Canon PowerShot A2100 IS vs Samsung SL820: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera can be a daunting task, especially when you’re faced with models that share many specifications but differ in subtle ways affecting your creative workflow and results. Today, we dive deep into two classic small sensor compacts from 2009 - the Canon PowerShot A2100 IS and the Samsung SL820 - to unravel their strengths, weaknesses, and user fit.

Both cameras belong to the compact category with 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors and 12MP resolution but diverge in optical designs, ergonomics, and key features that impact real-world photographic outcomes across genres like portraiture, landscape, wildlife, and more. As seasoned testers of hundreds of compact cameras, we bring you an honest, technically detailed, and practical appraisal to help you make informed decisions.

First Impressions: Handling and Build Quality

Before we dive into image quality and feature sets, how these cameras feel in your hands makes a big difference for everyday shooting.

Size and ergonomics comparison showing how these cameras feel in hand.

At first glance, the Canon A2100 IS is slightly bulkier and heavier, which can be a positive or negative depending on your preference. The larger grip area and thicker body provide more secure handling, especially for extended use like travel or casual wildlife shooting. On the other hand, the Samsung SL820 boasts a slimmer and lighter design, favoring portability and discreet shooting, ideal for street photographers or vloggers seeking minimal gear weight.

The Canon’s use of AA batteries allows for easy replacements on the go, whereas the Samsung’s proprietary lithium-ion battery offers longer life but requires charging and spares. If you’re frequently in remote locations or dislike carrying chargers, the Canon may edge ahead here.

Controls and User Interface: Keeping It Intuitive

User interface extends beyond specs - it’s about how easily you can adjust settings while framing your shot.

Top view comparison highlighting control layouts.

Both cameras feature a similar array of buttons and dials, designed for straightforward point-and-shoot use with minimal manual controls. Neither model offers dedicated manual aperture or shutter priority modes, making them best suited for beginners or casual shooters who prioritize simplicity.

The Canon A2100 IS offers a more tactile feel with well-spaced buttons and a modest front grip that helps stabilize your hold during shooting. Its top plate layout places the zoom rocker and shutter button ergonomically for swift thumb or index finger access.

The Samsung SL820 opts for a cleaner, more minimal look, which might appeal if you prefer fewer distractions, though some buttons feel smaller and closer together, possibly challenging under quick shooting scenarios.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now to the heart of the cameras: their 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors. Both pack a 12-megapixel resolution with identical maximum native ISO of 1600. But let’s look a little deeper.

Visualizing sensor sizes and image quality factors.

In practice, the sensors are near-identical in size and capability, as expected from cameras launched almost simultaneously. Being CCD rather than CMOS, they favor lower noise at base ISOs but can struggle above ISO 400 in terms of image noise, limiting low-light prowess.

Image quality tests reveal both cameras offer good detail and color fidelity at ISO 80 and 100. The Canon tends to produce slightly warmer skin tones, excellent for portraiture out of the box, while the Samsung’s color rendering is cooler but more neutral, which some prefer for landscapes.

Lens and Optical Performance

Optics define much of your creative potential - field of view, depth-of-field, and image sharpness.

The Canon's 6x zoom lens is advantageous if you need extra reach for wildlife or sports shooting, extending to the telephoto equivalent of 216mm. It also features optical image stabilization, an important perk for handheld shooting at longer focal lengths or low-light conditions, reducing blur from camera shake. This can be a significant benefit for casual wildlife or event photographers.

Conversely, the Samsung’s 5x zoom lens covers a wider widest-angle starting point at 28mm, favorable for landscapes and street photography where capturing more scene context is helpful. However, it lacks stabilization, which may limit handheld low-light versatility or telephoto sharpness.

Macro enthusiasts will appreciate Canon’s ability to focus as close as 1 cm, permitting dramatic detail shots of flowers or insects. Samsung’s 5 cm minimum focus distance is less impressive here but still usable.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy

Autofocus systems can make or break spontaneous shooting moments, especially for action or wildlife photography.

Both cameras rely solely on contrast-detection autofocus with no continuous AF tracking. However, Samsung offers the option of center-weighted AF in addition to multi-area, while Canon has 9 focus points but lacks dedicated center AF.

Our hands-on testing reveals the Samsung SL820 delivers slightly faster lock times in good light, partly thanks to optimized AF algorithms. Meanwhile, the Canon’s autofocus can feel a little slower but remains accurate with good face detection assistance.

Neither is ideal for rapid burst shooting or fast-moving subjects like sports or wildlife, but for casual portraits or street shooting, AF performance is adequate.

LCD and Viewfinding Options

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder, so composing through the rear LCD is your only option.

Rear LCD screen and interface comparisons.

Both 3" fixed LCDs have identical 230k-dot resolution. The visibility under bright outdoor sun is poor on both, but Samsung’s screen has a slight edge in brightness and color saturation. Neither offers touch functionality or articulating displays, which limits flexibility for video self-recording or awkward angles.

The lack of electronic viewfinders could deter traditional photographers requiring precise framing in bright light, so investing in an external loupe or considering a mirrorless alternative might be necessary if eye-level composition is vital.

Video Features and Usability

If you plan to record video occasionally, these cameras diverge notably in specs.

The Samsung SL820 clearly wins this category with HD video recording capability at 720p resolution, providing more detailed footage ideal for sharing casual videos or vlogs. Its higher frame options (up to 60fps at low resolution) also offer some flexibility for slow-motion effects.

The Canon A2100 IS, constrained to VGA resolution, is less impressive for video creators but benefits from optical image stabilization which can smooth out handheld jitter, producing steadier clips.

Neither camera offers external microphone inputs or advanced video controls, so they remain basic, supplemental tools for video play rather than primary camcorders.

Storage, Battery Life, and Connectivity Essentials

While both cameras offer SD card compatibility, the Samsung’s internal memory option provides the convenience of taking photos without a card, good for emergency shots but limited in capacity.

In real-world tests, the Samsung battery lasts longer per charge than Canon’s AA reliance, considering rechargeable vs disposable factors. However, having AA batteries in your kit means you can swap in fresh cells from any convenience store if needed, a true advantage in remote or travel scenarios.

Neither has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS, understandable for 2009 models but a drawback if you rely on instant image sharing or geotagging.

Strengths and Weaknesses Summary

How Do They Perform in Different Photography Areas?

It’s important to consider which camera suits specific styles and applications. The table below visualizes approximate performance scores across genres and use cases based on our detailed testing.

Portraits

• Canon A2100 IS slightly edges ahead due to its warmer color science, effective face detection, and closer macro focusing for expressive close-ups.
• The absence of raw shooting on both limits post-processing depth but JPEGs are pleasing straight out of camera.

Landscape

• Samsung SL820’s wider 28mm equivalent lens offers a more flexible field of view for expansive scenes.
• Both cameras have limited dynamic range, requiring exposure care.
• Lack of weather sealing discourages risky outdoor adventures.

Wildlife and Sports

• Neither camera excels here due to slow autofocus and single shot AF only.
• Canon’s longer zoom is an advantage for distant subjects, and image stabilization helps handheld shots.
• Burst rate low on Canon (1 fps), unknown on Samsung, both insufficient for sports.

Street and Travel

• Samsung SL820’s smaller size and lighter build promotes portability.
• Both are discreet but Samsung wins on ease of carry.
• Battery reliability favors Canon with AA power.

Macro Photography

• Canon provides superior close-focusing and better shutter precision.
• Samsung is acceptable but less dedicated.

Night and Astro

• Limited ISO ranges and noise control restrict long exposure night photography.
• Neither camera offers bulb mode or intervalometer for astro tasks.

Video

• Samsung’s HD video recording capability is a robust plus.
• Canon videos more stabilized but limited resolution.

Professional Workflows

• Both leave much to be desired with no RAW support, lack of manual controls, and limited connectivity.
• Suitable more for casual or enthusiast use rather than professional assignments.

Real-World Image Samples and User Experience

To help you visualize output differences, we captured the same scene using both cameras in controlled lighting.

Canon A2100 IS screen back Samsung SL820 front Samsung SL820 screen back

The Canon image exhibits a warmer white balance and slightly higher perceived saturation, great for portraits and indoor shots. The Samsung sample appears cooler with marginally softer detail, yet clearer shadows.

Exposure metering on both is competent but can be inconsistent in tricky lighting, so learning to adjust compensation on these cameras is helpful.

Overall Scores Evaluated

Bringing all factors together, we’ve rated each camera for overall performance based on image quality, features, ergonomics, and value.

While closely matched, Samsung SL820’s edge in portability and video nudges it slightly ahead, but Canon’s optics and stabilization remain compelling.

Making Your Choice: Recommendations by User Type

Beginners and Casual Shooters

If you want a reliable, easy-to-use point-and-shoot with good zoom flexibility and solid handheld stills, Canon A2100 IS is a better pick. Opt for it if you appreciate warmer rendering for portraits and value battery convenience.

Travel and Street Photographers

Lightweight and discreet, with HD video capabilities, the Samsung SL820 fits better here. Its modest size makes it easy to carry and quick to shoot, although lacking image stabilization requires careful handling to avoid blur.

Macro Hobbyists

Choose Canon A2100 IS for superior close-focusing performance.

Budget Conscious Buyers

Canon’s lower price (~$220) offers good value for a competent compact, while Samsung’s slightly higher cost (~$280) is justified by video features.

Video Enthusiasts

Samsung SL820 is the clear choice for high-definition home videos and casual vlogging, despite limited manual controls.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Compact Cameras with Different Strengths

The Canon PowerShot A2100 IS and Samsung SL820 each bring unique benefits to the table, reflecting a balance between portability, imaging performance, and user-oriented features.

• Canon leverages optical image stabilization, longer reach, and excellent macro capabilities ideal for steady handheld photos and close-ups.
• Samsung prioritizes compactness, faster autofocus, and HD video, catering to users who need lightweight gear without sacrificing video quality.

Given their release era and market segment, neither offers groundbreaking specs by today’s standards, but both remain accessible options for collectors, beginners learning photography foundations, or secondary cameras for casual shooting.

We encourage you to try both models hands-on if possible to see which feels better in your workflow and to complement your shooting style. Keep in mind the critical role of lens versatility, ergonomics, and stabilization for maximizing image quality.

Whatever your choice, both cameras open the door to exploring photography with intuitive setups, encouraging creativity without overwhelming complexity.

Explore these compacts to hone your skills, capture memorable moments, and build your photographic confidence step by step!

For additional guidance and accessory recommendations, check out our in-depth guides on compact camera lenses and stabilizers.

Happy shooting!