which to buy? canon A-80 or S400-plan ontaking pictures of nature, landscapes and animals some nite shots and in home photos.

If you plan taking a lot of indoor shots and/or nite scenes, then the A80 is by far better. The S400 excels at outdoor shots, but the flash is not powerful enough for low light shots.

A80 is bit better at indoors with flash, the S400 is a bit better outoors.

Someone who owns both has done some comparison shots:

http://www.pbase.com/isabel95/comparison