Canon PowerShot A540 6MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom

My three year old digital (2 MP) camera's battery door broke (pretty cheap plastic) and the search was on for a more modern camera. My daughter recently got a very small slim Canon and I was impressed with the features and quality. However I wanted a camera that could use AA batteries and small size was not a top priority. I also wanted a good size LCD display and an optical viewfinder (yes, I know I'm old fashioned). This Powershot A540 seemed to have all the features I wanted. I have had it for a few weeks and have taken it on a trip where it worked flawlessly. The image quality has been very good. The movie feature is nice as long as you don't use the zoom. I recommend getting a 1GB SD card right away. The 16 MB one that comes with the camera is a joke.One of the most pleasing discoveries was that regular AA batteries lasted quite a long time. I typically don't use the LCD screen when I'm taking pictures so I'm sure that helps. I recommend taking the time to read the very detailed and complete manual as this little gem has a huge amount of features and capabilities to please any amateur/family photographer.Last but not least, Amazon offers this camera at a very attractive price not found on the street.Based on the pictures I've taken, I'd say that the quality is very good. Outside pictures are outstanding, and colors well balanced (you can always touch that up in Picasa or other).If you're looking for a versatile, low priced digital camera this one fits the bill.

It sounds like most people on here like their Canon A540s. I wish I did too, but I had to return it. I'm no photographer, but I can follow directions, point-and-shoot, and use the automatic functions. But this camera took poor photos--flash photos had no depth or contrast, and the appearance was grainy and washed out at all resolutions except the highest. And I had to replace the batteries after each 35-40 photos. A photographer friend looked at the photos I'd taken, and said "Your camera should be taking better photos than this." There was no way to take photos without using the flash. Without flash, the photos came out blurry, even in bright light. I might have been able to take better photos were I to learn what combos of f-stops and apertures would be best, but I needed good photos quickly. An old Sony Mavica I used, at 2MP, took better photos than this A540 did. I suspect there might be some quality issues that compromised a small percentage of these cameras, because so many people (and Consumer Reports) are overall satisfied with this model--I wish I were among them; yet, a small number of people on here are having the same problems that I did with their A540 camera. If you don't seem to be getting good photos out of your camera, or you are having battery-life issues, I wouldn't waste any time returning it.

I may be too lenient with my rating because I bought my first digital camera early on in digital photography so I know how bad things can be. My Nikon Coolpix 900 does nothing well but who knew back then? I finally replaced it with this Canon A540 and am I impressed! For less than a quarter of the Nikon's cost I now have a terrific little camera that out-performs it in every way."Auto" mode works spectacularly well and may I suggest the "Scenes" mode with the Indoor setting (flash "off") to get nice indoor shots without using the potentially annoying strobe. Experiment in your environment to see if it will work, I use it all the time.I've now had it a few weeks and still can't find the bad bits. Ok, if I could I would add a Preview button like Panasonic has. There, I found something I'd change if I could but there are easy work-arounds for this weakness.Anyway, the point is that I have saved enough with this purchase (and have a terrific camera for snaps) that I can indulge in something a little more elaborate for other types of shooting. I'm thinking that one of those "superzooms" look like fun. The Canon S3 IS has to go to the top of the list after the good experience I've had with the A540.Get a Canon A540; you won't break the bank and will get good family and vacation pix, etc., in the bargain.Update; I recently ordered and received the Canon pouch/case for this camera and it may be an essential accessory. It has a little compartment for spare SD card or batteries. It has a belt loop so you can wear it "hands free." I took this combination camping at Pismo Beach last week and it was a convenience I know I won't be able to live without. Bike riding on the beach, hiking in the dunes, whatever you can think of, the camera is out of the way yet always ready. Think about ordering together to get the most out of the free shipping offer.

Camera came in good quality + looks cute. I didn’t gaf about picture quality when I bought it + looks about what I wanted. DID NOT COME WITH A MEMORY CARD!!! did come with two rechargeable batteries though so thats a win? included photos of the zoom and not zoomed?? colors look fire, autofocus works too. overall good $100 well spent.MAKE SURE YPU GET A 2GB MEMORY CARD 💔💔💔