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The PowerShot A4000IS measures 9.5x5.8x2cm and weights 150grams. However the width can increase to around 5.5cm what fully zoomed.

My unit was silver and grey. The front has the 8x optical zoom lens and the bar flash above and to its left; it is never nearer than 2.5cm to the lens. I found this gave good images although they did initially look a little over exposed on the TFT.

The base has the door to the solid lens and any SD card you may use, there is also the all important tripod screw as few will be able to hold the camera still enough to capture a perfect shot at 8x zoom. The right side has the supplied wrist strap anchor point as well as a mini USB (A/V) connection residing behind a rubberised door.

See also: Digital Cameras

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The top has inbuilt pin hole microphone, a flush bar on/off button and the silvered shutter release that also has the wide angle/zoom control around it. This leaves the back which is dominated by the 6x4.5cm TFT display. To the right of this are two well marked buttons the ubiquitous five position joystick control and finally two further well marked buttons.

This is a 16MP camera and as Canon do they describe things in their menus with little formality. L is 16MP 4608x3456, M1 is 8MP 3264x2448, M2 is 2MP 1600x1200, S is VGA 640x480, finally W is 16MP in 16:9 4608x2592. All this means you could easily print an A2 image at ‘L’ an A3 image at ‘M1’ and a 15x10cm offering at ‘M2’.

In movie mode there are two settings HD 1280x720 and SD 640x480.

Almost all controls are available from a simple ‘L’ shaped menu when pressing the centre button of the joystick marked Function Set. The choices are down the left and once you have the choice you want highlighted the choices available go along the base of the ‘L’ at the bottom of the screen making things easy to adjust.

As an example the top of the ‘L’ has a P and that goes to Program on the bottom line with Live next, then Portrait, Self Timer, Low Light, Fish Eye, Miniature, Toy, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster, Snow, Fireworks, Long Shutter, Discreet and finally iFrame Movie. All these effects are available via just a single movement.

Although I took images at all resolutions I mainly concentrated at ‘M1’ and then printed a proportion of the image to check the depth and sharpness on A4 printers, I was perfectly happy with the output and there results.

I took images in all light types available at this time of year, flash was needed least as we currently have long days but ‘low light’ in poor weather gave excellent results. As always make sure the camera is held securely or on a tripod when using zoom to any degree and you will be satisfied with the results you achieve in all conditions.

The wide angle (28mm) lens means you can get more into a shot when moving further away is not an option to use. As all digital cameras are expected to double as camcorders the single click movie is quick to change modes. The Intelligent IS means camera shake should not be a problem when shooting without zoom. As with almost all modern cameras there is face detection and finally the metal body means it can stand the odd knock.

Doing my searches found the Canon PowerShot A4000IS at a best price of £126 with free delivery, from the first link below. It is also available in Red, Blue or Pink at slightly higher prices.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0074JZXVQ?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634

www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_A4000_IS/