Digital Cameras for Paddlers
A80, Canon
Several families of Canon cameras cover different consumer entry points. Although none are weather-resistant, Canon leads the field in the number of waterproof cases available as an option. The A80 offers some features that are attractive to paddlers. The camera packs four AAs for power. Loaded with NiMH rechargeables, it can probably survive a day or two of normal shooting before battery replacement. Add a solar charger and a couple of sets of inexpensive batteries, and expedition paddlers can shift their concerns to dealing with bears or the high-wind forecast.
The A80 sports an f/2.8-4.9, 3x (38-114mm) zoom lens. Shutter speeds are 1/1500 to 15 seconds. The 4.0-MP CCD produces a 2272x1704-pixel image, for quality prints to 8.5x11. The flash works to 16 feet at a wide-angle setting. It's also adjustable, so you can use fill-flash to add subtlety without blowing things out. The camera can shoot at 2.4 frames per second at top quality for four frames, so if you're ready when action happens, you stand a pretty good chance of capturing it. The movie mode includes sound, and you can even do some in-camera editing. The swivel LCD sets the camera apart, and is a jump-starter for expanding your range of great picture-taking.
If you're familiar with Canon's shooting dial and other features, you'll feel right at home with the A80. It has heft at 12.5 ounces (with batteries), the heaviest of our test cameras. I found it easy to grip and use. Buttons are well placed, the mode dial is intuitive, and I really liked the zoom control, which operates by a lever that rotates around the shutter button. The camera (4.1 x 2.5 x 1.4 inches) is a bit bulky for stowage. At start-up, which takes three to four seconds, the camera's built-in lens cover splits and the camera zooms out to its ready position.
The camera isn't waterproof, so I'd opt for a small dry box with desiccant or the optional WP-DC 900 waterproof case. If you go the case route, the case housing blocks most of the optical viewfinder. You're then forced to use the LCD, but all the camera controls are accessible through the case's external buttons.
The 1.5-inch swivel LCD was a kick to play with, and very functional. Pull it out and twist to see an arm's-length view in any direction. The LCD was difficult to view in some sunlight and bright overcast light, but angling the viewer often solved the problem. A very cool nine-point array lights up green rectangles on the LCD to show the focus points. I found this reassuring, and I judged the auto-focus to be excellent. The A80 goes a step beyond with a choice of aperture, shutter, or manual priority, plus manual-focusing options and many others. You can also save your commonly used settings and return to them with a simple turn of the mode dial.
This is a camera that will allow you to grow as a photographer, or give a pro the controls he or she craves. Too bad it isn't waterproof. You'll have to decide if the risk of trashing by salt water-or the extra cost and bulk of the waterproof case-takes it off your short list.
The camera comes with a 32-MB compact flash memory, A/V and USB port and cable, wrist strap, and Canon and ArcSoft Camera Suite 1.2 software. NiMH AA batteries and battery charger are not included. Additional accessories for enhanced wide-angle, telephoto, and close-up photography are available from Canon. The optional WP-DC 900 waterproof case fits the A80, but it was not available at the time of testing.
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