Overview

The Canon Powershot A530 is an ultra compact digital camera with 5 megapixels resolution and a 4 times optical zoom. The Powershot A530 distinguishes itself from its competitors with its optical viewfinder (in addition to the 1.8 inch display), and its manual exposure mode, which gives additional control to advanced photographers. Of course, a fully automatic shooting mode, as well as a wide range of preset scene modes are available as well, making it an ideal take anywhere camera for both novice and experienced photographers. A widescreen viewing mode is available when connecting the A530 to a widescreen TV, making use of the full 16:9 format.
The Canon A530 uses standard AA type batteries, which, unlike battery packs, are easy to replace while travelling.

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Available Reviews

• Canon PowerShot A530 review at dpinterface
• Canon PowerShot A530 review at imaging resource
• Canon Powershot A530 test at Digital Camera Review
• Canon Powershot A530 review at cameras.co.uk
• Canon PowerShot A530 at CNet
• Canon Powershot A530 review at Steve's Digicams

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Specifications

Resolution: 5 megapixels
Focal Length: 35-140mm, 35mm equivalent
Optical Zoom: 4x
Exposure Modes: Program AE, Shutter Speed-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual
Macro Mode: 2 inch / 5cm
Movie Mode: 640×480 at 30 fps
Shutter Speed: 15-1/2000 sec.
LCD Display: 1.8 inch TFT
Storage Media: SD card
Battery: two AA type batteries
Dimensions (H x W x D): 3.56 x 2.52 x 1.70 in. / 90.4 x 64.0 x 43.2mm
Weight: 6 oz. / 170g, body only

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Press Release

Canon’s newest quartet of A-Series digital cameras—the six-megapixel PowerShot A700 and the PowerShot A540 models, the five-megapixel PowerShot A530 model, and the four-megapixel PowerShot A430 digital camera—add an array of advanced, enhanced, yet easy-to-use features into compact and eminently affordable packages. These four new models expand upon Canon’s success as A-series models have captured the number one digital camera position for three years consecutively1.

Among the featured enhancements on the PowerShot A540 and A700 digital cameras is a newly designed
six-megapixel image sensor that together with Canon’s proprietary DIGIC II image processor helps to dramatically reduce “noise” for better image quality and achieves ISO equivalent speed ratings ranging from 80 to 800. This increased sensitivity allows the use of faster shutter speeds, thereby reducing the effects of camera shake and subject blur during hand-held photography in low light.

Even the entry-level four-megapixel PowerShot A430 model offers higher resolution and a longer optical zoom among its feature enhancements. Indeed, though the PowerShot A430 digital camera replaces last year’s entry-level 3.2 megapixel PowerShot A410 camera, the new A430 model’s features most closely compare with the mid-tier PowerShot A520 digital camera, America’s best selling model in 20051.

This formidable photographic foursome can brilliantly capture fleeting images in the blink of an eye. What’s more, a quick review of the shot on any of these cameras’ big and bright LCD monitor reveals whether that image comprises the perfect moment captured forever or whether it should be condemned to death by deletion (in time to take another photo worth keeping).

From close-ups capturing the unabashed joy of a baby’s face, all wide-eyed innocence, chubby cheeks and gummy grin; or powerful panoramas, vast vistas and once-in-a-lifetime looks at nature’s wonders, to the family functions and memorable milestones that punctuate life’s journey, these new pocket- or purse-sized PowerShot digital cameras easily create enduring images that depict and define special moments in time.

“While ‘the one that got away’ has always made for good fish stories worthy of perhaps a thousand words or more, the perfect picture is the one that is captured for all to see and not the one almost captured if only…. These new A-series PowerShot digital cameras reaffirm Canon’s commitment to creating affordable, simple-to-use digital cameras that produce extraordinary quality images for the everyday picture-taker, the special occasion-shooter and the newcomer alike,” stated Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Indeed, it is that very commitment to affordable imaging excellence that has made our A-series PowerShot digital cameras America’s number one choice for the past three years1 and it is a tradition we intend to continue for many years to come.”

[…]

The PowerShot A530 Digital Camera
The heir apparent to 2005’s enormously popular PowerShot A510 digital camera, the new PowerShot A530 model features a five-megapixel CCD image sensor, the faster 80-800 ISO equivalent speed setting range and the same 4x retractable optical zoom lens with a focal length of 35-140mm (35mm equivalent) as the PowerShot A540 model. The PowerShot A530 digital camera features a 1.8-inch 115,000-pixel LCD screen and will be available in March for an estimated selling price of $229.99.

[…]

DIGIC II Image Processing Technology—Hi-Speed USB 2.0
True to the PowerShot tradition, the A-series cameras have many of the latest advances in Canon technology including the proprietary DIGIC II imaging processor. The processor enhances picture definition, vibrancy, and quality, while helping increase the speed of the cameras’ startup, autofocus, shutter response, playback, and image processing speed while reducing power consumption by 35 percent compared to the original DIGIC chip. Consumers benefit from accelerated image transfer speed (when used with a USB 2.0 compatible computer, printer, or other peripheral), thanks to the inclusion of a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port3. The USB 2.0 port is backwards compatible (at no increased speed) with computers featuring standard USB 1.1 connections.

New Features and Special Effects
All of the new models offer a new widescreen 16:9 ratio resolution setting that facilitates creating panoramic-style prints. Additionally, all PowerShot models support 23 languages (now including Thai and Arabic). The new cameras have an improved direct printing function that permits greater flexibility in print settings, including a face brightener setting for backlit photos.

Canon also enhanced the “My Colors” mode found in the new PowerShot line. Where previously, users could only enable “My Colors” while shooting, the current iteration permits captured images to be retouched as well, without the need for special software applications or tools. Available “My Color” playback modes include Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red; lighter and darker skin tones, as well as options for creating black and white, sepia, neutral and positive film effects. A color accent setting turns all colors but the one selected by the user to monochrome and the color swap mode enables users to alter specific colors in an image by sampling another color from the same image or any other image on the camera’s memory card. So, “My Colors” provides PowerShot users with an incredible range of creative photo effects that can be accessed directly in the camera with no need for post-processing in a computer.

Direct Print
Like all PowerShot digital cameras, these newest additions to the A-series work seamlessly with Canon’s petite SELPHY Compact Photo Printers—an essential PowerShot accessory. Consumers simply connect their PowerShot digital camera to a SELPHY printer—such as the SELPHY CP510 and CP710 models. Press the lighted Print/Share button, and within seconds4, images emerge. Presto! It is that simple. Canon’s SELPHY Compact Photo Printers are PictBridge compatible. They work with PictBridge enabled digital cameras and offer excellent image quality and ease-of-use, especially when paired with a Canon digital camera. At 28 cents per print5, printing photos directly from a digital camera is both easy and affordable.

Canon will debut it latest PowerShot A-series digital cameras in its booth (#3509) during the Photo Marketers Association (PMA) exhibit in Orlando, Fla., from February 26-March 1, 2006.
(source: Canon)