Canon PowerShot A590 IS Review:
The Canon PowerShot A590 IS will astound you with its power-packed performance and impressive value. It’s got 8 megapixels, a 4x optical zoom, an Optical Image Stabilizer, and a large 2.5-inch LCD. A range of shooting modes — from manual to automatic, including Canon’s new Easy Mode — make picture-taking carefree. A DIGIC III Image Processor with Enhanced Canon Face Detection assures natural-looking results, while Motion Detection Technology reduces blur. For added creativity, attach wide or telephoto converter lenses.

The Canon PowerShot A590 IS and its non-stabilised twin the A580 are the new mid-range models in Canon’s popular A-series of advanced compacts. Like the other cameras in the range it offers a range of features designed to meet the needs of the more creative photographer. It has an 8.0-megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD backed by the DIGIC III image processor, a relatively fast f/2.6-5.5, 4x zoom lens with a focal length range equivalent to 35-140mm and equipped with Canon’s optical image stabilisation technology, a 2.5-inch 115k monitor and an optical viewfinder. It has a range of manual exposure controls and automatic scene modes, a useful selection of image customisation options and a maximum sensitivity of 1600 ISO.

The Canon PowerShot A590 IS provides shooters access to the standard complement of manual modes: aperture and shutter priority, as well as full manual control. Canon has refined this system over several models, and to say that it’s a step above the manual functionality seen on most compact cameras doesn’t fully capture how much more useful this system is. While it may not replace your DSLR, the PowerShot A590 IS’s full-ranging aperture and shutter-speed values and a simple, intuitive control system makes the package work for those interested in learning photography basics.

The Canon PowerShot A590 IS supports numerous types of flash memory, including SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, and HC MMCplus. I’d stick with the first two, as they’re the most readily available, and more likely to be compatible with card readers, printers, etc — and go for one 1GB in size. While it’s worth spending a little extra for for a high speed card, there’s no need to go overboard with a 300X ultra ultra extreme card.

With its gunmetal grey finish and traditional design the Canon PowerShot A590 IS appears very business-like when viewed from the front, and, while the metallic look helps in part to disguise the plastic build, it’s clear that you’re not going to be investing in this camera for styling alone. However it’s slightly larger-than-average build means that the ergonomics are better than the skinny IXUS range, with buttons and controls generally being less fiddly and more readily accessible. The zoom lens and aforementioned lens ring dominate the PowerShot A590 IS’ faceplate, above which is the window for the viewfinder, three pip-shaped peep holes for the built-in microphone, a teeny lamp for the AF illuminator and self timer, plus a narrow retro-styled strip of a flash to the right. Bottom left of the lens is a stubby lens ring release button – hold this down and give the lens ring a twist to remove.

Canon PowerShot A590 IS Highlights

8 megapixels with 4x optical zoom and optical image stabilizer With the PowerShot A590 IS, dramatic, personal pictures have never been easier to shoot and share. The 8.0-megapixel design lets you create impressive high resolution images of family and friends you’ll be proud display. The genuine Canon 4x zoom lens moves you in for powerful close-ups.

2.5-inch LCD screen The camera’s 2.5-inch LCD screen gives you the big picture, whether you’re shooting, reviewing or showing off your images. This high-resolution screen offers a crisp, clear and bright picture. It also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light.

New Easy Mode Once you choose Easy Mode, the PowerShot A590 IS handles all the details automatically. It automatically sets every camera control including the flash to reduce blur and improve image quality. So you get pictures that are bright, clear and natural just by pushing a button.

Selectable shooting modes With 19 Shooting Modes including 7 Special Scene Modes, you’re ready for whatever shot comes your way.

DIGIC III Image Processor With DIGIC III, your images boast superior quality, the camera operates at top efficiency and battery life is enhanced. What’s more, DIGIC III enables Canon’s Face Detection Technology and Red-eye Correction to give you better, more true-to-life people shots.

Face Detection Technology Canon’s powerful Face Detection Technology delivers even better results with the new Canon PowerShot A590 IS. The Face Detection Technology continues to recognize faces in a scene, and concentrate exposure (daylight or flash) and focus upon them. But the Canon PowerShot A590 IS adds more: Face Detection WB means the camera concentrates upon faces when calculating white balance for the best possible skin tones. Face Select and Track lets the A590 IS user highlight one face among several in a scene, and the camera concentrates on that person, even as they move around the scene.

Red-eye Correction Red-eye Correction provides three options for removing red-eye from subjects in flash pictures.

• The new Red-eye Correction during shooting actually identifies and corrects red-eye in human subjects as pictures are taken.
• The Canon PowerShot A590 IS can be set to automatically detect and correct red-eye during image playback.
• The user can manually locate any red eyes in a scene during image playback on the LCD screen, and command the camera to remove them.

High ISO The PowerShot A590 IS features ISO 1600 and High ISO Auto settings that reduce the effects of camera shake and sharpen subjects in low-light situations, giving you greater shooting flexibility.

Motion Detection Technology automatically reduces blur Life doesn’t stand still for picture-taking. That’s why Canon included its advanced Motion Detection Technology in the PowerShot A590 IS. This sophisticated feature works in the background to instantly evaluate how fast your subject is moving. Then it automatically selects and sets the optimal exposure and ISO settings to keep everything looking sharp and clear.

Accepts Wide-Angle and Telephoto Converter Lenses To expand your creativity, the PowerShot A590 IS is compatible with shooting accessories such as wide and tele converter lenses, High-Power Flash designed for all of the PowerShot models.

The Complete Print Solution

The Canon PowerShot A590 IS features a Print/Share button for easy direct printing and downloading, plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with select Pixma photo printers and Selphy compact photo printers.

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