Canon PowerShot S80 Digital Camera Review
Canon’s new compact 8.0 Megapixel Powershot S80 is out with its new punk looks and great features. Needless to say, Canon has always been the best in cameras especially in shooting quality pictures, and now also with built in features for both casual photographers and professionals.
It also offers some interesting color tools which are fun to play with. Powershot S80 also caters to underwater photographers with a special white-balance setting and an optional waterproof housing and has an excellent movie shooting functions, a high resolution (1024 x 768, 15 fps) XGA movie mode(first in the market), made possible by DIGIC II’s processing speed
Pros: Compact, Trendy to look, 21 shooting modes in addition to in addition to the full Manual mode and other creative zone modes, Good picture quality, large high-resolution 2.5inch LCD screen with wide viewing angle, Movies in XGA mode can be taken up to 1GB in size for viewing in full screens in PC or TV.
Cons: Borders appears to soften in wide angle, no RAW file format support.
Features Include:
High-end performance in a compact package with a powerful 8.0 Megapixel CCD and exclusive UA Lens Technology for superior image quality, High-quality wide-angle 28-100mm* 3.6x Optical Zoom lens to get more in the picture, Large high-resolution 2.5 inch LCD screen with wide viewing angle for easy on-camera viewing, Exclusive Canon DIGIC II Image Processor with iSAPS Technology for even faster processing speed, crisp vibrant colors and excellent image quality, 21 Shooting Modes to capture every situation, including Special Scene Modes and My Colors Mode for customization while shooting, Improved Movie Mode with an option of 30 fps VGA or XGA mode for high-quality still frame printing, Expand your shooting capabilities with optional Wide and Tele Converters and an underwater housing, Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with Canon CP and SELPHY Photo Printers.
Overall, a compact and cool looking 8.0 Megapixel camera with very nice features and can definitely. Except for some minor one or two set backs it is definitely one of the best in its class and can be a better bet for a casual shooter or a advanced amateur.
My Rating: 8.5 Stars out of 10
CNet gives this Digital Camera a 8.0 out of 10
ZDNet gives this Digital Camera a 8.0 out of 10
Canon PowerShot S80 Digital Camera Specification:
| IMAGE SENSOR | |
| Type: | 1/1.8" CCD |
| Effective Pixels: | Approx. 8.0M |
| Total Pixels: | Approx. 8.3M |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3 |
| Colour Filter Type: | Primary Colour |
| IMAGE PROCESSOR | |
| Type: | DIGIC II with iSAPS technology |
| LENSFocal Length: | 5.8 - 0.7 mm (35mm film equivalent: 8 - 100mm) |
| Zoom: | Optical 3.6x, digital approx. 4.0x , combined approx. 14x |
| Maximum f/number: | f/.8 - f/5.3 |
| Construction: | 8 elements in 7 groups ( aspherical elements, including 1 UA element) |
| FOCUSING | |
| Type: | TTL |
| AF System / Points : | 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (Any position is available or fixed centre) |
| AF Point Selection: | Manual selection using FlexiZone AF/AE |
| Selected AF Point Display: | Indicated on rear LCD monitor |
| AF Lock: | On/Off Selectable |
| AF Assist Beam: | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes |
| Focus Bracketing: | Yes |
| Closest Focusing Distance: | 4cm |
| EXPOSURE CONTROL | |
| Metering Modes: | Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot (centre or linked to focusing frame) |
| AE Lock: | On/Off Selectable |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- EV in 1/3 stop increments |
| AEB: | 1/3 - EV in 1/3 stop increments ISO Speed Equivalent:AUTO, 50, 100, 00, 400 |
| SHUTTER | |
| Type: | Mechanical shutter & electronic shutter |
| Speed: | 15 - 1/,000 sec (Slow Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more, available in Manual and Shutter Priority AE modes only. Shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. and more operate with noise reduction. Certain combinations of shutter speed and aperture may not be available.) |
| WHITE BALANCE | |
| Type: | TTL |
| Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom |
| VIEWFINDER | |
| Viewfinder: | Real-image zoom, optical viewfinder |
| Eyepoint: | 16 mm |
| LCD MONITOR | |
| Monitor: | .5” P-Si TFT, approx. 115,000 pixels |
| Coverage: | 100% |
| Brightness: | Adjustable to one of fifteen levels |
| FLASH | |
| Modes: | Auto, Manual Flash On / Off |
| X-sync: | 1/50sec (max.) |
| Slow Sync Speed: | Yes |
| Red-eye Reduction: | Yes |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- EV in 1/3 stop increments |
| Flash Exposure Lock: | Yes |
| Manual Power Adjustment: | 3 levels with internal flash |
| Second Curtain Synchronisation: | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range: | 55cm-4.m (W) / .0m (T) (at ISO AUTO equivalent) |
| External Flash: | Canon's High Power Flash |
| SHOOTING | |
| Modes: | Auto, Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual,
Custom, My Colors (9 settings), Stitch Assist, Movie Special Scene Mode (Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids&Pets, Night Snapshot, Digital Macro) |
| Photo Effects: | Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White, Custom, My Colors (9 settings) |
| Drive Modes: | Single, Continuous, Self-Timer |
| Continuous Shooting: | Approx. 1.8 fps (until memory card becomes full)² |
| Intervalometer: | Up to 100 shots in 1 – 60 minute increments |
| RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION | |
| Image Size: | (L)364 x 448, (M1)59 x 1944, (M)048 x 1536 (M3) 1600 x 100, (S)640 x 480 |
| Compression: | Superfine, Fine, Normal |
| Movies: | (L1)104 x 768, 15 fps, (L)640 x 480, 30/15fps, (M)30 x 40, 30/15fps, (S)160 x 10, 15fps |
| Movie Length: | Up to 1GB (104x 768, 15fps and 640x480, 30x40, 30/15fps) Up to 3 mins (160x10) |
| FILE TYPESStill | |
| Image Type: | JPEG compression, (Exif . [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant |
| Movies: | AVI [Motion JPEG compression + WAVE (monaural)] |
| Sound Files: | WAVE (monaural) |
| DIRECT PRINT | |
| Canon Printers: | Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge (ID Photo Print, Movie Print supported on SELPHY CP printers only) |
| PictBridge: | Yes |
| OTHER FEATURES | |
| My Camera: | Start-up image and camera sounds customisation |
| Sound Memo: | Up to 60 sec per image |
| Intelligent Orientation Sensor: | Yes |
| Histogram: | Yes, live histogram |
| Playback Zoom: | Approx. x - 10x |
| Image Erase Protection: | Single image |
| Image Erase: | Single image, All |
| Self Timer: | Approx. or 10 sec. or Custom |
| Menu Categories: | (1) Recording Menu (2) Playback menu (3) Set-up menu (4) My camera menu (5) Function menu |
| Menu Languages: | English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Chinese (traditional), Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai |
| Firmware Update: | Update possible by the user. |
| INTERFACE | |
| Computer: | USB .0 High Speed (Mini-B, PTP) |
| Other: | A/V output (PAL/NTSC) |
| MEMORY CARD | |
| Type: | Secure Digital (SD) Card, MultiMediaCard (MMC), 3MB SD card supplied |
| SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM | |
| PC: | Windows 98SE / Me / 000 SP4 / XP / XP SP1- |
| Macintosh: | OS X v10. - 10.3 |
| SOFTWARE | |
| Browsing & Printing: | ZoomBrowser EX (PhotoRecord) / ImageBrowser |
| Other: | PhotoStitch, RemoteCapture |
| Drivers: | TWAIN (Windows 98 / 000), WIA (Windows Me) |
| Image Manipulation: | ArcSoft PhotoStudio |
| POWER SOURCE | |
| Batteries: | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-LH/NB-L (NB-LH battery and charger supplied) |
| Battery Life: | Approx. 00 shots Approx. 300 min. playback |
| Power Saving: | Display turns off after 10, 0, 30sec. 1, , 3mins., Auto power down setting on/off |
| AC Power Supply: | Optional, AC adapter kit ACK-DC0 |
| ACCESSORIES | |
| Case: | Soft Leather Case DCC-100 |
| Waterproof / Weatherproof Case: | Waterproof Case (40m) WP-DC1 , Waterproof Case Weight WW-DC1 |
| Lenses: | Tele-converter .0x TC-DC10 Wide-converter 0.8x WC-DC10 Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC0 |
| Flash: | High Power Flash HF-DC1 |
| Power Supply & Battery Chargers: | AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC0, Car Battery Charger CBC-NB, Battery Charger CB-LWE |
| PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Body Materials: | Metal covers |
| Operating Environment: | 0 - 40 °C, 10 - 90% humidity |
| Dimensions: | 104.0 x 57.0 x 38.8 mm (excluding protrusions) |
| Weight (body only): | Approx. 5g |
For the first time in a digital compact, an EOS-style Multi Control Dial is introduced to allow quick setting of menu and shooting functions, as well as rapid scroll through images during playback. Advanced features include real-time histogram display, FlexiZone AF/AE with a freely movable focus point and manual focus override, 21 shooting modes, XGA quality video clips up to 1 GB in size and a new and improved user interface with a newly designed and positioned mode dial.
"The PowerShot S80 provides those serious about photography with uncompromising specifications,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “Its futuristic and compact design symbolises Canon’s commitment to pushing the limits of what is possible in this important segment.”
Quality build, quality optics
The sleek-looking S80 has been redesigned to give it a solid, high quality build and a more ergonomic, compact body that is over 8% smaller than its predecessor – despite the camera’s improved performance. Its 28 - 100 mm f/2.8-5.3 (3.6x) optical zoom lens features Canon’s advanced UA (Ultra High Refractive Index Aspherical) lens technology, which allows for true wide-angle capability without increasing camera size. The focal length range expands to approximately 22.4 – 200 mm with the new optional wide and tele-converter lenses.
The power of 8.0 Megapixels plus DIGIC II
With a sensor that includes a massive 8.0 Megapixels, the camera produces images for detailed A3+ size prints, and gives photographers more freedom to crop images.
Canon’s advanced image processor, DIGIC II, has been incorporated to increase the camera’s speed and responsiveness, while also improving image quality. Auto focus speeds are now up to 20% faster, and focusing performance in low light has improved by around 1 stop, offering better control in dim conditions. DIGIC II drives a 1.8 frames per second continuous shooting speed, and supports 9-point AiAF for fast, accurate focusing even when subjects are not centred. FlexiZone AF/AE allows free scrolling anywhere within the frame's auto focus area to select the desired subject, for which exposure is weighted accordingly. Manual focus selection is also possible.
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 compatibility offers faster communication with computers, speeding up file transfers.
High level control and easy to use
The camera’s smaller size has not compromised ease of use. A new large 2.5” LCD is adjustable to one of 15 brightness levels and has a Quick-bright function to facilitate shooting in sunny conditions. A real-time histogram, which appears on the LCD monitor, has been incorporated to allow the user to evaluate exposure easily when composing. The selectable grid line display helps with composition and levelling horizons.
With a newly designed user interface, the S80 offers faster and more intuitive operation. The Multi Control Dial allows quick setting of menu and shooting functions, as well as rapid scroll through images during playback. Conveniently, the mode dial is now positioned so it can be better viewed when composing shots. The camera’s Shortcut function increases flexibility by allowing the Print/Share button to be assigned to any one of a wide range of still image or movie shooting setting functions.
For enhanced image review, the jump to folder button now allows jumping to the first image of specified folders. Folders can be defined to be created automatically as specified by the user, for example on a weekly basis, and now has a capacity of up to 2000 images per folder.
Modes, My Colors … and movies
The S80 incorporates a total of 21 shooting modes: in addition to the full Manual mode and other creative zone modes that photographers would expect on an S-Series camera, 9 new special scene modes have been incorporated. Helping the user to effectively handle a wide range of situations, these scene modes include Snow, Portrait, Underwater and Digital Macro, plus others. Custom mode allows users allocate preferred shooting settings.
My Colors – located on the mode dial – allows the expansion of creativity in digital photography. Special effects, such as Color Swap or Custom Colors, which allows users to select their preferred colour balance for any given shot, can be performed in-camera and viewed on the LCD while shooting stills and movies. These effects could previously only be achieved using PC software after shooting.
Extended movie shooting functions feature in the S80, including a first for the market : a high resolution (1024 x 768, 15 fps) XGA movie mode, made possible by DIGIC II’s processing speed. Movies in this mode can be up to 1GB in size and are ideal for viewing full screen on a PC or TV. High quality VGA (30/15 fps) movies with sound or QVGA movies (30/15 fps) are also possible, and a compact mode allows short clip capture at 160 x 120 for easy emailing.
Wide range of accessories
A complete range of optional accessories is available to extend the functionality of the S80, including a new Tele-converter 2.0x lens (TC-DC10) and new Wide-converter 0.8x lens (WC-DC10). Other accessories include:
Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC20)
Waterproof Case WP-DC1 – allowing the camera to be taken to 40 m
High Power Flash HF-DC1
A new, more compact Battery Charger (CB-2LWE)
Convenient Car Battery Charger (CBC-NB2)
AC Adapter kit ACK-DC20 for mains power
The camera is compatible with MMC/SD cards, and comes supplied with a 32 MB Canon SD card.
Advanced printing
When used in combination with Canon’s new Compact Photo Printer SELPHY CP710 and Ink and Paper Set (KP-108IP), prints can be produced for just 30 euro cents each. Printing via a SELPHY CP Series Printer also allows the user to print handy ID Photo Prints and Movie Prints.
When connected to the latest range of PictBridge compatible PIXMA printers, users can take advantage of image enhancement features such as Noise Reduction, Vivid Photo, Face Brightener and Captured Info print, which prints shooting data such as shutter speed, aperture and shooting mode within the photo border.
Printing images without having to connect to a PC is kept simple with the Print/Share button, which also acts as an easy upload button for Windows XP and Mac OS X.
Software
The S80 comes bundled with a comprehensive software suite, including Canon’s browsing and image management software ZoomBrowser EX 5.5 (Windows) and ImageBrowser 5.5 (Mac), easy printing software PhotoRecord 2.2 and PhotoStitch 3.1 for creating stunning panoramas. Also included is the photo manipulation software, ArcSoft PhotoStudio.
Purchasers of the cameras are eligible for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY , which offers 100MB of online space for uploading and sharing images.
Supported operating systems are Windows 98 (SE), Me, 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1/2) and Mac OS X v10.2-v10.3. The cameras support PTP for driverless transfer to supported Windows XP or Mac OS X systems.
FYI