Yukiaki Hashimoto of Canon Says:

"Canon's new PowerShot S80 model is a high-grade camera that offers superior image quality and a feature set on par with our more advanced models. Along with improving on our earlier models, we are offering features not seen in other digital cameras before including a stunning new XGA movie mode that rivals the video output of some high-end digital camcorders."

Canon PowerShot S80 Described In Detail:

A Small Camera that Shoots Big Movies:

Thanks to Canon's DIGIC II image processor, the S80 model supports movie recording in XGA size (1024 x 768 pixels) at 15 frames per second for the first time in any digital camera(1). Compared to the previous maximum - VGA (640 x 480 pixels) - XGA recording has about 2.5 times more pixels, and the data amount is about twice as high. Continuous recording of XGA up to a file size of 1GB is available on the Caon S80 model.

Following the Canon PowerShot S2 IS digital camera, the Canon PowerShot S80 model provides a choice between single frame and sequence frame for Movie Prints. When Single is selected, any frame from a movie can be selected and printed on a single sheet. Print quality depends on the mode used during movie recording, with XGA producing the best quality. In Sequence mode, the camera can, when connected to a compatible Canon Compact Photo Printer, print a series of miniature thumbnail images that provides an overview of the movie's content.

Rich Array of Shooting Modes:

The Canon PowerShot S80 offers users 21 different shooting modes, allowing the camera to effectively handle a variety of situations. As with the S70 model, there are five modes in the Creative Zone, plus 12 new Special Scene modes as well as the My Colors mode, Stitch Assist Mode and Movie Mode. The 12 new Special Scene modes include Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot and Digital Macro.

A Sleek New Look with Improved Controls:

Although it has a large feature set, the Canon PowerShot S80 digital camera is amazingly compact. Simple yet impressive, the shape of the new camera fits snugly into the palm of the hand. Canon built the elegant design with a combination of aluminum magnesium alloy and high-gloss aluminum to create a sturdy and shiny body, which includes a soft-touch finger rest to improve holding stability. Silver banding on the camera highlights the predominantly black front piece. The Canon S80 model also includes a creative rear panel design that offers convenient operation on the camera is possible through a new multi-control dial and omni selector.

Ramped Up Imaging Features:

The camera's improved autofocus reduces the time required for focusing by up to approximately 20 percent compared to its predecessor. In addition, the refined exposure control under low-light conditions results not only in better exposure accuracy but also in better focusing performance. Canon improved the exposure control by a full stop, which allows for easier focusing and produces better photos in dark conditions.

Real-Time Histogram:

Also new to the Canon PowerShot S80 model is a real time histogram which is displayed on the new 2.5-inch LCD screen while shooting. It can be turned on and off in the shooting menu. When the LCD screen is turned on and set to display information, the histogram is shown in the bottom left corner of the LCD screen. In previous models, exposure compensation values were displayed by a scale shown at the bottom of the screen, which made it difficult to check the compensated exposure. When the PowerShot S80 digital camera is set for live histogram display, exposure compensation settings are displayed numerically, taking up much less space and making adjustments easier to evaluate as a result.

Print Photos in Seconds:

Like all PowerShot digital cameras, the Canon PowerShot S80 camera works seamlessly with Canon's petite SELPHY Compact Photo Printers - an essential PowerShot accessory. Customers simply connect their PowerShot digital camera to a SELPHY printer - such as the new SELPHY CP510, CP710 and CP600 models - press the lighted Print/Share button, and within 58 seconds(2), images emerge. Presto! It's that simple. Canon's SELPHY Compact Photo Printers are PictBridge compatible. They work with most digital cameras and offer excellent image quality and ease-of-use, especially when paired with a Canon digital camera. At 28 cents-per-print(3), printing photos directly from a digital camera is both easy and affordable.

DIGIC II Image Processing Technology - Hi-Speed USB 2.0:

True to the PowerShot tradition, the Canon PowerShot S80 model has many of the latest advances in Canon technology including the proprietary DIGIC II imaging processor. The processor enhances picture definition, vibrancy and quality, while helping increase the speed of the camera's startup, autofocus, shutter response, playback and image processing speed while reducing power consumption by 35 percent compared to the original DIGIC chip. Image transfer speed is accelerated (when used with a USB 2.0 compatible computer, printer or other peripheral), thanks to the inclusion of a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. The USB 2.0 port is backwards compatible (at no increased speed) with computers featuring standard USB 1.1 connections.

So what do you Get?

The Canon PowerShot S80 Kit will include a full set of Canon's powerful yet easy-to-use digital camera software, including the latest versions of ZoomBrowser EX, ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch and PhotoRecord, as well as ArcSoft PhotoStudio. The standard kit will also include an Interface Cable IFC-400PCU and AV cable AVC-DC300, a lithium-ion Battery Pack NB-2LH and Battery Charger CB-2LW, a 32MB SD memory card, instruction manuals and a Wrist Strap WS-300. Optional accessories include a Waterproof Housing WP-DC1, a wireless auxiliary flash unit High Power Flash HF-DC1, Soft Leather Case PSC30 and the choice of wide-angle or telephoto supplementary lenses.

Canon PowerShot S80 Specifications: