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Calling on Canon A80 users.

I've read the review of the camera on www.dcresource.com. The reviewer
points out dissatisfaction with chromatic aberrations/purple fringing. Those
of you who've used this camera, how bad is it really? Anything else I should
be aware of that is reason for concern (apart from what dcresource points
out)?

Basically, I'm looking for a compact digital camera, preferably 4 MP, with
decent features that takes great pictures. I've also looked at the Canon
S400, but I'm concerned that the lack of manual controls might spoil some of
the fun in the long run for me. I don't care too much for the S50 and S45,
because of the flimsy lens cover. I looked at the camera in several stores,
and everywhere I looked at it the lens cover had shown serious signs of wear
and tear. I'm somewhat hesitant to step up to the G3 largely because of its
size--at least the A80 fits neatly into a coat pocket.

Finally, I'd like to know if anyone has had experience--good or
bad--ordering a camera through Amazon.com. I know they probably serve as a
channel for other companies, but they do appear to offer good deals at
times.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Michael

Michael Koch wrote:

> Calling on Canon A80 users.
>
> I've read the review of the camera on www.dcresource.com. The reviewer
> points out dissatisfaction with chromatic aberrations/purple fringing. Those
> of you who've used this camera, how bad is it really? Anything else I should
> be aware of that is reason for concern (apart from what dcresource points
> out)?

I don't own one, but.. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Go to the link below to see actual photos taken by A80 owners. Click on the
photo itself to see a larger version.. Click on full sized to get it as big
as you can. Check areas like tree branches with the sky showing through..

Every time you click your browser's refresh button you'll get a whole new batch
to look at.

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/powershot_a80

"Michael Koch" <> wrote in message
news:BC02383F.44D%...

> I don't care too much for the S50 and S45,
> because of the flimsy lens cover. I looked at the camera in several
stores,
> and everywhere I looked at it the lens cover had shown serious signs of
wear
> and tear.

> Michael

I'd be cautious drawing any conclusions about how sturdy the S50's lens
cover is from how it stands up to the ham handed abuse it gets tethered to
the display rack in the WallyWorld camera department.

If that's what you do to your cameras, stay away from the S50. It's a
precision piece of machinery- treat it like one and it will last you a long
time. Beat the snot out of it and it will fall apart. But then that's
probably true for any serious camera.

Doc

Doc wrote:

> "Michael Koch" <> wrote in message
> news:BC02383F.44D%...
>
> > I don't care too much for the S50 and S45,
> > because of the flimsy lens cover. I looked at the camera in several
> stores,
> > and everywhere I looked at it the lens cover had shown serious signs of
> wear
> > and tear.
>
> > Michael
>
> I'd be cautious drawing any conclusions about how sturdy the S50's lens
> cover is from how it stands up to the ham handed abuse it gets tethered to
> the display rack in the WallyWorld camera department.
>
> If that's what you do to your cameras, stay away from the S50. It's a
> precision piece of machinery- treat it like one and it will last you a long
> time. Beat the snot out of it and it will fall apart. But then that's
> probably true for any serious camera.
>
> Doc

I must second Doc's comments about the way the clueless, unwashed masses handle
cameras in a display rack.
I saw some fool trying toPRY open the sliding lens cover of an S45. I gasped
at how anyone could be so mechanically disadvantaged. I've have had the S45 for
over a year and carry it unprotected in my shirt pocket whenever I go out
shooting.
The cover is still rock solid and the S45 is a real gem.
Bob Williams

On 12/14/03 4:39 PM, in article
Go7Db.21$, "Doc"
<> wrote:


> I'd be cautious drawing any conclusions about how sturdy the S50's lens
> cover is from how it stands up to the ham handed abuse it gets tethered to
> the display rack in the WallyWorld camera department.
>
> If that's what you do to your cameras, stay away from the S50. It's a
> precision piece of machinery- treat it like one and it will last you a long
> time. Beat the snot out of it and it will fall apart. But then that's
> probably true for any serious camera.
>
> Doc
>
>

Thanks, Doc. Guess I was too easily impressed by what I saw. I checked out
the review of the S50 on dcresource and it looks like it's actually quite
good, better, it seems than the A80 in photo quality. Got some thinking to
do now...

Michael

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 23:55:20 GMT, Michael Koch <>
wrote:

>Calling on Canon A80 users.
>
>I've read the review of the camera on www.dcresource.com. The reviewer
>points out dissatisfaction with chromatic aberrations/purple fringing. Those
>of you who've used this camera, how bad is it really? Anything else I should
>be aware of that is reason for concern (apart from what dcresource points
>out)?
>
>Basically, I'm looking for a compact digital camera, preferably 4 MP, with
>decent features that takes great pictures. I've also looked at the Canon
>S400, but I'm concerned that the lack of manual controls might spoil some of
>the fun in the long run for me. I don't care too much for the S50 and S45,
>because of the flimsy lens cover. I looked at the camera in several stores,
>and everywhere I looked at it the lens cover had shown serious signs of wear
>and tear. I'm somewhat hesitant to step up to the G3 largely because of its
>size--at least the A80 fits neatly into a coat pocket.
>
>Finally, I'd like to know if anyone has had experience--good or
>bad--ordering a camera through Amazon.com. I know they probably serve as a
>channel for other companies, but they do appear to offer good deals at
>times.
>
>Thanks in advance for your responses.
>
>Michael
>

Okay, I actually own an A80, so here's an opinionated reply based on
hands-on use:

I haven't found an example of noticeable purple fringing yet, but I've
had the camera for only a month and used it mostly indoors so far, so
maybe it may show up in future outdoor pics. I personally do not
think this is a major concern, and it's outweighed by the overall
excellence of the camera.

I'm very pleased with the images I've taken, both indoors and
outdoors. In basic point-and-shoot mode, the images come out crisp
and true colored.

The display is a bit small (1.5"), so that may be one thing that may
sway you to the 1.8" screen on the S45/50. However, I love the swivel
out feature of the display on the A80 - much more useful than you
would think!

So, although I may sound like the typical "my camera is a great
camera" owner, I really think this is a very good choice.

I bought mine from an online retailer (with good ratings) for under
$350 total, and had no problems in that regard. I wou;d suggest that
you consider this route unless eBay offers a significantly lower
price. (The price may have crept up a bit among the reputable
retailers since the time I bought it - apparently high demand is
tightening the supply).

Hope this helped.

Casey

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 23:55:20 GMT, Michael Koch <> wrote:

>I've read the review of the camera on www.dcresource.com. The reviewer
>points out dissatisfaction with chromatic aberrations/purple fringing. Those
>of you who've used this camera, how bad is it really? Anything else I should
>be aware of that is reason for concern (apart from what dcresource points
>out)?


I have not noticed it on any of the pictures that I have taken, but then again,
I have not looked at them with a lens to find out. To the naked eye, the
pictures look great. I am happy with the camera.


-----
Kerry Sanders
http://photos.pshack.com/

" AT" <> writes:
>i am trying a second a80, and i will return it tomorrow just because
>the blue fringing.

>it is all around the tablecloth on a photo i shot at a restaurant.

>really weird. and a real shame . otherwise a very good camera.

>is there anyother camera in that price range$348 at bestbuy, that will
>not have this problem and still give as good results otherwise?

Take a look at dpreview.com. One of the standard tests they do is
of a very high-contrast white rectangle on a black background, designed
to show just this effect. I don't think they have an A80 review to
compare against, but you can look at the A70 plus some of the other
cameras you may be considering.

However, it seems that all zoom-lens P&S digicams do this to some
extent. You may not find a camera that is better.

Dave

i am trying a second a80, and i will return it tomorrow just because
the blue fringing.

it is all around the tablecloth on a photo i shot at a restaurant.

really weird. and a real shame . otherwise a very good camera.

is there anyother camera in that price range$348 at bestbuy, that will
not have this problem and still give as good results otherwise?




"Kerry Sanders" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 23:55:20 GMT, Michael Koch
<> wrote:
>
> >I've read the review of the camera on www.dcresource.com. The
reviewer
> >points out dissatisfaction with chromatic aberrations/purple
fringing. Those
> >of you who've used this camera, how bad is it really? Anything else
I should
> >be aware of that is reason for concern (apart from what dcresource
points
> >out)?
>
>
> I have not noticed it on any of the pictures that I have taken, but
then again,
> I have not looked at them with a lens to find out. To the naked
eye, the
> pictures look great. I am happy with the camera.
>
>
> -----
> Kerry Sanders
> http://photos.pshack.com/

hi dave: i also had the 70, and thought that it was better in this
respect.
i mean, the blue band is big.

thanks for the answer
regards
AT

"Dave Martindale" <> wrote in message
news:bs055t$j42$...
> " AT" <> writes:
> >i am trying a second a80, and i will return it tomorrow just
because
> >the blue fringing.
>
> >it is all around the tablecloth on a photo i shot at a restaurant.
>
> >really weird. and a real shame . otherwise a very good camera.
>
> >is there anyother camera in that price range$348 at bestbuy, that
will
> >not have this problem and still give as good results otherwise?
>
> Take a look at dpreview.com. One of the standard tests they do is
> of a very high-contrast white rectangle on a black background,
designed
> to show just this effect. I don't think they have an A80 review to
> compare against, but you can look at the A70 plus some of the other
> cameras you may be considering.
>
> However, it seems that all zoom-lens P&S digicams do this to some
> extent. You may not find a camera that is better.
>
> Dave