Canon Powershot A610 5MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom
by Canon
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Our Price: $84.00
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: CanonModel: Powershot A610
Product features:
- 5-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
- 2.0-inch vari-angle LCD display; 4x optical zoom
- Shoot high-quality movies at up to 60 frames per second
- 20 shooting modes including My Color settings for customization while shooting
- Powered by 4 AA-size batteries; stores images on SD memory cards (16 MB card included)
- Pixelmator [Old Version]
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 Feet/1.0 Meter)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
Digital camera reviews of Canon Powershot A610 5MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom
Digital camera Review: A Fantastic Disposable Camera!
Summary: 5 Stars
It was great while it lasted.
Canon loads more quality optical elements and automatic features in the A610 than you'll find on any other disposable camera. Outstanding zoom lens, automation that ranges from full (a variety of easy-to-use presets that adjust for scenery), to moderate (e.g., speed priority or aperture priority), to none (manual operation), my Canon gave me excellent pictures for about 19 months. That's right, it was almost two full years before the Canon stopped working--try beating that with your disposable!
At 19 months, the camera's viewfinder suddenly malfunctioned. I couldn't see an image through the LCD viewer, neither on picture preview (before you take the picture) nor on picture review. Staff at a professional camera shop said that it was probably the CCD sensor. Canon told me they'd repair it for $107 since the camera was over its one year warranty.
If you Google Canon A610 CCD problem (and you should, I think, if you're considering this or any other Canon), you'll come to a thread on the CNET consumer electronics forum. Have a loved one or some tranquilizers nearby; this is scary stuff. IT appears that many people have had the same or a similar problem with their A610. In fact, Canon admits that several models made between 2002 and 2004 used faulty CCD sensors made by Sony; it issued "advisories" on these models (some of which are still sold), and, laudably, they will fix CCD-related problems for free.
Even though a professional camera shop told me that my A610 probably had this problem, Canon would not budge because the A610 is not on their "advisory" list. If you have some evidence that this is the problem (Google CCD sensor problems and you'll learn some of the symptoms, and their prevalence), you will need to call the Canon Factory Service Center and argue tenaciously why you believe Canon should pay all repair fees. Canon apparently will NOT admit that the A610 has a CCD problem--that would open up the model to costly recalls. When I received mine back (repaired for free after much investment of time and emotion), the repair sheet vaguely noted only a problem with the "optical assembly." How informative--A camera itself is just one complex "optical assembly!" The invoice did not specify the specific problem or what was replaced or repaired--itself an indictment of Canon's (lack of) Candor in dealing with this problem.
Depending on how legitimate your claim and your persistence in reaching a supervisor, Canon will offer discounted repair prices (for example, 1/2 off, 3/4 off). Go for 100% off if you believe that Canon is at fault. Go to forums.cnet.com for some consumer accounts of the problem and Canon's response. I believe Canon claims that all CCD problems ended after 2004. You might ask yourself, then, why so many people report such similar problems, often with A610s bought within the same period (towards the end of 2005).
If you must buy this camera, or if you already own one, consider an extended repair contract if one is available. In fact, this might be a good idea for ANY Canon product with an "optical assembly."
Otherwise, console yourself with the fact that you have bought the greatest disposable camera ever made.
Summary of Canon Powershot A610 5MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom
With a 5.0 megapixel CCD image sensor and 4x optical zoom backed up by a lightning-fast Digic II processor, the Canon PowerShot A610 offers a lot of high-end features at a very reasonable price. The flip-out and twist feature on the 2.0" LCD screen assures that you'll never have to guess if you're actually in your self portrait again. Loaded with features, the PowerShot A610 is bound to please.Digital Cameras
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