For
the CCD and lens, the characteristics of the Canon A40 remain the same
as those of the A20. A 1/2.7 inch, 2.11 megapixel CCD rated at 50 ISO
is used, producing a maximum image size of 1600 x 1200 pixels.
One notable addition is that the CCD sensitivity can be adjusted with
the A40. Settings range from 50 to 400 (50, 100, 200 400), and the Auto
setting allows the camera to automatically adjust the sensitivity from
50 to 150 ISO.
A total of 3 images sizes are available, all stored using JPEG
compression (no non-lossy format is available):
Large:
1600 x 1200 pixels;
Medium:
1024 x 768 pixels;
Small: 640 x 480 pixels.
The
3 different levels of JPEG
compression: Superfine (highest image quality); Fine, (medium
compression); and Normal (the strongest compression) are selected,
as are the image sizes, from the camera menu.
The Canon 3X zoom
lens has a focal length of 5.4 to 16.2 mm, the equivalent
of a 35 to 105 mm lens in 35 mm film format; and a starting aperture
of f2.8
in wide angle, becoming f4.8 at the maximum telephoto setting.
While in both the Program and Auto modes the aperture and
shutter speed are controlled by the camera, the A40 has an additional
Manual Mode. This allows the user to select one of 2 apertures
at any given focal length of the zoom, and the selection of a shutter
speed from a range covering 1/1500 sec. to a long exposure of 15 seconds.At shutter speeds between 1.3 sec to 15 seconds a Noise
Reduction system is automatically applied.
One
notable addition with the A40 is a removable lens trim that makes
it easy to attach a lens adapter and optional lenses:
Wide Converter
WD-DC52 provides a wide angle equivalent to a 24.5 mm lens;
Tele-converter
TC-DC52 yields a maximum telephoto equivalent of a 252mm lens.
Furthermore, a close-up
250D 52mm can be attached. In all cases the Conversion Lens Adapter
(LA-DC52B) must be used.
The Canon A40 continues
the use of the AiAF (Artificial intelligence Auto
Focus) system found on its predecessor. The system automatically
detects the focus from one, or all of 3 points in the frame. When the
light is insufficient for standard focusing, the camera can turn on a
focus assist light. The light is located behind the flash window, and
produces a bright orange beam to help the camera focus in low light.
Exposure metering is done using an evaluative
system which takes into account several zones in the image to decide the
appropriate aperture and shutter speed combination. Alternatively, a spot
metering system can be used for strongly backlit subjects.
While some commonly needed photographic settings are available at the
touch of a button below the LCD screen, 3 others are selected with the
use of a screen overlay, itself called up by pressing the :
White
Balance:
Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, cool or warm white Fluorescent,
daylight Fluorescent.
Photo
Effects provides a means to change how the image is recorded:
Vivid:
emphasizes contrast and colour,
Neutral:
tones down contrast and colour,
Low
sharpening: softens outlines,
Sepia:
records in sepia tones,
Black
and White: captures a black and white image.
All
other settings that might be required during image capture are selected
in the menu, itself generally similar to the one used with the A20.
Once called up by pressing the Menu button, navigation is accomplished
using the 2 arrow buttons beneath the screen, and by pressing the SET
button to alter any given option:
Resolution:
L (1600 x 1200), M (1024 x 768), S (640 x 480). In Movie Mode: 320
x 240, 160 x 120.
Compression:
Superfine, Fine, Normal.
Light
Metering: Evaluative or Spot.
ISO:
50, 100, 200, 400, Auto. (New on the A40).
AiAF
(Artificial intelligence Auto Focus): On or Off.
Digital
Zoom: On or Off.
Self-Timer:
2 seconds or 10 seconds.
Review:
shows the image on the LCD screen for 2 or 10 seconds immediately
after capture.
File
Number Reset: On or Off (Off numbers images sequentially even
when a blank, or formatted memory card is used).
The
last icon opens the Setup sub-menu, which is detailed in the Interface
and Software section of the review.
In Playback the A40 uses a different presentation for its menu.
Icons appear overlaid on the lower part of the image under review:
Protect:
makes the image "read-only" thereby preventing an accidental
erasure.
Rotate:
to rotate an image 90° or 270° clockwise on the display.
Erase
All: deletes all images on the card except those marked as protected.
Auto
Play: plays all images sequentially.
Print
Order: tags images for printing on a DPOF (Digital Print Order
Format) compliant device or service.
Transfer
Order: tags images to be transferred automatically to an e-mail
program.
The
A40 is retailed with an 8MB CompactFlash memory card. The card is located
on the right side of the camera in a CF Type 1 slot. Removing the
card is simple, thanks to an efficient ejection system that frees the
card sufficiently so it can be grasped.
With an 8MB CompactFlash card the A40 can store:
Resolution
Compression
Superfine
Fine
Normal
1600
x 1200
7
11
24
1024
x 768
16
24
46
640
x 480
35
50
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The
PowerShot A40 runs on 4 AA size batteries, and 4 alkaline batteries are
supplied with it which are claimed to be good for up to 200 photos*.
The camera can also use Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.
* when shooting at room temperature
(23 C, 73 F), alternating between wide angle and telephoto every 20 seconds,
flash used for 1 in 4 shots, power turned on and and off every 8 shots.
A
USB and an AV (Audio and Video) port are located on the left side of the
camera. Both are covered by a soft plastic cover.
The
A40 provides for both NTSC and PAL video output, the selection of which
is made in the camera's Setup menu. This allows the camera's photos
to be shown on televisions almost anywhere in the world — useful
when traveling.
The A40 supports Exif 2.2, a format designed to enhance print quality
when connected to a Exif 2.2 compatible printer as it then uses camera
shooting information to optimize the print.
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