Canon PowerShot A470 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3.4x Optical Zoom (Gray): Customer Reviews & Product Details

This is a piece of garbage, it broke in less than a month. I would say to buy something else.

I was on a business trip to do a final walk-through of a large installation and forgot my camera (Nikon Coolpix 5900 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom, 5.1MP) so I ran out to CompUSA and got this one for $89.99 and was excited about it. I expected it to be better than my Nikon as this one is 3.5 years newer, has better resolution and a bigger screen. It's just okay, IMHO, hence the 3-stars. I'd probably give it a 3.5 star rating if I could.

Battery: Battery life seemed a bit weak to me. This camera uses AAs so I bought the Energizer Ultra Lithiums. They're pricey but they're good batteries. I did not count my shots but I did use the flash on about 30 out of about 100-120 photos before the batteries were nearly done.

Controls: The controls seemed fairly intuitive to me. This camera uses a wheel the change modes but also to access the "view pics" mode. My Nikon has a separate button to access "view pics". So do some of the Sony's. Personally, I prefer that but that is more of a preference than anything.

LCD: the LCD is good I have not used it outside in bright light yet. But be aware that w/o a viewfinder, the LCD is the only means you have for properly framing your subject matter.

Size and feel: the camera is a little bulky at 1 5/8" thick but the overall size and buttons should be conducive to comfortable use by any size hands, small lady or large man.

Connectivity: on one end of the camera there are 3 interfaces:
1. DC in, presumable for use with an optional (not provided) power supply;
2. USB works well. Simply put the camera in "view pics" mode and plug it in and you can either do your thing in the Canon software (which I have not/will not do) or simply access them via Windows Explorer.
3. A/V - a single proprietary 1/8" mini pluag into the camera produces a single composite video RCA/M plug and a single monaural RCA/M audio plug to connect to a TV or VCR or DVR.

Picture Quality: This was probably my greatest disappointment. I expected that a 3.5 year newer and 40% greater resolution (7.1MP vs 5.1MP) would have given me greater clarity and detail. Usually with electronics as the months go by, yesterdays "cutting edge" becomes tomorrow's "plain vanilla". That was not the case for me with this particular item. I still prefer to use my old Nikon, with the now broken battery door (thanks to the unconfessed sin of one of my 4 precious children), for capturing important moments.

I'm going to stop here because this is (currently) a $100 7.1MP Canon camera. Not deserving of being "picked to pieces". For $100 it's a pretty decent little unit. I have to think this is a whole lot better than some of the other full-featured, sub-$100 cameras out there. Just be aware that it is not on par with (probably any) $250 point and shoot. Be aware that the specs and the brand do not dictate the quality or performance of the camera. In fact, hands-on experience will demonstrate that quality and performance of particular features/functions of cameras will vary from model-to-model, regardless of brand, specs and price.

As I finish writing this review I think that perhaps this camera may deserve a 4-star rank, if it is being compared to other low-price cameras but since I have only used mid-range digital P&S cameras I cannot make that determination. As a digital P&S in general I can only give it 3 stars. I hope this is clear enough and helps someone with their purchase decision.

This little camera is great. Good size, easy to hold and use but small enough to carry easily. I set this camera up without reading the manual, it is that easy! Takes very good pictures and videos. No camera shake in the video and I was just holding the camera. I am very impressed!

IT'S AT CANON REPAIR RIGHT NOW. I HAVE HAD THIS CAMERA ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR, EASY TO USE, NICE PICTURES, THEN THE "LENS ERROR PLEASE RESTART CAMERA" STARTED POPPING UP AND THEN "PLEASE REPLACE BATTERIES" EVEN AFTER NEW ONES WERE IN THE CAMERA. I'M JUST GLAD THESE "PROBLEMS" HAPPENED BEFORE THE ONE YEAR WARRENTY WAS OVER - IT WAS CLOSE.

This camera is small and compact, yet it feels like a camera instead of a credit card. It uses two AA batteries that can be purchased anywhere. The camera has many features that you would expect to find on a far more expensive camera. It takes great pictures and is easy to use. It is difficult to see the LCD screen for taking pictures in bright sunlight, but camera shades are made for that purpose. All in all, I would recommend this Canon A470 to everyone. Point, shoot, and enjoy your photos.