Value (5.5)
The Canon PowerShot S80 is a hybrid digital camera, so theoretically consumers won’t have to purchase a $400 digital camera and a $600 camcorder. The all-in-one S80 doesn’t have all the features of two quality imaging devices, though. It does have manual, priority and scene modes, so most photographers should be comfortable with its control at some level. Still, the camera isn’t exactly user friendly. The Canon S80’s movie mode is highly marketed, but it has some flaws as well. The XGA movies can only be recorded at a slow rate of 15 fps. There is no optical zoom available in any movie mode. The Canon PowerShot S80 comes with a tiny 32MB SD card, so users will need to purchase a lot more memory to really take advantage of the movie modes and the 8 megapixel still images. The included software package is also quite limited, which could spell another extra investment. The Canon S80 retails for $549, but could end up costing a lot more with the necessary memory and accessories. In the end, it just isn’t worth it.
Comparisons
Canon PowerShot S70 – This digital camera was the flagship off the S-series until the S80 came along. The old S70 had less resolution with 7.1 megapixels and had a $599 retail price when announced in August 2004. The cameras both have the same lens with a wide 28-100mm focal length. The S70’s camera body is slightly longer, but its other measurements are identical. Both models have optical viewfinders and LCDs, but the S70’s is much smaller at only 1.8 inches. Surprisingly though, it fits more resolution onto the tiny screen with 118,000 pixels. The cameras have the same shutter speeds and metering options and manual functionality, but the S70 has fewer scene modes. The S70 used a CompactFlash memory card and recorded both JPEG and RAW image files. Its movie mode shot VGA video but only at 10 frames per second – and it certainly doesn’t have the XGA movie mode. The Canon PowerShot S70 was improved on in many ways, but the S70 does win the speed contest; it can shoot 2 frames a second.
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-M2 – The recently released M2 has a completely different body design that is vertically oriented; the camera looks similar to a cell phone when closed. The LCD monitor flips to the side of the camera, making the device look like an upside down ‘L’. This 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot is also touted as a hybrid digital camera and it does indeed have some features that reflect this. It has a Hybrid Record mode that shoots 5 seconds of video, then takes a full resolution still image, then records another 3 seconds of video. The M2 has a 3x optical zoom lens that doesn’t extend from the camera body and has maximum apertures of f/3.5 in wide and f/4.3 in telephoto. The camera omits an optical viewfinder, but uses its 2.5-inch LCD monitor to display images. With 123,000 pixels, it has a little more resolution than the S80’s. The Sony M2 is very automatically oriented and does not have the manual and priority modes that the S80 has. The M2 does have an interesting Favorites playback mode that saves images to its 57 MB of internal memory, and can play imported soundtracks in the background. The movie mode offers optical zoom functionality and stereo audio, both of which are not present on the Canon S80’s system. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 comes with a camera dock and retails for $499.
Casio Exilim EX-P505 – This 5 megapixel digital camera is extremely compact, although not slim enough for a pocket. The tiny camera boasts hybrid functionality with its manual, priority, auto and scene modes as well as its four movie modes. One of its more interesting features is the Past Movie Mode, which records 5 seconds of video before the shutter release button is pushed so users never miss a moment. The Casio P505 has a 5x zoom lens that is functional in movie recording and a 2-inch LCD monitor that folds out from the camera and rotates. Unfortunately, the screen solarizes easily and has less than 85,000 pixels, so the view isn’t very good. The P505 has a wide shutter speed range from 60-1/2000th of a second, but has many of the same features otherwise. Its menu system is equally as complicated as the Canon S80’s with a split system that causes users to search for features. The hybrid Casio Exilim EX-P505 retails for $399, but came out in early 2005 and can now be found for much less.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 – This digital camera has just a bit more resolution at 8.4 megapixels, but it also has a different sized image sensor altogether. The LX1’s native format is 16:9, which gives the camera the ability to offer a true widescreen movie mode. So while the LX1 doesn’t have an XGA movie mode, it does shoot video at 848 x 480 pixels. It can do so at 30 or 10 frames per second, so the view can always be smooth. The Panasonic LX1 has a 4x zoom lens that doesn’t offer optical zoom while recording movies, but there is an optical image stabilization system to keep movies from appearing shaky. This Lumix has manual, priority, auto and 14 scene modes for still image recording. It also has the widescreen movie mode and the normal gamut of VGA and QVGA movie modes. This user friendly camera has a standard ISO range of 80-400, but also has two custom white balance modes and fine tuning options for its presets. The Panasonic LX1 has a 2.5-inch LCD screen with 207,000 pixels. While it can shoot 3 frames per second in its burst mode, its images overall are quite noisy. The LX1 includes a decent software package and retails for $599.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – Beginners will be completely baffled by the split menu system, the confusing icons, and the host of buttons and dials. Point-and-shooters should avoid the S80 as it could turn them off from digital photography completely.
Budget Consumers – At $549, the S80 is a bit steep. Sure, it is supposedly a camcorder and a digital camera all in one, but it doesn’t have all the fancy features of either of those two devices. It doesn’t have optical zoom while recording movies and it doesn’t have a great burst mode. In a competitive digital camera market, users can spend their $549 more wisely.
Gadget Freaks – This segment of consumers may be attracted to the Canon PowerShot S80 simply because it has an XGA high resolution movie mode and is the first digital camera to do so. Other than that, though, the Canon S80 is fairly bland.
Manual Control Freaks – This digital camera does have a full range of automatic and manual modes. Manual, Priority, Auto and even Custom modes are available. Manual control freaks will appreciate the control over aperture, shutter speed and white balance, and the less conventional will even appreciate control over what noise the camera makes when powered up.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists – The unusual XGA movie resolution may mildly pique the curiosity of serious hobbyists, but they will shun the camera upon further inspection. The Canon S80 doesn’t have the optical zoom needed to produce a great high-resolution video.
