Canon Replaces A85 with A520

[GTaudiophile]

This confirms...

Canon's move to a new naming scheme for their entry-level cameras,
Move from CF-based media to SD-based,
Subtraction of two AA batteries to two total.

Press Release

This follows on the heels about Canon replacing the A75 with the A510.

Edit: Both the A510 and A520 replace the 3x optical zoom of their predecessors with 4x optical zoom. Also, Canon has decided not the bring their Digic II processor to the entry-level line.

 

[m3rcury]

I used to own an a40. Feels so long ago...

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Edit: Both the A510 and A520 replace the 3x optical zoom of their predecessors with 4x optical zoom. Also, Canon has decided not the bring their Digic II processor to the entry-level line.

I'm not a camera guy, so can you tell me what that means to consumers? Was it there on the A75 and A85? I was thinking about buying a digital camera within the next few months in the $150-$250 range, and Canon was definitely my top choice. But if the picture quality isn't going to be there anymore, I may have to look elsewhere.

 

[BullyCanadian]

hmm, i wonder if the quality will remain the same top notch, i was planning on selling my sony DSC-P100 and getting the A85 or A80...

 

[joecool]

hmm, interesting and tempting. i have an a80 and love it - really great pictures. i've been thinking to upgrading to the 5mp version, it's also got a bigger lcd. if they come out with a version like one of these with the bigger zoom and fewer batteries i'll be very tempted. only down side is having to buy new memory cards. i guess that's part of the switch to smaller, lighter, lower power. oh, well.

 

[tRaptor]

Thats awsome! I've been thinking about a A85 but not wanting to have to sell my 256mb SD card.

EDIT: Look likes it has Digic, just not DIGIC II

When are these avaliable?

 

[gwlam12]

I still like my swiveling LCD screen on my A80. Why was that removed on the A85?


Edit: Thanks Kami.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: gwlam12
I still like my swiveling LCD screen on my A80. Why was that removed on the A85?

Probably because it was never meant to have it.

A85 = upgraded A75
A95 = replacement for A80

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Edit: Both the A510 and A520 replace the 3x optical zoom of their predecessors with 4x optical zoom. Also, Canon has decided not the bring their Digic II processor to the entry-level line.

I'm not a camera guy, so can you tell me what that means to consumers? Was it there on the A75 and A85? I was thinking about buying a digital camera within the next few months in the $150-$250 range, and Canon was definitely my top choice. But if the picture quality isn't going to be there anymore, I may have to look elsewhere.

Nope, A75 and A85 had the Digic. DigicII is Canon's new image processor, is a single chip design and is faster, more accurate, yadda yadda than the original Digic processor. It's used in some of their new cameras like the 1Ds MKII and SD200/300.

 

[ivol07]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Edit: Both the A510 and A520 replace the 3x optical zoom of their predecessors with 4x optical zoom. Also, Canon has decided not the bring their Digic II processor to the entry-level line.

I'm not a camera guy, so can you tell me what that means to consumers? Was it there on the A75 and A85? I was thinking about buying a digital camera within the next few months in the $150-$250 range, and Canon was definitely my top choice. But if the picture quality isn't going to be there anymore, I may have to look elsewhere.

A85 is a great camera. I bought one late last year and have LOVED it ever since. It has simple point and click functionality along with more advanced options if you want to try things out. I got mine for $210 at Beachcamera.com and that same week I saw it "on sale" at Best Buy for $279. Looks like they're even cheaper now. You can't go wrong with this camera.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Edit: Both the A510 and A520 replace the 3x optical zoom of their predecessors with 4x optical zoom. Also, Canon has decided not the bring their Digic II processor to the entry-level line.

I'm not a camera guy, so can you tell me what that means to consumers? Was it there on the A75 and A85? I was thinking about buying a digital camera within the next few months in the $150-$250 range, and Canon was definitely my top choice. But if the picture quality isn't going to be there anymore, I may have to look elsewhere.

Nope, A75 and A85 had the Digic. DigicII is Canon's new image processor, is a single chip design and is faster, more accurate, yadda yadda than the original Digic processor. It's used in some of their new cameras like the 1Ds MKII and SD200/300.

Exactly. The EOS-20D has it as well. I think it is largely responsible for its 2 second start-up time.

 

[Triumph]

Damnit! I JUST bought an A85 a few weeks ago. If this 520 is anywhere near as cheap as I paid for the 85, I'm going to be very pissed. DigicII and 4x would've been nice to have.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: gwlam12
I still like my swiveling LCD screen on my A80. Why was that removed on the A85?

Probably because it was never meant to have it.

A85 = upgraded A75
A95 = replacement for A80

The A75 replaced the A70

The A85 replaced the A80

The A75 retained all the features of the A70, but the A85 dropped a feature that the A80 had.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: gwlam12
I still like my swiveling LCD screen on my A80. Why was that removed on the A85?

Probably because it was never meant to have it.

A85 = upgraded A75
A95 = replacement for A80

The A75 replaced the A70

The A85 replaced the A80

The A75 retained all the features of the A70, but the A85 dropped a feature that the A80 had.

A85 also has the same smaller sized 1/2.7" sensor as the A70/75, not the 1/1.8" sensor that the A80 and A95 have.

Canon press release calls it a replacement of A70 (and refers to the A75)

 

[EvilYoda]

My sister still has an A40 we bought years ago...maybe it's time for an upgrade, lol. I wish Canon would have a trade-in program or something

 

[Bassyhead]

i still use my a60

 

[tRaptor]

Originally posted by: ivol07

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Edit: Both the A510 and A520 replace the 3x optical zoom of their predecessors with 4x optical zoom. Also, Canon has decided not the bring their Digic II processor to the entry-level line.

I'm not a camera guy, so can you tell me what that means to consumers? Was it there on the A75 and A85? I was thinking about buying a digital camera within the next few months in the $150-$250 range, and Canon was definitely my top choice. But if the picture quality isn't going to be there anymore, I may have to look elsewhere.

A85 is a great camera. I bought one late last year and have LOVED it ever since. It has simple point and click functionality along with more advanced options if you want to try things out. I got mine for $210 at Beachcamera.com and that same week I saw it "on sale" at Best Buy for $279. Looks like they're even cheaper now. You can't go wrong with this camera.

Thanks SO MUCH for mentioning that site. Good reseller ratings, looks like great prices too.

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: gwlam12
I still like my swiveling LCD screen on my A80. Why was that removed on the A85?

Probably because it was never meant to have it.

A85 = upgraded A75
A95 = replacement for A80

The A75 replaced the A70

The A85 replaced the A80

The A75 retained all the features of the A70, but the A85 dropped a feature that the A80 had.

Kami333 is the man who knows what he is talking about. You, sir, have no idea.

 

[Insane3D]

Thanks for the info! I was considering selling my A40 and picking up the A85. Now I need to decide if I want to get a A85 cheap now, or pick up the A520 when it comes out...