Canon PowerShot A80 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
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Manufacturer: Canon Cameras US
Price at amazon.com: $319.94Usually ships within 24 hours
- 4 megapixel sensor creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for photo-quality prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
- 3x optical plus 3.6x digital zoom (for 11x total)
- Twisting LCD for shots at any angle; up to 3-minute videos with sound; 9-point AiAF
- Compatible with Type I CompactFlash memory cards; includes 32 MB card
- Powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeables recommended); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1
Product Description:
Featuring a high-tech design with aluminum front cover and metallic handgrip, the Canon PowerShot A80 combines a sense of both the modern and the traditional. Despite its entry-level designation in Canon's digital lineup, the easy-to-operate, 4-megapixel PowerShot A80 is a surprisingly advanced model with sophisticated optics and manual controls. It also features a twisting LCD screen. Optics and Resolution The PowerShot A80 offers a 4-megapixel CCD sensor that produces images up to 2272 x 1704 pixels for photo-quality 11 x 14 inch enlargements. Other resolution modes include 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. The 3x zoom lens has a focal length of 7.8-23.4mm (equivalent to 38-114mm in 35mm photography). It also incorporates a 3.6x digital zoom for a total 11x zoom. The PowerShot A80 also features Canon's nine-point AiAF system for focusing accuracy, shutter speeds of 15 to 1/1,500 second, and fast sequence shooting at a rate of 2.2 frames per second (fps). Movie Mode In addition to taking still photos, the A80 can also record up to 3 minutes of video with sound. It has two resolution settings: 320 x 240, and 160 x 120. You can record for up to 3 minutes per clip in either resolution. Note that you cannot use the optical zoom when in movie mode. The included 32 MB memory card can hold 91 seconds of video at the highest setting. More Features The PowerShot A80 has a 1.5-inch variable-angle LCD monitor that gives you even more shooting options. Turn the LCD monitor 180 degrees toward the front of the camera and the A80 will display your choice of a mirror image or a non-reversed image to give you a true view of your actual shot. Offering a wider scope for photographic experimentation, Canon has also included manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority exposure modes. These modes are supported by a metering system that boasts evaluative, center-weighted average and spot options. Canon's DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor ensures excellent color rendition and white balance for every shot, as well as super-fast auto focusing, noise-free imaging, and advanced flash exposure performance. Shooting Modes: Auto, Creative (P, Av, Tv, M, Custom 1, Custom 2), Programmed Image Control Zone, Image (Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Stitch Assist, Movie) White Balance Control: Auto, Pre-set (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent or Fluorescent H) or Custom Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, on/of, and slow sync modes; 10-second recycle time Maximum Aperture: f/2.8/ 8.0 (W), f/4.9/ 8.0 (T) Photo Effects: Vivid Color, Neutral Color, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black und White Continuous shooting mode: 2.2 shots per second with LCD and Large/Fine mode off Self timer with 2 and 10 second options Printing This camera can connect directly to select printers. Learn more about PictBridge.Canon has introduced a series of printers designed to work directly with its lineup of digital cameras. Using these printers, no computer is required--simply connect the camera to the printer and start printing. Printers include Canon's bubble jet direct printers i900D and i960, and card photo printer CP-200 and CP-300. Of course, photos from your camera can also be printed on any home computer system with an inkjet printer, sent off for online processing, or simply enjoyed on your computer screen. Storage and Transfer Images are stored on CompactFlash Type I memory cards; a 32 MB card is included. When shooting in Large/Normal mode, you can store 54 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software. Power and Size The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.1 by 2.5 by 1.4 inches and weighs 8.8 ounces (excluding battery). What's In The Box This package includes the PowerShot A80 digital camera, 32 MB CompactFlash memory card, four AA alkaline batteries, USB and AV cables, and wrist strap. It also comes with ArcSoft Camera Suite and Digital Camera Solutions CD-ROMs with imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.
From the Manufacturer Inside the PowerShot A80's gleaming metal case are all the sophisticated Canon technology and advanced shooting features that put this camera in a class by itself. Exquisitely compact and simple to operate, yet remarkably affordable; the A80 allows anyone to create lively, memorable images straight out of the box. High-Resolution 4 Megapixel CCD with High-Performance Features Terrific image quality has never been easier. The PowerShot A80 has 4.0 megapixels. So colors are vivid; details,... read more
Optics and Resolution
The PowerShot A80 offers a 4-megapixel CCD sensor that produces images up to 2272 x 1704 pixels for photo-quality 11 x 14 inch enlargements. Other resolution modes include 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. The 3x zoom lens has a focal length of 7.8-23.4mm (equivalent to 38-114mm in 35mm photography). It also incorporates a 3.6x digital zoom for a total 11x zoom. The PowerShot A80 also features Canon's nine-point AiAF system for focusing accuracy, shutter speeds of 15 to 1/1,500 second, and fast sequence shooting at a rate of 2.2 frames per second (fps).
Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the A80 can also record up to 3 minutes of video with sound. It has two resolution settings: 320 x 240, and 160 x 120. You can record for up to 3 minutes per clip in either resolution. Note that you cannot use the optical zoom when in movie mode. The included 32 MB memory card can hold 91 seconds of video at the highest setting.
More Features
The PowerShot A80 has a 1.5-inch variable-angle LCD monitor that gives you even more shooting options. Turn the LCD monitor 180 degrees toward the front of the camera and the A80 will display your choice of a mirror image or a non-reversed image to give you a true view of your actual shot.
Offering a wider scope for photographic experimentation, Canon has also included manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority exposure modes. These modes are supported by a metering system that boasts evaluative, center-weighted average and spot options.
Canon's DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor ensures excellent color rendition and white balance for every shot, as well as super-fast auto focusing, noise-free imaging, and advanced flash exposure performance.
- Shooting Modes: Auto, Creative (P, Av, Tv, M, Custom 1, Custom 2), Programmed Image Control Zone, Image (Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Stitch Assist, Movie)
- White Balance Control: Auto, Pre-set (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent or Fluorescent H) or Custom
- Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, on/of, and slow sync modes; 10-second recycle time
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8/ 8.0 (W), f/4.9/ 8.0 (T)
- Photo Effects: Vivid Color, Neutral Color, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black und White
- Continuous shooting mode: 2.2 shots per second with LCD and Large/Fine mode off
- Self timer with 2 and 10 second options
 This camera can connect directly to select printers. Learn more about PictBridge. |
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash Type I memory cards; a 32 MB card is included. When shooting in Large/Normal mode, you can store 54 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.
Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.1 by 2.5 by 1.4 inches and weighs 8.8 ounces (excluding battery).
What's In The Box
This package includes the PowerShot A80 digital camera, 32 MB CompactFlash memory card, four AA alkaline batteries, USB and AV cables, and wrist strap. It also comes with ArcSoft Camera Suite and Digital Camera Solutions CD-ROMs with imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.Average Customer Rating: 
Comment: Wonderful little beast Rating:
For a camera in this price range it offers quite a number of features, including those found on the more powerful G series. While it's probably too big to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket, it is nonetheless a lot lighter to carry around than the G series.
I've taken a large number of shots with this camera, and I have been pleased with the results. The quality is very good, the only problem is that jpeg compression tends to obscure minute details, and it is missing the RAW/uncompressed images options. That is not much of a problem until you start to do a lot of editing of the photos, and each successive save as a jpeg results in further image degradation. This is exacerbated by the fact that the unit has a weak flash which means you'll use the higher ISO settings, leading to the use of noise reduction software.
The pros of the camera:
Relatively small
many G series/EOS series features
excellent picture quality
conservative ISO levels
relatively "smart" camera in auto mode
flip-out LCD
Lens add-ons
The cons:
no flash hotsync, so can't use a good external flash (granted some good flash units would probably approach the cost of the camera itself)
smallish LCD, though not a problem for me
Tight viewfinder, I actually find it hard to use the viewfinder to compose shots, since it is not TTL
manual focus is a hassle
movies limited to 320x240; the A70 can do 640x480
optical zoom limited to 3x
limited to f4.9 at full telephoto
poor auto-white balancing except in daylight, but it does have a custom function for those who absolutely need white to be.. well white.
bundled photo editing software is very limited. I think even Jasc Paintshop Pro would've been a better choice, if not some Photoshop variant.
minor quibble:
no raw image capture mode
There are reports that Canon cameras tend to blow out the highlights, but the fix is to use center-weighter metering instead of full metering.
Grab this camera, a camera bag, 8 AA NiMH batteris and a charger, a >=128 MB CF card, some lens addons, a tripod, and a digital photography book, and you've got yourself a relatively complete digital photography setup.
If you desire more SLR features without the hassle of interchanging lens, there are the Powershot G3 and G5 from Canon; C-5060 and E-10/E-20N from Olympus; F717 from Sony; and the Coolpix 5700 and 5400 from Nikon. The current crop of 8 MP cameras suffer from increased noise and image distortion, according to recent reviews.
Comment: Fantastic + Versatile! Rating:
I shopped around for a digital camera for a few months, 4+ megapixels is the way to go, other cameras looked nice but were too pricey, ergonomically awkward or confusing to use. Not so with this little gem! The canon A80 has all of the features I wanted, it is small (hand size), easy to use, takes HIGH quality pictures and gives me confidence to experiment and enjoy photography without wasting money on film und developing costs.
The A80 is very simple to use, the menus and function screens are navigated with ease. The camera offers a wide variety of modes for every situation and setting. The A80 can take movies, landscapes, macros, portraits, high speed action pictures, photo-stitching-panoramas, and many more. The A80 comes with software for both PC and Mac. Although I tend to use the iPhoto program that comes with my Mac.
I did buy some rechargeable batteries and charger, and a couple extra memory cards. The A80 uses 4 AA batteries, you should get some Nimh recharge batts as back up. You might also want an extra memory card, the camera uses Compact Flash (type 1) cards, this type of card is inexpensive compared to other flash storage cards, a 256mb card is a must in my opinion since the A80 is sold with only one 32mb card.
The A80's only drawback is that it does not come with a camera bag, it has a camera strap, but no bag, so I had to buy my own.
Overall, I have to give this camera 5 stars, it does everything as advertised, and the picture quality is FANTASTIC, simply follow the directions for each type of picture you are taking et voila, HUGE digital prints, the detail is phenomenal! This camera is worth every penny! SImply put, this is the best camera I have ever owned.
Comment: I'm in love... Rating:
I'm a total amatuer, but have been using digital cameras at work for several years starting with the Sony Mavacia with 640x480 max resolution and most recently using an Olympus 3.2MP camera. I'd refrained from buying a digital camera, limping along with a point-and-shoot 35mm instead because the resolution didn't seem great and the prices seemed too high. With the birth of our first grandson though, I suddenly felt the need to own a digital camera! Without too much research I bought the A80 and I'm totally satisfied with my choice and maybe even a little pleasantly surprised by some of the extra's. First, just so I don't forget--it takes great pictures! Really great pictures...I feel like the only limitation is my own ability to completely use all of the available features. If you're reading the other 50 plus reviews you'll see a lot of technical info, so let me just hit my own personal highlights. It doesn't come with a bag...but I got a great small Samsonite camera bag with snaps and straps and pockets and zippers for less than $6.00 at Walmart. Any digital camera will eat batteries--go rechargable. The best I've seen are 2300ah NIMH batteries, you'll need 8 and a charger {Walmart again} which will pay for themselves in a month or two (and trust me, when you do break down and buy it you're really going to kick yourself for all the money you've been wasting on regular batteries). The memory card they provide is too small, but at the second highest resolution, it will get you started with 30+ pictures and act as a interim backup. I like the 256mb size as an upgrade, and will eventually buy a second one as a backup. Sandisk had a price for well under $50 and a lifetime guarantee--so the backup card could come in handy if yours ever fails! The camera comes loaded with features, including manual shutter and aperture modes and more automatic and manual modes than you will learn to use in weeks if not months or years of ownership. In the meantime, just setting it on Auto or Nite mode makes you look like a freaking genius anyway. The flip-out LCD screen is one of those things that you don't know you need until you have it, and then you wonder how you ever did without! It protects the delicate screen when not in use, rotates so your wife can take centered pictures of herself (instead of the off-center ones she usually got with a regular camera), and it is great for candid pics when you don't want to spook the subject by looking directly at them with the camera or when you want to alter the angle of your photo to get a bugs eye or birds eye view. The USB connection to my computer is a huge improvement over the floppy disks the Mavacia used and even a full card of 256mb downloads quickly (plus you can upload pictures to transport them to another computer). The included software for cataloging and modifying shots is adequate and actually quite an improvement over what I've seen in the past. Considering that it's free, I'm not complaining. {If I want better software, I'd rather choose what I want anyway.} I started this review by noting that I'd been holding out for a high resolution camera with a decent price--I got that and more. This is the perfect camera for an amatuer like me, and it will tide me over quite well until the price of a 10MP digital SLR gets down to under $400! And best of all, the pictures of my grandson make a great screensaver slide show!!!
Posted at November 11, 2003 07:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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