Canon PowerShot A800 Evaluation | Pictures Weblog

Introduction

Ease of Use

Changing the A495 mannequin, the brand new Canon PowerShot A800 is just about similar to its predecssor, so quite a lot of the feedback that we made about that digicam shall be repeated right here. At a producer’s steered value of £79.99, the A800 is definitely considerably cheaper on launch, reflecting the ever-decreasing value of entry-level compact cameras. The finances value signifies that there’s all the time the sense of ‘bridesmaid however by no means the bride’ concerning the decrease finish of the PowerShot vary in contrast with the shinier, extra fashionable and inevitably pricier IXUS collection, though you’d now must spend fairly much more to stretch to a type of classier cameras. Canon describes the A800 as an ‘on a regular basis’ digicam, which comes throughout as akin to describing somebody’s seems as ‘extraordinary’ however actually simply means it is low cost and simple – and never in a nasty manner.

Although boxy of form and feeling distinctly plastic of construct when gripped within the palm, the bodily chunkier A800 manages the trick of not wanting embarrassingly throwaway subsequent to its extra glamorous, though we’re not eager on the sq. “cutout” part across the lens and extra importantly from a usability viewpoint, the entire lack of a handgrip, one thing which the older A495 gives. It additionally betrays its ‘financial system’ vary tag by being powered courtesy of two lavatory normal alkaline AAs – offered within the field – as a substitute of an extended lasting rechargeable lithium ion battery now provided by most of Canon’s rivals at this value level as normal.

The added bulk over its IXUS equal(s) does, on a optimistic word, imply that operational controls are bigger than you may discover on most pocket cameras – as a assist to each youthful and elder customers. Need an affordable digicam for the mom in legislation or teenage relative? The A800 may properly match the invoice, obtainable as it’s in a alternative of silver, crimson, black or blue our bodies. The ordinariness but solid-ness continues with a look on the digicam’s headline options: 10 megapixel decision, barely broader than common 3.3x optical zoom lens (a 37-122mm equal in 35mm phrases, hidden inside the physique when not in use) plus 115k dot decision, 2.5-inch LCD for framing and reviewing pictures within the anticipated absence of any optical viewfinder.

Entrance	Rear

Nevertheless this in any other case humble PowerShot does match the IXUS vary for the newest options governing ease of use, resembling Sensible Auto, right here just like the IXUS 105 referencing any given scene or topic with 19 on-board presets so all of the consumer has to do is, hopefully, level and shoot and not have to fret about altering settings or scene modes. It is just about spot on. Among the many obtainable choices is Sensible Flash Publicity that can mechanically set off fill-in flash if it detects harsh shadows on a topic’s face for instance. Face detection, self portrait enabling Face Self Timer, plus automated crimson eye correction (if first activated by way of the on-board menu screens) additionally mix to make sure that portraits come out wanting one of the best they probably can inside the operational parameters of the digicam itself.

Once more, as with the newest era IXUS fashions, the A800 contains a Low Gentle Mode for low mild imagery, which, together with Movement Detection Expertise, goals to stop blurred pictures when taking pictures handheld. Two notable scene modes are the colour saturation decreasing ‘Poster Impact’, and, against this, saturation enhancing Tremendous Vivid mode. Video recording too may be discovered right here, although at a modest normal definition 640×480 pixels at 30fps, which even when coupled with the 10 megapixel headline decision, does not actually recommend a lot want for the digicam’s provided compatibility with extraordinarily excessive capability (as much as 2TB) SDXC playing cards alongside the extra generally obtainable SDHC (as much as 32GB).

In fact you must make some compromises for the cheaper value level and these go additional than the plastic physique and AA batteries. Usually the A800, outfitted with a Digic III relatively than IV processor like its IXUS counterparts, is slower, a living proof being that the consumer has to place up with occasional on-screen prompts informing them that they should wait to take a shot whereas the flash fees. Additionally on a sensible degree, the A800’s shutter launch may be very delicate with little really feel of a particular midway ‘chew’ level at which the digicam historically units focus and publicity. In truth one may say it is over delicate, with only a fraction tougher press prompting the digicam to take the shot whereas the consumer is in actual fact nonetheless framing up.

Aspect	Entrance

Trying like a refined pebble from the entrance in the silver incarnation we had in for assessment, the Canon A800’s faceplate is dominated by the lens, left of which is a tiny pinprick housing the in-built microphone and a small porthole for the self timer lamp/ AF help beam. As talked about above, the A800 has sadly disbursed with any type of hand-grip, though, with batteries inserted lending a little bit of weight and the digicam’s general bulkier than ordinary proportions for its level and shoot class, this does not really feel like a mannequin that would all of the sudden slip out of your grasp. On the prime of the left-hand nook of the digicam physique is a lug for attaching the customary wrist strap offered within the field.

The highest of the digicam is a equally frill-free affair, that includes simply the shutter launch button – logically the largest management right here – plus tapering lozenge formed on/off button. A press of the latter and the A800 powers up in simply over a second, such velocity on this case belying its finances standing, rear LCD blinking into life while the zoom lens extends to its most not-very-wideangle setting. Press the shutter launch button gently and the digicam takes a second to regulate focus and publicity, following it up with a bleep of affirmation as AF level/s are highlighted in inexperienced. Go on to take the shot and there is a wait of three seconds while a most decision JPEG is dedicated to reminiscence, display briefly blanking out then freezing with a show of the captured picture.

The rocker change for working the three.3x optical zoom is in the meantime discovered prime proper of the digicam again; maintain this down and the lens travels by means of the vary from most extensive angle to excessive telephoto in all of two seconds, accompanied by a louder than ordinary however not overtly distracting mechanical buzz. Beneath this management is an apparent playback button. Press this, after which the zoom rocker once more and you’ll crop into a picture to verify element, or, by urgent the wideangle finish of the zoom change, name up latest pictures as a collection of thumbnails, every subsequent press mentioning an ever rising variety of thumbnails (and thus more and more smaller ones).

Beneath this we discover a set of directional cross keys with a operate/set button at their centre that shall be instantly acquainted to any digital digicam consumer. At factors north, south, east and west round this are, in that order, a method of leap-frogging bunches of photos when in playback mode or adjusting publicity compensation (+/- 2EV) when in seize mode. Subsequent, on the backside of the pad, is a method of deleting duff photos on the fly or deciding on the self-timer choices (two seconds, 10 seconds or customized choice), while the flexibility to regulate the flash settings (off, gradual synchro, on, auto) and change focus from infinity to macro (and again) full the bundle.

Reminiscence Card Slot	Battery Compartment

Beneath the cross keys are two additional buttons. There is not any button marked ‘show’ as one would possibly anticipate finding, however relatively one that permits the consumer to alternately tab between nonetheless picture and video seize. Press this and 4 taking pictures mode choices are proven on a toolbar throughout the highest of the display. First is full auto – or Sensible Auto – subsequent is Program, which permits for a modest quantity of handbook tweaking, then scene mode(s) (here is the place you may discover the poster mode, tremendous vivid, blur discount and low mild choices, the latter two modes dropping decision down to 2 megapixels, together with face self timer), and lastly the video seize choice.

Press the aforementioned ‘operate/set’ button when on this mode (or one of many nonetheless seize modes) and a second toolbar seems down the left hand facet of the display with additional selectable taking pictures choices. If staying in video mode customers can manually tweak white steadiness settings or select from the My Colours choices, together with Vivid, Impartial, Sepia, Black and White, plus Customized color choices. In common auto mode, the broader vary of choices is disabled so all of the consumer can regulate is picture measurement and high quality, whereas, if switching to Program mode, customers have further entry to ISO (ISO80-1600), evaluative, centre weighted or spot metering, plus single shot or steady seize choices.

The button to the fitting of that is the self explanatory ‘menu’. A thumb press of this brings up two folders on-screen with good, clear kind – the primary containing the taking pictures menu, the second the extra normal function arrange menu. The primary folder accommodates the flexibility to activate the digital zoom, name up grid strains on display, plus add a date stamp. What’s lacking right here is in-built consumer adjustable picture stabilization, as discovered on the IXUS. The second featured folder of the 2 accommodates the arrange menu, providing the flexibility to tweak numerous sound and begin up choices – there is not any longer an extraneous separate menu folder inside the Canon collection for doing this – plus format the cardboard in use or, lastly, reset all present settings.

While the left hand facet of the digicam, if viewing it from the again, contains a built-in speaker, to the fitting hand facet we discover a rubber flap, flipped open with the help of your thumbnail, that protects two ports for, variously, mains energy in, AV out and USB in. This rubber flap feels somewhat flimsy and we will see it tearing off following extended use, however then what else can one moderately count on for the pocket cash value?

The bottom of the digicam is the place the 2 AA batteries, good for a a lot improved 300 pictures, are inserted, sharing a compartment with the slot for the elective however important media card. Simply off centre is the customary plastic screw thread for attaching the A800 to a tripod if that’s the case desired. So far, a lot as anticipated. So what of the photographs the digicam produces. Do these transcend or betray its finances standing when it comes to high quality? Learn on to search out out…

Picture High quality

The entire pattern photos on this Evaluation had been taken utilizing the ten megapixel Effective JPEG setting, which supplies a median picture measurement of round 2.5Mb.

For an auto all the pieces digicam, and, particularly given the value, the A800 places in a commendably constant efficiency, with even exposures and crisp, vibrant pictures when circumstances are very best (for which learn: clear, blue skies). The Tremendous Vivid and Poster Impact settings from amongst the scene modes are enjoyable below such circumstances with out being excessive, and do return surprisingly usable outcomes. Even when left on default settings, crimson, greens and blues are properly to the fore.

OK, so inevitably there are the same old bugbears for this class of digicam current resembling purple fringing between areas of excessive distinction, however that is no extra in proof than with compacts costing twice the A800’s pocket cash outlay. Not less than the truth that the lens does not go all that extensive signifies that we do not endure from barrel distortion on the extremities of the zoom, and such framing limitations additionally immediate the consumer to be somewhat extra thought-about lining up their pictures, which is not all the time a nasty factor.

And sure, photos taken at most zoom are typically somewhat comfortable, however nothing surprising right here both. In truth, for normal pictures the outcomes from the A800 are a lot better than the finances tag would recommend and on a par with the dearer, outwardly extra refined pocket IXUS fashions. When it comes to low mild pictures with out flash, the A800 has a clear invoice of well being as much as and together with ISO 400, slight softening of element at ISO 800 after which noise intruding extra noticeably, however not ruinously, on the quickest ISO 1600 setting.

So, whereas the photographs the Canon Powershot A800 produces aren’t up there with one of the best we have ever seen, for its newbie market they’re higher than anticipated.

Noise

There are 5 ISO settings obtainable on the Canon Powershot A800. Listed here are some 100% crops which present the noise ranges for every ISO setting:

Sharpening

Listed here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Internet – High quality 50 in Photoshop. The appropriate-hand picture has had some sharpening utilized in Photoshop. The out-of-the digicam photos are somewhat comfortable on the default setting ideally and profit from some additional sharpening in a program like Adobe Photoshop. You too can change the in-camera sharpening degree to fit your tastes by way of the My Colours menu choice.

Focal Vary

The Canon Powershot A800’s 3.3x zoom lens offers a focal size of 37-122mm in 35mm phrases, as demonstrated beneath.

File High quality

The Canon Powershot A800 has 2 totally different picture high quality settings obtainable, with Effective being the best high quality choice. Listed here are some 100% crops which present the standard of the varied choices, with the file measurement proven in brackets.

10M Effective (2.84Mb) (100% Crop)	10M Regular (1.28Mb) (100% Crop)

Chromatic Aberrations

The Canon Powershot A800 dealt with chromatic aberrations properly in the course of the assessment, with some restricted purple fringing current across the edges of objects in sure high-contrast conditions, as proven within the examples beneath.

Macro

The Canon Powershot A800 gives a Macro setting that lets you deal with a topic that is simply 1cm away from the digicam when the lens is ready to wide-angle. The primary picture exhibits how shut you may get to the topic (on this case a compact flash card). The second picture is a 100% crop.

Flash

The flash settings on the Canon Powershot A800 are Auto, Flash On, Gradual Synchro, and Flash Off, with Pink-eye Correction and Pink-Eye Lamp settings obtainable by way of the Flash Settings fundamental menu choice. These pictures of a white colored wall had been taken at a distance of 1.5m.

And listed here are some portrait pictures. As you may see, neither the Flash On setting or the Pink-Eye Correction choice precipitated any quantity of red-eye.

	Flash On (100% Crop)

Night time Shot

The Canon Powershot A800’s most shutter velocity is 15 seconds within the Lengthy Shutter mode, which is nice information for those who’re severely interested by evening pictures. The shot beneath was taken utilizing a shutter velocity of 15 seconds at ISO 100. I’ve included a 100% crop of the picture to indicate what the standard is like. The digicam takes the identical period of time once more to use noise discount, so for instance on the 15 second setting the precise publicity takes 30 seconds.

Pattern Pictures

It is a choice of pattern photos from the Canon PowerShot A800 digicam, which had been all taken utilizing the ten megapixel Effective JPEG setting. The thumbnails beneath hyperlink to the full-sized variations, which haven’t been altered in any manner.

Pattern Film & Video

Product Pictures

Entrance of the Digicam

Entrance of the Digicam / Lens Prolonged

Isometric View

Isometric View

Rear of the Digicam

Rear of the Digicam / Picture Displayed

Rear of the Digicam / Turned On

Rear of the Digicam / Major Menu

Rear of the Digicam / Operate Menu

High of the Digicam

Backside of the Digicam

Aspect of the Digicam

Aspect of the Digicam

Entrance of the Digicam

Entrance of the Digicam

Reminiscence Card Slot

Battery Compartment

Conclusion

Aside from just a few new taking pictures modes and a questionable beauty overhaul that truly makes the digicam barely harder to make use of, it is troublesome to see simply what Canon have added to the brand new Powershot A800 to justify its launch. The most important enhancements are the doubling in battery life, now as much as round 300 pictures, and a major discount in value to properly beneath the £100 / $100 level.

The elimination of the hand-grip, presumably to make the digicam prettier on the attention, together with the boxy entrance redesign are retrograde steps in our opinion. Nevertheless, as the image efficiency of the A800 is notably little totally different from dearer IXUS fashions, and for those who do not want a wider-angle lens or greater display, then this finances mannequin begins to make sense as a reasonable path to picture seize for digital pictures novices.

The A800 does not have the dashing seems of some rivals and is not fairly as straightforward to make use of as its predecessor, but it surely does nonetheless ship good picture high quality with higher battery life for a way more wallet-friendly value. That simply makes the Canon Powershot A800 worthy of our Really useful award.

Evaluation Roundup

Opinions of the Canon PowerShot A800 from across the internet.

Specs

Your Feedback