Review posted for Canon PowerShot S80
By
Dave Etchells
(Friday, December 2, 2005 - 11:01 EST)
Canon's PowerShot line of digital cameras have been perennial favorites with our readers, and the Canon S80 seems destined for similar status.
This is an exceptionally full-featured digital camera, with all the bells and whistles apart from a flash hot shoe, a tilt/swivel LCD, and perhaps an internal neutral density filter. Everything else about the camera fits the needs, desires, and interests of "enthusiast" shooters, while at the same time remaining very approachable for rank beginners, thanks to a full Auto mode and a healthy assortment of Scene modes.
Canon has been a leader in bringing high quality to the movie modes of their digital still cameras, and the PowerShot S80 takes it up another notch, offering not only 30 frames/second at VFA (640x480) resolution, but 15 frames/second at XGA (1024x768) resolution. As such, the Canon S80 could arguably stand in for a camcorder for short segments, and in situations where you don't need the super zoom, or external microphone capabilities that many camcorders offer. Image quality is also excellent, with slightly less saturated, more accurate color than many of its competitors, something that many more sophisticated uses will find very welcome.
Bottom line, the 80 is an unusually strong performer in virtually every respect. Another easy choice for a Dave's Pick from Canon, and a camera that deserves serious consideration from anyone shopping at the higher end of the consumer digital camera market. Read our Canon PowerShot S80 review for all the details!
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