Digital camera newbie, is this one good?

[BAD LS1]

Ok, i got a pretty good deal on a camera today, I bought a Cannon A520 powershot.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A520/A52A.HTM

I was looking for something that was smaller, but was at least 4.0 megapixels, and had good macro for close ups.

Anyone have one of these or have any thoughts?

Basic Features

4.0-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as large as 2,272 x 1,704 pixels.
1.8-inch color LCD monitor.
Real-image optical viewfinder.
Glass, 4x 5.8-23.2mm lens (equivalent to 35-140mm zoom on a 35mm camera).
3.6x digital zoom.
AiAF autofocus and a manual focus mode.
AF Assist light for low-light focusing.
Full Automatic, Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual exposure modes, as well as 13 preset exposure modes.
Manually adjustable aperture setting ranging from f/2.6 to f/8.0, depending on lens zoom position and shutter speed.
Shutter speed range from 1/2,000 to 15 seconds, depending on aperture.
Built-in flash with five operating modes.
SD/MMC memory storage.
Power supplied by two AA batteries or optional AC adapter.


Special Features

Movie mode (with sound).
Sound caption recording.
Stitch-Assist mode for panoramic shots.
Continuous Shooting and a variable delay Self-Timer mode.
Creative Effects menu.
White balance (color) adjustment with seven modes.
ISO adjustment with four ISO equivalents and an Auto setting.
Low Sharpness setting.
Evaluative, Center-Weighted, and Spot metering options.
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.
USB cable for connection to a computer (driver software included).

[Slow Joe]

Looks like a nice camera from the specs and stuff to me... I'm not much of an expert though... Only thing I wouldn't like are the 2 AA batteries instead of a battery pack... I'm a fan of Sony cameras as well, but my Uncle has a Cannon (that one I think) and loves it...

[BAD LS1]

Yeah i picked up rechargeable AA's (4) with the charger of course so... no biggie to me there.

It has alot of neat features to play with like the shutter speed etc.. i like that effect of the main focus object in perfect focus, with something in the background blurred IE, moving cars- headlights/tailights blurred etc...

This thing will be pretty fun to play with.

[DSMDuDE]

I have a Canon SD400, great smaller size camera, comes with a recharagble battery pack so you don't have to worry about buying recharable batteries and or loosing them, 5.0MP, i like it alot!

[Korndogg]

dont mean to go too off topic here but i have some rechargable AA batteries for my camera and it seems like they just run out so quick. Are there better batteries out there than other ones? Or is that common with digital cameras?

[Slow Joe]

From what I understand that's normal, I know that having rechargables in the flash in my good olde Nikon 35mm runs out quick...

[wikked]

Rechargeable batteries have a rating on them in mAh. The higher the number, the longer they'll last.

Although the NiMH batteries have a lower rating than AA's, they'll still last way longer.

Also NiMH batteries lose a few % of their charge every day, so if you don't use it for a week, you'll have drained it somewhat that way.

Storing NiMH batteries in the freezer will retain about 90% of their charge for a month.
If you do that, just make sure they're at room temperature before using them!!! *duh*

[rally_scort]

and make sure you fully discharge them before chargin them...dont put them on the charger daily or when u have time cuz they tend to loose capacity and energy if you charge them when they still have a good amount of charge on them...i learned this the hard way with electric rc cars....

[Cryptic]

and make sure you fully discharge them before chargin them...dont put them on the charger daily or when u have time cuz they tend to loose capacity and energy if you charge them when they still have a good amount of charge on them...i learned this the hard way with electric rc cars....

NiMH (Nicken Metal Hydride) and Lithium dont have memory effects like the old NiCAD's (Nickel Cadmium), so your statement above is partly incorrect.

[Yooformula]

I bought that camera about a month ago and love it. Its easy as poo to use and takes great pics. I find it super easy to transfer pics and I got a matching printer which is a nice change from the crap I was using. I bought 6 rechargable batteries with charger and a 256mg card it seems to take forever for the batteries to go dead and that card easily holds 200 pics in the finest setting.

[TransAm12sec]

Same camera I have. I've got a gig memory card. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Pics taken with the camera,
http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f141/TransAm12sec/

Does webshots host images yet?




And vids taken with the camera.

http://www.youtube.com/my_videos

[GTSLOW]

Nice lookin cam but 4mp for 300 bucks seems kinda expensive.

I got my Canon SD550 for 399 and its 7mp and has quite a bit more features. However if it works for you than on! Plus its a Canon so its good either way

[TransAm12sec]

I remember seeing it at best buy for 200, but they don't seem to have it on their website. You can get the 620 from best buy for 300.