Canon PowerShot A540

Because of the increasingly poor quality of analog film developing and printing, I saw myself forced to go digital. At the end of 2006, my girlfriend decided for the Canon Powershot A530. I waited a bit, until the beginning of 2007, then I bought the Canon Powershot A540 for 189 Euros, so that we could share the same software. In the meantime, I assume both cameras have been discontinued, but are still available. The Powershot A540 is in many respects an extremely pleasant camera to use. It fit well into one's hand, the controls all fall automatically into place. Most important of all, it makes excellent pictures. Since I bought it, I've taken nearly 400 photographs, most of which I've had printed - they are nearly all extremely sharp. I used it for photographing flowers; I managed to sneak it into an art museum in my jacket pocket, and photograph paintings with the flash turned off. I've taken it nearly everywhere. The rechargeable batteries seem to hold out a long time.

Don't get me wrong: the Canon Powershot A540 is nothing to identify with - it's just plastic - it's a means to an end, namely good photographs. Like all medium-price digital cameras, it can't compare with a really fine 35mm camera in terms of feel or quality of workmanship. On the other hand, it doesn't pay to stick more money into a digital camera - any of them is obsolete the minute you buy it. That super Leica , for instance, is a monster, and not worth the money. If my camera should become defective after the guarantee has expired in two years, I would just look around for another, probably another Canon.

I have had this Canon PowerShot A540 about 5 months and taken over 1000 pictures. Almost all are fantastic. Like all mid price compact cameras, the small CCD means image quality is less than a dSLR with a larger CCD, but this Canon gets so close.

Large battery grip means one-handed use is easy and great battery life.

Any Canon is good, but choose this if you want more function without paying a premium. Highly recommended.