Customer Reviews
Canon never fails to exceed expectations!
For the past 20 years I've used Canon SLR's (F-1's) and many of their "L Series" lenses. No complaints, only pleasure.
Not too long ago I purchased a Kodak high end digital camera. It was just OK. I used it mostly on emergency response calls for it was smaller than an SLR and a might more rugged.
Now I chucked the Kodak, I trimmed my Canon collection down to 1 SLR and 2 lenses, and purchased the S80. I'm running a 120X 2 Gig and a 150X 1 gig SD card.
The pros:
The display took my breath away. Large, bright, and clear. The physical size is perfect. It may be just me but I enjoy the programmable sounds. The controls are pretty easy to use (gotta read that manual). Battery life is great. And finally, the image quality is beyond words. Also there are so many built-in ways to manipulate the image. The added bonus of shooting practical video at various resolutions is great (need that large SD card though). Sure, it's not an SLR with many available lenses. And it is 'point & shoot'. But now I'm using it almost exclusively versus my SLR.
The cons:
Wish the package came with more than it did. A neckstrap should have been included. The wrist strap just invites damage and disaster. One very flimsy part is the 'A/V out' door. I just cannot see it remaining attached to the camera beyond a couple of months. The documentation is daunting. The simplified manual is 26 pages. The 'advanced' manual runs 160 pages. I became pretty frustrated with the adavnced manual and its tiny size.
All in all you really get what you pay for. I don't regret it at all. Save your money and bite the bullet and buy this camera. It goes so far beyond many preconceptions of digital point & shoot cameras.
This camera is simply amazing, packed with features, and perfect for the serious amatuer
I had been extremely reluctant to forgo my beloved 35mm cameras and go digital. I own a Canon 7E SLR and an Olympus 28mm-80mm point-and-shoot. When I finally decided to go digital, I planned to replace both 35mm cameras, starting with the Olympus point-and-shoot. After much research, I decided to go with the Canon S80.
I have just returned from a 3 week trip to India. The S80 blew me away! I am so impressed with the camera's features that I have decided not to buy the Canon 20D digital SLR! For starters, the S80 packs a mind boggling amount of features. Just like Canon's SLRs, the S80 goes from fully automatic to fully manual. I have never before owned a point-and-shoot that allowed me to fully control the shutter speed and aperture. Sure, the S80 does have limitations vis-à-vis Canon's $1,000+ digital SLRs (for example, the shutter will only stay open for 15 seconds max). However, for the serious amateur (or a photo novice who seeks to improve his/her photo taking skills), I think this camera is perfect. It is surprisingly easy to use with intuitive features, especially if you are used to Canon's mode settings. I was pleasantly surprised with its flash. I can increase and decrease the megapixels of my pictures with the push of a button. The S80 is a bit thicker, and heavier than other 8 megapixel cameras. But the slightly increased size and weight is well worth the added features packed into the S80. I bought a CaseLogic pouch and carried the camera around my belt for three weeks, no problem at all. Finally, the zoom is "noisy." But seriously, who cares.
Oh, one more thing...be sure to buy a 1 gigabyte SD card that has at least 133X speed. The 32MB card that comes with the S80 is woefully inadequate considering that (a) you can only fit about 8 pictures at the 8 megapixel setting and (b) the card is extremely slow as compared to 133X speed cards.
picture perfect
I would not recommend it for your aging parents or in-laws, unless they happen to be professional photographers The Powershot S80's advanced features are more likely to appeal to folks with more photographic experience.
Cons:
1. Slightly larger than the Canon Elph series, although it still fits in my pocket.
2. Shutter can stay open only 15 seconds maximum (I would of liked at least 30 seconds for nighttime exporsures).
3. The provided 32Mb SD memory card is only big enough for about 9 images at full resolution, so you'll want to add a 1 Gig SD memory.
4. You can buy one for less than four hundred dollars (check out some NYC camera stores).
5. The camera does not come with a leather camera case. However, you can purchase the Canon S80 kit to get an extra Li-ion battery, a nice leather camera case, and neckstrap for about US$60.
Pros:
1. Controls are very intuitive.
2. Large LCD makes reading the menus easier, even without my reading glasses.
3. Advanced user manual is straightforward.
4. The ease of reading the large (2.5 inch) LCD makes learning dozens of powerful features much easier than the labryinthinan Fuji FinePix point control system.
5. Downloads via the Canon suite of Ulead Zoombrowser tools is much easier than the earlier versions of Zoombrowser I had used with my other Canon Photoshot digital cameras
6. Althogh I have not purchased a water-tight case for underwater photography yet, Canon makes one and it is reasonably priced (about US$150).
7. The movie mode (640 x 480, 30 frames per second) is handy, especially with a Gig of memory to store long movie clips.
8. The software includes Photostitch 3.1, one of the better tools for creating panoramas.
