PowerShot A-Series hits 10 Megapixel milestone as Canon expands range

Replacing the highly popular PowerShot A610 and A620, both cameras feature a rotating 2.5" vari-angle LCD, 4x optical zoom lens and a vast array of creative shooting modes.

The PowerShot A640 and PowerShot A630 pack a vast array of advanced features into a remarkably compact space:
• 10.0 Megapixels (PowerShot A640) /8.0 Megapixels (PowerShot A630)
• 2.5" vari-angle LCD screen and real-image optical viewfinder
• 4x optical zoom
• DIGIC II, iSAPS, 9-Point AiAF, FlexiZone AF/AE
• Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom1
• 21 shooting modes

"These two new cameras epitomize everything the A-Series stands for," said Anurag Agrawal, General Manager Sales and Marketing, CME. "Combining user-friendly design with advanced functionality, they will appeal equally to novice users and serious photo enthusiasts."

Quality control

The 10.0 Megapixel (PowerShot A640) and 8.0 Megapixel (PowerShot A630) sensors allow for creative cropping while providing enough detail for large, high quality prints. A new Safety Zoom takes advantage of the cameras' Megapixels to offer extra zoom magnification without affecting image quality - up to 16x zoom when shooting Small size images. Users can also activate the Digital Tele-Converter to add extra telephoto reach on all shots, similar to adding a tele-converter lens to the camera.

The 4x optical zoom lenses achieve a 35-140mm focal length (35mm equivalent) while allowing the cameras to maintain a compact size. The lens construction incorporates 8 elements in 7 groupings, including two aspherical elements to maximise sharpness across the whole image. With a maximum aperture range of f/2.8 (W) to f/4.1 (T), the lenses are remarkably bright at the telephoto end.

ISO 800 mode improves results when shooting in low light settings and enables flash-free photography indoors. The cameras' High ISO Auto setting prioritises fast shutter speeds by automatically using the higher range of ISO sensitivities, reducing the risk of unwanted image blur.

Improved LCD and playback

A larger 2.5" vari-angle LCD screen enables accurate framing from unusual angles, such as those encountered when using the 1cm Macro mode. The enhanced user interface (UI) retains a selectable Grid Line display to assist with rule-of-thirds compositions, while users can also enable a new 3:2 ratio overlay during shooting to view the printable area for standard photo prints. Playback is enhanced with an overexposure warning feature, which indicates overexposed areas in captured images.

Flexible shooting

The PowerShot A640 and PowerShot A630 offer users a range of versatile features for creative photography. A choice of 21 shooting modes includes Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority and full Manual modes for complete exposure control. A Second Curtain Sync function on both cameras allows for creative flash exposures, such as light trails. Artistic photo effects can be applied in-camera during and after shooting with My Colors.

Filming is also possible at a high standard - VGA quality movies can be captured with sound at a smooth 30 fps. The AV Out connection and supplied cable allows for full screen playback on a TV.

Full range of accessories

A comprehensive range of optional lenses and accessories includes Wide (0.7x) and Tele (1.75x) converter lenses. The optional High Power Flash offers further flexibility for night time photography, while an optional waterproof case allows full control at depths of up to 40 metres.