Product DescriptionBrace yourself for the dawn of the best digital-camera for general family use. Canon has created an easy, lightweight camera that appeals to the beginner and creative user. Packed with value superior to any other camera in its class, the Canon PowerShot A520 is brimming with that best buy feel. Four Megapixel resolution, Canon's exclusive DIGIC Image Processor and a new, longer 4x optical zoom bring life-like detail and radiant color to all your images. This camera is exceptionally easy to use, with a new ergonomic grip and big multifunction 1.8 inch LCD screen. Built-in multimode electronic-flash Self-Timer activates shutter after an approximate 2 second or approximate 10 second delay (selectable) Storage Media - SD SecureDigital memory card, MMC MultiMediaCard Image Recording Format - Still - Exif 2.2 JPEG / Movie - AVI (Image data - Motion JPEG; Audio data - WAVE (Monaural) / Still Image - 2272x1704 (Large), 1600x1200 (Medium 1), 1024x768 (Medium 2), 640x480 (Small) / Movie - 640x480, 320x240 or 160x120 Power Sources - Two Size AA Alkaline batteries (included) / Two Rechargeable size AA NiMH batteries (suggested and advised) / AC Adapter Kit ACK800 (optional) Has USB interface Canon DirectPrint for Still and Movie with Canon CP printers / PictBridge compatibility for stills Weighs 6.35 ounces without battery and memory
Was great, but then E18. (Rating: 1 out of 5) My wife and I were very happy with our Powershot A520 for the year and a half that we had it. However, the camera died with an E18 error during our friend's wedding, and it has not worked since. A quick web search for "Canon E18" or even "E18" will show you that this is a common error (with a number of different Canon models). We have never dropped it or abused it in any way, and it has spent most of its life in its protective case. While the camera seemed to be great before the moment it died, I would not buy this camera again. Do not get this camera if you don't want to have to replace it in 18 months like so many other users.
Still Working After All These Years (Rating: 5 out of 5) This camera has worked like a dream since I purchased it a couple of years ago. The picture quality is unequaled in its class, and the battery life is quite long when using lithium batteries. In fact, I have been able to take many professional-looking photos and order enlargements up to 8x10 without any pixels appearing. At the current "used" prices, this camera is a steal.
It's hard to find anything negative to say about the Canon Powershot A520: I did crack the LCD screen, but was able to replace it myself by ordering a new screen directly from Canon. Compared to more recent cameras, this one is a little bulky--it won't fit in your jean pockets, but will fit easily into your coat pocket or purse.
low quality (Rating: 1 out of 5) I purchased this camera as an upgrade to my A70. In the year after I purchased it I had to return it 3 times for warranty service because of the stuck lens cover reported all to often here. I was informed by the repair shop that by using the camera outdoors I was probably getting dust particles stuck in the lens cover. For $260 I'd expect more than just taking birthday photos. Shortly after the one year warranty expired the camera stopped functioning all together (I suspect the CCD died) and it is now a paperweight.
I recently replaced it with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7S 7.2MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver) which I'm very happy with.
lens problem and screen (Rating: 2 out of 5) I paid $279 brand new and after 6 months my lens stop working, i send the camera to cannon for rapairs. After a year the screen just goes black and it happens almost all the time. I will not recommend******************
Pretty good, but not for long. (Rating: 3 out of 5) I recieved the A520 as a gift. After about 3 months the lens would not retract (sound familiar?). The batteries died with the lens extended. After replacing them the camera would not power up and and the lens would not retract. I suspect that this is firmware bug. Cannon e-mail support suggested keeping batteries out for 20 minutes, but that didn't help. I don't have a receipt and so am unlikely to send it in for repair.
Before I buy another digital camera I will ask the sales person to power up the floor model then take out the batteries to see if it restarts when the batteries are reinserted.
This was my 1st digital camera. Akaline AA batteries don't last long. Importing images & movies to iPhoto is very easy. The 4x zoom helped a lot. The included 16MB memory card holds 8-10 photos. Latency is long compared to film. Most shots came out very nice. Red-eye reduction flash didn't work very well as most shots needed touch up. I thought the colors were bright, rich, vivid and accurate.
This is also my first movie camera of any type, even though it's core functions are for stills. My kids thought the movies were a hoot - couldn't stop laughing.