The Bottom Line
If it's time for you to upgrade to a new 4-megapixel camera, this Canon A80 PowerShot is my top pick for 2004. It's easy to use, the unique swing-out LCD screen lets you take pictures from many different angles, and image quality is excellent.
Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- Easy to use
- Long battery life (4 AAs required)
Cons
- Weighs 8.8 ounces without battery (average for a 4 MP camera)
- Need to spend to upgrade from supplied 32MB CF memory card ASAP
Description
- Conveniently runs on AA batteries. I got about 100 shots per set.
- 4.0 megapixels yield images up to 2272 x 1704 pixels, which can be enlarged to 11 x 14 inches.
- Swing-out, pivotable LCD screen allows user to shoot from a variety of angles.
- 3-11x optical zoom allows you to get close to subjects.
- Has a sturdy metal, not plastic, case -- and a good grip.
- Photographer can use auto setting or choose shutter or aperture override.
- User can choose to photograph in black and white, sepia tones, and variety of color effects.
- Can add voice annotations to images.
- Film movies up to three minutes long.
- Simple-to-use movie mode (basically flick selector, turn camera on, film movie, turn camera off).
Guide Review - Canon A80 PowerShot Digital Camera
What fun it was on a recent trip to use this new Canon A80 PowerShot. My husband, formerly a professional photographer, appreciated its versatility, solid handgrip, and the fact that by manipulating the LCD he could shoot at chest (or chakra) level. I liked how easy it was to use out of the box. (Okay, I read the instruction manual first.) On our trip we connected the Canon A80 PowerShot to our in-cabin TV at the end of each day to review and edit photos. This can also be done in the LCD -- but it was more fun to see the photos very large, with no sacrifice in quality. Before buying this model we had looked at smaller digital cameras in the same price range, but most used lithium batteries. Those are terrific and have a long life -- but once they're played out, the photographer needs a place to plug in to recharge them. We prefer using alkaline batteries. While the Canon A80 PowerShot isn't the lightest or smallest 4.0 megapixel camera available now, for my money it's the best.
