Review: The PowerShot A70 is much more than just a 3.2-megapixel version of its predecessor, the A40. Although it has the same 3X zoom, 35mm-to-105mm (35mm-camera equivalent) lens, the A70 sports a slimmed-down design, additional manual controls, three video-capture resolutions, improved performance, and other useful extras. Its full set of features might overwhelm newbies, but photographers on a budget who like to fiddle with exposure settings will be happy campers.At 11.3 ounces with four bundled AA alkaline batteries and a 16MB CompactFlash card installed, the Canon PowerShot A70's leaner profile helps shave a couple ounces off the ...
Expand full review The PowerShot A70 is much more than just a 3.2-megapixel version of its predecessor, the A40. Although it has the same 3X zoom, 35mm-to-105mm (35mm-camera equivalent) lens, the A70 sports a slimmed-down design, additional manual controls, three video-capture resolutions, improved performance, and other useful extras. Its full set of features might overwhelm newbies, but photographers on a budget who like to fiddle with exposure settings will be happy campers.At 11.3 ounces with four bundled AA alkaline batteries and a 16MB CompactFlash card installed, the Canon PowerShot A70's leaner profile helps shave a couple ounces off the preceding generation of A-series cameras. The large, gray-plastic grip, which complements the brushed-silver aluminum body, provides a comfortable and solid handhold.
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Average User Rating
3.0 stars out of 185 user reviews Rating Breakdown
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5 star: 51
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4 star: 64
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3 star: 25
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2 star: 27
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1 star: 18
My Rating
0 stars click stars to rate product Most recent user reviews
Showing 3 of 185 reviews
3.5 stars Pros: Size, bright clear LCD, fast (for its time), no red eye
Cons: small LCD, macro not close
Summary: I have taken 1000's of pics all over the world and it has only let me down once, with an E-18 error when I was in Cambodia; I fixed it myself after searching the net: all you have to do is twist the (stuck and extended) lens in a ... Expand full review
Summary: I have taken 1000's of pics all over the world and it has only let me down once, with an E-18 error when I was in Cambodia; I fixed it myself after searching the net: all you have to do is twist the (stuck and extended) lens in a circular motion - it was a tense time but I had no other choice being so far from home - there were small crunching noises as if there was grit in the lens extensions - but after doing this several times the E18 problem disappeared and now 18 months later it operates perfectly.
Since this is now an old camera I will not add much more other than to say I would rather use this A70 than some of the new (non Canon) junk available these days.
Updated
More about fixing the extended stuck lens E18 problem: In my above comment I said "twist" the lens but this is not quite it. You need to rotate the lens in a circular motion.
Basically, you only have two options:
1. spend $$$ getting your camera repaired, or
2. rotate, twist or otherwise dislodge the stuck lens. Yes, force it. It may feel as if you are going to damage the camera. I also blew air on the lens (with my mouth - I was in Cambodia so forget about canned air) and Iwiped the extensions clean. It took several rotating-twisting attempts but it finally fixed it for good.
Good luck, and spread the word.
Updated
Now I see - in this forum - the following comment:
"DO not try to force the lens in.. instead follow the steps that are copied from a user on the forums at http://www.stevesforums.com "
Well, I did force it (I was far away from home, in Cambodia) because I read about doing this somewhere on the Net. It worked - see my review. But sure, first do whatever it says on http://www.stevesforums.com
4.5 stars Pros: Sharp pictures, lots of manual controls, sturdy
Cons: Small LCD, hard to see in bright light
Summary: I've owned this camera for 3.5 years & love it. It still works great! It took some practice & reading the instruction manual before I was happy with most all my photos. I use it for taking photos for ebay; as well as sharing photos with family & ... Expand full review
Summary: I've owned this camera for 3.5 years & love it. It still works great! It took some practice & reading the instruction manual before I was happy with most all my photos. I use it for taking photos for ebay; as well as sharing photos with family & friends. I did have some problems with blury photos because of an unsteady hand, but once I set ISO sensitivity to 400, the photos came out sharp. The only complaints I have about it, is the LCD is small & hard to see in bright light.
Now after 3.5 years, I'm upgrading to the Powershot A630, only because I want something with more MP & a larger LCD. I like Canon's A series for the hand grip, manual options, and durability. I am giving my A70 to my teenage daughter, who's thrilled to be receiving it!
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