Overview
The Canon Powershot A2000 IS has 10 megapixels and a 6x optical zoom lens. The lens has image stabilisation built in.
Why Buy The Canon Powershot A2000 IS
I can't claim that the Powershot A2000 IS is a great looking camera when compared to some of the more stylish cameras on the market. The emphasis is on the quality of the pictures it takes. Based on picture quality it offers very good value for money.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
10
6x
3 inches
101.9 x 63.5 x 31.9m
190g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
3cm
No
No
AA * 2
SD/SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
We start off with a picture with lots of colour and brightness. In terms of sharpness the Powershot A2000 IS also does very well. The brickwork on the building in the centre of the shot is more or less pin sharp and even as you move towards the edges of the photo sharpness is well above average.
As is typical at this time of year there is some detail lost in the lightest areas of the shot as the sun reflects directly back into the camera lens.
This is another shot where focusing is above average. It is only in the most distant areas of the shot sharpness slips noticeably.
With the lens zoomed into its maximum the Powershot A2000 IS is able to show lots of detail. Areas such as the tiles on the roofs are crystal clear even with the photo blown up. Levels of detail on the boats are also clearly showing. Once again there is plenty of vibrant colour in the photo.
Based on my four outdoor scenes Canon produces the sharpest photos with a standard, compact digital camera. Each brick on the building can be seen clearly and it is only the darker foliage on the right hand side of the picture where any detail is lost.
Portraits
I like this photo. This is another example where the colours and brightness compliment each other. The colours have a natural look to them
A lot of compact digital cameras in this price bracket struggle with flash. Sometimes the flash unit is not powerful enough or the camera is unable to control the flash adequately. This leads to colour being washed out of the shot. It can also lead to the colours looking harsh. The Powershot A2000 IS does very well. The flash unit illuminates the photo evenly and manages to retain plenty of colour. In fact this is one of the best indoor portrait shots with flash I have taken recently.
This is the one photo that the Powershot A2000 IS does not quite pull off. With the light good, but not perfect the camera is not able to produce a photo with really sharp focusing.
Macro, Colours and Noise
This is another area where Canon digital cameras excel. When you take the price of the camera into account the close up photos it is capable of taking are of a very high standard.
I like the colours the Powershot A2000 IS gives to its photographs. The colours are quite powerful, but they interact very well with the brightness in the photos.
Noise is always a problem when ISO settings are boosted. At ISO 400 levels are acceptable, but go any higher and there is a clear trade off as noise becomes more and more obvious.
Summary
Overall I am very pleased with the photos I have taken. I would describe this camera as some way above average.
Style
The A2000 IS looks a bit different to earlier Canon Powershot models. The SLR-like grip on the front of the camera has been removed to leave a more standard rectangular shape. It is too large to be deemed pocket sized.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
Turn on Time
0.39 seconds
9.8 seconds
1.15 seconds
25.35 seconds
2.47 seconds
Ease of Use
You should not take to long to find your way around the camera. There is an easy mode to simplify the camera further.
Points I Like
Picture quality - value for money
Where it Could Improve
Slow when flash is turned on
Verdict
Everyone is looking for something different from a digital camera. If picture quality and a bit of value for money is more important to you than digging deeper for a more stylish, pocket camera then the Powershot A2000 IS makes an excellent choice. The extra zoom offered by the 6x is a handy bonus.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Canon Powershot A2000 IS Review Canon Powershot A2000 IS Specification Canon Powershot A2000 IS Sample Images Canon Powershot A2000 IS Features
Review Date
October 2008
