Outstanding strength in all digital camera categories!
Written: Jan 14 '04 (Updated Jan 18 '04)
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Pros: Photo quality, robustness, battery life, flexibility, LCD display, and CompactFlash I memory.
Cons: I should have bought it sooner!
The Bottom Line: Bottom line? I would indeed recommend it to a friend (or even an acquaintance) without hesitation or reservations!
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| camerasarefun's Full Review: Canon PowerShot A80 Digital Camera |
First off, whether you have bought this camera or not, please be sure to read the manual (quite readable, and available in PDF format at the Canon Web site), and the exceptional review by Howard Creech (one of the first reviews displayed right here where you are reading.) Reading other reviews, especially from top photography Web sites, won't hurt much, either.
Instead of going on and on about things so many others have expressed so well, I will write from the perspective of why this camera is just right for me. Perhaps you will see something or other here which helps you give the nod to this camera, or to better enjoy it.
Before buying it I returned another digital camera, and when doing so went to the store at an hour when I knew few (if any) customers would be needing help. I know a particular sales representative, and asked if I could handle all the digital cameras available, and he said fine.
I picked up, felt the weight, balance, and other ergonomics of each camera. I shot a few pics with each, and so on. Before this, I had read the manuals of various of the cameras which compete with this one pricewise, such as models from Sony (for example, the DSC-P10), Fuji (S 5000), Minolta (Dimage Z-1), Kodak (LS633), and other Canons (such as the IXUS 400 --same as PowerShot S400). I also made a note of how well-built each seemed to be, from the "rugged" perspective.
I took into account factors such as what type of memory each camera uses. Checking around, and I mean all over the place including several of the top photography sites, it just seems that CompactFlash Type I is the fastest, most reliable, and power-efficient memory around.
Battery life is a concern also, as lugging 20 or so rechargeables is kind of silly when it only gets you a few hours of photos. Realistically, more than 8 should seem like an excess.
The size, clarity, and other characteristics of the LCD display are important, as are the menus and how easy it is to navigate them. The ability to just point and shoot, and grow into sophisticated manual settings are also prime concerns.
Let's not forget the ability to take quality pictures in most every setting. That I researched looking at the tons of great pictures thousands of people share over the Internet in photo hosting sites.
Okay, you get the idea.
So, here we get to why it's the A80 for me: it was #1 to me in all categories. As soon as I picked it up it felt just right. Easy to handle, a solid feel, and ergonomic as all heck. Each of the 14 or so shooting modes clicks into place with nice tactile and audible feedback, plus each is announced on the LCD screen. It is a breeze to work through all the many menus, and the camera helps at every stage. For example, for each menu item (displayed via the LCD) you have a symbol for a setting, and the meaning of the symbol is written above, for reference.
The LCD screen, which swivels out, up, down, and around, is great! For example, you know that "mandatory" macro (close-up) shot of a pollinating bee? Well, with this camera you can get the shot (within 5 centimeters of the lens), with your face a good meter away! And, it folds into place facing "inside" the camera, thus protecting it from bruises and the like. It even makes up for the camera not having a diopteric adjustment, as I simply remove my glasses and get close to the LCD screen. Please note, the images on the LCD do not compare to those you will see on your computer once you upload them, and the images on your computer will not compare to the stunning resolution of a quality photo printer.
And, when you or anyone else can't wait for the pictures to be downloaded or printed to enjoy them, all you need is a TV, as the (included) audiovisual cable provides all the images, including movies, and any sounds recorded. Unlimited entertainment (or close scientific study) is that close! You control what is seen by using the easy camera menus. One big (literally) bonus when using the TV is seen when you have recorded a movie. On the computer it is a reasonably sized 320 x 240 pixels (this camera does not replace a video camera), but it fills the entire screen of your TV when viewed. Speaking of movies, they create extremely large files, a 3 minute video occupies over 50 MB.
One word most digital cameras in this price range fear is "ruggedness." Now, few people would recommend dropping this camera or swinging it carelessly by its wrist-strap, so please try not to do it. Anyway, it is actually well-built! Of all the cameras I looked at, it had the only battery door which seemed like it could stand the test of time. One of the other cameras "tested" already had a broken battery door, and another (for whatever reason) made it hard to fit in the batteries. Besides this, I like the automatic lens cover, the partially-steel casing, and even the plastic tripod mount. What, liking a plastic tripod mount? Yes, for two reasons: 1) it is more like an advanced polymer plastic/rubber that should hold up better than metal if you are careful, and 2) it helps isolate the camera that much more from vibrations. And, speaking of the wrist strap, I like it better than a neckstrap, as I hang the camera bag around me neck and it would be awkward to mess with two straps there.
The A80 uses CompactFlash Type I memory. It is usually cheaper, more reliable, and faster than the others, including CompactFlash Type II, SD, Memory Stick, MMC, etc. For example, I got a 512 MB card for less than a 256 MB SD card, and won't have to worry about reliability problems. The door used to access the memory card is nicely designed, and I feel it is easier on the card when you press a release lever to get it out (as in the A80), as opposed to pushing the entire card in further for it to pop out, as other memory cards require. One camera I "tested" refused to release the card when I, then the store person tried, and after he gave up we heard the card whack into the closed door, making it hard to open said door again without harming the card.
Now to batteries: I researched this to the max, I can assure you! Quite simply, there is no other digital camera which compares to the A80 in this respect. I am using rechargeable 2100 mAh batteries, and getting hours on end of pictures, movies, viewing, focusing this, setting that, and so on, with each set of four AAs. Please note that it seems the slow chargers are best for longer life. I have a quality charger that I place each set into for 15 (yep, it's that long) hours. There are, of course chargers which get the job done in as little as an hour, but from what I have read do not work as well.
To give you an idea of the kind of battery life you can expect, with specific numbers, please try this: As mentioned, I have a 512 MB card (487 MB available, as about 25 MB are used for formatting, control codes, and what not), and have been able to shoot no less than two full cards worth (around 1 GB total), including the half hour (or so) it takes each time to download it all into the computer. And I never have the LCD screen off. What for? And, since battery life is so impressive, there is no need for that costly AC adapter. You get hours and hours from each set, and the other set winds up waiting around so long, that it is partially discharged by the time you get around to use it.
Yet another battery note: I have two sets (you know that already), each with 2100 mAh capacity (there are others with up to 2300), and each high-quality set is of a different brand. This is done to avoid mixing individual batteries between the two sets I use. They seem to get used to working together as a group. Try, also, to use them until the camera requires them to be replaced, as they charge better when doing so. Finally, the A80 has a very two very useful low battery indicators: one is the symbol which is ever present on the LCD screen when used, and the other is the flashing on/off light in case you decide to save energy by shutting off the screen.
The pictures I have taken are (modesty aside) superb, and I really like playing with the settings, such as cranking the ISO way up there (the camera has a maximum setting of 400, but ask any pro if in this camera it is not more like 800), going for a long exposure (up to 15 seconds--please use a tripod for this), and getting beautiful shots of dark cloudy nights or essentially unlit interiors. Even with a little light you can set a long exposure to negate the need for a flash. Oh, and the flash has three settings, which I affectionately label as "normal", "really bright", and "who turned on the sun?!" There is no hot shoe, so unless your livelihood depends on those special flash accessories, you will be okay.
Oh yeah, it does the usual stuff in style, such as taking movies (mono sound, 3 min max.) However, the delay between movies with the card I am using (SanDisk 512 MB CompactFlash Card Ultra) the delay between movies is less than 2 seconds, so you can almost film continuously until your card is full. It has portrait, night, manual, custom, and about a dozen other modes, which will "make it happen" regardless of the circumstances!
One of the many features that are there for when you need it is a black and white mode. It provides black and white pictures regardless of the colors of that being photographed. For example, you can use this setting along with help from the software provided with the camera (or even more so with a high-end product like Photoshop), and take pictures of people as if it were the "good ole days". Have them dress peculiarly and call the pictures "daguerreotypes" and even great-great-great grandma will be impressed!
There's also a "stitch mode" that lets you take consecutive pictures panning the camera left-right or up-down, for later "stitching" by the provided software. This allows you to easily shoot panoramic shots up to 360 degrees around. A tripod is a must for this.
So, you see, the camera allows you to be as creative as you like with a minimum of fuss, or with massive fussing if you want to get it exactly a certain way. Of course, there is always the "auto" mode for just getting a fine picture anytime.
Before closing, I'd like to mention two more things: First, Canon offers 100 MB free online photo hosting in exchange for your entering very basic info and the serial number of your A80 camera, and secondly, the camera allows uploading of images and sounds. An image can be uploaded (from your computer via the included USB cable) for the "camera themes", in menus and the such. But the fun part is the sounds. You can have your personal choice for the startup, shutter, self-timer, and so on. I was at a friend's house the other day, and everyone, even a baby was eager to get in front of the camera, as I had uploaded a funny sound. The sound file must be in WAVE format, and really small! How to do it is in the software manual, again, available with the camera or over the Internet. Okay, you curious so-and-so, the sound I used was a short "Barney Burp" from the Simpsons (WAVE file for this available all over the Internet). Each time I shot a picture, the shutter sound was an innocuous burrrrp. I Even get a kick out of that when I am out and about alone looking for ways to fill up the camera! Yes, it may be childish, but then, most owners of digital cameras get giddy thinking about being able to take over 1 GB of super pictures with the same battery set.
In all, for my money (and it is, as I bought it), this is the camera for me, and I am delighted. 10 out of 10!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Solid Enough for a Professional
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Epinions.com ID:
camerasarefun
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Member: Steve
Location: Austria, Europe
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Hi! I'm Steve.
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