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Note: This camera was first sold in Feb 2006. It has been replaced by the Canon A570 IS.

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Canon PowerShot A540

HQ Grade: C+

A	is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B	means they are good, with some standout features.
C	means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F	mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.

5 out of 5

"takes a beating"

4 out of 5

"A camera of excellent size and quality"

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This camera is ranked

46th of 92 in Point and Shoot (#1 is Panasonic LX3)
6th of 40 in 6 Megapixel (#1 is Nikon D40)
66th of 82 in Canon (#1 is Canon S90 IS)
61st of 107 in $200 - $300 (#1 is Canon SD780 IS)

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Author indicated replies do not answer the question (5 points for the best answer)

Betty Langille (BettyLangille) 0 pts

November 3, 2009 9:58 AM

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How does my camera get "card locked" when the card is not locked

I purchased 3 new Kodak memory cards and new batteries before going to Hawaii. After taking a few pictures, I received the message "card locked", I examined the card and it wasn't lokced, tried new batteries and that didn't work. Used new card, took about 20 pictures - got the same message but card was not locked when I examined it. Went to photo shop in Hawaii and they could not determine the problem, bought new card again and new batteries, took another two dozen pictures and "card locked" again. Very disappointing as I will never be going back to Hawaii and the camera is less than 2 years old. What is the problem?

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58443 pts

November 3, 2009 6:47 PM

This seems to be a common design issue with the A540. Apparently, after some time, you end up putting the card in and the card lock gets engaged slightly, causing the error. Some have used tape to keep it in place so it doesn't flip the lock switch on when you insert it. There's a few other workarounds here including putting it in backwards first and then reinserting it properly. My guess, something has come a little lose which is causing the switch. There's so little room in there, it wouldn't take much.

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How does my camera get "card locked" when the card is not locked

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