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Canon PowerShot A80 Digital Camera [4MP 3xOptical]
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![Canon PowerShot A80 Digital Camera [4MP 3xOptical]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21Y4B0Z830L.jpg)
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This is a fantastic piece of equipment. The image quality is outstanding and there is enough latitude there in the function choices in Manual Mode to give the user more control if that's what's required.
But for most the Auto mode will be perfect for the vast majority of shots. High ISO settings are also at your fingertips and it's great to be able to experiment at home when you're getting to know the camera and see how the different settings can effect the final result.
The design of the camera is sleek, the body is a joy to hold and reeks of quality. Every button is well thought of and the screen is great and all the familiar Canon menus and options are there.
Software is simple. Just plug and go
All in all a really great camera, loaded with functions and looks fantastic. And it takes really superb photos which is what it's all about at the end of the day. Save yourself the hassle of looking elsewhere;
[Rating: 5 Stars]
If you were to buy this camera now to be fair it's out dated although more attractive in price than when I bought mine about 2 years ago now after various good reviews. I recently got a Fuji 3MP and to a large degree it's a lot better than this one! Positives, it still works despite numerous drops, beaches and child man handling. When I chose it it was largely a budgetary decision yet it did have a couple of benefits over rival models, Kodac etc in that it has a cover for the largish lcd screen and seemed easier to use - more idiot friendly. However, after constant use I can advise about the following problems. A minor point is that it has no lithium battery ie you need to replace batteries manually (costly) or at least regularly even if using rechargables which again require a charger and carrying around - kind of defeats the object of less bagage of a digital camera. It is very bulky and heavy; you get used to it but when out and about it's not very convenient or pleasant - looks like an original mobile phone, bulky and heavy. User functions are generally easy but to be honest, a bit like my washing machine (yes female reviewer here, I put my hand up, but don't females use cameras too?) that it has a bunch of settings that I can never be bothered or brave enough to use. So when you stick to auto you run into problems - the red eye in evening indoor light is a big problem and picture quality also in this line. Fair enough I should change the settings (not always an improvement I might add and quite time consuming, not practical for quick shots) but you'd exect auto to do a fair job wouldn't you, not look like a disposable camera effort. Video cam is useful and quite good but not the quality of a camcorder of course and perhaps only a few minutes worth capacity. Zoom is sufficient generally and picture quality on shop prints or pc prints good quality, certainly enough for album shots. You do need to pay out for batteries, extra memory cards, a case etc but I guess now with the drop in price maybe that's not such an issue as it was to me. The biggest problem is shutter dalay, something the magazines generally fail to mention at the expence of MP listings. Shutter delay with this camera is very bad, generally between 3 -at times 10 seconds, sometimes it almost freezes and you have to really start again. This is totally unsuitable for anyone with kids or wanting action shots as the moment invariably is missed. Yet this isn't an SlR so who is it designed for? unfortunately beginners probably like myself (should I mention my 2 year old can master it quite well ). Worryingly at the time it had one of the quicker times but now there's just so many better options out there now not least in Canon upgrades. I wanted (price restrained) a Nikon or a Fuji and with current models around (6MP benefit as well) at the moment next time that's what I'll be getting -I wouldn't buy another Canon, it kind of half dos the job but why restrict your options? they're really only a budget option.;
[Rating: 2 Stars]
I bought the Powershot A80 back in June 2004 and have found the best thing about it is the picture quality, especially the macro mode, light metering, focus and saturation. Its swivel screen is great for taking pictures in crowds and protects the LCD when not in use. The fact that it allows you take creative pictures as well as the usual snapshots is also a bonus not all other digital cameras have. At 4 megapixels, it holds over 200 pictures on a 256 MB CompactFlash card. The software is easy to use yet versatile and allows you to upload pictures (but not movies) back onto the camera once deleted (e.g. to watch on TV) which many other digitals don't.For the most part I've been very happy with the Powershot A80 but haven't given it a full 5 stars because I do find the size and weight with 4 AA batteries cumbersome to carry around when travelling. (At least there's no need to carry a spare set of 4 batteries as they do last all day, even with heavy use.) Another battery related problem is the total lack of warning when they run out. The 3 minute limit on movie mode can be annoying (though it's rare for me to want to record for longer, hence the fact that I didn't get a camcorder instead). Finally, like another reviewer, I've found the focusing makes the shutter speed slow (though this seems to be the case with most digital cameras).;
[Rating: 4 Stars]
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