A80 Bit the dust - Need NEW camera!

[Pretty3Horses]

Hi everyone, I am new here. I bought my Powershot A80 a few years ago, and it recently bit the dust (the whole front lens really screwed up and now will not open at all) so I am wanting to buy a new Canon. I loved this camera!

I'd like to buy a 4.0MP - 7.0MP camera (I don't REALLY need high MPs but I like it) Can someone please give me suggestions and tell me the pro's/con's of newer models? I also will need good shutter speeds since most of my photos are of horses.

Thank you in advance!

[etaf]

i would look at some of the new models canon have just brought out
if you like the A series cameras have a look at the A620
or if you want to change have a look at the G6 or Pro1 {although the pro1 is a bit old now - sad to say as I have one :( }
but theres nothing that can beat going and holding

what limitations did you find with the A80
under what situations where you frustrated with the camera
how much to spend

have you thought about going DSLR

[Pretty3Horses]

I'm naive with camera terms :oops: What is DSLR?

As far as limitations went... Hmmm.

- It sometimes took grainey pictures in broad daylight and made grass look yellow.
- Indoor pictures were always horrible, blurry, and had too much flash
- Getting super super close ups (say, the inside of a flower) was annoying to an extent because you had to adjust the setting "juuuuust" right. I would love a camera that does an auto focus for close up situations.
- Less lag would be nice, sometimes when I would use it quickly, it would pause, and/or turn off. I joked and would say my camera got stressed out :lol:

But all in all, I loved this camera, it was TOUGH (we're talking, being stepped on by horses, rolling in dirt, you name it) and it took alot of professional looking photos if you learned how to work it. However, I would like a camera with more options now, one that has more professional settings! I would LOVE getting a camera that has adjustable lenses, but I think that would be too expensive, as my price range is about $450-$500.00 right now.

[agent007]

I think you should go in for the S2. Its got Image Stabilization so the indoor pics should'nt be blurry under low light conditions.

[etaf]

dslr = digital single lens reflex
so that’s what the initials stand for


It sometimes took grainey pictures in broad daylight and made grass look yellow.

I suspect this was because of auto ISO and that increased the sensitivity so you could take a picture, but downside is noise, grain


Indoor pictures were always horrible, blurry, and had too much flash
Again I suspect because of low light and not a very powefull flash

- Getting super super close ups (say, the inside of a flower) was annoying to an extent because you had to adjust the setting "juuuuust" right. I would love a camera that does an auto focus for close up situations.
Macro and close require a large aperture and so often need to be on a tripod

- Less lag would be nice, sometimes when I would use it quickly, it would pause, and/or turn off. I joked and would say my camera got stressed out
Lag is typical on all compacts , some are less then others but all suffer.

Now, I guess that does not help a lot at this stage.

I would suspect you would benefit from a DSLR – some fast lenses and an external flash, they do not suffer from shutter lag, can take all sorts of lenses, dependant only on wallet  can use high ISO without looking too grainy
Some thing like, EOS300D or 350D, flash 550EX and lens … but that has already probably blown your budget.

So have a look at canon Pro1 – a bit old now, but it may be a good compromise between compact and DSLR
Also the S2 IS and G6 in canon range
Also the 8800 in Nikon range…

you may want to have a read here, the canon site has a description of how a dslr works

http://www.dpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2162


Cameras Interactive aims to help novice photographers grasp the main concepts of SLR photography. Four tutorials explain focusing, aperture, shutter speed and exposure.
http://www.camerasinteractive.com/index.php




Guide to getting the most from your DSLR
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/index.html



Digital Photography The Textbook {A Free On-line Course}
http://209.196.177.41/



Jodies Coston's Free Online Photography Course
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php

[handyhaver]

S2......it's an awesome camera. Just don't let a horse step on it :)

[EDM R6]

The S2 is also about 699.99 CAD so it is a good chunk of change to spend. Is size an issue? If you want something smaller the sd550 is pretty sweet. Also you could probally get your hands on the sd500 which is discontinued b/c canon introduced the 550 which has a bigger screen but same mp(7.1). the 500 is also about 100 $ cheaper than the 550

[Jon]

A610 and A620 are the current follow-ons to the A80. If you can find an A95 that's still on the shelf, it's the model which came in between them. The 610 and 620 use SD cards so any cards from your A80 won't fit. The same also applies to the S2 IS. The G6 is similar to the A80, although bigger, and uses CF cards. Canon's moving the P&S digicams to SD media; if you want to keep using your CF card(s) you'll need to stock up now or move to the DSLRs (the EOS cameras), which are bigger and bulkier.

[Pretty3Horses]

What is a DSLR or EOS Camera? And what are CF cards? I don't know ANY terminology for cameras. All I know, is my price range is about $400-$500 lol! If I bought a camera with CF Cards is that bad?

[RossW]

DSLR = Digital Single Lens Reflex. Using "SLR" to describe a camera goes way back to when there were two general types of film cameras. One type had a lens that directed the image onto film to take the picture, and a separate lens (or an even simpler sighting aid) to look through to compose the picture. It wasn't nearly "what you see is what you get" as the viewfinder only approximated the film image, and you had no way to absolutely see if the picture would be in focus. Cheap "Instamatic" and pricier "rangefinder" cameras fit this catagory.

An SLR camera used only one lens, and the image was focused on the film and was reflected via a prism-like device to the viewfinder. You saw what was going to go onto the film frame, and saw whether the lens was correctly focused. You could put a different lens on the camera, or use a zoom lens, and still see in the viewfinder exactly what the picture would look like.

Although some digital cameras today may use only one lens to look through and take the picture (the Canon S2, for example), the term DSLR is usually reserved for digital cameras with interchangeable lenses. "EOS" is Canon's name for a "family" of SLR cameras... usually pretty pricey ones. I'm sure EOS must stand for something, but I'm not sure what, not being an owner of one. "Rebel" is another Canon family name, at least in the USA.

"CF" cards are one format of memory card. It stands for "Compact Flash," but has nothing to do with a photographic flash... the little memory chip is called "flash memory." It's not bad if you get a CF camera, but Canon seems to be transitioning to other memory card formats, such as "SD" cards. If your A80 uses CF memory cards, you may not be able to use them in a newer camera that takes SD cards, that's all. But memory is getting cheaper, so I wouldn't worry about having to buy a newer format card if a newer/better camera takes some othe type.

I also suggest an S2IS as a good choice for you.

[Pretty3Horses]

Ok, I checked out the Canon S2IS and I am impressed, but I am curious are there any other cameras *similar* to it, only a tad cheaper? I'd LIKE to stay a bit more under $500.00 if I can...... it just depends I guess. I'm also hoping to find a camera that has better video - I think my A80 had a REALLY old video format that many no longer use, so I could never upload videos onto my computer because it took ages.

Can someone maybe tell me about the cameras modeled after A80? What did they improve on?

[nwyman]

Ok, I checked out the Canon S2IS and I am impressed, but I am curious are there any other cameras *similar* to it, only a tad cheaper? I'd LIKE to stay a bit more under $500.00 if I can...... it just depends I guess. I'm also hoping to find a camera that has better video - I think my A80 had a REALLY old video format that many no longer use, so I could never upload videos onto my computer because it took ages.

Can someone maybe tell me about the cameras modeled after A80? What did they improve on?

can't tell you about the A80 successors, but as far as S2 is concerned, it has a pretty good video, which I found by mistake the other night. Was never particularly interested in such things, but it was a pleasant surprise, and not at all slow to upload.
As for other similar cameras, several other companies have made image-stabilized, long zoom cameras this past season, but they all run in roughly the same price range. And I don't think any of the others have the same positionable LCD screen that the S2 has.
Nancy (confirmed devotee of the S2)

[Robertson Bruce]

Chiming in for the S2 - I decided to spend a bit more for the extra features. Here are some considerations (assuming you haven't already taken the plunge:)

Awesome videos of those 3 lovely ponies
Image stabilization so you might be able to shoot at a trot!
fabulous macro mode
plenty of room to grow with manual controls
very good add-on features (converters, etc)In my view it's worth a few extra shekels. Good luck!

[handyhaver]

If you shop around, you should be able to pick up the S2, recharge-able batteries and the needed SD card (a gig) for around 550 total. Well worth stepping up to the next level.

Mark

[RossW]

Regarding video on the S2: Digital Photography Review really liked the quality, but the format is still AVI. Here's the page looking at video from their online review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/page6.asp It's worth paging through the whole review if you want a good examination of the camera's features and capabilities.

[Pretty3Horses]

I just wanted to share a couple photos (Hope its OK) I took with my A80I guess I am a little talented, I can hold a camera, control a horse, and snap away :D I have gotten even galloping photos. I would be happy if my new camera took pictures even like this, the major thing I would change is how the flash comes on always during evening, and sometimes grass is yellow.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/a5cf1530.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/5a52d25d.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/125779127nCmOsj_ph.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/My%20Photography/678cfa9c.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/My%20Photography/f7804d17.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/BeachTrip2005/BEACHY027.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/BeachTrip2005/BEACHY057.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/Miscellanious/a88.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/Miscellanious/6eebc509.jpg

[nwyman]

Liked your photos, and your animal "family"! FWIW, the S2 has a totally manually controlled flash. You have to pop the top for it to become operational.
Don't know how the weight compares with the one you're used to.
Nancy

[EDM R6]

I camera that is close to the s2Is would be the fuji s5200 it has 10X zoom and is 499 cad I belive.

[Pretty3Horses]

Thanks Nancy!

EDM - Well, I'd prefer to stay with Canon -- I'd hate to get a camera and totally not enjoy it like I did my A80...I trust Canon brands, lol!

[EDM R6]

for some reason i totally forgot that this was a canon forum. lol well then, could you get your hands on an S1IS they are at around 499 as well it is finding them that is the hard part.

[nwyman]

for some reason i totally forgot that this was a canon forum. lol well then, could you get your hands on an S1IS they are at around 499 as well it is finding them that is the hard part.

But the S1 does NOT have the totally manual flash, and it's purple fringeing problems in the telephoto range are more noticeable (IMO)

Nancy (who'se had both and prefers the S2)

[Pixel9ine]

I'd definitely recommend going for the S2IS.. I'd list all the reasons why it's a good deal, but they've been covered already.

It will stretch your budget a little, but you won't regret it.

[Pretty3Horses]

Croesus, how do you like your A95?

[nwyman]

I had an A95 and liked it fine, but needed more zoom for what I wanted to do. Other than that, I had no complaints with it - and my son, who inherited it, loves it.

Nancy

[Pretty3Horses]

Is an A95 a newer version? I'm thinking I'd probably be happy going with the A series, since I don't think I could spend over $500, even if its the S2

[nwyman]

Is an A95 a newer version? I'm thinking I'd probably be happy going with the A series, since I don't think I could spend over $500, even if its the S2

I got an A95 last February - it was new on the market at that time. Since then, I think Canon has come out with two newer A series models - a 610 and 620.

If you don't need the extra zoom, I think you'd be pretty happy with the A95.

Nancy

[Pixel9ine]

Croesus, how do you like your A95?I actually like it quite a bit... it's small, portable, and can be used with lens converters (I personally have two- a teleconverter to give my optical zoom a little more range-- about 7.6x, and a wide-angle converter). I also like the fact that it uses CF media. This little camera has helped me explore photography in a very effective way-- I've taken it rock-climbing, I still carry it around when I use my film SLR, and I don't doubt it'll have its uses when I get an dSLR --we're all overcome by the urge to upgrade at some point!

And that's the underlying advantage to the S2 IS. It'll satisfy your needs (i.e. you won't feel the need to upgrade) even when you start dabbling with more advanced photographic techniques. It carries the same flexibility as the A95 in that it accepts add-on lenses and filters, but can do a lot more "out-of-the-box" than my A95 could (take the Image Stabilizer and Super Macro modes, for example.)

If you're seriously considering getting an A95 though, you should be aware that they're getting hard to find. As well, the main drawbacks I've encountered are:
-Near-unusable ISO speeds of 200 & 400 (if you use them, you must use noise-filtering software afterwards!)
-Inconsistent Red-Eye Reduction during flash photography
-Movie capture mode limited to only 30 sec. per clip in VGA mode

Other than that, it's a robsust little camera that's user friendly enough and portable.

[Pretty3Horses]

Well, if it is harder to find, I may pass, chances are I will need to buy from a store like Best Buy or what not. Thanks for the information though Croesus! :)

Now - Maybe someone can enlighten me on all the specs of the 610 and 620? And isn't there also a G series that is good and under $500? Forgive me if I'm confused, like I said, this is all pretty foreign to me! I also don't really mind a camera that needs a little upgrading - I had a blast with my A80 and would even get another one just for the sheer simplicity of its functions. I'd like a little bit more of a "shabang" though with the new camera, but it doesn't have to have *everything*. Videos are not too important to me, just mainly need quality action photos outside, and crisp colors. Thank you!

[scrubman]

Forget about the S2, its too big and expensive. Go for the A620. It is the new model of the A80. Check it out here. http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/a620.html

[Pretty3Horses]

Scrubman, that camera sounds about like everything I need! And it is similiar to what I am used to (a80) only more advanced, and still at a really good price range. Thank you!

Maybe someone can tell me what the pro's/con's (on a realistic perspective) of this camera are? One thing I notice about this camera that I HATED on my A80 was the battery pack door. A year after I bought it, it broke (after I dropped it on carpet) and never would shut properly again so had to be held with tape. (I know, how tacky lol) Is this common with these models, or was my accident just a fluke? Is this version anymore battery efficient than an A80? My A80 sucked battery life like there was no tomorrow, although I wonder if that was because the battery pack door had inconsistant contact so maybe drained the battery quicker than normal.

Anyway, so far I like the A620 best for my budget, so any information on that one would be excellent.