The new Canon PowerShot A640 is one of many newly released 10-megapixel cameras. But what makes this otherwise fairly standard model noteworthy is its usability, convenience and flexibility.
Firstly, the A640 uses standard AA batteries for power, which means that the user will never have to worry about running out of juice, even when there is no power socket in the vicinity as batteries are available practically anywhere in the world.
The main compromise is that standard batteries are much bigger than custom-made ones, and the A640 now sports a healthy bump on one side to house them.
On the other hand, the bump acts as a handy grip.
Secondly, the camera is equipped with a display mounted on a swivel, which allows it to turn 270 degrees as well as flip 180 degrees.
This allows the user to turn the display screen to face the front of the camera for self portraits, or hold the camera above their head or near the ground with the display facing up and still see the shot clearly.