Comments about Canon Canon Powershot A495 Digital Camera, 10.0 Megapixels, 3.3x Optical Zoom, 2.5" LCD Display, Red:

The camera was purchased for a dry, arid climate. It performed flawlessly with no issues from the dusty climate. It was a workhorse when the climate conditions could have disrupted its ability to work (ie, temperature, and particulate in the air).

Comments about Canon Canon Powershot A495 Digital Camera, 10.0 Megapixels, 3.3x Optical Zoom, 2.5" LCD Display, Red:

A 2 sec delay between shots with out the flash, ( with the flash on the avg is around. 3 TO 6 secs ), and start up time is 1.6 sec.

The camera does not have optical image stabilization.

I use a 2gig san disk sd card ultra II ( you do not get one with the camera ) that gives you about 750 pictures, I use 2 AA energizer (lithium batterys)(or 2650-2900 mAH rechargables) and that gets about 500-550 pictures . (You would not be happy with just standerd AA battery life).

The AA batterys are probably the reason the LCD screen takes so long to recharge after the flash goes off (and to take the next picture) even with the good batterys it is recharging the flash up to 8sec on a (full flash) recharge and the times that are stated above...

I set the disp overlay to grid lines to help take a straighter picture, You may use it for the 1/3 rule also).

Some are having trouble with the shutter button trying to push it half way down trying to compose there picture, on this camera, you only have to touch the shutter button and the weight of your finger will do the trick, if you try to push it half way like the canon A480 or your old camera it will take the picture...

Other Thoughts: The A495 takes great pictures but you will not be able to tell it by the low resolution lcd screen, you will have to wait and look at them on the computer to realy see how good they are. It is sometimes hard to compose your shot in very bright sun light also.

I know this all sounds bad but for the price this camera does take great pictures and is easy and fun to use. It is on par for this price point.
I have bought these for my 4 and 6 year old grand kids ( The canon A 480s) and have had no trouble for a year now.

The next step up is a canon SD 1300 that I know anything about and you can get a upgrade on this stuff if you just can't live with the A495 (I have never used a A3100)so I can not speak for it. I am no expert and I am trying to be honest here and help out if I can, these are just my thoughts, check out the other reviews and good luck on your next camera. I have these cameras (SD 1300,A480 A 495) I really like them.