Canon PowerShot A400 - an inexpensive, compact point-and-shoot from the 2000s

The Canon PowerShot A400 was an inexpensive, compact point-and-shoot introduced in the 2000s. It focused on simple handling, basic stills, a rear LCD for image review, and easy photo transfer. While it served casual shooters well at the time, its image quality and features are dated compared with modern smartphones and current entry-level cameras. Today the A400 is primarily a used-market option for collectors, backup use, or very basic photography.

What the PowerShot A400 was

The Canon PowerShot A400 is a basic, pocketable point-and-shoot introduced by Canon in the 2000s. It aimed at buyers who wanted a simple camera for snapshots: compact body, a small rear LCD for image review, and easy transfer of photos to a computer.

Today the A400 is a legacy model. Canon no longer markets it as a current product; you can still find units on the used market or in clearance stock from third parties.

Design and handling

The camera offered a slim, rounded body that fit small hands comfortably. Canon sold it in multiple color trims with a silver accent. The lightweight design made it easy to carry in a pocket or small bag.

Many A-series models of this era used standard batteries and removable memory cards so you could swap power or offload images through a card reader rather than needing proprietary software.

Core features and limitations

The A400 delivered straightforward still-photo shooting and a few convenience features typical of entry-level compact cameras: a small optical zoom, automatic exposure and focus modes, and an LCD for composing and reviewing shots. It also supported basic movie capture in a low-resolution mode common in early digital compacts. ¹

Image quality and low-light performance were modest compared with modern phones and mirrorless/still cameras. If you need high resolution, fast autofocus, or strong low-light performance, a contemporary camera or smartphone will outperform the A400.

Why people bought it then - and why some still do

When new, the A400 appealed as an inexpensive, no-frills family camera. It was easy to use, required little setup, and sufficed for casual snapshots and travel photos.

Now, buyers typically choose the A400 only for specific reasons: as a low-cost backup camera, for nostalgia or collecting, or where a very simple point-and-shoot is adequate. For everyday photography, current budget point-and-shoots and smartphones deliver better image quality and features.

Buying and using a used A400

If you consider a used A400, check the battery condition, the LCD, lens functionality, and whether the memory card slot works. Also confirm which batteries and card formats the camera requires, because replacements for older models vary. ²

Pairing an older compact with a modern workflow is simple: most will export JPEG files that you can import via USB or by reading the memory card in a laptop. That keeps setup minimal and avoids proprietary software.

Bottom line

The Canon PowerShot A400 represented affordable, simple digital photography in its time. It can still work as a basic snapshot camera if you accept its dated image quality and limited features. For most buyers today, modern smartphones or current entry-level cameras are the better choice.

1. Confirm the PowerShot A400 release year and original MSRP
2. Verify exact sensor megapixel count and optical zoom specification for the A400
3. Confirm the LCD size and whether the A400 used AA batteries or proprietary battery
4. Verify the memory card formats supported (SD, MMC, etc.) and video resolution capability
5. Confirm whether the A400 exports standard JPEGs and uses USB mass-storage for file transfer