Body typeBody type Compact
Sensor
Max resolution 2592 x 1944
Other resolutions 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
Image ratio w:h 4:3
Effective pixels 5 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 5 megapixels
Sensor size 1/2.5" (5.744 x 4.308 mm)
Sensor type CCD
ImageISO Auto, 80 ,100, 200, 400, 800
White balance presets 5
Custom white balance Yes
Image stabilization No
Uncompressed format No
JPEG quality levels Super-Fine, Fine, Normal
Optics & FocusFocal length (equiv.) 35–140 mm
Optical zoom 4×
Maximum aperture F2.6 - F5.5
Autofocus
Contrast Detect (sensor)
Multi-area
Center
Single
Live View
Digital zoom Yes (4x)
Manual focus Yes
Normal focus range 45 cm (17.72″)
Macro focus range 5 cm (1.97″)
Number of focus points 9
Screen / viewfinderScreen size 1.8″
Screen dots 77,000
Touch screen No
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel)
Photography featuresMinimum shutter speed 15 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 sec
Aperture priority No
Shutter priority No
Built-in flash Yes
Flash range 3.50 m
External flash No
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Manual (Red Eye On/Off)
Continuous drive 2 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Exposure compensation ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography featuresResolutions 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 20/10 fps
Storage
Storage types SD/MMC card
Storage included 16 MB MMC card
ConnectivityUSB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI No
Remote control No
PhysicalEnvironmentally sealed No
Battery AA
Battery description AA (2) batteries (NiMH recommended)
Weight (inc. batteries) 220 g (0.49 lb / 7.76 oz)
Dimensions 90 x 64 x 43 mm (3.54 x 2.52 x 1.69″)
Other featuresOrientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording No
originally posted July 10 2013Canon PowerShot A530This is one of those other items that I've had lying around; it wasn't purchased for the investigations. This is a solid digital camera, takes pretty good pictures, but I'm limited to the 4x zoom. Eventually I'll upgrade to something with a bit more zoom, but until then, I'll be happy with what I have (please look at our post
Lightning Strike to see the picture quality.
One may argue that there is no need for a digital camera when we have a digital camcorder (or vice versa), but I feel that this gives us more options. And no, the camera does not open... this is a shot of both the front and back.
{EDIT}
This camera was free, from a friend who upgraded to something bigger. That right there sways my opinion... cheap is good, free is better! With all seriousness, this camera is a good solid camera, and should prove quite useful.