easy to use right out of the box. Very good picture quality.

I did a lot of research on digital cameras before I purchased this camera. I was mainly looking for a good macro setting and the option of manual settings. This camera has both. I also really like the adjustable LCD screen, I get creative with my shots and being able to angle the screen in different directions really helps. The battery life is great, I've taken nearly 500 photos on one set of batteries. There are a ton of settings so you will need to read the instructions. I highly recommend this camera.

Excellent choice for the teen/adult who knows a little about photography, but nothing about digital cameras. I could take photos straightaway, yet 20 minutes with the user manual was also hugely rewarding. Camera is a bit bulky (fist-sized) and like other digital cameras, can devour batteries if one uses the LCD monitor a lot. I recommend getting some Energizer rechargeable batteries.

My first digital camera....and I love it. Excellent pictures, incredible resolutions, great settings for pets and kids, foliage, portraits, etc. Software was exceptionally easy to install and use. Highly recommend this camera.

The camara is easy to use and I can get very clear photos. I don't like very light camaras so this one is very suitable for me.

although it's still a little bit weighted than I expected, but it is still a very good camera. the only thing I think cause it's heavier is that it needs 4 AA batteries.

just as the other canon camera, it couldn't mark the date and time on pictures, the only function that you can mark it is while you print it out. so if you don't care about it. just go ahead and check it out.

I bought this camera primarily to be used to take photos of items that I will be selling on eBay. The quality of the close ups is awesome. I feel this will help me get my eBay business off the ground.

We have a small photo business at the beach and needed a small point and shoot camera to always have at hand. The A620 is used to back up our older G5 and the new Rebel XT. It is easy and quick to operate and yeilds a high quality image. Overall, a great, easy to operate little camera for the money.

A previously owned a Sony DSC-P73 4.1 Mp, 3X Optical Zoom. I must say it's a VERY good camera, specially for the price. Simple, small, convenient. It was my introduction to the digital camera world and I am glad I started out with that model.

I learned the quirks and the language of digital cameras. What their strengths were and also their weeknesses.

Since consumer electronics' value decline rapidly over time, I decided to sell my SONY off, and buy myself a new camera.

I spent over 2 months CONSTANTLY researching digital camera models based on several factors. My priorities were:

1. Under 300.
2. Can record video with sound.
3. It's picture quality has good proffessional reviews.
4. More than 3X optical zoom.
5. Uses standard batteries.
6. Compact.
7. Uses SD memory.

I found many partial matches, and a few complete matches. This CANON resulted winner.. and I am glad it did.