Canon A640 Performance
Timing and Performance
Canon A640 Timing
Good to average speed for a consumer camera.
Startup/Shutdown |
||
Power on to first shot |
1.4 seconds |
Time it takes for LCD to turn on and lens to deploy. |
Shutdown |
1.6 seconds |
How long it takes to retract lens and stow in your pocket. |
Buffer clearing time |
1.29 second (Large/Fine JPEG, Unlimited shots in continuous mode) |
Worst case buffer clearing time.* This is the delay after a set of shots before you can remove the card. Some cameras won't retract their lenses and shut down until the buffer is cleared. |
Mode switching |
||
Play to Record, first shot |
1.0 seconds |
Time until first shot is captured |
Record to play |
2.7 seconds |
Time to display a large/fine file immediately after capture |
Display recorded image |
1.3 second |
Time to display a large/fine file already on the memory card. |
Shutter response (Lag Time): |
||
Full Autofocus Wide |
0.58 second |
Time from fully pressing shutter button to image capture, zoom lens at wide angle position. |
Full Autofocus
Stele |
0.68 second |
Time from fully pressing shutter button to image capture, zoom lens at telephoto position. |
Prefocused |
0.065 second |
Time to capture, after half-pressing and holding shutter button. |
Manual focus |
0.20 second |
For most cameras, shutter lag is less in manual focus than autofocus, but usually not as fast as when the camera is "prefocused" |
Cycle time (shot to shot) |
||
Single Shot mode Large Fine JPEG |
1.56 seconds |
Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots |
Single Shot mode 640x480 JPEG |
1.57 seconds |
Time per shot, averaged over 20 shots |
Early shutter penalty? |
No |
Some cameras refuse to snap another shot if you release and press the shutter too quickly in Single Shot mode, making "No" the preferred answer |
Continuous mode Large Fine JPEG |
0.77 second (1.29 frames per second); No limit w/fast card*; ~2 seconds to clear |
Time per shot, averaged over buffer length or 20 shots, whichever came first |
Continuous mode 640x480 JPEG |
0.79 second (1.27 frames per second); No limit w/fast card*; ~2 seconds to clear |
Time per shot, averaged over buffer length or 20 shots, whichever came first |
Flash recycling |
5 seconds |
Flash at maximum output |
Download speed |
||
Windows Computer, USB 2.0 |
1,042 KBytes/sec |
Typical Values: Less than 600=USB 1.1; 600-770=USB 2.0 Low; 771-4000=USB 2.0 High |
*Note: Buffer clearing times measured with a Kingston Ultimate 120x SD memory card. Slower cards will produce correspondingly slower clearing times. Slow cards may also limit length of bursts in continuous mode. |
||
The Canon A640's performance is generally faster than average. Startup and shutdown speeds are above average. Shutter response is a bit faster than average but not dramatically so. Shot-to-shot cycle times and continuous-mode speeds are above average, too. Even the flash, which is pretty powerful, takes just five seconds to recharge after a full-power shot, about average for any digicam flash. On the other hand, connected to a computer or printer with USB 2.0, download speeds are very fast, pretty much eliminating the need for an external reader. Bottom line, while not a first choice for sports or other really fast-paced action, the A640 is responsive enough (particular at wide angle lens settings) to handle most family photo opportunities.
Battery and Storage Capacity
Battery
Good battery life with Alkaline disposables, excellent with NiMH rechargeables.
| Alkaline |
280 shots
|
| NiMH (2500 mAh capacity) |
500 shots
|
The Canon A640 uses four AA batteries for power. The table above shows the number of shots it can take with either Alkaline or NiMH batteries, based on the CIPA battery-life standard. (Based on 2500 mAh capacity cells.) A CIPA rating of 280 shots (using Alkalines, with the LCD display enabled) is pretty good, but as always we strongly recommend that you purchase a couple of sets of high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries and a good-quality charger, as they'll save you many times their cost over the life of the camera.
(Interested readers can find an English translation of the CIPA DC-002 standards document here. (180K PDF document))
Storage
A 32MB SD Memory Card is included with the PowerShot A640.
32MB SD Memory Card |
Fine | |
| 3,648 x 2,736 | Images | 7 |
| File Size | 4.4MB | |
| 2,816 x 2,112 | Images | 11 |
| File Size | 2.9MB | |
| 2,272 x 1,704 | Images | 14 |
| File Size | 2.2MB | |
| 1,600 x 1,200 | Images | 29 |
| File Size | 1.1MB | |
| Images | 111 | |
| File Size | 288K | |
We strongly recommend buying a large capacity SD/MMC memory card at least a 256MB card, preferably a 512MB one, to give yourself extra space for extended outings. (Check the shopping link above, cards are really cheap these days, so no reason to skimp.)
 | Print this Page |
Note: For details, test results, and analysis of the many tests done with this camera, please click on the tabs at the beginning of the review or below.
Also Consider...
Click below for similar cameras from our Dave's Picks section.
 |
Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Digital ELPH 12.1 megapixels, 3.70x zoom |
$339.44 Check Prices! |
|
A versatile take-anywhere camera with excellent print quality
|
||
 |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 10.1 megapixels, 5.00x zoom |
$278.88 Check Prices! |
|
Good looks and good shots combine with great features to make a smart choice
|
||
 |
Canon PowerShot SD870 IS Digital ELPH 8.0 megapixels, 3.80x zoom |
$262.73 Check Prices! |
|
With its 28mm lens, the Canon SD870 IS would be a dream camera even without all its other impressive features
|
||
Shopping for someone else? Try these other Dave's Picks categories:
All Around | Budget | Consumer SLR | Long Zoom | Macro | Mid-size | Professional SLR
Stay up to date with all the latest - Sign up for our free biweekly email newsletter!
Click to see today's
Photo of the Day
First
Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Printer
ACDSee Pro2
Second
Canon PIXMA MP970 Printer
ACDSee Pro2
Third
Canon PIXMA MP610 Printer
ACDSee Pro2
Support our adopted charity House of Hope.
Click for more info.
Search this Site
Got BATTERIES?
Digicams eat batteries!
You need good rechargeable NiMH cells, and
Thomas
Distributing
has the best prices on the web. (You'll want at least 2-3 sets, plus a charger.) Check them out!
Simple pro lighting and use tips let you snap stunning photos. Check out our free Photo School area!