Canon PowerShot A800 review
Features and performance are in line with the rock-bottom price, but it punches above its weight for image quality.
Specifications
1/2.3in 10.0-megapixel sensor, 3.3x zoom (37-122mm equivalent), 186g
The A800’s video mode was never going to set the world alight with its 640×480 resolution. The picture was as sharp as the resolution allows and colours were excellent but soundtracks suffered from hiss and a lack of bass.
Thankfully, photo quality showed little sign of compromise. Details were sharp, colours accurate, and Canon’s usual knack for well-judged exposures was very much in evidence. Noise was visible at all sensitivities above the base ISO 100 setting but it was managed well, giving usable pictures – if fairly low on fine detail – in our indoor tests.
Most people are best advised to spend a little more, but if you’re on the tightest of budgets the A800 is the best option at this price.
Basic Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Rating | **** |
| CCD effective megapixels | 10.0 megapixels |
| CCD size | 1/2.3in |
| Viewfinder | none |
| Viewfinder magnification, coverage | N/A |
| LCD screen size | 2.5in |
| LCD screen resolution | 115,000 pixels |
| Articulated screen | No |
| Live view | Yes |
| Optical zoom | 3.3x |
| Zoom 35mm equivalent | 37-122mm |
| Image stabilisation | none |
| Maximum image resolution | 3,646×2,736 |
| Maximum movie resolution | 640×480 |
| Movie frame rate at max quality | 30fps |
| File formats | JPEG; AVI (M-JPEG) |
Physical | |
| Memory slot | SDXC |
| Mermory supplied | none |
| Battery type | 2x AA |
| Battery Life (tested) | 300 shots |
| Connectivity | USB, AV |
| HDMI output resolution | N/A |
| Body material | plastic |
| Lens mount | N/A |
| Focal length multiplier | N/A |
| Kit lens model name | N/A |
| Accessories | USB cable |
| Weight | 186g |
| Size | 62x94x31mm |
Buying Information | |
| Warranty | one-year RTB |
| Price | £66 |
| Supplier | http://www.play.com |
| Details | www.canon.co.uk |
Camera Controls | |
| Exposure modes | auto |
| Shutter speed | auto |
| Aperture range | f/3 (wide), f/5.8 (tele) |
| ISO range (at full resolution) | 100 to 1600 |
| Exposure compensation | +/-2 EV |
| White balance | auto, 5 presets, manual |
| Additional image controls | contrast, saturation, sharpness |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Closest macro focus | 1cm |
| Auto-focus modes | centre, face detect |
| Metering modes | multi, centre-weighted, centre, face detect |
| Flash | auto, forced, suppressed, slow synchro, red-eye reduction |
| Drive modes | single, continuous, self-timer |