» Canon PowerShot A560 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom

Canon PowerShot A560 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: A+ Camera
Comment: This is a fantastic camera. After a bad experience with an HP camera, I decided to go for a much nicer camera with the A560. I was certainly rewarded. The A560 is a very reasonably priced camera that takes stunning pictures. Rather than write an overall view, I have decided to break down the different settings (all 10 of them).

1) Manual Mode -- This setting doesn't do a ton, as the Canon still uses its autofocus, so you can play with the exposure, colors, and a few filters, but that's pretty much it. For a high quality manual focus camera, be prepared to spend something in the $300 and up range.

2) Auto Mode -- This is what I always used. Being a photographer who likes getting quick shots, I didn't switch settings unless I knew the specifics of what I was photographing. Auto mode proved to be very quick in getting shots as there was very little time lag. The fact that this Camera is a Powershot means you never get a bad shot.

3) Macro Mode -- This proved to be the most difficult setting, but in the end it always proved worth it. As the only setting which allows a little control over focus (lightly touch the shutter button to focus), this always took a little while to get a good shot as the auto focus would often kick in. Still, the end effect was that this tiny camera produced stunning shots of everything from nature to exotic cars.

4) Portrait Mode -- I never really found this setting too important. I always thought that the Auto setting took perfectly fine facial pictures. Still, always nice to know this setting was here.

5) Landscape Mode -- Again, I never really felt a need for this setting, but it's still a very nice feature.

6) Night Snapshot Mode -- This is great for quick shots, and the lighting is often much better when using this. Be careful not to shake the camera though, as this can be easily blurred.

7) Kids and Pets Mode -- Designed for shots of quickly moving people, animals, and everything else, I didn't use this much. Like I said before, the shots seem great even without it.

8) Indoor Mode -- Helpful setting for getting nice shots in preferably well lit rooms.

9) Night Scene Mode -- Fantastic for getting exquisite night shots, generally best when used to shoot a large amount of space. If you move the camera mid shot you get a stunning and very professional looking blur effect, great for vacation pictures, etc.

10) Video Mode -- Last but not least is video mode, one of my favorite features of the camera. This small camera produces decent videos (640x480), a helpful asset to have. For higher quality videos opt for the pricier A570. Still, I thought this setting was very reasonable.

That's pretty much everything. The no flash setting is a challenge (you need really steady hands) so let the camera decide about flash for you. The self timer is great and takes just as nice shots as when you're holding it. This is just a very good camera, that's it. One tip though, opt for pricey lithium batteries for this camera. On normal batteries this camera takes few shots. On lithium batteries you can use the same two for months. Those batteries will not only mean less "why won't it take the picture?" frustration, but also a happier wallet in the long run. For anybody who wants high quality shots on a hugh quality camera, here it is.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Canon Sureshot 560
Comment: Great experience. Just what I ordered and arrived even earlier than expected. Thank you.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Canon A560
Comment: I am very happy with this camera. I have always purchased more expensive cameras and been pleased with them but this little camera is the great. Easy to use and it takes exceptional photos, with many features found only on more expensive cameras.... all this and it takes videos. Light weight and small, I can take it with me everywhere I go.... a great camera at a inexpensive price!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: My first digital camera
Comment: Very easy to use -- the preset exposures and stops work well in most situations.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A pre-technology grandma's review
Comment: When I dropped my previous digital camera at my grandaughter's birthday party and it broke, I went to Amazon.com and looked extensively for a new one. I read all the reviews and chose the Canon PowerShot A560 7. I like the camera, but the instruction manuel is not user-friendly. I had to take a class to find out how to work the camera and even the experienced instructor could not find all the information. Fortunately, he knew enough to help me. It would be really nice if they assumed you knew nothing and just started at the beginning, identifying each part and telling what it did and how to use it. The batteries that came with the camera lasted for an extremely short time, but the new ones lasted longer. However, I would recommend you always keep spare batteries with you, as they do not last a long time. Also the memory chip that comes with the camera only takes about 10 to 12 pictures, so you will need to purchase a new memory chip.

Mary Ann (a pre-technology grandma)

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