How does Optio 555 compares to Canon A80?

[diego_de_lima]

How does Optio 555 compares to Canon A80?

 

[Pixiespics]

I just bought the Optio 555 a week or so ago. I spent a lot of time researching, and the Canon A80 was my other option. In fact, I was ready to get the Canon before I started reading about the Pentax, then tried it out.

Obviously, the Pentax has a higher megapixel capacity and greater optical zoom. These were both important to me. The picture quailty IMHO is noticeably better with the Optio.

The Canon's flip out LCD screen was cool, in my opinion, but not really necessary for my purposes. In the end, it came down to the better specs and the better image quailty for me, and the Optio won in both.

Is there some specific attribute you're looking to compare, or just a general comparison? In the end, the camera that's best for you will be the camera that best meets your needs, so it's hard to say without any knowledge of what you're looking for which will be the better option for you.

Hope that helps. Good luck deciding.

How does Optio 555 compares to Canon A80?

 

[diego_de_lima]

I´m looking for a Point and Shot camera, which will be my first digital one.

I will backpack with it for a month and so, and I will use this camera. But at home I´m used to the SLR professional ones, with high image quality. So, I need a compact, strong, easy to use and fast camera (for the trip) and a good image quality and full of resources camera (for some advanced shots in home).

I think really both cameras will make it OK, but what I want to know from experienced owners of these cameras is:

Is there any realy bad thing in the camera, like: does de A80 flip out LCD screen brokes too easy or is the 555 image quality poor, for example? Or is anyone having any kind of trouble with the camera focus, image quality, batery etc?

Thanks again for your help!

Obviously, the Pentax has a higher megapixel capacity and greater
optical zoom. These were both important to me. The picture
quailty IMHO is noticeably better with the Optio.

The Canon's flip out LCD screen was cool, in my opinion, but not
really necessary for my purposes. In the end, it came down to the
better specs and the better image quailty for me, and the Optio won
in both.

Is there some specific attribute you're looking to compare, or just
a general comparison? In the end, the camera that's best for you
will be the camera that best meets your needs, so it's hard to say
without any knowledge of what you're looking for which will be the
better option for you.

Hope that helps. Good luck deciding.

How does Optio 555 compares to Canon A80?

 

[JohnFrim]

I also compared the O555 and the A80 before buying the 555. Yes, the flip-out screen seemed nifty, but I chose the 555 for its smaller size (I made a decision to NOT try to compete with my film SLR by simply going digital). As someone on this forum once stated, it does not matter how good the camera is if you leave it home because it is too big to drag along. I will take my entire SLR kit on major vacations, but I travel a lot on business and just wanted something small that will take good photos, but still has versatility.

I have had the camera since Christmas and although I have not used it a lot I have experienced no problems that others have reported on this forum. Maybe they have been unlucky, or maybe I have been lucky. Only time will tell.

Have fun with whatever you buy, and be prepared to learn about the idiosynchrasies of digital vs film.

JF.

I will backpack with it for a month and so, and I will use this
camera. But at home I´m used to the SLR professional ones, with
high image quality. So, I need a compact, strong, easy to use and
fast camera (for the trip) and a good image quality and full of
resources camera (for some advanced shots in home).

I think really both cameras will make it OK, but what I want to
know from experienced owners of these cameras is:

Is there any realy bad thing in the camera, like: does de A80 flip
out LCD screen brokes too easy or is the 555 image quality poor,
for example? Or is anyone having any kind of trouble with the
camera focus, image quality, batery etc?

Thanks again for your help!

Obviously, the Pentax has a higher megapixel capacity and greater
optical zoom. These were both important to me. The picture
quailty IMHO is noticeably better with the Optio.

The Canon's flip out LCD screen was cool, in my opinion, but not
really necessary for my purposes. In the end, it came down to the
better specs and the better image quailty for me, and the Optio won
in both.

Is there some specific attribute you're looking to compare, or just
a general comparison? In the end, the camera that's best for you
will be the camera that best meets your needs, so it's hard to say
without any knowledge of what you're looking for which will be the
better option for you.

Hope that helps. Good luck deciding.

How does Optio 555 compares to Canon A80?

 

[bristolrat]

I'd just like to add a note about the flipout screen - I got an Optio 33lf for Christmas (that I since traded in for a 450), the 33lf had a flip out screen, it seemed like a neat feature, but more of a gimmick really. I found that I wanted to keep the lcd turned inward when the camera was off, for protection and it was somehow awkward to have to open it up and flip it around every time I turned the camera on. I would usually take pictures with the lcd screen out to the left of the camera, I don't know - I thought it would be cool, but I don't miss it a bit with my Optio 450, which I am thrilled to bits with.

 

[wazza]

Optio features would sway me

1.longer zoom
2. better macro
3. IR remote
4. time elapse (this is actually a lot of fun)
5. weight (250g is the limit for my pocket, A80 too heavy)
6. LI batteries

Cheers

I have had the camera since Christmas and although I have not used
it a lot I have experienced no problems that others have reported
on this forum. Maybe they have been unlucky, or maybe I have been
lucky. Only time will tell.

Have fun with whatever you buy, and be prepared to learn about the
idiosynchrasies of digital vs film.

JF.

I will backpack with it for a month and so, and I will use this
camera. But at home I´m used to the SLR professional ones, with
high image quality. So, I need a compact, strong, easy to use and
fast camera (for the trip) and a good image quality and full of
resources camera (for some advanced shots in home).

I think really both cameras will make it OK, but what I want to
know from experienced owners of these cameras is:

Is there any realy bad thing in the camera, like: does de A80 flip
out LCD screen brokes too easy or is the 555 image quality poor,
for example? Or is anyone having any kind of trouble with the
camera focus, image quality, batery etc?

Thanks again for your help!

Obviously, the Pentax has a higher megapixel capacity and greater
optical zoom. These were both important to me. The picture
quailty IMHO is noticeably better with the Optio.

The Canon's flip out LCD screen was cool, in my opinion, but not
really necessary for my purposes. In the end, it came down to the
better specs and the better image quailty for me, and the Optio won
in both.

Is there some specific attribute you're looking to compare, or just
a general comparison? In the end, the camera that's best for you
will be the camera that best meets your needs, so it's hard to say
without any knowledge of what you're looking for which will be the
better option for you.

Hope that helps. Good luck deciding.

How does Optio 555 compares to Canon A80?

 

[JohnFrim]

Thanks for your post. I would probably have done the same as you -- keep the LCD folded for protection. Hearing that it was a nuisance to operate this way makes me feel I made the right choice with the 555.

JF.

I'd just like to add a note about the flipout screen - I got an
Optio 33lf for Christmas (that I since traded in for a 450), the
33lf had a flip out screen, it seemed like a neat feature, but more
of a gimmick really. I found that I wanted to keep the lcd turned
inward when the camera was off, for protection and it was somehow
awkward to have to open it up and flip it around every time I
turned the camera on. I would usually take pictures with the lcd
screen out to the left of the camera, I don't know - I thought it
would be cool, but I don't miss it a bit with my Optio 450, which I
am thrilled to bits with.

 

[James Akiyama]

If you'll be backpacking for a month without access to AC power, you may find the A80's ability to use penlight batteries useful. Penlights tend to be needed for other equipment anyway.

I actually have the Pentax Optio 555 and enjoy it. It's battery life is quite long, but you'd need a fair number of spares if you wanted to go a week.

If you will have access to AC power, I'd go for the Pentax.

James

 

[JohnFrim]

Has no one come up with a way of using an external battery pack to power the camera via the DC input? It may not be convenient, but it could be used in a pinch. A single voltage regulator chip should suffice.

Alternatively, what about charging the Pentax battery from standard cells like AA or C or D? My kid has a toy that does just that -- a pack of D cells charges the rechargeable batteries with a timer. Any products already out there? Any electronics buffs eager to suggest control circuitry to esure no damage to the Pentax battery?

JF.

If you'll be backpacking for a month without access to AC power,
you may find the A80's ability to use penlight batteries useful.
Penlights tend to be needed for other equipment anyway.

I actually have the Pentax Optio 555 and enjoy it. It's battery
life is quite long, but you'd need a fair number of spares if you
wanted to go a week.

If you will have access to AC power, I'd go for the Pentax.

James

 

[2boys]

The zoom, the pixels and the size/weight. For something to carry with you at all times, the 555 is hard to beat.

I'd like to have a flip out LCD, very handy for macro and getting a different perspective on an image without crawling in the mud. On the other hand, it ads bulk and (breakable) complexity.

The 555 battery is very strong. I've had one low battery indication and I filled my 128MB card twice before that happened. With a pre-charged spare and mostly outdoor (no flash) shots, you should get 2-300 images. Or, cary the small charger.

Within the limits that all compact cameras share, I think I could not have done much better than the 555.
Recent sample:



More images: http://www.pbase.com/dazedgonebye/pad

JF.

I'd just like to add a note about the flipout screen - I got an
Optio 33lf for Christmas (that I since traded in for a 450), the
33lf had a flip out screen, it seemed like a neat feature, but more
of a gimmick really. I found that I wanted to keep the lcd turned
inward when the camera was off, for protection and it was somehow
awkward to have to open it up and flip it around every time I
turned the camera on. I would usually take pictures with the lcd
screen out to the left of the camera, I don't know - I thought it
would be cool, but I don't miss it a bit with my Optio 450, which I
am thrilled to bits with.

--
Steven Maniscalco
http://www.pbase.com/dazedgonebye