Model Design / Appearance (6.0)
The Canon PowerShot A80 has a silver and gray toned body with a boxy design. It’s an impressive looking camera, but I would not classify it as sexy or hip as its design is much more functional than fashionable. The handgrip located on the right side protrudes from the camera body and is composed of a slightly darker gray plastic. This feature is nice for handling, but not for style. The Canon PowerShot A80 is quite a bit thicker than many cameras in its class (such as the Pentax Optio S4i and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC43), making it a bit more awkward looking than the other cameras. Canon definitely didn’t put much importance in creating a trendy camera with aerodynamic features, but not everyone is concerned with those details. When it comes down to logical features and smart design the Canon PowerShot A80 does a fine job holding its own in the market.

Size / Portability (6.5)
The Canon PowerShot A80’s dimensions are 4.1” x 2.5” x 1.4” (103.1 x 64.6 x 34.7 mm) with a total volume of 14.35 in³. Its size and reversible LCD screen allow it to be slid into a front pocket (with a fair amount of sagging) or nestled in the palm of the user’s hand. However, it’s not small enough to pass the jeans pocket test unless you wear the baggy kind. The PowerShot A80 is a pretty solid camera, weighing 8.8 oz without its four double AA batteries. This makes it slightly more awkward to carry for longer amounts of time. Most people will probably opt to buy a padded carrying case for this camera, making the camera less easy to tote around than some other point-and-shoot models.

Handling Ability (7.0)
The Canon PowerShot A80 has an adjustable LCD screen that flips out from the body of the digital camera and rotates for viewing whether you’re in front of or in back of the lens. It also cleanly snaps back into its original recessed position. The swivel component only works in certain directions, allowing for the possibility of damage during quick monitor adjustments. The size of the handgrip on the Canon PowerShot A80 limits the number of fingers capable of using this feature, especially if you have large fingers. However, this potential downfall is minimized due to small size of the entire digital camera, allowing for it to be comfortably cradled in the user’s hand.

The Canon PowerShot A80 feels solid enough to be safely held one-handed, although it is big enough to engage with two hands to steady it for a specific shot without covering the lens with one's hands. The tripod socket is located in the same position as it is in most manual cameras and could only become an issue if the user attempts to replace batteries while the Canon PowerShot A80 remains attached to a tripod. Otherwise, most on-camera options are logically placed for single-handed operation.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (6.0)
The buttons on the Canon PowerShot A80 are for the most part clearly labeled with both symbols and text. Their placement is logical in regards to the functionality of the rest of the digital camera. With this in mind there are a few controls that might impede fast shooting ability. The power button is awkward to turn on; the user has to hold it down for a few seconds before the camera is visibly on. This is a pain when you’re in a crunch and need to quickly turn on your camera to take a shot. The smaller size of some of the buttons, such as the mode switch button, may complicate easy or quick handling possibilities as well. Other buttons such as the set and or menu button are located beneath the LCD screen, potentially making it difficult to shoot and adjust simultaneously.

Menu (7.0)
The Canon PowerShot A80 menu options (in both shooting and playback modes) are accessible through the menu button and function button, both located on the back of the camera. When engaged in the menu button screen you can choose between three categories: record menu, set-up, and my camera. Depending on what shooting mode you’re in (options vary according to how much control you choose) the record menu lets you turn on and off the autofocus frame, red-eye, mulitfocus point zoom, AF assist beam, Digital Zoom, Review time, and Reverse Display.

In set-up mode you have the option of switching on and off the mute, auto rotate, and file number reset. You can also change the volume or power saving method; or customize the date and time, CF card format, distance units, language, and video system.

In the My Camera mode the Canon PowerShot A80 gives you a host of fun options to choose from, including a theme image, stage-up image, start-up sound, operation sound, self-timer sound, and shutter sound. This is a somewhat unique feature for those who like all the bells and whistles digital cameras can offer, but personally I wasn’t very interested and found them kind of distracting.

Ease of Use (8.0)
The Canon PowerShot A80’s success in the market has a lot to do with its straightforward and overall solid design. Although the sheer number of options available is enough to overwhelm many users, Canon doesn’t make you weed through the menus to access the basics. In terms of handling the Canon PowerShot A80 is among the best. You can tell that Canon puts a lot of weight into having buttons and controls that are accessible for all shapes and sizes of fingers. This also applies to the size of the camera; although it’s not the smallest point-and-shoot digital camera on the market it doesn’t have all the space limitations that some of the ultra compact cameras create, such as small cramped buttons, limited space for fingers to rest, and awkward handling ability.