Canon’s “A” series digital cameras have always provided consumers with impressive ease of use, exceptional performance, excellent image quality, and “best in class” bang for the buck, the Canon Powershot A520 doesn’t deviate from this family tradition. The A520 is a super choice for advanced amateur photographers just making the jump to digital, but it will also do a great job for casual shooters and as a primary family camera. The A520 is an excellent imaging option for travelers who want a digital camera that will allow them to record their adventures and student photographers who want a digital camera that they can “grow into” as their photographic capabilities evolve. Pros: Compact, proven platform, 4X optical zoom, full manual controls, and very good battery life. Cons: Noisy ISO 200-400 images, LCD doesn’t automatically “gain up” in low light. The Bottom Line: Canon’s new Powershot A520 is a worthy successor to the superb Powershot A85, an upgrade that offers genuine improvement and enhanced usability.

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The Canon Powershot 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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The Canon Powershot A520 is a four megapixel digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens. The lens has a focal length equivalent to a 35-140mm lens on a 35mm film camera. One of the main attractions of the Powershot A520 is the number of features it offers for a relatively low price. This gives you the option of using the camera either as a simple point and shoot model or trying out some of the more advanced features.

This type of camera often appeals to families where some members are looking for a camera that is easy to use whilst others are looking for one that gives them greater control over how the final image is produced.

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Hitting the digital camera scene with a familiar PowerShot A-series design, the Canon PowerShot A520 is indeed very similar to the preceding A80 model and features many of the same exposure options and features. The most obvious improvement relative to the A80 is the A520’s 4x zoom lens, boosted from the 3x lens used in the A80. Another new feature on the A520 is the adjustable Timer mode, which lets you set the shutter delay anywhere from one to 10 seconds, and program anywhere from 1 to 10 shots to be taken once that time has elapsed. The A520 features a 4.0-megapixel CCD, which results in image resolutions as high as 2,272 x 1,704 pixels, and printing to 11×14 inches with great detail. (Prints at 13×19 from the Canon i9900 high-end inkjet printer in our studio looked pretty good at normal viewing distances, but a little soft when viewed up close. Lower resolutions are also available, including an email-friendly size.) Other key features include full and partial manual exposure control, a nine-point AiAF system, and SD/MMC memory storage. The A520’s all-plastic, two-toned silver body is lightweight and compact, although just a little too large for the average shirt pocket. Still, the A520 should easily fit into larger coat pockets and purses, and comes with a wrist strap for more security while shooting.

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The Canon Powershot A520 is the 4-megapixel big brother of Canon’s A510 and logically the 2005 successor to the popular A85 that we reviewed in 2004. The A520 retains the A85’s 4-megapixel resolution and family-friendly features, but offers a more powerful 4X optical zoom range, 35-140mm in 35mm-equivalence, and reduced size via the use of SD memory and only 2 AA batteries for power.

The A520’s body is identical to its A510 sibling. The hybrid metal/polycarbonate body is both durable and stylish, fitting in equally well at both your children’s soccer games and social events. Because of its small size and retractable lens, it fits easily in your pocket or purse, encouraging you to take it everywhere.

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