Canon PowerShot S80 Review Analysis | All Features Rated & Tested

image quality

5

No image stabilization
almost every image was blurry from shake
Picture Quality - Foggy - just not sharp
Poor lense quality
No image stabilization, ISO 400 is the highest supported

Good photo quality
Great image quality
Great image quality, Snappy performance, Sturdy and attractive
Very good photo quality
image quality

speed and picture quality
More serious photo taking jobs may not be very suitable
Seems like I have to tweak the settings all the time to maximize quality with a given environment
Wish list: Optical Image Stabilization (must have nowadays!)
More difficult to get a sharp image than the old 4MP Powershot S40
a bit like a poor quality fisheye
(Reminds me, a bit like a poor quality fisheye
The softness of the Canon lens and the weak flash adversely affect picture quality

Excellent quality
Image quality, Wide angle lens, Sharp images, Manual exposure features,
great image quality and some clever design elements
with excellent color and image quality
Images are generally great, with excellent color and image quality
Image quality, speed, functionality, could handle just about anything I could throw at it
photo quality
picture quality
ease of use, picture quality, features
Quality Quality Quality
Awesome picture quality
Easy, Simple, Fun, Flexible, Awesome picture quality, plus video
Quality
Quality,quality,quality
Sharp Quality Images are Possible w/ Tripod
ultra high quality pix
Excellent picture
Picture quality, ease of use
Great photo quality
Superb picture quality.Very stylish.Fast operation
Solid image quality
please how to set date & it will appear in photo
please how to set date & it will appear in photo
Excellent photo quality
Excellent photo quality, Wide varity of features, Excellent video quality
8.0 Megapixel CCD and UA Lens Technology for Superior Image Quality
Picture detail
Excellent image quality
Excellent image quality, fast, easy to change settings, continuous mode indefinite, pro-level controls
Great picture quality, fairly easy to operate
Image quality, wide angle lens, 2.5 inch LCD, compact size, typical Canon quality and design
The S80 exuded quality
Near great image quality
Near great image quality, lots of options
Great picture quality
canon picture quality
Picture quality, size, ease of use, advanced features
Quality photos
many advanced features and Canon picture quality
8MP, many advanced features and Canon picture quality

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price

0.5

Quite pricey
On the expensive side
expensive
Not cheap
Pricy for a point and shoot

Great Quality Pictures and Good Price
nice soft colors good value for the money
size, style, canon picture quality, nice soft colors good value for the money

At this price
At this price, Canon should have kept the RAW option
It's quite pricey
It's quite pricey, here in barcelona the cheapest one I found was 510
looking at price and performance
My considerations, looking at price and performance, was to look for something else - it seems this model fell in between
A bit expensive
Quite pricey in some shops, not recommended for people who just want to point and shoot only
Quite pricey in some shops

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performance

5

Startup and autofocus needs to be faster
Recycle time could be quicker
Slow
Time to shoot could be quicker
No 60 fps fast speed video mode (like SD 550

snappy performance
Fast
USB 2.0 High Speed support
Very good performance
8MP and Digic II processor

(Just a quick press at 3 o'clock on the dial
very slow
Expensive, slow shutter speed and poor red eye quality
slow shutter speed and poor red eye quality

fast timings with DIGIC II processor
Nice size/aesthetics, large screen, fast timings with DIGIC II processor
Speed
Fast start up
All previous S series cameras have been solid in their performance and this is no exception
fast operation
quality and speed
the 8.0 Megapixel PowerShot S80 artfully combines leading performance technology
DIGICII processor
Great photos, fast DIGICII processor, good battery life and LCD size
quick to shoot while chasing the little ones
fast and responsive and many advanced features

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optics

5

a contemporary design and high power precision optics
the 8.0 Megapixel PowerShot S80 artfully combines leading performance technology, a contemporary design and high power precision optics

memory

1

Battery / memory card slot needs a lock
Canon could offer a movie mode that uses less memory and is smoother in a mode like XGA
Great model, but to make it better, Canon could offer a movie mode that uses less memory and is smoother in a mode like XGA
lack the actual detail you'll get in your prints (and on a computer screen
Need to update memory cards to hold more pictures

Very good movie and continuous shooting features (with appropriate memory card

color

4.5

since images are crisp and offer a broad range of color
Not a huge issue, since images are crisp and offer a broad range of color
As I am patially color blind
Unreliable auto white balance

Good color accuracy
Excellent metering and color
vibrant color screen and great controls/scroll wheel
Fast start up, vibrant color screen and great controls/scroll wheel
aces are just bright white blobs

color can Edit
Airframe portable, waterproof to a certain extent, there is wide-angle, color can Edit

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focus

1

Large movie file sizes and cannot optical zoom or focus when recording
Soft focus images.Multi control Dial's functions too complex.No RAW image format.Compression sometimes a bit too strong at the highest image quality.Flash light falloff in the corners of 28mm images.Average LCD monitor resolution
the camera is longer to get focus
the camera is longer to get focus, you really need to keep your finger pressed down until the picture is taken
Next time I will try the centre spot focus mode

Impressive performance (save for focus speeds

'Busy'layout in back requires focus on setting controls before shooting.Not as good as S50

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lens

0.5

slow lens
Not much zoom, slow lens
slowish lens
Vignetting at widest angle, Slowish lens, No uncompressed or raw-file support, Jaggies and audio noise in movie mode
Occasional lens flare and some highlight clipping

Wide-angle lens
Wide angle lens
wide-angle zoom lens
WIDE zoom lens
lens

Lens slow at telephoto (F5.3)
Mild corner softness at wide-angle and maximum aperture, Occasional lens flare and some highlight clipping, New multi-control dial useful, but can be fiddly, Lens slow at telephoto (F5.3), Would prefer a higher resolution LCD screen, Mediocre macro mode, Images slightly soft (sharpen well in post-processing however), No raw mode, Quite pricey
I'm not a fan of the new four-way controller and still don't like the sliding lens cover
Loud lens with excessive barrel distortion
There seems to be a serious design flaw in the lens mechanism which renders the camera useless and shows an e18 error code
Lens is a bit weak
lens cover
Lens jams very easily
This seems to be related to the lens
Some lens flair experienced at wide angle
which Canon says is a lens obstruction
Currently, my S80 is at the Canon repair center in Illinois with an "E18" error, which Canon says is a lens obstruction
One other thing: sliding the lens cover closed to turn off the camera is nerve-wracking
The cover causes the lense mechanism to retract only when it comes to within about a millimetre of the lens barrel
I keep thinking I'm going to "clunk" the cover off the lens
the lens door getting stuck
the lens door getting stuck, fixed by Canon
I got a year out of it until I opened the lens cover and the lens stuck
I got a year out of it until I opened the lens cover and the lens stuck, camera made a loud grinding noise, beeped and quit
The lens cover slid open and the lens got stuck in the half open position
Pay attention to the lens sliding lid
you'll get serious problems with the lens
If you put the camera inside a pouch and if it opens by hazard, you'll get serious problems with the lens, as it will be blocked and you have to send the whole thing to repair
The on/ off is integrated with the lens cover like earlier powershots
to turn it off and you have to wait until the lens is inside
to turn it off and you have to wait until the lens is inside, then it can be closed
Annoying (but ensures you protect the lens
Large hands can easily cover flash window or move lens cover shutting camera down
Optical lens apperatus broke within 2 weeks
reliability - lens locks and Canon wont stand behind Customer Service
I would like to have some sort of lock on lens cover

clarity, lens, craftsmanship
auto lens closing
nice compact size, auto lens closing, 8 MP
excellent lens
Fast operation, excellent lens, excellent light metering, size, decent battery life

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zoom

1.5

Not much zoom
No optical zoom in movie mode
only 3x optical zoom
Not cheap, only 3x optical zoom
Zoom Not Great - Needs Optional Telephoto

High quality wide-angle zoom (28 - 100 mm equiv.)
nice zoom range
8 MP 3.6X optical zoom
Rapid startup
wide-angle zoom

limited zoom
only 3.6X optical zoom isn't enough for such a 8MP DC
Then add image stabilization and a longer zoom range and we're talking
even when you zoom in
More optical zoom
Zoom
Ergonomics, no anti-shaking system, exterior material, zoom in movie mode

Great pictures, wide-angle zoom, full manual control
and a true wide-angle zoom
8 megapixels, DIGICII processor, compact, user friendly, and a true wide-angle zoom

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LCD

3.5

Would prefer a higher resolution LCD screen
So-so LCD screen
LCD display
image quality, LCD display
The screen gets dirty very easily

Large and good-looking LCD
wide-viewing-angle screen
Large 2.5" LCD display (but see issues below
big 2.5-inch LCD
Nice LCD

big but low resolurion lcd screen
many colored notices on the LCD screen are useless for me
As I am patially color blind, many colored notices on the LCD screen are useless for me
The LCD seems to be out of place for a camera like this (the lcd of my 4 yo IXUS V is far better in image quality and resolution
Showing "E18" on the LCD
Dead pixels in censor and in screen
LCD is unprotected and I poked something into it leaving a spot of bright pixels
the screen is better than the image
I was just not expecting to find one on a 2.5 inch camera LCD display
does not guarantee the LCD to be free of dead pixels
And Canon like most other manufacturers, does not guarantee the LCD to be free of dead pixels
Bulky, LCD not the best, Low light/indoor not great
LCD not the best
exposed LCD screen

Great pictures,Tons of scene modes, Nice LCD, Scroll wheel is a major +
large screen
xlent screen
and 2.5 in LCD
Compact, 8MP, Alot of features, and 2.5 in LCD
big screen
range, big screen, sharp photos
2.5"lcd
Design, 2.5"lcd, Speed, Features
Nice size LCD display
Nice size LCD display, tons of cool features (more then I will ever truely need), when you open the cover the camera comes to life relatively quick, 8MP for huge clear pictures
Screen + Controls
Great set of features, very compact, nice screen
2.5 lcd screen
Excellent picture, very good perfomance, 2.5 lcd screen, good battery life, solid construction, manual controls
large LCD
Great natural-looking photos, 28mm at wide angle, large LCD, fast operation, loaded with features
Point and shoot capabilities, Ability to adjust advanced settings, Big Screen
Wide-angle lens, super fast startup and cycle times, great battery life, large LCD display
large LCD display
large LCD display, fast and responsive and many advanced features
There is a large LCD monitor for viewing the picture

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video

2.5

EXTREME noise before picture and video taking (not in the pictures)
EXTREME noise before picture and video taking (not in the pictures), too many buttons and menus to comprehend
Would be nice if the video codec used allowed more compression
res 640x480 30fps video has some serious jaggies in almost every shot
1080 video does not show any jaggies

great video
plus video
Video clips
Adjustments, Video clips
good video

higher res, 1080 video does not show any jaggies, but is only available at the
video takes about an hour using the USB2 cable

Excellent video quality
Underwater mode and you can video underwater

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design

3

The action looks jagged probably because it is 15 fps
The action in VGA mode looks much better
poor design
Also, grainy-looking images at ISO200 or higher

Design
nice design
Great natural-looking photos
Stylish body
Nice Looking

Great Reviews, Impressive Capabilities, Nice Looking
overall design

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appearance

0.5

No RAW format provide
kein RAW Format
Preis, kein RAW Format, keine Unterstützung von der Fernbedienung, zuviel Plastik
No RAW file format
You can sometimes have the impression that you have captured less detail than you have

Nice features-solid feel-sleek color
shape

Bring back the RAW format
was to look for something else - it seems this model fell in between
No RAW format
No RAW format, squinty optical viewfinder, image noise unacceptable at highest ISO setting
Canon will not acknowledge defect

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resolution

0.5

LCD has low resolution and is not sharp
Movie file size limit approaches quickly at higher resolution settings
LCD resolution could be better
Poor LCD resolution
LCD is extremely low resolution

Excellent resolution
Excellent resolution, good per-pixel sharpness for this class of camera, Low noise at ISO 50 and 100, not bad at 200 and 400, Fast, responsive operation, Excellent metering and color, Very clean, artefact-free images, High quality wide-angle zoom (28 - 100 mm equiv.), Comprehensive range of controls, Solid build quality, nice finish, Dedicated controls for most shooting functions, Advanced features such as intervalometer, sync curtain, spot AE point, Custom shooting mode (user saved settings), Large, bright, wide-viewing-angle screen., AF assist lamp
fantastic resolution
High Resolution
High Resolution, Sturdy Case, Fairly compact, WIDE zoom lens

Serious shake problem, almost every image was blurry from shake, had to mount on tripod to get clear images, LCD is extremely low resolution, takes too long to shut down, controls fairly confusing
Resolution sometimes reverts from Superfine to Fine--not sure what combination does this
LCD is low resolution, noisy zoom motor

Good resolution, Nice design and quality, Fast and responsive, Wide-angle zoom

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sensor

0.5

Red-eye
and no red eye capab
Slow, bulky, and no red eye capab
The problem that all compacts suffer from: red eye
Post-processing for red-eye removal is

Post-processing for red-eye removal is, of course, always possible

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menu

0.5

Split menu system appears disorganized
The menu wheel rotates too easily and your settings can be
you really need to keep your finger pressed down until the picture is taken

nice menu system
nice jpegs, nice menu system, some cool options

battery

0.5

Battery life is below average
Limited battery life
battery seems to drain quick
flimsy battery cover
The slide/power idea is a very bad one - this often catches on something and opens pre-maturely which can run out your battery

Ease of use and Battery life _ Jameson Thottam _
Wonderful pictures and battery life
good battery life
decent battery life
rechargeable battery

funky battery door opens too easily
battery compartment keeps falling open
Like an earlier reviewer I am a bit colourblind and was amazed that I could not spot the change on the battery loader
But battery charger is terrible
The battery compartment opened once and I think it is a little flimsy, but otherwise, no other cons up to now
I've opened the battery door inadvertently several times
Battery door opens occasionally (no big deal
It could be built a little better - Controls and Battery door are easily moved/opened
Battery compartment door opens too easily
A spare battery is a must
where we know exactly where we stand in terms of battery life
despite the average good life the battery offers
Last shooting session I just forgot to carry it and I have regret it, as I was used to the InfoLithium of Sony´s,where we know exactly where we stand in terms of battery life, but not with Canon, despite the average good life the battery offers
is a tight fit for the S80 and you can add a spare battery to the pack
If this can help others, the Rezo 40 from LowePro , is a tight fit for the S80 and you can add a spare battery to the pack
The diffusor is a separate peace not very handy because it is protruding from the front and you need to remove it to pack the lot
Battery cover could be a bit sturdier

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shutter

0.5

Shutter speed and aperture range could be wider
Shutter Lag
Shutter Lag, ISO equivalents limited to a maximum of 400,
takes too long to shut down

no shutter lag

usability

5

controls fairly confusing
No simple solution
The more I use it the more I love it
Bad Pixels after limited use
Cannot use dial funtions in the UW case

Compact with manual controls
Easy to use
Comprehensive range of controls
Dedicated controls for most shooting functions
Full manual controls and plenty of scene modes

Cannot use dial funtions in the UW case, underwater setting for tropical waters only
Not for excessive movie use
Need more time to learn more of the controls
very high grade technology cam i ever used &i will always use
No printed manual (PDF only
I do use it for taking shots of quickly moving objects
I'd have preferred a simple ol' on/off switch
but when I did use it
I never used it much with the S45 I owned for the past 3 years, but when I did use it, it was great to have
Easy to accidentally change settings
Unreliable and useless for actually taking pictures anywhere you might want to actually use it

Software is easy to use
MUST Easier to use-Great Pictures-Big Screen
Compact, highly functional, easy to use, fantastic resolution
ease of use
Easy
Simple
manual features
Great easy to use camera with good options and great quality pictures
fast, ultra high quality pix, easy to use, so many features without being overbearing
Easy to use,
manual controls
easy to do the manual settings
extreme clear pictures, easy to do the manual settings
tons of manual options
Picture detail, ease of use, tons of manual options
easy to change settings
pro-level controls
LCD and simple controls
Love the size, shape, LCD and simple controls
It was easier and more intuitive to use than the Nikon
fairly easy to operate
easy to shoot for my wife
New Canon interface and thumb wheel controls are easy to use
easy to shoot for my wife, and has all of the advanced feature for me, quick to shoot while chasing the little ones, New Canon interface and thumb wheel controls are easy to use
Intuitive controls, many modes including the manual mode, fast picture taking and browsing, compact size
simple to use and fairly small
great picture quality, simple to use and fairly small

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flash

0.5

especially with the flash
Some vignetting at wide-angle, especially with the flash
Canon decided to drop the compact flash format
making for some grainy flash photos
The auto mode sometimes chooses a pretty high asa in dark situations, making for some grainy flash photos

AF assist lamp
AF-assist lamp
AF-assist lamp, good low light focusing
and external slave flash
Support for conversion lenses, underwater case, and external slave flash

It's a fact of life with cameras on which the flash is so close to the lens
you're stuck with the flash
If you *really* want "party snaps" indoors in poor light, you're stuck with the flash
Flash doesn't pick up background like my other digital cams (may be because of the wide angle
Flash doesn't pick up background like my other digital cams (may be because of the wide angle, or ISO 50 setting
A pop-up flash with longer throw distance
dedicated button for flash compensation (or add it as a choice for the shortcut button)
Wish list: Optical Image Stabilization (must have nowadays!), dedicated button for flash compensation (or add it as a choice for the shortcut button), thumbwheel mode button that better resists accidental turning
the flash is too high on micro focal
Flash absolutely need the diffusor else you miss the take
easily lead to hidden corners flash
Wide-angle end of the edge of less effective, easily lead to hidden corners flash, night effects i
Flash a bit underpowered

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build quality

5

Build quality somewhat suspect, maybe too many presets that can get confusing
I have downgraded my construction rating to reflect this problem that occured after less than 2 month's time
but this is why I gave construction a 4.5
I hope this was just a fluke, but this is why I gave construction a 4.5

sturdy and attractive
Solid build quality
Sturdy design
Sturdy Case
Sturdy

Sturdy, nice design, manual features
solid construction
construction
Quality photos, features, size, construction

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glare

0.5

When it is orange I see a brilliant red colour

exposure

0.5

Still a significant lag from clicking to exposure
Unreliable auto exposure

Manual exposure features

interface

5

The support claimed this was the principle for their consumer line cams

Custom shooting mode (user saved settings)
shortcut button can be user-defined
user interface
8 MP, features, user interface
user friendly

viewfinder

0.5

Inaccurate viewfinder
Horrible viewfinder
I always consult the two LEDs near the viewfinder which blink for alert
The optical viewfinder is very small and mine isn't clear
when I copy my shots over to my mac and view them on-screen

I have found that, almost invariably, when I copy my shots over to my mac and view them on-screen, I end up with more far more detail than I thought I had captured
Viewfinder is useless (who cares
squinty optical viewfinder
small optical viewfinder

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remote control

1.5

New multi-control dial useful
No Raw and No Remote
I agree with several other writers that think the side control knob is a little flimsy
I agree with several other writers that think the side control knob is a little flimsy, but I am not concerned enough to write a negative comment
No support of wireless remote control

Good image quality.Reliable Evaluative metering.Dial functions of the Multi control Dial very practical.28 to 100 mm equivalent zoom.Available 1024 x 768 pixel movie mode.Well-rounded set of shooting modes.Solid and elegant construction
Many shooting preset modes, nice control set, reasonable movie quality, long lasting battery, small
full manual control
EOS-style Multi Control dial

the control dial is easy to hit accidentally
As mentioned, the control dial is easy to hit accidentally

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product quality

5

nice finish

sound

0.5

Noisy at high ISO sensitivities
noisy in low light
A bit noisy
Noisy Pictures

Noisy images

black level

0.5

black gloss hard to keep clean
limited zoom, black gloss hard to keep clean
Outside black material
Outside black material, no RAW format, small optical viewfinder, no decent case included

keyboard

0.5

windmill type scroller around the "func / set" key annoying

portability

5

bad images in low light
weight
size, weight
If you *really* want "party snaps" indoors in poor light
Slightly heavy and thick

good low light focusing
Compact
Fairly compact
Compact,nice wide angle/tele
Compact and takes great shots

Low light/indoor not great
Heavy for a compact camera, doesn't come with a case, flash can be too strong even at lowest setting

Lightweight
Compact size and full of features
Airframe portable
nice compact size
excellent light metering
Quality build, compact size to slip into a purse or pants pocket, excellent images, easy-to-use menus

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size

2.5

A little pricey
Loss of RAW mode - not a big deal
I little bulky for a P&S
size
this one is about the same size but much mo

Large
Nice size/aesthetics
Love the size

my first impression was that it is too big and builky but after revewing the functions
Mode Wheel could be a little bit more robust
For a man with big and not very dainty hands it is hard to grab the thing without resetting something with my thumb
No big deal
No big deal, it trains my motoric reflexes
A little heavier than I expected

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connectivity

0.5

No Bluetooth
lacks WiFi
Wide angle fish bowl pretty noticable, lacks WiFi

screen

0.5

Not sure if it is my unit's problem
Finally, though it's not a "problem" per se, images on the camera's large display, even when you zoom in, lack the actual detail you'll get in your prints (and on a computer screen
First unit I got had 1 dead pixel so I sent it back and got a replacement

Ease, manipulative, xlent screen, nice pre-sets, great video

Canon PowerShot S80 Reviews Analysis

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