Canon PowerShot A590IS 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon PowerShot A590IS 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Digital camera Review: Issues after 1.5 years
Summary: 2 Stars
The camera itself works great. In fact the video it takes is surprisingly good quality. The only issue I have after 1.5 years of use is that the battery meter keeps saying the batteries ared dead when they're not. The camera will shut off and I'll have to open the battery compartment and close. Then it works fine for another 5-10 minutes. I will have to keep doing this. This occurs with every type of battery I've tried. Energizer, Duracell, Generic and my Sanyo Enelopes.Digital camera Review: like a fine wine, this camera seems to get more valuable with time . . . but don't live in the past
Summary: 5 Stars
Canon's A590IS is apparently one of those rare items, that is of such quality, that it commands a premium price, even over newer models. The price history for this excellent performing point and shoot is quite remarkable. The camera debuted early in 2008 at around $200, and over time dropped down to around the $110 level. However the price rebounded and increased to stratospheric levels. The highest price I observed, was about $350 for a brand new model.
I have had this camera for over a year, and have been completely satisfied with its performance. I paid $140, and was tempted to buy another when the price was $110. This camera is with me most of the time, and I have taken many thousands of images, with a `keeper' rate above 90%. I have used it to shoot almost anything, except for fast moving subjects or sports. Subjects have included, casual everyday moments, images for work, special events, family gatherings, my dog, and vacation memories.
As an avid user of Canon SLR's, I had been disappointed with the previous A series Powershot cameras I owned. The images did not have great colors, the zoom mechanism was clunky, the shutter delay was annoying, and it took a while to write to the memory card. All this changed with the A590IS. Color rendition is excellent, and the white balance settings work very well. The camera is not suitable for shooting action sports, but the autofocus is very reliable in most situations, including low light or at night. Shutter delay is minimal. If you use flash at high ISO, it does take a while to write to the card, but otherwise time delay between shots is minimal. The zoom action is not the greatest, but it is much improved, and more responsive. The camera also shoots pretty good quality movies, with decent sound.
The A59IS has a heavy duty, metallic gray, wear resistant housing, that is thick, providing for an excellent grip. The camera accepts HDSC cards, so you can take thousands of images, or shoot some pretty long movies. Battery life is good, using AA sized NiMH batteries. The 2.5" display is substantial, and the flash pretty powerful. Like any camera, the controls take some getting used to, but the design is similar to other Powershots, and not too complicated. Shooting mode is selected using the dial on the top of the camera. Program Mode (P) works fine for me most of the time. The size could be an issue for some, as the camera is a little bulky to slip in a pocket, but overall this is a very solid performing point and shoot.
Is the A590IS worth paying a premium price? Although I am very happy with mine, the camera has been on the market for almost two years! Newer cameras probably offer more features and better performance, for the same money. As good as the A590IS is, I am on the lookout for a smaller camera to replace it someday. Canon's new SD940IS looks like an interesting possibility.
Digital camera Review: Breakable.
Summary: 4 Stars
I have to start by saying that it's the second Power Shot I've owned. the first one was A510 series, and I loved it, until I had dropped it once on the hard wood floor, and it broke. I bought A590 to replace it, and also loved, until...I had dropped it on the hard wood floor twice. It's still working, but the battery compartment won't close, so I have to keep it closed with my finger, while trying to take a picture. I love this camera, but I wish it was a little more sturdy. Digital camera Review: Cannon, the best one yet, for me at least!
Summary: 5 Stars
Very easy to use and just what I needed. Don't take a lot of pictures, but nice to have a good product to take the ones I do take. They should have kept making this one as it's a winner.Digital camera Review: Great point and shoot
Summary: 4 Stars
This is one of the best point and shoots I've handled in the last year. Canon has produced a great product for the economically minded amateur. This camera has the great function of the "easy" setting. This allows almost anyone to take great pictures. Just select this setting on the dial and the camera makes all the setting adjustments for you, no matter what situation you are in. The only down side to this function is that it takes a bit longer to actually take a picture. I have noticed about a two second shutter delay, which isn't good if you are trying to take pictures of fast moving object, like children, but is fine if you have a cooperative subject. There are also a few selling points that I can't argue with, such as price, megapixels, and variety of options to tweak. At around $200, this camera has some of the most functions I have ever seen. It rivals the $800 Nikon i used to own. There are several shooting modes that can be easily selceted from the dial next to the shutter, but if that isn't enough control for you, you can select the aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual modes. Each of these modes allows full control over the setting in your camera, allowing you to make the camera work in any way you desire. This is great as a learning tool, or for the more experienced user who likes the full control. Image quality is pretty good as well, I have only noticed some distortion at the highest megapixel levels and in extreme conditions (very low or very high light levels). Overall, a great camera for anyone from the beginner with their first camera, up to someone who is contemplating an entry level DSLR. This camera gives you the full range of use, from simply point and shoot, up to adjusting white balance, aperture size, shutter speed, and flash output, you can even change to manual focus. Great camera for the price, well worth it to anyone looking for a great camera without the complications of a DSLR.