Canon PowerShot A560 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom (OLD MODEL)

I finally bought this camera after doing quite a bit of research. I'm not a pro when it comes to photography, so I didn't need one of those expensive cameras with tons of options. I was merely looking for something that had decent options in terms of settings, high mega-pixels and was compact enough to carry around without having to strap it on your shoulder. Needless to say, this camera fit the bill perfectly. Adding a 2gb card to it gives me about 650 photos on the highest settings. The photo quality is just perfect for my non-professional eye, and I have yet to hear anyone say a negative word about the quality of the shots I've taken. It has enough preset options to take great photos in almost any setting, while also allowing for you to manually set the options for your shots. I was also surprised to see just how nice the videos turned out. Not camcorder quality, but for capturing a few minutes here and a few minutes there, it's more than sufficient. Loading to the computer was also a snap with or without removing the card. Since owning this camera I've recommended it to every one that's been in the market for an upgrade from their cameras of lesser MP's. For the price you can't beat the A560. I'm looking forward to capturing a ton of memories for years to come.

I got this camera a few days ago and have been taking pictures of everything! This camera isn't packed with a lot of features, but the options it does offer are very nice. This camera is so easy to use, and you don't have to go through a million menus to get what you want. You can change the colors (from normal) to black and white, sepia, vivid, or custom color (lets you change the contrast, sharpness, ect.). You can also specify what kind of lighting you are in and it adjusts colors accordingly so the picture doesn't look strange. My favorite though is the Macro setting. This feature lets you take really close up pictures, and they look gorgeous! I've taken numerous pictures of beautiful flowers in my yard, and the pictures turn out even better than I thought they would. Also, when I hold this camera, it doesn't feel like it will slip out of my hand. It's small, but not too small. And not too slim either. Many of my pictures would have turned out much more blurry if I felt like I couldn't really hold onto the camera. Finally, it's very very easy to upload pictures using the software and cord they give you. The software installs quick and easy, and with one click you can have all your pictures you've taken. I would recommend this camera to just about anyone, especially people who are beginners in photography or who just want to take great pictures on a vacation.

I bought this in 2008 and at the time it was an awesome camera specially for the price. The quality of the pictures is really great, and I love that it has a lot of different features like recording and indoor and outdoor options. I guess my biggest complain is the battery life which SUCKS! Now it is to the point where I can put in brand new batteries in it and it will start flashing and beeping the red low battery warning within 10 minutes. I have no idea what to do about it since I bought it so long ago, and I can't even remember if I had a warranty on it or not. If you want something cheap that will get you through a year or two then buy it, but if you want it to last you longer then think of getting the upgrade or something totally different. If it were not for this battery issue the camera would get a 5 star though, hopefully Cannon has fixed it in its newer models. If anyone has any suggestions as to why this battery problem might be happening I would appreciate the feedback, and if it is something I can fix then please let me know. I no longer have the manual because I have moved 3 times since i bought it and have lost it so please be detailed in your advice.

Although my "big" camera is a Canon, I went through several cameras before finding this wonderful gem. I was very fond of my seriously outdated Nikon Coolpix, so I tried a new one - every shot was blurry, and I have a very steady hand (years of taking low-light and no-flash shots). I moved on to a Panasonic due to the many features, including awesome 6x zoom and a very handy "backlight" option. But the noise, even on as little as ISO 200, was unacceptable. Took a shot at the GE850 with even more features, but found a harsh flash and odd color. Exasperated with the point-and-shoot market, I finally returned to Canon and decided on the 560. I couldn't be happier! It may not have the highest optical zoom, or the most formats (it makes up for the lack of 3:2 with an overlay that allows you to compose a shot within a 3:2 grid, excellent!), or the most modes (although several of the modes on other brands are so specialized - silly even - that they are worthless). But it has what counts - the most-used settings up front on the dial, excellent color representation, the least flash-fallout of any I tried, and exceptional quality even without image stabilization. And unlike the GE, the face recognition works on pets :) This camera does have a Manual setting that allows customized white balance, metering, color options, and exposure compensation. I will not be trading this one in!

This is the first digital camera I've ever owned. I'm no mental giant when it comes to electronics so I've been very hesitant but I'm glad that I discovered this camera. It's lightweight but still feels like you have hold of something. The panel on the back is great, clear, nice large size, using it just comes naturally and I had worried how natural that would feel. The pictures are very clear even when they look like they might not be on the LCD screen. I use the auto mode only so far and have not tried to use the movie mode yet either. My fear is gone, I've screwed nothing up on it accidentally (or intentionally), the images are so clear that even my brother who's degree is photo journalism is impressed, transferring from camera to computer was easy. The price was the lowest anywhere even looking at sale prices elsewhere online. It's like the Wii of digital cameras to me, anyone could pick it up, use it pretty instinctually within minutes and enjoy it. It does feel a little cramped because of the somewhat compact size, I like the feel of bigger cameras, but this one is still easy to recommend.

The camera has performed well since I began using it. The 2 1/2 inch view screen really makes it easy to see what you are ready to take a picture of. I also like the ease with which one will know what mode you are using when in the SCN mode. You don't just have to remember what each icon means whether it be portrait, night mode, etc. The camera will also tell you in it's display so there is not question of that. The pictures are sharp and look good. The fact that it uses 2 AA batteries means it will be easy enough to get new batteries no matter where one may be. My experience has been a good one. This is a camera to seriously consider if it's one of those you are thinking about.

I bought this product about a month ago. It was fine until I changed the original batteries that came with the camera. I bought about 3-4 different battery brands but I still got the low battery indicator. Then yesterday I got a pack of rechargeable batteries, charged them for 8 hours, but they didn't work either. I put the batteries in and it gave me the red blinking thing again. The funny part is that I shouldn't even need rechargeable batteries for these cameras! My mother had the Canon PowerShot A620 and she always used regular batteries, and her's was perfectly fine. So if you don't want your camera to tell you to "change the battery pack" and turn off everytime you try to take a picture, DON'T get this camera!

This is the 2nd Canon a-series camera I've had. Both have had problems relating to the lens cover. My daughter also had problems. Although the camera takes great pictures, the lens cover problems makes this series less than desirable. On the A560, the lens cover requires a finger nail assist to open. It's annoying after a while. My next camera will not be a Canon.

never got the cord for it so it was no good