Canon A530 is 5 Mega pixel, 4X optical zoom (35mm-140mm, f/2.6-5.5) digital camera. The new feature introduced to Canon A530 is the wide format picture setting. Moreover, the new Canon A530 comes with wide range of ISO speed 80, 100, 200, 400, 800. 5.0 Mega pixel CCD delivers photo quality prints up to A3 size. Canon adds a new feature to A530 video mode which can record video in black and white colour.
The Canon A530 movie mode now has black and white, colour accent and colour swap modes. Videos taken during daylight with the modes makes taking video more interesting and fun. However, we found using the black and white, colour accent and colour swap during night time or in low light conditions causes some noise.
What's in the Box:
Optional Accessories for the A530
Test Results:
Automatic mode Day shot testing (Outdoor):
Testing setting: Automatic mode, auto white balance, flash off, superfine quality and tripod is not used.
Good outdoor photos are generated by automatic mode without flash. As you can see, after using the 4X zooming , the picture is still in good quality.
(Photos have been resized to 500X375 pixels)
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Auto focus |
4X Zoom in |
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Automatic mode Day shot testing (Indoor):
Testing setting: Automatic mode, auto white balance, auto flash on superfine quality and tripod is not used.
Sorry, I can't find a better indoor subject, of course I don't want to use myself as a model to scare people away; so I decide to use the poster. I just want to say, I am not working for Apple OK!
It is easy and simple to take an indoor shot with Canon A530 by auto mode and auto flash.
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Auto mode standard auto flash |
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The indoor photo generated by low cost Canon A530 (automatic mode with auto flash) is good enough for daily family photos if your standard is not too high.
Wide screen format picture (2592X1456) testing (Outdoor):
With Canon A530 digital camera, you can get a very good result of wide screen format photo by using the Program AE mode. However, if you wish to use the manual mode for daylight photo, no matter what ISO speed used, you will find the photos taken are all over exposed. Luckily, the Program AE mode will fix up all the problems for you.
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Program AE mode |
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Wide screen picture format testing (Indoor):
(Photos have been resized to 500X281 pixels)
As the "wide screen picture format" can be chosen only in manual mode or Program AE mode with Canon A530 digital camera, therefore, let's test these two modes and see how it goes.
As you can see the picture below, the picture is too dark in manual mode ISO 80, 100, 200 with standard flash setting. By increasing the ISO speed, it helps a little bit but not much. The only way to get a good wide screen format picture in manual setting is to increase the flash light setting in A530 digital camera.
| Manual mode wide screen format standard flash ISO200 | |
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How to get a good indoor wide screen format picture with Canon A530 digital camera?
According to our test, the answer is here with two options;
1. If you use Manual mode with ISO speed 200 or ISO 100, please increase the flash to 2/3 capacity.
2. Alternatively, you may use the "P" Program AE mode with auto flash, you will get the indoor wide screen format picture result as the example below. In the Program AE mode, the camera will automatically set the shutter speed and aperture value to match the brightness of the subject. Therefore, if you wish to take a group picture indoor or outdoor with Canon A530, the easiest way is to use "Program AE mode with Wide screen picture format selected". Of course, don't forget to turn on the flash in shadow, low light or indoor situation.
| Manual mode wide screen format full flash ISO200 | |
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Macro testing:
Testing setting: Macro mode, auto white balance, flash off, superfine quality and tripod is not used.
Canon Powershot A530 has good macro quality with up to 3cm close up to the subject. However, the focus is a little bit weak but not too bad.
(Photos have been resized to 500X375 pixels)
| approx. 3cm close up | |
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Night shot testing part 1:
Testing setting: preset Night shot mode, auto white balance, flash off, superfine quality and tripod is used.
By using Canon A530 preset night shot mode, the photo quality is satisfactory. Compared to Canon Powershot previous models, Canon has greatly improved the A530 digital camera's preset night shot mode. In the under $300 price range, Canon A530 overall performance is value for money. (Photos have been resized to 500X375 pixels)
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Auto focus |
4X Zoom in |
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Night shot testing part 2:
since Canon A530 has very easy to use night shot mode, therefore, there is no need to test the manual mode with different ISO speed. However, there is one more feature of A530 I'd like to mention here, Canon A530 has very wide range of ISO speed from ISO 80 to ISO 800. This could be another plus of this camera.
