Canon PowerShot A580
Latest - Review by CNET.co.uk (added 18 June’08)
Canon PowerShot A580 features:
- 8 megapixels
- 4x optical zoom
- 2.5 inch LCD
- ISO 80-1600
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Read More Reviews - (updated 18 June’08)
CNET.co.uk reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and they write -
“Puppy-dog styling and an anonymous feature set leave the Canon PowerShot A580 feeling short of personality. Cameras from the IXUS or Lumix ranges, such as Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS5, are much sleeker and more innovative, if more expensive. If you’re really keen on a chunky snapper and your heart is set on AA batteries, the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS packs a 12x zoom and twice the panache.”
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LapTopMag reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and they write -
“Canon has assembled a good mix of ergonomics, features, and image quality, at an affordable price with the A580. And it looks, feels, and shoots like a camera that costs more than $149.”
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PhotographyBlog reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and they write -
“The Canon PowerShot A580 is a worthy successor to an entire line of moderately priced, yet capable compact cameras marketed by Canon over the past couple of years. In two weeks of use, I have found basic operation to be highly intuitive, with the controls working efficiently. Thanks to the matured design concept, the camera is largely free of the handling issues typically associated with small digicams. There were a few exceptions, functions I would never have thought existed if I had not read the manual, but these were few and far between. Operational speed was generally faster than one would expect in this class, with only the burst rate and the flash recycle time being a disappointment. Image quality has also exceeded my expectations in terms of detail, color accuracy, AWB consistency and centre sharpness. A well-exposed and properly focused ISO 80 shot will produce an excellent 30×40cm print, with ISO 800 still enjoyable at the common 10×15cm size. ISO 1600 is best reserved for Web galleries though.”
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Imaging-Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and they write -
“No entry-level bargain camera is going to score highly on our comprehensive tests, but the Canon PowerShot A580 proved to be pretty scrappy. Thanks to its DIGIC III processor, its performance was nothing to sneeze at. And the same imaging engine gave it some very helpful tools like motion detection and face detection that Canon has harnessed in unique and interesting ways.
The main disappointment was in how the A580 handled highlights under a variety of situations. There was noticeable blooming at the edges of any white object. Corner softness was a bit high at wide angle, too. But, as I said, you’ve got to expect some issues.”
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Cameras.co.uk reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and they write -
“The Powershot A580 offers both picture quality and value for money. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive digital camera and looks and style are not everything to you then this could be the camera you are looking for.”
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PCMag reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and they write -
“The camera registered average to below-average results in the lab. Boot-up time was 3.5 seconds, compared with the A590’s speedier 2.7 seconds. Recycle time and shutter lag were also behind the A590 IS, and generally below average, at 5 and 1.7 seconds, respectively—hence the A580 is not ideal for action shots. I suspect that what causes the sluggish performance is a slow autofocus.”
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PhotoReview reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and they write -
“Pictures taken with the test camera showed a slightly wider dynamic range than we normally see with small-sensor digicams. Although we found blown-out highlights in outdoor shots, shadows were captured with minimal noise and a fair amount of detail. Colors were natural looking and saturation appeared to be at normal levels.”
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StevesDigicams - 24 March’08 - reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and thought it was an attractive entry-level camera. Here’s a summary of their review -
“With Canon’s Face Recognition taking portraits with the A580 is super easy and when the flash was used it did a remarkably good job and did not blow out the highlights. Image quality was rated as excellent with vivid colors and accurate white balance. Performance was snappy and was able to be turned and take the first picture in 1.8 seconds. It also has a burst mode that allowed the reviewer to capture 5 frames in 2.7 seconds, just short of 2 frames per second. One cool thing was the burst mode also works with the flash, capturing 5 images in 7 seconds.”
InfoSync - 20 March’08 - reviews the Canon PowerShot A580 and felt it was slow to process images. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Nice camera capable of producing good quality images but it lacks image stabilization and the pictures tend to look over sharpened. the other major concern expressed in the review was in their words, a serious focusing inconsistency problem. For a sub $150 camera the A580 puts out good quality images. Staying at lower ISO give you quality photos shot after shot. Edge up the ISO and you’re asking for increased digital noise.”
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Videos
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos at Imaging-Resource]
[Sample Photos at Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample Test Photos at StevesDigicams]
[Sample Test Photos at InfoSync]
Specifications
[Official Canon Specifications]
Owners Manual
Press Summary
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 24 January, 2008: Canon today announces the launch of a new compact camera with powerful new features that say bye-bye to blur and offer enhanced point-and-shoot capability. The cameras include brand-new blur-reducing Motion Detection Technology, plus new technology evolutions. Canon’s Face Detection Technology now features Face Detection White Balance, and Red-Eye Correction, can now remove red-eye automatically as the user shoots. Each camera also has a Face Select & Track function.
From the ultra-stylish color variations of the Digital IXUS 80 IS, to the expandable functionality of the PowerShot A590 IS, the emphasis on this new batch of Canon digital compacts is on taking the hassle out of everyday image-making, while providing Canon’s hallmark design and manufacturing excellence.
“Canon leads the field in image quality because it relies on intelligent solutions, not quick fixes,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “Every camera released today incorporates class-leading features to combat common problems like camera shake and subject blur, without sacrificing overall image quality.”
The new camera:
- PowerShot A580 – 8.0 Megapixels, 4x zoom, 2.5” LCD and optical viewfinder, plus new Easy mode
Ultimate blur solution With new Motion Detection Technology and the optical Image Stabilizer lens, Canon provides a comprehensive and intelligent solution to blur. Activated in High ISO Auto mode, Motion Detection Technology takes information from multiple sources – Face Detection Technology, scene brightness, subject movement and the optical Image Stabilizer (where available) – to assess camera or subject movement. It then calculates the minimum boost in ISO levels (between ISO 80-800) necessary to compensate for that motion. The wide range of inputs and precision of the Motion Detection algorithms ensure that Canon’s system avoids trading reduced blur for an unnecessary increase in image noise.
The lens-shift type optical Image Stabilizer lens found in the Digital IXUS 80 IS and PowerShot A590 IS also contributes to low-noise images. It uses a moveable lens element – rather than a boost in ISO – to counteract the effects of camera-shake, with no accompanying increase in noise. This makes cameras with IS and Motion Detection Technology doubly effective against blur: Motion Detection Technology takes IS into account when calculating ISO levels, thus increasing image quality even further.
Exceptional Face Detection Technology Face Detection White Balance and Face Select & Track are included in all four models, enhancing portraits and people shots taken in a wide range of situations. Face Detection White Balance sets the white balance for the face detection frame, in addition to the focus, exposure and flash set by previous versions of Face Detection. The result is portraits with natural skin tones, in all environments whether lit by artificial, natural, or mixed light sources. Face Select & Track follows a user-selected face around the frame, ensuring that the best results are achieved at the moment the photographer shoots.
Red-Eye Correction is enhanced for 2008. In addition to Red-Eye Correction in playback, each of the models now features automatic Red-Eye Correction in shooting. Auto Red-Eye Correction detects and removes red-eye as the user shoots, for natural, red-eye free images.
Enhanced Auto Focus New AF Point Zoom allows the photographer to magnify the AF frame when the shutter button is pressed half way, so that facial expressions can be checked before shooting. AF performance in low light has been significantly improved to achieve focus in scenes at around one stop darker, so that users can now take excellent shots in low-light conditions where they would have been unobtainable before.
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