Rely on this Canon camera to help you record picnics, parties and vacations in sharp detail. Its 8-megapixel image sensor gives you high-resolution photos that you can enlarge without sacrificing image quality. Find your friend in a crowded room and frame a shot of only him using the 4X optical zoom. If your hand shakes a little while you shoot, image stabilization counteracts the movement to deliver a clear picture. Want to add more telephoto capability, or a wide-angle option? The A590 IS accepts converter lenses (sold separately) that you can attach for easier closeups or large group shots.

Take true-to-life portraits of your favourite people thanks to this camera's face detection and automatic exposure adjustment. The camera focuses on the people in your frame and brings out realistic skin tones, compensating for background colours that might otherwise create a "washed-out" effect. A motion sensor evaluates the speed of a ballet dancer's steps or a tree's gentle sway, and instantly selects appropriate sensitivity and exposure settings to help you capture blur-free photos.

Canon includes a 32-megabyte memory card that holds about 8 photos at top resolution — add a higher-capacity SD™ card for more picture storage.