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Canon Powershot A520 Review
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Review Summary
Reader Score: 8.75 (out of 10)
The Canon PowerShot A520 is a compact digital camera with an unusual range of manual controls and capabilities within the sub-$299 (USD) price bracket. Replacing the A85, the PowerShot A520 expresses a 13% frame reduction, down to 3.6 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches (90.7 x 64.0 x 38.4 mm), and weighs just 6.3 ounces (180 grams). The condensed A520 offers users a 1/2.5-inch 4.0 megapixel CCD, DIGIC image processor, 4x optical zoom lens, 1.8-inch TFT color LCD and 9-point Auto Intelligent Auto focus system in a camera that is small enough to fit comfortably in a coat pocket or purse.
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Other Reviews For This Model
| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| LetsGoDigital |
9.33 |
08-10-05 |
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| The extremely compact digital camera is surprisingly small. Despite its compact size the Canon Powershot A520 offers an abundance of setting possibilities. Firstly it features a 4x optical zoom with a range of 35-140mm (equivalent of a 35mm camera), that immediately distinguishes the tiny camera from its competitors. With the introduction of the A520, Canon also says farewell (on a permanent base?) to the CompactFlash memory card as storage medium for digital compact cameras. This change-over to the Secure Digital card, among other things, enabled the appliance of a lighter and more compact body.
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Pocket-Lint |
9.33 |
04-11-05 |
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| Canon's A-series of digital cameras have been the company's mainstay in the budget market and the new A520 (there's also an almost identical 3.2MP, A510 version too) is the new top of the canon budget tree. A thorough revamp brings it right up to date and sees a very competitive £175 ($299 U.S.) asking price, making it an affordable little camera and one sure to appeal to the masses. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| PC Magazine |
9.20 |
04-11-05 |
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| he A520's body resembles a compressed version of the A85, mostly because Canon opted to make this model run on two double-A batteries instead of four. The only other noticeable differences are that the AF assist lamp on the front has been moved to the opposite side of the optical viewfinder and the microphone has been moved ever so slightly. The LCD is still 1.8 inches (diagonal), but the lens has undergone some changes: It is now an f/2.6 to f/5.5, 5.8- to 23.2-mm (35- to 140-mm, 35-mm equivalent), 4X optical zoom lens. The greater magnification favors the telephoto end a bit, so you may have to back up to get wide-angle shots. Luckily, the camera accepts conversion lenses and filters. The shutter button is no longer tilted forward, as it is on the A85, but this isn't an ergonomic disaster. And we're still not crazy about the zoom ring around the shutter button. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| DPReview |
8.39 |
03-31-05 |
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| Announced just before PMA in February 2005, the PowerShot A520 is the replacement for the PowerShot A85, and continues the line of best-selling budget models that goes right back to early 2001 with the A10 and A20. The changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary; a reduction in size and weight (it's 13% smaller and 20% lighter), the inclusion of a new four times optical zoom lens (the A85 had a three times), zoom-linked flash, a shift from CompactFlash to SD card for storage and a drop to two AA batteries from four. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Digital Camera Review |
8.29 |
04-26-05 |
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| History often repeats itself and the past can be a good gauge of the future. Canon's "A" series digicams have been industry leaders since the introduction of the groundbreaking little A20. Last year's A75, A85, and A95 were huge sellers because Canon listened to what consumers wanted in entry-level digicams (excellent image quality, Point & Shoot simplicity, manual exposure capability, first rate optics, exceptional ergonomics, speedy operation, super power management, a boat load of advanced features, lots of accessories, and a relatively cheap price) and then built cameras to meet those expectations. Canon's design folks started with the proven "A" series platform and then crammed much of the cutting edge imaging technology developed for the company's "G", "S", and Digital Elph models into its new product line. The solid middle child of that exceptional imaging family was the 4 megapixel A85. Canon's new A520 replaces the A85. The Powershot A520 retains all of the best features of its predecessor and actually improves substantially on what was already a "best in class" digicam. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Imaging-Resource |
8.17 |
03-22-05 |
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| he Canon PowerShot A520 is the latest in a long line of well-built digital cameras from Canon. Canon U.S.A. has long been a strong contender in the film and digital camera markets, well-known for its high-quality optics, technical innovations, and aggressive product development. The 4.0-megapixel Canon A520 updates this extensive line with a longer-ratio zoom lens, more compact form factor, and a few other unique features, increasing the camera's already great flexibility. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| DCResource |
8.13 |
02-23-05 |
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| Two of the hottest digital cameras of 2004 were the Canon PowerShot A75 and A85. Both were superior to the competition thanks to their picture quality, full manual controls, and expandability. For 2005 Canon has gone even further with their replacements, the A510 ($199) and A520 ($299). Instead of slapping new model numbers on the same old thing, Canon reinvented the A75 and A85 with some great new features, which include 4X optical zoom lens (versus 3X on the old models) , Smaller, more compact body, Built-in "zoom flash" (more on this later), Support for an external slave flash, Uses SD/MMC memory cards (versus CompactFlash), and uses two AA batteries (instead of four.) |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| DigiCam Review |
7.75 |
05-30-05 |
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| The Canon Powershot A520 is an excellent all round camera, with a decent 4x optical zoom lens, and features to suit every need, from basic point and shoot operation, to full manual controls. The camera takes AA batteries so can travel with you anywhere without any need to worry about running out of battery power or supplies. The camera is also expandable with optional lenses, and flash accessories, so will grow with you if you expand your requirements without the need to buy a replacement camera. Image quality is very good, the camera is capable of some excellent results - the only areas where this camera are let down is in the outdated movie modes, the slightly sluggish performance, and the slightly high price compared to some of the competition. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| CNET Reviews |
6.50 |
06-22-05 |
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| Canon's functional and practical A-series digital cameras have always made great complements to its sleek Digital Elph line. This compact 4-megapixel replacement for the PowerShot A85 isn't as light and pocketable as its Elph counterpart, the PowerShot SD300, but it offers the full range of manual controls that photo enthusiasts require, outdoes its stablemate in number of scene modes and zoom range, and costs less to boot. The PowerShot A520 has significant improvements over the model it replaces, too, including a 3-ounce weight reduction.
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Photoxels |
----- |
06-26-05 |
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| The Canon PowerShot A520 is a very interesting camera to review. It is targeted to entry-level users (with an entry-level price) but it comes equipped with many of the features found on more expensive models. Are these just "paper features" or actually usable and practical features? |
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