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

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(More customer reviews)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.

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Even beginners can create phenomenal images with the amazing PowerShot A580. This impressive 8.0-megapixel digital camera has a 4x optical zoom and bright 2.5-inch LCD that make shooting simple and convenient. To give you superior quality images without having to worry about the details, there\'s a full range of Canon\'s highly advanced features at your service -- including a powerful DIGIC III image processor, enhanced Face Detection technology, a host of shooting modes including a new Easy Mode and more.

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Canon EOS Rebel 2000 35mm SLR Camera Kit with 28-80mm Lens Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the Rebel 2000 after a couple of months of serious comparison shopping. My decision came down to the Nikon N60 and the Rebel 2000. The cameras share 90% of their features but the Canon provided 7 point autofocusing, 35 zone metering and a depth of field preview. You would have to spend almost $1000 to get these features on a Nikon. The only reason I even had to make a choice between the two was because the Nikon has superior optics and a more sturdy "feeling" aluminum body. The Nikon felt great in my hands and while I enjoyed the light weight of the canon, I was fearful of it's ability to take a beating. Then, I thought..."will i abuse my camera...NO...could an aluminum body handle a 4ft drop from my hands?...NO! So what's the difference. Don't be afraid of the alloy body! Some are under the impression that if it costs over $100, it should be heavy? Enjoy the freedom that these new products and the materials can afford us. The lens mounts hold up just fine. Most beginners will only buy two lenses anyway and won't change them very often. I have a trusted friend in a camera repair shop who says the new plastics are plenty strong enough and he hasn't repaired one yet. This is a great camera. I give it 4 instead of 5 stars for a lack of spot metering. Don't buy the standard 28-80 lens. It's lacking. Buy a body online for less than $260. Save your money and then buy a 28-105 or 28-135 USM lens. Always buy good glass! You won't be disappointed with this buy.

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The Canon EOS Rebel 2000 is an affordable, lightweight, andfull-featured automatic 35mm SLR for both beginning and advancedamateur photographers. It offers a host of special modes for specificshooting situations, including full auto, manual, night scene,portrait, landscape, and more. It also has shutter-speed priority andaperture priority modes--although most users will inevitably leave thecamera in full auto mode a majority of the time and the cameraperforms very well that way. Just remember that the empty rectanglesymbol on the mode dial is for full auto.
Some other basic features include an impressive seven-point autofocussystem, LCD panel with extensive information display, three exposuremetering modes (evaluative, partial, and centerweighted), autoexposure bracketing, a multiple exposure function, and depth-of-fieldpreview. The autofocus system is incredibly responsive, and includesseven focusing points that can be set individually for super creativeshooting. In other words, using the LCD panel as a guide, you can setthe camera to automatically focus on the far right focus point (or anyof the other points) so your main subject doesn't have to be in themiddle of the frame to be in focus in a snap.
In fact, most settings can be adjusted in creative ways on the Rebel2000, like the exposure level, which can be set to overexpose orunderexpose up to two full stops for tricky lighting situations whereyou might want to fool the camera's metering system. It also has asmall, built-in pop-up flash, plus a hot shoe for an additional flashunit. Overall, we found this camera to be smartly designed with anattractive look and a comfortable feel.

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