Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

1/25/2006, Buying a new digital camera, a Canon Powershot A620

Lost my old Nikon CoolPix 3100 digital camera in Sannomiya (Kobe) a few days ago.  As you can see from my web site, my camera is an integral part of my life in Japan, so I was in a hurry to buy another one.  It was a big production choosing a model and finding a good deal.  I went to 5 camera shops in Osaka, including the big electronics district, Den-Den Town (aka Nippon Bashi).  Ninnomiya, Joshin, Sanwa, Bic Camera, and Yodobashi Camera.  The prices seemed to be the same everywhere.  I finally settled on the Canon Powershot A620, but I wanted to find a better deal.  Ended up getting it for ¥32800 ($285) with tax at Kitamura Camera, right in Ako, near Aioi.  The so-called cheap camera stores in Osaka wanted ¥39800 ($346).  Amazon.com in the US charges $412 (¥47384) with tax for the same one.  I definitely got a good deal.  In case you're interested, here are the selling points that were relevant to me.

• 7.1 megapixels - allows sharp prints up to 11"x17" (roughly A3 size paper).  Also allows me to crop a picture to zoom in on something interesting even after I take it.
• 4x optical zoom - a little better than what I had before
• Flip-out screen - You can twist and turn it for taking pictures above the crowd or on the ground.  It's nice.
• Fast response time when you take a picture.  It can take 2 pictures per second, continuously.
• A reputation for taking good, sharp, accurate pictures.
• Uses standard AA batteries and is known to be power efficient.
• Bigger than my old camera, but it still fits in my pocket with a little effort.
• Lots of manual controls for getting the light and exposure just right.

Anyway, that was my camera purchase.

<Previous     -     Index     -     Next>