Canon's 2013 big-screen entry compact — 16MP CCD, 28-140mm 5x zoom, 3in LCD, 720p video, NB-11L power
The PowerShot A2600 arrived in 2013 as the better-screened twin of the A2500 in Canon's final generation of A-series compacts. The line was discontinued soon after as smartphones absorbed the budget compact market, making these among the last of Canon's cheap CCD pocket cameras.
Like the A2500 it used a 16.0-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD with a 28-140mm-equivalent 5x zoom at f/2.8-6.9 and DIGIC 4 processing, without optical image stabilisation. The step up was a larger 3.0-inch, 230,000-dot LCD. Video recorded in 720p at 25fps, cards were SD, SDHC or SDXC, and the NB-11L battery powered a 135g body with an ECO power-saving mode.
It fits beginners and casual snapshooters wanting a bigger screen on a bare-bones pocket zoom. As with its twin, the missing stabiliser and slow tele aperture favour daylight shooting, and the fully automatic operation keeps things simple for first-time users.
The 3.0-inch screen dominates the back, so examine it closely for cracks and pressure marks. Verify the NB-11L battery holds charge and a charger is present, run the zoom through its range to rule out lens errors, and check the lightweight plastic body for drop damage around the corners.