Customer Reviews

Canon PowerShot A580 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

These PowerShot "A" cameras are Canon's attempt to deliver the quality and features of its more expensive PowerShot "G" and PowerShot Pro "S" lines (such as full zoom lenses) at a budget price. The results are pretty good. (How do I know? Because I've actually gotten to use all of these cameras. I earn my living at Walt Disney World writing a travel guide, and nearly every day guests ask me to take photos of them with their own cameras, which most often are Canon PowerShots.)

Here's my opinion of the top-selling "A" series cameras:

7TH PLACE: Featuring Canon's acclaimed Digic III processor, the 2007-model A560 includes the company's face-detection metering system and a decent red-eye removal. It's a nice camera, but a better value is the new A470 (see below). $150 list.

6TH PLACE: The A570IS is the same camera as the A560 but with optical image stabilization and the ability to shoot manually. $200 list.

5TH PLACE: You can do a lot with the sweet little A630. It's a 2006 model, but has a flip-out LCD panel and lots of manual controls. The shots I've seen from this model look great. Keep your ISO under 800 and you won't get any noise. $350 list. (Canon offers a 2007 version of this camera that I haven't had much experience with yet, the A650 IS. It also lists for $350.)

4TH PLACE: The 2008-model A580 (the camera on this page) is a 2008 upgrade to the A560. The face detection system works a little better than the one on its predecessor, and the new model is slightly rounder and easier to grip. A fine performer and a great bargain. $150 list.

3RD PLACE: The fully-loaded A710 IS has all the toys, including a full-range zoom (35mm film equivalent of 35-210mm), adjustable flash power and optional second-curtain flash. This last feature means you can make the flash fire at the end of a long exposure, instead of the beginning, so moving subjects streak into focus instead of out. A 2007 model. $500 list.

2ND PLACE: The 2008 entry-level A470 is great for kids or anyone just looking for a good basic camera. But frankly, it's better than basic. It includes Canon's face detection technology and has a zoom lens, 14 shooting modes and the ability to set exposure compensation, ISO and white balance manually. Plus it looks great. Everyone with this little camera always seems to be having fun. $130 list.

1ST PLACE: The A590IS is the A580 (see 4th Place, above) with image stabilization and with the option of full manual controls. For an extra $30 those features are well worth it. I bought this model for myself. $180 list.

I purchased this camera as a replacement to a canon A510. I really LOVE this new camera. They improved some features like increasing the size of the review screen and made some options a lot easier to use (like turning flash on/off, timeers in a better spot, deleting pic's). It takes GREAT pic's and is very lightweight and easy to use.

The ONLY DRAWBACK - the moved the SD card. Before it was in its own spot and it was very EASY to open and close. ON this model, they moved it with the batteries and to open that cover, you have to push a littler button, and push down at the same time and then slide the cover off. Doesn't sound that tough but it takes a lot more time to get that open and sometimes it takes a few tries to get it open.

That is why I rated it 4 stars instead of 5 stars. Other than that - I LOVE this camera!!! Get a lot of features for the price!!

I didn't really have a good experience with my Canon 35mm compact camera before, so I was pretty hesitated to order this one. But compare to my ancient Sony DSC P92 & Nikon coolpix 4300, this Canon A580 is the best for the price. It has all the features of a more expensive camera & so easy to use. Came with a software and AA battery. The only bad thing from this camera is whenever I set it into night mode the picture always turned out blurred. But other than that everything is good, just have to have an extra battery with you all the time.
I ordered this camera from Amazon & it arrived withing 3 days. The shipping was free & no sales tax even made it a better bargain.

I bought this camera for my trip to the States recently, and all I can say so far is, absolutely great! Bought from Amazon.com and delivered in 2 working days - spot on!

I have to admit, I am one for trying to use something without having to bother with reading instructions. Thankfully, this camera is definately user-friendly. It is so easy to use. Sure there are more sophisticated options available to use on this camera, that will I probably need to address the manual for but, for a camera that you can just pick up and shoot impressive photos straight away, this baby does the trick. Even at full zoom, the picture quality is not distorted much at all.

I previously had a Samsung 8 MP camera, and the difference in quality of pictures this Canon takes compared to the Samsung are impressive. I could ramble on about how good this camera is, but if you are like me, you will just want to be re-assured that this is worth buying - IT IS!

Easy and simple to use, great pictures (day or night), nice looking and compact camera. Oh and I nearly forgot, I don't know what Canon put in there batteries, but the standard alkaline ones that came with the camera are lasting ages. I have taking over 80 pictures so far and no sign of them running out (no doubt they will, now I have mentioned it!); very impressed.

This Canon A580 PowerShot camera is a great buy!

Great camera at a great price...the only upgrade would be the IS feature on the next model, otherwise this is a perfect camera for the point & shooter or the pro who wants a pocket size device to take perfect, high quality pics. Buy it...

We have a Cannon Digital Rebel XTI and wanted something smaller and easier to carry. This camera takes good pictures, is relatively fast, and has all the features you expect from a point and shoot.

I was hesitant about crossing over from Fuji to Canon but when I came across this camera on sale for such a great price I just could not pass it up. I would have to say that it is probably not the best Canon out there but you would be hard pressed to find a digital for this price that takes great point and shoot pictures. For the price you just can't beat it. I use the Sony rechargeable batteries and they work wonderful with this camera. I uploaded a few scenery pictures to show the quality.

Upgraded from the Canon Powershot A70. Good camera for point and shoot photography. Definitely less blur than on the A70.

This is my 3rd Canon, first one got stolen,second one fell into water. They just keep getting better and cheaper.No problems whatsoever.Love it.

Amazing how much better (and cheaper) digitial cameras have become in recent years. The number of true pixels has increased while prices decline. What I like about this one is the autofocus capability (which makes sure that faces are in focus) and the fact that yoiu can use it like a point and shoot or play with it if one is more adverturous. Does it provide all of the features a serious photographer would want? No. But is is certainly serviceable, takes excellent pictures, and is quite handy to use. The fact that it runs on regular batteries is a plus. The memory card it comes with is insufficient, so you'll need a bigger capacity card right away.