A80 or A70 for beginner

[m*m]

I just recently launched my photography hobby and I must say that I now see the world in a different perspective. I have a very cheap digital camera that I dropped a nice chunk of change on when it was first released several years back, but it turned into garbage almost as soon as consumers started using it and it is worthless today.

I am approaching this from two different angles. I do not have an open ended budget that would allow me to buy whatever I want. I also am not knowledged enough about photography to end up with something that has so many controls that I am overwhelmed and confused.

From what I've read on this forum and what I've viewed as far as prices go, I find myself leaning towards the Cannon A series. I now want to ask you to inform me as to the difference between the A70 and A80.

Also, is this a camera fit for a biginner such as myself?

I like the price, look and reviews of the A80, but is it worth it, with respect to the difference in quality, to bypass the A70? I guess what I'm saying is since I don't know enough about photography yet would I even recognize the difference between the two?

Oh and I would appreciate any recommendations for another camera if my A70 / A80 choice is too advanced for my current skill level.

Thanks,

[mapollo]

The following is the conclusion from the review of the A80 from DCRP website.

"How Does it Compare?

Like the A70 before it, the Canon PowerShot A80 is one of the most appealing cameras in its class. Canon took the A70, added a higher resolution (4MP) CCD, a nicer metal body, and a rotating LCD display -- producing a camera unmatched for the $399 price. Photo quality is very good, though I was frustrated with the occasional purple fringing and blown highlights. The A80 has every manual control that one would need, ranging from shutter speed to white balance to focus. Enthusiasts will also like the ability to save your favorite settings to a spot on the mode dial. The camera's performance is better than average in all areas, and its AF-assist lamp lets it focus in dim lighting. If the manual controls are too much for you, the A80 offers some nice scene modes, including an action mode. The A80 supports wide-angle, telephoto, and close-up conversion lenses, and there's an underwater case available as well. Downsides are few, here -- I already mentioned the photo quality issues. The only other things that I can mention are the outdated movie mode, plastic tripod mount, and omission of rechargeable batteries in the box. It's hard not to like the PowerShot A80 -- it's a camera I strongly recommend."


. I read the reviews at http://www.dcresource.com/index.shtml
and eventually went for the A80. It's a great camera to learn with for a complete beginner.It has the full range of manual controls but still has auto (preset) modes too. It also takes great pictures.
Only you can decide wether or not it's worth the extra bucks though. You need to read the reviews (inc customer ones) and decide.

Hope that helps,

David...

[SDK^]

The major difference between the A70 & A80 is the pixel count (A70 3mp, A80 4mp) and the flip out LCD screen. I was recently comparing both as a present for my parents and went for the A80, for the few extra ££'s (or $$) in my opinion it's worth it

[matjazr]

The real difference between A70 and A80 is not in Mpixels. What really matters is the size of CCD, which in A80 is the same as in S45 - 1/1.8" as opposed to 1/2.7" in A70. Picture quality depends much more on CCD size and good lenses than number of pixels.

[Don Schaeffer]

I have an A70 and I love it. Canon replaced the A70 ewith the A75 which has a slighly larger LCD viewer.

The good thing about the A70 is that mounted a magnifying loupe onto the camera using string and rubber bands. My LCD has become a through the lens viewer that makes it more precise than looking at the LCD screen. I hold the camera against my eye for photos.

[Don Schaeffer]

I have an A70 and I love it. Canon replaced the A70 ewith the A75 which has a slighly larger LCD viewer.

The good thing about the A70 is that mounted a magnifying loupe onto the camera using string and rubber bands. My LCD has become a through the lens viewer that makes it more precise than looking at the LCD screen. I hold the camera against my eye for photos.

[Andy_T]

Now that might be the wrong forum to ask that question ...

... but have you taken a look at the Kodak DX 6440? :shock:

I'm in the process of getting one for my wife.

It has many of the features that my G2 has, with one that I really miss: RAW mode. But that's not available on the A80, as well. On the other hand, it has a 4x optical zoom.

Price might be as low as EUR 200 in special sales promotions ...

Best regards,
Andy

[Andy_T]

I hold the camera against my eye for photos.

That's nothing to be ashamed of.
Actually, a lot of people did that, before LCD's were invented :lol:

(No offense intended, but I normally prefer the optical viewer to the LCD for composing the picture).

Best regards,
Andy

[m*m]

Thanks......

[Andy_T]

Now that might be the wrong forum to ask that question ...

... but have you taken a look at the Kodak DX 6440? :shock:

I'm in the process of getting one for my wife.

It has many of the features that my G2 has, with one that I really miss: RAW mode. But that's not available on the A80, as well. On the other hand, it has a 4x optical zoom.

Price might be as low as EUR 200 in special sales promotions ...

Best regards,
Andy

I have to add, now, that I am not at all too happy with the ISO noise of the Kodak DX 6440.
It's clearly a lot worse than on the G2.

Also ... what's even worse for 'auto' users ... if you take a low light photo in Auto mode, the camera always selects ISO 400 (even when you use the flash). There is no way to select an ISO setting in the 'Auto' mode, it always uses AUTO ISO.

The PAS mode is also ridiculous ... it has one setting for 'PAS' and you have to select everything else (P, A, or S mode, as well as the corresponding settings) with the tiny joystick.

So maybe the (more expensive) A75 or A80 is the way to go...

Best regards,
Andy

[pradeep1]

The A80 has that very useful flip out LCD. Once you start using that, going back to a fixed LCD camera drives you crazy. The range you can move that thing and the angles with which you can comfortably shoot are amazing.

If you are serious with this photography hobby, why don't you save up a little cash and pick up one of the "big boy" fixed lens digicams, such as the very capable G5 or the 8MP wonder, the Pro1.

I've owned the an A60, A80, and a G3 (G5 now)and would say that the G5 is the best in terms of overall quality and usability.

Something to think about, since you can get a G5 for $515 here:

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.asp?ref=pricegrabber&sku=CNPSG5

And the good thing is the picture quality, the ability to use an external flash, and the ability to shoot RAW mode with an exceptional lens.

[Don Schaeffer]

How well does the LCD do in bright sunlight?
--Don

[pradeep1]

How well does the LCD do in bright sunlight?
--Don

Good. It is coated.