Reviewing Canon Powershot A1000 IS

In the January 2009 issue, PC Magazine called the Canon Powershot A1000 IS "a point and shoot winner for beginners.  They named it the PC Magazine Editor's Choice for January.  This camera has an MSRP of $179.99.  I just purchased one for my wife for $132.   PC Mag calls it the least expensive 10 megapixel camera.  Despite the low price it is an excellent selection for those who prefer auto settings when shooting.  The Canon Powershot A1000 IS photos are not on a par with the higher priced Canon digital camera but then they don't cost as much either.  It easily surpasses the comparable and pricier Casio Exilim z250.
While it appears to be larger, it actually is slimmer than its predecessor the Powershot A580. 

The Canon Powershot A1000 IS comes with a 4x optical zoom, and a focal length of 6.2mm to 24.8mm.  It has the new Canon face detection technology, motion detection and 17 preset shooting modes.  It boots quickly and also has Canon's image stabilizer to eliminate shake. 

The Canon Powershot A1000 IS has a video mode and will record video at a fluid and clear recording resolution of 640x480 at 30 frames per second.
In summary, this is an entry level camera that excels at the basics of point and shoot.  It produces sharp images and speedy performance at an excellent price.
In our store, you can easily do better than the "excellent price.  The Canon Powershot A1000 IS is an excellent choice for a cheap digital camera.