ProductCritic: Canon PowerShot A640 Reviews

Digital Camera Magazine (100)

As compact cameras chase ever-higher resolutions and gimmicky features, it’s great to find one that concentrates on the basics instead: image quality, creative features and ease of use. Perfect for anyone who wants people to ooh and ahh over their images, rather than their camera.

Steve's Digicams (95)

Bottom line – last year we said “Canon has struck gold” with the A620 and A610, and this year they have done it yet again. These models continue to be some of our favorites in this class, offering style, versatility, excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a wealth of exposure modes, all in a rugged metal/plastic shell.

Digital Camera Resource Page (94)

The Canon PowerShot A630 and A640 are two very capable digital cameras that are suitable to beginners and advanced users alike. They offer far more than most cameras in this price range, which is why they earn my enthusiastic recommendation. I would recommend the A630 for most people, as it performs as well as the A640 in most situations, and it costs $100 less. The only reason to get the A640 would be if you’re doing a lot of high ISO shooting, printing REALLY large-sized prints, or if you want to control the camera from your computer. Whichever camera you end up with, I think you’ll enjoy using it.

Megapixel.net (91)

Many of the features of the A640 are devised so that it is appropriate for a wide variety of users: the A640 provides a simple to use point-and-shoot Auto mode, perfect for a novice; a large number of scene modes that can meet the needs of an intermediate user; and the Creative Zone modes — program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual — are what most advanced users will want.

Imaging Resource (90)

Bottom line, the Canon A640 is destined to become a classic. The Canon A640 is just an excellent all-around digital camera, an easy choice as a Dave’s Pick, and we’ll go further and give it our heartiest recommendation as a great all-around performer for almost anyone.

Techtree.com (90)

Frankly speaking, it feels just like the A630, only it gives 10 MP images. So, if you think you will need to get better than 8 MP prints and can spare a few 100 bucks extra for a 10 MP camera go ahead. It sure is a great buy.

DigitalCameraInfo.com (90)

The PowerShot A640 has more pros than cons. It has a lot of resolution at 10 megapixels, but that won’t be necessary for most users of this camera. Point-and-shooters won’t need to create life-size prints since most will make small prints with an occasional enlargement. Believe it or not, the resolution isn’t what makes the A640 great; in fact, the resolution significantly hurts the camera’s performance.

Tech2.com (90)

In the end, the only complaints I have with the Canon A640 are mere nitpicks. The camera does everything it sets out to do and makes it easy. It has fun features for the more casual users, and it has enough manual settings to give a serious photographer the jiggles.

Cameralabs (86)

But if you’re after a powerful compact which delivers great quality pictures with excellent creative options, it’s hard to find a better model. The A640 is an ideal camera both for beginners wanting to take their creative photography forward and enthusiasts who want a flexible compact to compliment a DSLR.

Digital Camera Review (85)

Pros: Multi position LCD Screen, 10MP, Grid can be superimposed on the LCD Screen, Spot metering. Cons: No ISO in data?

NeoCamera.com (85)

Canon has done well with the Powershot A640. This compact digital camera has a complete feature set including full-manual controls, manual focus and custon white-balance. The A640 handles well and produces rather images with good sharpness, exposure and low-noise up to ISO 100.

Cameras.co.uk (83)

In terms of features against price the Canon Powershot A640 offers very good value for money. It has a range of features that you do not normally find in a digital camera in this price range. Photo quality is good and I would be more than happy to own one. Recommended.

Digital Photography Review (81)

We’ve got a superbly built, superbly specified camera, capable of excellent results at a reasonably keen price. It’s an ideal ‘first camera’ for anyone wanting to learn the craft of photography – it’s a very reliable ‘point and shoot’ that can grow with you as your experience and ability develops. It’s a pretty easy Highly Recommended and – though by no means flaw-free – is a perfect example of how far compact cameras have come in the last few years.

vnunet.com (80)

Although the Powershot A640 would benefit from some form of built-in image stabilisation, it’s another reliable performer from Canon, while the adjustable screen and high 10-megapixel resolution makes it worthy of serious attention.

Good Gear Guide (80)

The PowerShot A640 is an excellent all round advanced camera. While its features aren’t quite as robust as some more expensive models, for this price tag, it’s a good buy.

ePHOTOzine (80)

The image quality might not be flawless, but considering the functionality on offer its scarcely problematic. For a budget range camera that has a street price of around £250, it’s like finding that your Toyota Yaris has a V6, 2.5litre engine under the hood.

PhotographyBLOG (80)

The Canon PowerShot A640 is, then, a reliable all-rounder that, with that 10 megapixel resolution, sets itself up as a possible back up compact for DSLR users (if they can make do with JPEG-only capture). Shame also about the lack of a built-in image stabilization of any sort; something that would have made the A640 even more compelling for the more demanding user.

Let's Go Digital (79)

The Canon PowerShot A640 is an excellent digital compact camera that can be used by beginners, but which will also give them the opportunity to learn and maybe take the next step to a digital reflex camera. A great camera, really excellent!

CNET (76)

It’s not great in low light, but the A640 has plenty of features photographers will love.