A40 versus A80

[GeorgeM]

Hi Gang,
Heresy I know to even mention the two subject cameras in the same subject field....but will anyway :-)
I have owned my A40 for close to a year now...almost exactly, and since time Canon has evolved the basic A series two more generations..the latest being the wonderful A80. Will preface by saying I use my A40 almost exclusively for internet picture posting...mostly BMW car pics to fellow gear heads. Any abberations I seem to be able to address with Photoshop 7.0 photoeditting software....remarkably powerful. Have used the camera for landscapes and other aesthetic purposes as well with great result...a terrific little camera. I also have a Velobon 343 Maxi tripod to steady the camera in low light or time delayed picture taking. All said, if I continue to focus most of my use on e-mail and internet posting...is there any real utility or value of upgrading to the A80 camera because one is pretty much limited to 2MP for most posting...particularly if I have to de-tune an A80 to post pixel count compatible with the internet. In general I don't make photographs larger than 5 x 7 which look fine with the 2MP A40.

Thanks for any input...the lens on my A40 though becoming dated is still best in class and therefore I am still considering as an adjunct purchasing additional lenses which would be applicable to the A80 in the event I upgrade.
Thanks to all the camera experts on this forum for their advice,
Happy Holidays,
George
A40

[CyberDyneSystems]

I really liked the A80 when I checked it out,. it also has a bunch of features that previous "A" series cameras do not have... like the pivoting screen.
I "think" it has a slightly longer zoom lens? (Im not at all familiar with the earlier "A"s )

I would look at a review of the camera and see if the added features are enough to motivate an upgrade of pixels do not.

All in all,. I thought it was a hell of a Camera for the price.

//FYI I ended up getting an S-400... it is a MUCH less capable camera that costs more... but I REALLY wanted as much portability as possible,. it is my secondary pocket camera. My 'real" camera is a 10D and a bucke of lenses.... not exactly suitable for the shirt pocket :D

[Conk]

Well George. It seems to me that if you are satisfied with the capabilities of the A40 for internet posting and e-mailing then I would stick with it.
The extra 2 megapixels would allow you to print out larger photos but this doesn't seem to be an issue for you. It sounds like you are more interrested in a new "toy".
Personally, if I were to make any kind of a leap from my A40 it would be to the 300D or Digital Rebel.

[GeorgeM]

Hi Colin,
Actually not really even interested in a new toy if there isn't alot of reason for one. Too many toys out there to choose from...including outside the camera area. :-) Just wanted to tap into the collective wisdom of this informed forum. My A40, I presume like yours, has performed flawlessly....not a single issue....all that the reviews reflected a year or so ago. Judging by lack of
comments to move into an A70/80 if staying in the 2MP range of picture posting...it seems not a lot of utility or incentive to make the switch. There are a few nice and in particular ergonomic features I like about the A80...the moveable LCD and toggle screen switch controls on back...but am not convinced the lens, software architecture and resulting picture quality is much if any better for posting purposes.
Many of my friends are astounded by again mostly pictures on the net....where many of us spend most of our lives these days :-)...in front of a computer. The ability to tune pictures with Photoshop is a crowning adjunct.

Have a look at a couple of pics that I took a while ago of my car. A few abberations have been removed with Pshop to make the pictures clean and look right.

http://members.roadfly.com/georgemann/DrSdRrQtrResize.jpg

http://members.roadfly.com/georgemann/InteriorResize.jpg

Good to hear from you Colin and sounds as though you are staying the course at least on the low end of portability with your A40...perhaps a bigger higher end
digital camera in your future?...horses for courses.
Happy Holidays,
George
A40

[Conk]

GeorgeM wrote:
Good to hear from you Colin and sounds as though you are staying the course at least on the low end of portability with your A40...perhaps a bigger higher end
digital camera in your future?...horses for courses.
Happy Holidays,
George
A40


Those photos appear great. An extra 2 megapixels may give a more brilliant photo but I agree that the A40 is suffice. A new higher end in the future? For me, absolutely. There are so many things I like and want right now I have no choice but to be satisfied with the A40 for. As you've said, it has been flawless. I have the lens adapter and use a polarizing filter but haven't bought any added lenses. I doubt that I will for an introductory camera like the A40. To me I can't justify the investment. Might I add that I have to spend in Canadian currency.
Thank you very much for the Holiday wishes George and I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas. :)

[GeorgeM]

Hi Colin,
Thanks for the kind words. Indeed the A40 is sufficient particularly for posting on the web and e-mail. Probing your comment about perhaps a more brilliant pic with lets say a 4MP A80...would it be discernible even on the computer screen? Is there a definition improvement in taking a pic with 4MP and then reducing it for transmission over the web? Please set me straight on that..I would think that there would be parity between the two...if emasculating the pixel count of an A80 for web use. Lastly, you make a good point about buying extra lenses for the modest A40...questionable value added.
Perhaps best to move to the next level...begging the question as to what that level should be....there are so many. A G3 for example would be a very nice camera as a now more affordable price.
The new G5 is intriguing..a bit more horsepower. And then the new digital 6MP Rebel...a professional grade digital for the home photographer...quite a piece. As always..the question is where do you get on?
My Best,
George

[pradeep1]

Stick with your A40 and save your money for a camera that will eventually come along that allows you to do something you find critical or expansive to your work.

[GeorgeM]

Hi Pradeep,
Sage advice. What I was trying to extract from the forum was a discernible difference in even posting picture quality between the A40 and A80. By omission it appears my question has been answered...there really isn't much if any...the lens, software are relatively close and mostly the 2MP picture size is the biggest constraint. Since I really haven't moved beyond this...aside from an occasional need for a good macro and wide angle lens...as you appropriate state...no real incentive to change.
Thanks for your comment,
George