Canon A495 BL (Blue)
10.0-megapixel blue PowerShot digital camera
495333238
You'll get a charge out of this
Perhaps this comes as a surprise to you, but a digital camera's power source is by far one of the most overlooked features. Sure, it's nothing fancy like automatic exposure control, face detection, or any of the other innovative features offered by PowerShot cameras, but power does matter. Most digital point-and-shoot cameras include special, model-specific Lithium-ion batteries that you can recharge whenever they lose power. Now, Lithium-ion batteries do use advanced chemistries to deliver extended battery performance, but they have one flaw . . . they have to be recharged. In other words, you have to make sure that whenever you have fun, you're within, oh let's say, 10' of an outlet so that you can recharge when the battery runs out. Well, so much for taking your camera on a road trip, to a family reunion in a park, or on a hike. Canon's A495 offers something different — portable freedom. You see, this PowerShot camera uses a pair of standard AA batteries as its power source. Accordingly, you can go anywhere without fear of losing power, as long as you have a fresh pair or two of batteries in your pocket. And, if you use those up, you can find new AA batteries in just about any convenience store. You're fueled up and ready to go.
Innovative shooting modes
One of the advantages of a digital point-and-shoot camera is access to a wide variety of specialized shooting modes that deliver spectacular results, automatically. However, if you've spent almost any time shopping for a new digital camera, you've probably noticed that most cameras offer the same slew of shooting modes — modes like Portrait, Snow, Landscape, and Fireworks. While automatic shooting modes are one of the defining characteristics of the digital point-and-shoot camera, few cameras stand out from the crowd. The A495 from Canon is the exception. Sure, while this PowerShot camera does offer a fairly standard selection of 16 shooting modes, it adds two innovative modes to the repertoire, enhancing your creative experience. First, a Super Vivid mode intensifies and enhances existing colors in your photos, creating an image saturated with brilliant, vibrant hues and tones, and ensuring eye-catching photos. Second, by combining similar adjacent shades into single colors and converting subtle gradations into sharp contrast, the A495's Poster Effect modes allows you to achieve a modern, graphic look that definitely amplifies the creative scope of your photo album. Discover something out of the ordinary with the Canon PowerShot A495.
Automatically smart . . . Smart AUTO mode
We've already noted that the automatic shooting modes offered by digital point-and-shoot cameras are one of these camera's principal strengths. And the reason is simple: they allow you to pay more attention to your subject or the event than to choosing camera settings. All you have to do is select the appropriate mode, and the camera does the rest. But, even then you do still have to take the time to identify shooting conditions and select the appropriate shooting mode. Sounds to us like you still run the risk of missing out on some of the action. The folks at Canon agree; accordingly, they've equipped the PowerShot A495 with Smart AUTO technology. To put it simply, Smart AUTO mode is, well, automatically automatic . . . or at least intelligently so. You see, by selecting Smart AUTO mode instead of searching through individual shooting modes, whenever you go to take a photo, the A495 automatically identifies shooting conditions and selects the best shooting mode all by itself. With the PowerShot camera doing all of the work, you're free to fully engage with the moment at hand . . . and still go home with perfectly exposed photos to document the day.
Bring on the specs
Okay, enough with the fancy automatic features, let's get to the cold, hard specs . . . (well, they're really not that cold, or hard — we're just being dramatic). True to form (it's a Canon PowerShot camera, after all), the A495 serves up some pretty high-performance shooting thanks to a robust design. First, a 1/2.33" CCD image sensor with 10.0-megapixel capture resolution and a DIGIC III image processor team up to allow you to take exceptionally detailed and brilliantly colored photos. In fact, a 10.0-megapixel resolution is high enough that you can enlarge prints above 8" x 10" without sacrificing any detail. Second, the A495's 3.3x optical zoom aids in capturing close-up shots of near subjects, and intimate shots of distant subjects. Third, a 2.5" color LCD viewscreen is your palette for composing, reviewing, and even sharing your photos with others. Finally, high ISO sensitivity significantly improves performance in low-light shooting situations.
Take spontaneous portraits with ease
Sure, you enjoy dabbling in landscapes, cityscapes, and wildlife photography, but by-and-large, people are your most common subjects. Capturing well composed, well exposed photos of the human face, however, can be a tricky business. Well, unless you're using the Canon PowerShot A495. Combining a variety of technologies, Canon's DIGIC III technology enhances and simplifies photographing people. First, Face Detection technology finds and tracks the faces of moving subjects until you're ready to shoot, then delivers optimal focus, flash, and white balance for balanced, natural skin tones and properly exposed backgrounds. Intelligent Contrast Correction controls the compensation level in pixel units to brighten dark areas while leaving bright areas unchanged for improved portraits when a person's face is shadowed. Third, Red-eye Correction makes it possible to remove red-eye from photos either automatically while you're taking them or manually at a later time. Finally, a Face Detection Self-Timer automatically detects an increase in the number of faces and makes the appropriate adjustments. For example, the A495 will allow the photographer to leave the camera on a tripod and enter a group photo before snapping the shot.
Get movin'
Well, even in spite of the A495's impressive bag of photographic tools, there might come a day when you would rather do something other than take stunning photo after stunning photo. It's possible, but that's all. Anyhow, should that day come, you do have another option: video. You got it — the A495 allows you to shoot video footage in addition to still photos. Just select Movie mode, and instantly begin filming either 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 resolution video.
Included with purchase
The following items are included with the purchase of the Canon PowerShot A495 BL: PowerShot A495 body, 2 AA alkaline batteries, Wrist strap (WS-800), Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB interface cable (IFC-400PCU), and AV cable (AVC-DC300).
Review
Good for the price (February 25, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(4/5.0) |
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| Value |
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(4/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(3/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(3/5.0) |
Reviewed By: James B Kramer - Newberry, FL
I got a very good deal on this little camera from Vanns and picked up for one for my wife. She is more interested in capturing slices of her life than she is in formal photography so this is fine for her.
It fits in her bag. Takes decent shots. And was inexpensive.
This is not the camera to get if you are looking for high quality images, or even what passes for high quality with point an shoots. Look at the Canon G or S series for that.
Review
Canon Digital Camera A495 (January 10, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
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| Value |
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(4/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: John W. - Montana City, MT
We purchased this camera for our 14 year old daughter to replace an older version. I compared it to my PowerShot SX110IS and the A495 takes very good quality pictures as mine does. She has been taking some great photos and really enjoys the functions of the Canon.
Review
Cute and versatile (July 25, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
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| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(4/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Maryann D. - West Orange, NJ
Compact, lightweight, slips into any pocket or purse! Plus you can go with the automatic setting or choose from around 12 more specific settings if you want to compose yourself and feel like a pro. Love the red-eye setting, so you dont have to edit the photo later. Inexpensive, with decent photos and ease of use and can be carry anytime, anywhere. It fits the bill for what I wanted.
Review
Cute and versatile (July 25, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
|
(5/5.0) |
|---|---|---|
| Value |
|
(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
|
(4/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
|
(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Maryann D. - West Orange, NJ
Compact, lightweight, slips into any pocket or purse! Plus you can go with the automatic setting or choose from around 12 more specific settings if you want to compose yourself and feel like a pro. Love the red-eye setting, so you dont have to edit the photo later. Inexpensive, with decent photos and ease of use and can be carry anytime, anywhere. It fits the bill for what I wanted.
Review
Cute and versatile (July 25, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
|
(5/5.0) |
|---|---|---|
| Value |
|
(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
|
(4/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
|
(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Maryann D. - West Orange, NJ
Compact, lightweight, slips into any pocket or purse! Plus you can go with the automatic setting or choose from around 12 more specific settings if you want to compose yourself and feel like a pro. Love the red-eye setting, so you dont have to edit the photo later. Inexpensive, with decent photos and ease of use and can be carry anytime, anywhere. It fits the bill for what I wanted.
Comparison Specifications
- Maximum pixels: 10.0-megapixel capture resolution / 1/2.3" CCD image sensor
- Memory: Supports the following memory cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC / MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus, HC MMC Plus
- Zoom power: 3.3x optical zoom / 4x digital zoom / 13x combined zoom
- Shooting modes: Program / Auto / Movie / Special Scene, including Poster Effect and Super Vivid
- Flash modes: Auto / Slow Synchro / Red-eye Reduction / Auto Red-eye Correction / Shutter Sync
- Movie mode: Video capture / 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 resolution
- Viewscreen: 2.5" TFT color LCD display / 100% coverage / 115,000 pixels
- Digital interface: 1 USB v2.0 port / NTSC/PAL video out / Monaural audio out
Additional Specifications
- Smart AUTO mode
- Special Scene shooting modes: Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Face Self-Timer, Low Light, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Beach, Foliage, Snow Fireworks, Long Shutter
- Face detection: Auto Focus / Auto Exposure / White Balance
- DICIG III image processor
- Continuous shooting: 0.9 shots per second
- White balance: Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Tungsten / Fluorescent / Fluorescent H / Custom
- Photo effects: My Colors Off / Vivid / Neutral / Sepia / Black & White / Custom
- Playback modes: Single, Magnification, Resume, Index, Slideshow, Red-eye Correction, Resize, Rotate, Jump, Focus Check, Histogram, Overexposure warning
- Battery: Accepts 2 AA-size batteries (Alkaline or NiMH) / Battery life: 150 shots, alkaline; 400 shots, NiMH / Playback time: 8 hr, alkaline; 10 hr, NiMH
Manufacturer Specifications
- Lens: 37mm - 122mm focal length (@35mm equivalent) / TTL autofocus system
- Maximum aperture: f/23.0 - f/5.8
- Shutter speed: 15 - 1/2000 sec range
- ISO sensitivity: 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
- Light metering: Evaluative / Center-weighted average / Spot
- Exposure control method: Program AE / AE Lock
- Self-timer: 10-second delay
- File format: Exif 2.2 (JPEG), still images / AVI (Motion JPEG video and WAVE audio), movie
Dimensional Specifications
- Dimensions: 3.68" W x 2.43" H x 1.20" D
- Weight: 6.17 oz, including batteries and memory card
Canon A495 BL Warranty Details
1-year limited warranty
