Features
Software Requirements
Specifications

Features

Variable-Angle LCD Monitor: The PowerShot A80 has a 1.5" Variable-Angle LCD monitor that flips out to the side and swivels, for more flexible shooting. Turn the LCD monitor 180 degrees toward the front of the camera and the A80 displays your choice of a mirror image or a non-reversed image, to give you a true view of your actual shot.

Optical Viewfinder: In addition to the LCD monitor, the camera has a "real-image" optical zoom viewfinder. 

Recording Media: The Canon PowerShot A80 camera records on a Type 1 Compact Flash Card. A 32MB Compact Flash Card is supplied with the camera.

Image Recording Format: Still images are recorded in JPEG format, and the movies are recorded in AVI format (Image data: Motion JPEG, Audio data: WAVE (monaural)).

DIGIC Imaging Processor and iSAPS Technology: The PowerShot A80 features DIGIC Imaging Processor, for even greater picture quality and faster processing speed. The iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology produces more accurate autofocus, auto exposure, and auto white balance.

Image Sensor: For optimal image quality, the camera uses a 1/1.8" CCD image sensor with approximately 4.1-million total pixels and 4.0-million effective pixels.

Image Resolution/Compression: You can change the resolution and compression settings to suit the purpose of the image you're about to shoot. You can choose from the following resolutions: Large (2272 x 1704 pixels), Medium 1 (1600 x 1200 pixels), Medium 2 (1024 x 768 pixels), and Small (640 x 480 pixels). For each resolution, you can set the compression to Superfine, Fine or Normal. Movies can be shot with the following resolution: 320 (320 x 240 pixels) or 160 (160 x 120 pixels). Maximum clip length is approximately 3 minutes.

Optics: The camera features a 3x optical zoom lens. The 3.6x digital zoom extends the telephoto capabilities to a total zoom of 11x.

Auto Focusing: The PowerShot A80 utilizes a TTL (through-the-lens) 9-point AiAF auto focus or a 1-point center auto-focus method. Artificial Intelligence autofocus (AiAF) uses a broad metering field to calculate the focal distance with high precision. It delivers a crisp focus even when the photographic subject is slightly off-center. You can turn off the AiAF and use the center AF frame for focusing on a specific part of a subject.

AF-assist Beam: The AF-assist beam will sometimes emit when the shutter button is pressed halfway to assist focusing in certain conditions, i.e. dark conditions. The AF-assist beam can be turned off. If animals are your subject, turn off the beam when shooting in the dark to avoid startling them.

Focusing Range: The camera features the following focus ranges:

• Normal AF: 1.5' to infinity
• Macro Mode AF: 2" to 1.5' (wide), 9.8" to 1.5' (telephoto)
• Manual: 2" to infinity (wide), 9.8" to infinity (telephoto)

Auto Rotate Function: The PowerShot A80's Auto Rotate function uses an Intelligent Orientation Sensor to sense whether your images were shot horizontally or vertically. It then adjusts AF, AE, and white balance accordingly and your images will be automatically rotated to the right position for viewing during playback.

Power Saving Function: In Shooting Mode, the power will automatically shut off approximately 3 minutes after the last function is accessed. In Playback Mode, the power will automatically shut off approximately 5 minutes after the last function is accessed. While connected to an optional printer, the power will automatically shut off approximately 5 minutes after the last camera function is accessed or printer ceases to print an image. 

Shooting Modes: The PowerShot A80 offers 12 different shooting modes arranged in two zones (Image Zone and Creative Zone) plus Automatic. The modes are selected by turning the Shooting Mode dial, located on top of the camera, to the desired mode. The Shooting Modes are as follows:

• Automatic: the camera automatically selects the settings
• Image Zone:
  • Portrait: subject appears sharply focused against a blurred background
  • Landscape: use for shooting expansive landscape scenes
  • Night Scene: use for capturing human subjects against the backdrop of an evening sky or night scene
  • Fast Shutter Speed: use for shooting fast-moving objects
  • Slow Shutter Speed: use for shooting slow-moving objects to make them appear blurred (example: river rapids)
  • Stitch Assist: use when taking shots to be combined into a panorama
  • Movie: use for shooting movie frames (at approximately 15 frames per second)
• Creative Zone:
  • Program AE: the camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture to match the brightness of the scene
  • Shutter Speed Priority AE: when you select the shutter speed, the camera automatically sets the aperture to match the brightness of the scene
  • Aperture Priority AE: this selection helps adjust the depth of field for your shots. Setting a lower aperture setting allows you to fade or blur the background. Setting a higher aperture setting brings the entire range from foreground to background into focus.
  • Manual Exposure: you can manually set the aperture and the shutter speed to achieve a particular effect. It's a convenient way to capture images where it's difficult to set the correct exposure.
  • Custom (C1 and C2): allows you to store two custom settings in memory. You can save the following settings: shooting mode, shooting menu settings, zoom location, and manual focus location.

Flash Modes: You can choose from the following flash modes:

• Auto: the flash fires automatically as required by the light level
• Auto with Red-eye Reduction: the flash may fire automatically as required by the light level. The red-eye reduction lamp fires with each shot.
• Flash On with Red-eye Reduction: the red-eye reduction lamp and flash fire with every shot
• Flash On: the flash fires with every shot
• Flash Off: the flash will not fire

Flash Output Adjustment: You can adjust the flash output in three steps. If full flash washes out the subject, you can reduce the amount of flash output for better results.

Photo Effect Modes: You can choose from the following Photo Effect Modes:

• Vivid: emphasizes the contrast and color saturation to record in bold colors
• Neutral: tones down the contrast and color saturation to record neutral hues
• Low Sharpening: records subjects with softened outlines
• Sepia: records images in sepia tones
• B/W: records images in black and white
• Off: records with no effect

Continuous Shooting Modes: You can choose from two continuous shooting modes: Standard Continuous Shooting or High-speed Continuous Shooting. You can use these modes to shoot successive frames while the shutter button is fully pressed. In Standard Continuous Shooting mode, the camera stores approximately 1.6 images per second while the shutter button is held down. In High-speed Continuous Shooting mode, the camera stores approximately 2.4 images per second while the shutter button is held down. Shooting continues until the shutter button is released or the CompactFlash Card is full.

Metering Modes: You can select from the following metering modes:

• Evaluative Light Metering: used for standard conditions. The area within the frame is divided into several zones and light is measured based on subject position, brightness, direct light and backlighting.
• Center-Weighted Averaging: averages the exposure from the entire image, but places more weight on the subject at the center
• Spot AE Point: meters the area within the spot AE point at the center of the LCD monitor

Exposure Compensation: If you are shooting against a bright background or strong backlight, you may need to correct the exposure so that the subject doesn't come out too dark. You can set the adjustments from -2 to +2 in 1/3-step increments.

White Balance: You can choose from the following white balance settings:

• Auto: the camera sets the white balance automatically according to shooting conditions

• Daylight: for recording outdoors on a bright day

• Cloudy: for recording under overcast, shady or twilight skies

• Tungsten: for recording under tungsten and bulb-type 3-wavelength fluorescent lighting

• Fluorescent: for recording under warm-white, cool-white or warm-white (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting

• Fluorescent H: for recording under daylight fluorescent or daylight fluorescent-type (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting

• Custom: allows you to manually set the white balance and store the settings

ISO Speed: The ISO speed can be set to 50, 100, 200, 400, or Auto.

Self-Timer: The self-timer starts when the shutter button is pressed. The delay time can be set to 10 seconds or 2 seconds.

Movie Mode: The movie mode can be used to shoot movie clips in AVI format (Image data: Motion JPEG, Audio data: WAVE (monaural)). The movie resolution may be set to 320 x 240 or 160 x 120. Each movie clip can be up to 3 minutes long. Recording times will vary with the subject and shooting conditions, and recording will automatically stop when the maximum clip time is reached or when the CompactFlash Card is full.

Editing Movies: The Edit function in the movie control panel enables you to cut unwanted portions at the start or the end of a movie clip.

Sound Memos: You can attach sound memos (up to 60 seconds) to an image while in the playback mode.

Auto Play: You can view all images on the Compact Flash Card one-by-one with the Auto Play function. Each image is displayed on the LCD monitor for approximately 3 seconds.

Index Playback: This feature allows you to view nine images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly.

Image Magnification: When viewing a still picture in Single Image Playback mode, you can magnify the image 2.5x, 5x, or 10x.

Rotating Images: You can rotate an image by 90 or 270 degrees clockwise in the LCD monitor.

Power Requirements: The PowerShot A80 comes with 4 "AA" alkaline batteries. You can also use optional Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries. It is not recommended to use Lithium Ion or manganese batteries, as these battery types may overheat in the camera. While "AA"-sized Nickel-Cadmium batteries may be used, their performance is unreliable and their use is not recommended.

Direct Print Function: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a CP-series printer that supports the Direct Print function. You can also connect the camera directly to certain Canon Bubble Jet printers. In this way, you can make prints directly from the camera without ever having to hook it up to a computer.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer. PictBridge is a new standard that allows you to connect a PictBridge compliant camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer and make prints, regardless of brand.

Exif Print (Exif 2.2): The Canon PowerShot A80 conforms to "Exif Print", a worldwide standard. Vital camera settings (such as: exposure mode, white balance, exposure time) and scene data are recorded to the image file when it is captured. Printers compatible with "Exif Print" are able to use this information to produce high quality photographs, exactly the way they were intended at the time of capture. This intelligent communication process also allows the printer to correct for poor lighting or mistakes, resulting in photos that can be even better than the originals.

DPOF Print Settings: On the CompactFlash Card, you can select which image or images you want to print and how many copies you want. This is convenient for printing images all at once, on optional Canon direct print function compliant printers, on PictBridge compliant printers or at participating photo labs.

DPOF Transfer Order: You can use the camera to specify settings for images that you wish to send by e-mail. The settings used on the camera comply with the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) standards. Once images are selected for transfer, you can use the supplied software to actually transfer the images to an e-mail program. A maximum of 998 images can be selected per CompactFlash Card, and are transferred in order from oldest to newest by shooting date.

My Camera Function: The start-up image, start-up sound, operation sounds, self-timer sound and shutter sound can be customized with the My Camera function and edited on your computer using the software provided with the camera.

Optional AC Power: The camera is compatible with the optional ACK600 Power Adapter kit (item #280ACK600). This allows you to use the camera for extended periods without worrying about running the batteries down.

Optional Lens Compatibility: The separately sold LA-DC52D Conversion Lens Adapter is required to use the following optional lenses: WC-DC52 Wide Converter, TC-DC52A Tele-converter, and 250D (52mm) Close-up Lens.

Software Requirements

Windows System Requirements:

• Computer Model: IBM PC/AT compatible
• OS: Windows 98 (First or Second Edition), Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), Windows 2000, or Windows XP. Proper operation is not guaranteed on an OS that has been upgraded from a previous version.
• CPU: Pentium 150 MHz or better (Windows XP: Pentium 300 MHz or better)
• RAM:
  • Windows 98/Windows Me/Windows 2000: 64 MB or more
  • Windows XP: 128 MB or more
• Interface: USB; only preinstalled Windows 98/Windows Me/Windows 2000/Windows XP systems with built-in USB ports
• Free Hard Disk Space:
  • ZoomBrowser EX: 200 MB or more (Including PhotoRecord printing program)
  • PhotoStitch: 40 MB or more
  • Canon Camera TWAIN Driver: 25 MB or more
  • Canon Camera WIA Driver: 25 MB or more
• Display: 800 x 600 pixels/high-color (16-bit) or better; 1,024 x 768 pixels or better is recommended

Macintosh System Requirements:

• OS: Mac OS 9.0-9.2, Mac OS X (10.1/10.2)
• CPU: PowerPC
• RAM:
  • Mac OS 9.0-9.2: 64 MB or more of application memory
  • Mac OS X (Version 10.1/10.2): 128 MB or more
• Interface: USB; only systems equipped with genuine Apple-brand built-in USB interfaces
• Free Hard Disk Space:
  • ImageBrowser: 120 MB or more
  • PhotoStitch: 30 MB or more
• Display: 800 x 600 pixels/32,000 colors or better; 1,024 x 768 pixels/32,000 colors or better is recommended

Specifications

Estimated Image Capacity of CompactFlash Cards:

Battery Performance: